In the reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent, Eleanor Rabnett speaks to the Synodal journey:
Here at St. Joe’s, we are beginning our parish Synodal Journey – a journey of getting to know each other through prayer, discernment, listening – AND sharing. My experience of this has been – more than enlightening. I’ve known a lot of you for many years and have long been aware of your intrinsic goodness. But in running sessions for those who have volunteered to help make this a life-giving experience, I have discovered something unexpected. Thomas Merton said to us “There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.” But there is nothing to stop us from experiencing that kind of a miracle. To witness the inner beauty of those I am getting to know better is a gift beyond description. The light shining out from another is most exquisite. More than just a transformation – perhaps it is a transfiguration of my heart’s eyes and other’s heart which with sharing becomes the manifestation of God’s presence.
Second Sunday of Lent Reflection Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avJzI7lNbhA
And text:2nd Sunday in Lent
Masks no longer required at church beginning March 21, 2022 — A Message from Archbishop Marcel:
On March 9, 2022, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health announced effective Monday, March 21, 2022, the end of public masking requirements except in select settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings. As such, our churches, halls and offices will also no longer require masking starting on March 21, 2022. This change will be stressful for some members of our community. The transition to masks becoming optional may make some parishioners feel anxious. Some will choose to continue wearing a mask in churches, halls and offices, and they should not be discouraged from doing so. How we manage different attitudes to mask wearing will require understanding and patience as we each deal with our own comfort levels and particular health challenges. The important thing is to respect where each person is in their journey.
Liturgical Resources
As of March 2, 2022 — based on the Province’s easing of pandemic restrictions — St. Joseph’s Church is open at full capacity. As more of our parishioners are returning to in-person services, liturgical materials will be available by email, rather than on our website. We will continue to post video recordings of the reflection each week, but if you would like to receive the readings, the script, and prayers of the faithful by email, please contact Jamie Loback: jamieloback@yahoo.ca
Vocation Reflection: “Listen to him”: listening to and for God’s voice Vijay Deivanayagam, OMI Vocation Team – Central vijayreia@gmail.com
Supporting Ukraine
Archbishop Marcel Damphousse’s Message: Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
Prayer for peace in the Ukraine
Catholic Near East Welfare Association:
https://cnewa.org/ca/campaigns/ukraine/
Development and Peace:
https://www2.devp.org/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3&gl=24360
Lacombe MAMI:
Lacombe MAMI Appeal for Ukraine
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reconciliation Discussion Series
Our Reconciliation Discussion Series meets once again this Monday, March 14th. For those who are seeking a deeper understanding of Indigenous / non-Indigenous relationships here in Canada. Registrations are open until 4pm on Monday at the following link:
https://stjosephs.breezechms.com/form/cd3791
Update on the Synodal Process of the People of God
March 13, 2022
Synodal Journey Registration Now Open
There are still a few places left for each of the following Sessions:
GROUP ONE will be meeting on Tuesday March 15 at 7PM with the second session on Tuesday March 22 at 7PM.
GROUP TWO will be meeting on Wednesday March 16 at 7PM with the second session on Wednesday March 23 at 7PM.
GROUP THREE will be meeting on Friday March 18 at 2PM with the second session on Friday March 25 PM.
REGISTRATION: To register please email synod@st-josephs.ca and include the particular group that you wish to participate in. We will be adding more groups in the following weeks once we have a better idea of how many interested in joining us.
The process consists of two separate sessions: the first session will focus on how we as a parish community journey together in our local church (our lived reality) and the second session will focus on how the Spirit is inviting us to grow in our journey together (our dreams). We will gather in prayer, discernment, listening and sharing.
Once you register you will be sent a copy of the Participant’s Guide that will accompany you on your two-session journey of prayer, discernment and sharing. It will help you to prepare what you want to share in each of the sessions.
Let us keep each other in our prayers as we come together as a parish to share our collective struggles, challenges, and joys.
Eleanor Rabnett
(Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall)
SECOND WEEK OF LENT
Development and Peace: a movement of solidarity
Established in 1967, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is the official international solidarity organization of the Catholic Church in Canada.
We partner with organizations in the Global South that promote alternatives to unjust social, political, and economic structures and support women in their quest for equality and justice.
With the help of our 11,000+ volunteer members, including many here at Joe’s, we inform Canadians about the root causes of impoverishment and mobilize them to act for change. Our Lenten campaign, People and Planet First, offers you the opportunity to help protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems from corporate abuse.
To learn more about and to join our movement, visit devp.org.
Solidarity Way of the Cross – Join us this Sunday at 10:45!
Development and Peace members invite you to join them in the Solidarity Way of the Cross this Sunday, March 13, and the following two Sundays (March 20 & March 27), in between the two Sunday morning masses at 10:45. We will do five Stations of the Cross each week. Meet at Station 1 at the front left of the church. We aim to finish by 11:15.
