This beautiful service is being offered in-person and live-streamed on Friday evenings at 9 pm during Advent through December 23rd. Canon Doug Richards and Andrew McAnerney will lead this restful way to end the week!

A service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas was first developed in 1880 by Bishop Edward Benson of Truro (who eventually became the Archbishop of Canterbury). A later adaptation by King’s College, Cambridge, became widely known. Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa has further adapted this iconic Christmas liturgy, using readings and carols to narrate the story of God’s loving purpose in creation, from the Spirit of God, which moved over the waters at the beginning of time, and the covenant God made with humankind, to the abandonment of that covenant and the hope-filled promise of humankind’s redemption by the Holy Child of Bethlehem. The lessons are read by individuals from the Cathedral’s diverse community.

The service is offered by Christ Church Cathedral as a gesture of peace and goodwill to the people of the Nation’s Capital.

This service will be offered both in-person or online at https://www.youtube.com/c/christchurchcathedralottawa

We are delighted to welcome Professor Isabelle Demers to the Cathedral organ bench this weekend. Dr. Demers is professor of organ at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and an internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso. She is equally at home as a liturgical musician, and this Sunday will be accompanying the Choral Eucharist as well as our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Welcome, Isabelle!

Read more about Isabelle

Our thanks to everyone who picked up Christmas bags to prepare donations for the diocesan ministries again this season.

Please return your filled bags to the foyer by this Sunday so that the Cathedral Men can deliver them in time for the parties that take place this coming week. Financial donations are welcome and can be dropped off in cash or by cheque written to Christ Church Cathedral with the designation that the monies are intended for the Christmas bags 2022. For more information, please contact the cathedral office by email at  info@ottawacathedral.ca  or by phone at (613) 236 9149 ext 29.

Welcome to Canon Rob Heard who is joining Archdeacon Michelle Staples as a Cathedral Honorary Assistant. Canon Rob was ordained in 1979 at Christ Church Cathedral, and has served this diocese as a parish priest in a variety of church communities, rural, suburban and urban. Rob serves a pastoral role as volunteer chaplain with the Ottawa Police Service. Canon Rob and his spouse, Beverley, live in Ottawa, as do the families of their three adult sons, including four grandchildren.

Join us for coffee in the Lackey room next to the small kitchen.and learn about recent activities and plans for next year.

Join Albert Dumont on Sunday, December 18th at 3 pm in person as he reads from this new compilation of poetry and offers reflections.

The inspiration for this book began in August 2021 as a poetry contest by Ottawa’s Poet Laureate Albert Dumont to promote poetry. The theme for the contest ‘I am a Human Being’ resulted in this compilation of poems submitted by 86 poets including 24 students from the Kitigan Zibi School and 27 students from the Ottawa Catholic School Board (most of them first-time poets).

This year the cathedral will again be adorned in flowers and decorations as we celebrate the season.

To make a memorial donation, contact the cathedral office before December 21st, by email at info@ottawacathedral.ca or by phone at 613.236.9149. The names of those being memorialized will be printed in the order of service. 

Looking for a special way to send your a Christmas message this year? These beautiful greeting cards offer images from our Cathedral and carry your message of hope for the holidays and the year to come. Each package includes 5 cards with envelopes for $10. 

Contact the office by email at info@ottawacathedral.ca or by phone at 613.236.9149 to buy your cards.

Our Cathedral and Diocese will worship together at noon on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, with Bishop Shane celebrating and Archbishop Linda Nicholls preaching, followed by a reception in the Great Hall. Come one, come all and ring in the New Year!

This service will be offered both in-person or online at https://www.youtube.com/c/christchurchcathedralottawa

Livestreaming Cathedral services depends on a small but dedicated team of volunteers to managed the system from the sacristy. Ideally we are looking for individuals available once monthly on Sunday mornings and/or for special services. If you, or someone you know is interested in this (not overly technical) way of serving the cathedral, please speak with Dean Beth.

Join us at 12.05 pm for a lovely, quiet Eucharist. The service for the first Wednesday of the month will be from the BAS (p 230) with language of the BCP. The other weeks a liturgy from Iona will be used.

The service will be held in the Chancel. Please use the ramp on the east side of the Cathedral to access seating in the Chancel.

Looking for parking near our Cathedral? Click on the following link to find a map and list of "Free on Sundays" parking spots, most of them within easy walking distance appreciating the situation can change without notice due to special events and/or construction. Please direct questions or comments to info@ottawacathedral.ca.

Readings for Next Sunday

Fourth Sunday of Advent—December 18th, 2022
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

Questions?

For more information on anything in this newsletter or if you are in need of pastoral care or other assistance,
please contact us by calling (613) 236.9149 or emailing info@ottawacathedral.ca.