Third Sunday of Lent: Reflection and Bulletin

In the reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent,  John Rietschlin reflects:

Excerpt

“Today’s reading from the Book of Exodus reminds us that we’re not the first group to suffer a crisis of faith. Only a short time after their miraculous liberation from slavery in Egypt, the Israelite people begin to doubt that God will keep them alive as they journey through the desert.   Has God, through Moses, led them here so that they might die of thirst?  Moses nearly despairs of their faithlessness, but he entreats God and is rewarded by another miracle as water comes forth from a rock.  Through this simple gift of fresh water, the people will live another day.  More importantly, their fragile faith has been restored, at least for the moment.  The Jewish scripture writers preserved this text for that reason—to encourage faith in God who is present in even the darkest circumstances.”

Third Sunday of Lent Reflection Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz3Hyx9kBMw
And text:3rd Sunday of 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: God of second chances  Jarek Pachocki, OMI

OMI Lacombe Canada – Vocation Director vocations@omilacombe.ca

Prayer resources in solidarity with Indigenous delegations’ visit with the Holy Father: Indigenous Delegation Visit to Vatican

Supporting 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

Red Cross: https://www.redcross.ca/about-us/media-news/news-releases/red-cross-launches-ukraine-humanitarian-crisis-appeal

Lacombe MAMI: Lacombe MAMI Appeal for Ukraine

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

A podcast interview with Chris Adam, the Parish’s Executive Director

Jericho Road’s Recovery Connection podcast interviewed our Executive Director on our Parish programs geared to social justice outreach. Chris shared some of the history of our Parish, the St. Joe’s Supper Table, the Women’s Centre and the involvement of the Oblates in establishing the church and its ministries. Fundamentally, the podcast explores the challenge of living our Catholic faith in daring ways and looks at how we recognize the many faces of poverty in our midst. You can listen to the podcast here: https://www.jerichoroad.ca/podcast/episode/41f386ae/episode-12-or-christopher-adam-st-joes-parish

Update on the Synodal Process of the People of God

March 20, 2022

Synodal Journey Registration Now Open

We are now accepting registration for the following dates:

GROUP 4 will be meeting on Tuesday March 29 at 7PM with the second session on Tuesday April 5 at 7PM.

GROUP 5 will be meeting on Thursday March 31 at 7PM with the second session on Thursday April at 7PM.

GROUP 6 will be meeting on Saturday April 2 at 2PM with the second session on Saturday  April 9 at 2 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)

Reconciliation Discussion Series 

St Joe’s Reconciliation Discussion Series met once again this past Monday. After reflecting on some key historical events and current inequalities, we were encouraged to consider reconciliation through the lens of Lederach’s The Moral Imagination. With learning resources provided between meetings, participants are enjoying the opportunity to explore questions and new ideas, and to share those with each other through our facilitated discussion sessions. We look forward to hearing news of the Canadian Indigenous delegation to Rome (March 28th – April 1st, 2022) and we commit to supporting them in prayer and solidarity.

 THIRD WEEK OF LENT

The power of mobilized citizens

One of Development and Peace’s strengths is its ability to mobilize thousands of Canadians like you to amplify marginalized voices from the Global South. Our partners want businesses not to be able to perpetrate abuses in their countries with impunity.

That is why our People and Planet First campaign asked you to help ensure that Canada adopts strong due diligence laws to prevent Canadian corporations from abusing human and environmental rights across their global operations.

Many of you signed our petition for this at church in November.  We are waiting to hear back from several local MPs for an appointment to deliver the petitions and explain the need for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation.  We will update you as soon as there is news.  If you haven’t had a chance to sign the petition, email Joan O’Connell at joanoco@rogers.com to arrange a time to meet at mass so you can add your name.  Or you can sign the on-line petition at devp.org/act. Thank you for supporting our campaign!

Solidarity Way of the Cross – Join us this Sunday at 10:45 – in the Parish Library!

Development and Peace members invite you to join them in the Solidarity Way of the Cross this Sunday, March 20, and the following Sunday (March 27), in between the two Sunday morning masses at 10:45.  We will do Stations 6 through 10 this week.  Note the change of location – in the parish Library behind the sacristy.  Last week, we shared a short but very meaningful period of reflection afterwards.  We aim to finish by 11:15.

Solidarity Calendar

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 each Sunday.  They are written by Development and Peace staff from across Canada.

 CARE FOR CREATION

World Water Day – Tuesday, March 22

Why not make it personal this year?  Visit a water site near where you live – river, creek, pond, fountain, puddle – and spend some time reflecting on what it means to you.  What does it mean for the wider community?  What does it mean for our non-human neighbours?  Or contemplate the source and uses of water within your home.  If you feel so inspired, take a photo and send it to Joan O’Connell at joanoco@rogers.com.  With your permission, I will share them with the wider parish community.  Add a few words of reflection or a title that captures how you were feeling at that moment or what this place means to you.

World Water Day Events

  1. 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

  1. 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

 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.

Save the Date! – Tuesday, April 26, 9:30-2:00 p.m. EDT – The Contribution of Catholicism to Global Sustainable Development.

Keynote Speaker – Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., ad Interim Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.  Many distinguished panelists, including our own Joe Gunn from Centre Oblate!

To register –

St Joe`s Women`s Centre

St. Joe’s Women’s Centre needs towels for their shower program.

Donations of shower towels can be made to the Women’s Centre Monday-Friday; 9:00am-3:30pm or left at Parish reception.

Thank you for your support!

Parish Updates

Financial Stewardship

Offering for Sunday March 13, 2022: $4,680

Event Calendar

March-April 2022 at St Josephs: March

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: Bēatē Bernhardt, Marie Budden, Paul Chamberlain, Loretta Doherty, David Friday, Ethel Garrett, Jane McGarry

Prayers for those who have died: Donna Andrew, Pat Barr, Christine Crawford, Gail Ford, Sister Patricia McCarney CND, Nina McCullough

Mass Intentions

March 23th, 2022: Frank Barker
March 25th, 2022: Allan Kasick

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.

One thought on “Third Sunday of Lent: Reflection and Bulletin”

  1. Let me first say a huge Thank You for sharing your podcast. Well said Chris. What a gift you are to us here at St. Joe’s. The Spirit is most certainly leading and looking after us. Blessings. Eleanor

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