Time to turn the clocks ahead an hour this Saturday before you go to bed. A sure sign of spring and after all, you don't want to be late for church on Sunday morning!

During Lent following the 10.30 am services on Sunday, March 10th and 17th, join Canon Rob Heard in studying the passion narratives in Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. How each of the evangelists shaped these narrative in order to proclaim the message of redemption to their particular communities will be explored.

For the third session, please read Luke 22:1-23:55. Watch next week's newletter for reading assignments for the final session. Enjoy!

Come and worship during the evening on Sundays of Lent, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Cathedral and accompanied by the voices of our choirs. 

Please note that access to Queen Street between Bay and Bronson is now restricted as part of city works installing new storm and sanitary sewers, sidewalks, curbs, catch basins, and completing paving, traffic calming, and landscaping over the next several months. We do not have details as to the extent nor timing of the closures so please plan accordingly when travelling to and from the cathedral. We thank you in advance for your patience as this work is undertaken.

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

An Action Plan for Contextual Mission and New Worshipping Communities was agreed at Synod in October 2023 to help us be a Spirit-led Church and create new worshipping communities in parishes across our diocese. Monthly resources have been developed to pray, listen, consider and be inspired. These resources invite us to reflect and pray about how being fed by the Spirit can and should guide our actions in the world. You will find prayers of the people (PRAY), a Bible study guide for a selected Scripture passage (LISTEN), information on religiosity in Canada (CONSIDER) and a short video interview with Kitty Galt, whose actions at All Saints’ Sandy Hill were the origins of Cornerstone Housing for Women (INSPIRE).

You are also invited to our first A Time of Prayer Diocesan Group Gathering
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 7 to 8 pm
We’ll gather via Zoom to introduce the Time of Prayer resources, learn from colleagues on how the resources have been used so far, exchange ideas on how to overcome any barriers to their use, and of course we’ll pray together! We are pleased to have Bishop Shane joining this event. CLICK HERE for more information.

Christ Church Cathedral
For all those in leadership roles.
Those on our Hearts
All those whom we hold near, who are ill or suffering and for those who care for them.
Diocese of Ottawa
The Right Reverend Dr. Shane Parker; Area Parish of the St. Lawrence, The Reverend Adam Brown, The Reverend Cynthia MacLachlan.
Canadian Cathedrals
St. Martin's Cathedral, Gander, NL, The Very Reverend Jim Beaton.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Right Reverend Bruce Myers, clergy, and people of the Diocese of Quebec.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Bishop Jason Zinko, rostered ministers, and people of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.
Companion Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Diocese of Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam Naoum, and for peace in Israel and Palestine.

Time of Prayer
As we engage in a Time of Prayer across our diocese to listen for your divine sparks in our midst, we remember that you, O God, have been with your church since its beginning. You are with us now, and you will be with us as we prayerfully discern how to support your action in the world you love. Help us keep our hearts and minds open to hear your desires for our diocesan church, our parish, and our communities, and give us your wisdom and grace so that we can faithfully bring them to fruition. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Prayer for Peace
O God of all justice and peace, we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims, Christians, and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to the violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Requests for prayer may be sent to the office at info@ottawacathedral.ca and will be prayed for during the week by our Clergy and Prayer Team.

Did you miss one of our recent Sunday sermons or like to hear one again? Now you can do just that, by visiting our website and listening to the audio recording. Please note that if a service is livestreamed, there will not also be an audio recording.

Children are welcome to fully participate in worship and the life of the Cathedral! Activity sheets and supplies are available in the bookshelves at the entrance to the Cathedral. Please help yourself to these resources or ask a sidesperson to locate them. There is also a table in the Great Hall to use and the labyrinth to walk. If your child is interested in being a junior server, member of a choir, or a reader, please speak with our clergy.

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

Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 17th, 2024
Readings | Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-13 or 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33

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.