On Sunday morning, Canon Doug read the announcement of Bishop Shane's appointment of Archbishop Hosam Rafa Naoum to the Canonry of St. James of Jerusalem here at Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa.

Bishop Shane made this announcement in person during his visit to St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem as he leads a pilgrimage of clergy and lay readers from Ottawa through the land of the Holy One. A joyful and thank-filled appointment today, marking the long and treasured relationship between Ottawa and Jerusalem.

All young adults are invited to gather in the Great Hall after coffee hour this Sunday, March 26th for games and a soup lunch provided through the Ottawa Guild of Potters "Great Bowls of Fire" in support of the Ottawa Food Bank. Interested in attending? Please contact the cathedral office at info@ottawacathedral.ca or by phone at (613) 236 9149 ext 29 and leave a message confirming names and numbers of those attending.

Join Canon Rob Heard in study and reflection on four passages found in the middle section of the book of Isaiah, commonly called the "Book of Consolation." These passages, the Servant Songs, appear in our lectionary over Christmas and also during Holy Week. They were seminal in the development of Christian theology and have provided inspiration for the arts - music, visual representation and poetry. “The passage we will be discussing this week is Isaiah 50:4-11.”

The study will be held in the Lackey Room at noon. Please bring a bag lunch. Come to one, several or all sessions! If you have questions, seek out Canon Rob after 10.30 am on Sundays.

A gentle celebration of the Holy Eucharist, in the intimacy of the Chancel, with musical reflections by members of the choirs, followed by fellowship of a potluck supper in the Lackey Room. Come and join us!

We live in a world of many voices trying to get our attention.  To focus on one voice can be difficult.  During Lent we are offering an opportunity to listen for the 'still small voice' that we associate with God. Join us in the Chancel for a time of prayer, reflection, silence and meditative organ music, to calm your mind and open your heart to God's presence.

This year the cathedral will again be dressed for the season with memorial flowers - and we will be able to enjoy them in person! To make a memorial donation contact the cathedral office 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 for Easter Sunday. 

We are all so very excited to see everyone returning to church as we make our journey through Lent to our first unrestricted celebration of Easter in three years.

In readiness, we would like to "look our best". You are invited to join us on Saturday morning April 1st to roll up your sleeves and help put the shine back on the pews and all of the surround of our Cathedral home. All cleaning supplies will be provided, as well as refreshments in the Great Hall.

Palm Sunday is on April 2nd, and anyone who is interested in the art of making palm crosses is invited to join in this session in the Great Hall.  For information please contact Judith O'Rourke.

For the first time in four years, the Cathedral Girls Choir will sing Giovanni Pergolesi's setting of the "Stabat Mater" at 3 pm on Good Friday. This sacred concert provides an opportunity to deepen and enrich our experience of Holy Week. Pergolesi's haunting score perfectly paints the heart-rending scene at the foot of the cross in music that is both direct and intimate.

Palm Sunday, April 2th
8:30 am Holy Eucharist
10:30 am Choral Eucharist with Liturgy of the Palms
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 3rd, 4th and 5th
12.05 pm Sung Eucharist in the Chancel
Maundy Thursday, April 6th
7 pm Choral Eucharist with the Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday, April 7th
Noon Solemnity of the Lord’s Passion
3 pm Sacred Concert
Holy Saturday, April 8th
8 pm A Vigil for Easter
Easter Morning, April 9th
8:30 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Festal Eucharist

Travel the Lenten journey toward Easter morning with two options for devotions!

The first, Into the Wild: A Family-Friendly Devotional on Henri Matisse, is an adventure with Henri Matisse as he explores faith and wildness throughout his life.

In the second, Understanding the Cross: A Home-Based Holy Week Devotional on Jesus’ “Seven Last Words”, seven ways of looking at the cross using Jesus’ traditional “seven last words" are explored.

Just 300 metres away from the Cathedral, both sides of the Library and Archives at 395 Wellington offer lots of free parking on Sundays.

Looking for more 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

Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday - April 2nd 2023
Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 27:11-54

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.