Parish Life
A Message from Fr. Murray
GOD is our hope and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be changed, and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof rage and swell, and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46)
Dear Friends,
Recent Updates
Parish help line
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and social distancing and self-quarantining becomes more stringent, if any parishioners are in need of assistance, please contact Fr Murray. Fr is coordinating the response to parishioners' needs. Let us also care for one another through phone calls, messages, and virtual visits online. If you are concerned about, or wish to reach parishioners who do not have internet access, please contact:
Fr Murray, 613-668-6992, parishoffice@primus.ca
or
Update on Virtual Worship with a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Chapman
This past Monday the Provincial House of Bishops came to a unanimous decision that, given the inability of parish congregations to physically gather as a community for worship, all churches in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, which includes the Diocese of Ottawa, will observe a "Eucharistic Fast". This means that any Virtual Worship offered at St. Barnabas will not include the Holy Mass. The full text of Bishop Chapman's letter can be found here:
The latest on COVID-19 and St. Barnabas
All Parish Events Cancelled
Please be advised, that, due to restrictions placed upon the community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ALL WORSHIP SERVICES AND OTHER EVENTS in the parish are cancelled until further notice.
The e-bulletin will continue to be sent at the beginning of each week. Additional updates may also be sent out from time to time, as new information needs to be disseminated.
Listen to Wesley Warren's organ recital
Unfortunately, due the the quickly moving travel advisories around the COVID-19 pandemic, organist and choir director Wesley Warren will not be able to make his planned trip to the U.K. this week to perform a recital at Westminster Abbey. But he did perform the same program for a small, but appreciative, audience at his home Church on Sunday, March 15. You may listen to the program above.
Cathedrals, Shrines and Royal Peculiars – Pilgrimage 2020
by Rev’d Canon W. David Raths, Associate Priest
Annual Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 23
A major fundraising event for the parish, the annual Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday, November 23, celebrating its 92nd straight year.
The event will include the always popular Snowflake Café, a range of donated china, jewellery and other treasures, a busy book, CD and DVD table, as well as tasty, but limited, quantities of preserves, baking and deli treats. Arrive early to avoid disappointment! From 10 am to 2 pm.
Read the November newsletter
The Parish's November newsletter is available, hot off the virtual press. Read about the recent All Saints' Day party and more.
May Festival of Our Lady 2019
by Brian Wehrle
May is Mary’s month, and I
Muse at that and wonder why:
Her feasts follow reason,
Dated due to season –
- Gerard Manley Hopkins, The May Magnificat
The month of May has traditionally been a time of popular piety and devotion honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary, the “Queen of May”. This custom is believed to have arisen in the 13th century; Alfonso X of Castile acknowledges the tradition of honouring Mary in May, in Ben vennas, Mayo, one of his Cantigas de Santa Maria:
Courage to Share
By Rev. Canon Stewart Murray, Incumbent at St. Barnabas, Ottawa
(published in the February 2019 issue of Crosstalk)