Parish Life

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,

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

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: 

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.

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.

by Rev’d Canon W. David Raths, Associate Priest

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. 

The Parish's November newsletter is available, hot off the virtual press. Read about the recent All Saints' Day party and more. 

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:

By Rev. Canon Stewart Murray, Incumbent at St. Barnabas, Ottawa

(published in the February 2019 issue of Crosstalk)