Solidarity Calendar
Don’t forget to continue your Lenten journey by following along each day with our Solidarity calendar – Solidarity Calendar – Development and Peace (devp.org). Don’t forget to colour it!
Weekly Gospel Reflections
Check the Development and Peace Resources section each week for the reflection on the Gospel reading for the next Sunday.
CARE FOR CREATION
There are several Care for Creation events and activities coming up that you can sign up for, see below.
Also, World Water Day is March 22. This year, when we know that there are communities within Canada – most of which are indigenous – that still do not have access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water, and amplified by the stories from Ukraine of so many people cut off from their usual sources of water, let’s pause and give thanks for the water that we are blessed with here – to drink, to wash with, to rest by, to grow with, to baptize with, to safeguard and protect.
1. A Conversation on Laudato Si’ Spirituality and Gospel Values – You are invited to listen to A Conversation on the Spirituality of Laudato Si: Caring for Our Common Home – How does our Catholic faith align with our role as Stewards of Creation? Join Guest Speaker: Sabrina Chefari on March 16th, 2022, 7 to 8 pm. Sabrina is a Catholic Environmental Educator from Tkaronto/Toronto, an experienced proponent of Deep Ecology, and Integral Ecology and Creation Care Animator for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto.
Zoom Link: https://archoc.zoom.us/j/89357474080?pwd=SzZHbkZYQnNhTkhmUStkL09YTUVSZz09
2. World Water Day – March 22
a. Water Care – The Laudato Si’ Water Action Group invites you to an evening Zoom conversation. How can we improve water stewardship in Eastern Ontario and beyond? Hear from speakers for Water First (respectful partnering with Indigenous communities to improve water management on reserves) and Action Champlain (industrial development impacts on water near Hawkesbury), then join in an open discussion.
When: Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Link: https://archoc.zoom.us/j/83643774931?pwd=QzhCVzdDNkMvZDY3MkF1bG9Yd0ZyQT09
Information: creationcare@archottawa.ca
b. Sacred Water – An Interfaith Conversation – Join Faith and the Common Good to learn about what diverse faith and spiritual traditions have to teach us concerning the sacredness of water in a time of climate crisis, and how we can deepen our connection with it.
When: Tuesday, March 22, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Register here – https://www.faithcommongood.org/sacred_water_an_interfaith_conversation?utm_campaign=sacred_water_march_22_2022&utm_medium=email&utm_source=faithcommongood
3. Global Climate Strike
There will be a Global Climate Strike on Friday, March 25th in Ottawa. The strike will start at noon at McNabb Park (Gladstone Ave., between Bronson and Percy). It is being organized by Fridays for Future Ottawa and other community climate groups
Omi Lacombe – Employment Opportunity
Springhurst Residence is looking for a cook to do the breakfast shift (6:00 to 9:00 Tuesday to Friday) and the day shift (9:30 – 6:30) on Saturday and Sunday. In the past, both the breakfast and weekend shifts were filled by the same cook, however, we are willing to split it into 2 positions if required. Please email ontariodistrict@omilacombe.ca for further information.
Parish Updates
Financial Stewardship
Offering for Sunday March 6, 2022: $5,080
Event Calendar
March 2022 at St Josephs
Christian Meditation
Monday Christian Meditation Sessions have resumed in person at 9:30am in the Sacristy Library.
Wednesday Christian Meditation Sessions have resumed in person at 3pm in the Main Floor Meeting room. Please contact Chaplain Rick at 613-265-1652 for more information.
Friday Christian Meditation Sessions have resumed in person at 7pm in the Oblate Lounge. Please contact Beth at bborris59@gmail.com for more information.
The Canadian Christian Meditation Community 2022 National Conference is taking place the 10th & 11th June 2022 at Saint Paul University, 110 Hazel Street, Ottawa. For mor information and Registration: National Conference Registration
Front Office
If you have questions or require, 2021 Tax Receipts, 2022 Church Envelopes, or 2022 Missals, [please contact the Front Office at 613-233-4095 or frontdesk@st-josephs.ca.
Prayers for those who are sick: John Buden, Paul Chamberlain, Loretta Doherty, David Friday, Ethel Garrett, Jane McGarry, Rev. Bill Phipps
Prayers for those who have died: Donna Andrew, Pat Barr, Christine Crawford, Gail Ford, Sister Patricia McCarney CND, Nina McCullough
Mass Intentions
March 16th, 2022: Andrea P.
March 17th, 2022: Bonnie K.
March 18th, 2022: Barbara Benson
Please contact Kathleen in the Front office (kstrader@st-josephs.ca) for questions, bulletin submissions or to add a name to the prayers for the sick & deceased.
