Website updated on May 3^rd, 2008

Coming Events and Other Information

Pope Benedict’s Monthly Prayer Intentions for May 2008

General : That Christians may use literature, art and the media to greater advantage to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person..

Mission: That just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the Church, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelisation and Queen of Apostles, continue to guide missionaries throughout the world with maternal affection.

Pope Benedict XVI

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Launching of Truth and Reconciliation Commission: An opportunity for healing and hope

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is pleased with the launching of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which has been established by the Government of Canada following the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. We welcome this as an opportunity for healing and hope.

The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission promises to be an important step forward in the history of the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the whole of Canadian society. Native Peoples and non-Natives, former students and personnel, religious and lay people -- all who lived in or were involved with the former residential schools will have an opportunity to share their experiences, their joys and sorrows, their tribulations and difficulties, as well as their hopes for renewed life and reconciliation.

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PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

MESSAGE TO BUDDHISTS FOR THE FEAST OF VESAKH 2008

Christians and Buddhists: Caring for the Planet Earth

Dear Buddhist Friends,

1. On the occasion of the festival of Vesakh, I am writing to you and your communities worldwide to convey my own warm greetings, as well as those of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

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Archbishop Prendergast’s Calendar

(subject to change)

Saturday, May 3	10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Convocation, Seat of Wisdom Academy, Barry’s Bay 6 p.m.-9 p.m. – Ottawa Diocesan CWL Convention, St. Maurice Parish, Nepean
Sunday May 4	9 a.m. – Confirmation at St. Catherine of Siena, Metcalfe 2:30 p.m. – Wedding Anniversary Mass, Notre Dame Cathedral 5 p.m. – Institution to the acolytat of candidates to the diaconate (French Sector)
Wednesday, May 7	9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. –Journée pastorale (French Sector)
Thursday, May 8	10 a.m. – Pro-Life Mass, Notre Dame Cathedral 6 p.m. – March for Life Rose Dinner
Saturday, May 10	10 a.m. – Priestly ordinations of Companions of the Cross, Notre Dame Cathedral 2:30 p.m. – Confirmations at St. Jude Parish, Hawkesbury 4:30 p.m. – Mass at St. Jude Parish, Hawkesbury
Sunday, May 11	10:30 a.m. – Confirmations, Notre Dame Cathedral (French) 12 noon – Confirmations, Notre Dame Cathedral (English) 3 p.m. – Confirmations, Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Orleans
Tuesday, May 13	7:30-9:00 p.m. – Conseil diocésain de pastorale (French)
Wednesday, May 14	10 a.m.-3 p.m. – English Sector Pastoral Day
Thursday, May 15	7:45 a.m. – Prayer Breakfast, Congress Centre 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Visit to Mother Theresa H.S., Ottawa
Saturday, May 17	4 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – CCO Meet the Movement Fundraiser Event
Sunday, May 18	10 a.m. – Mass at St-Pascal Baylon Parish, for their 100th Anniversary
Tuesday, May 20	4 p.m.-7 p.m. – Visit to Hôpital Montfort
Wednesday, May 21	7:30 p.m. – Messe des vendanges, Notre Dame Cathedral (French)
Thursday, May 22	9 a.m.-12 :30 p.m. – Visit of Notre Dame High School 7 p.m. – Conclusion of Triduum on the Eucharist, Pastoral Unit Sainte-Marie, Saint-Claude, Saint-Laurent and Saint-Hugues
Friday, May 23	6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Viens et vois
Saturday, May 24	4 p.m. – Confirmations and First communions at St. Gabriel’s Parish, Constance Bay
Sunday, May 25	9:00 a.m. – Confirmations at Paroisse St-Jean-Baptiste 11:30 a.m. – Confirmations at Paroisse Ste-Famille

PRO-LIFE WEEK: May 4 – May 11, 2008. PRO-LIFE MASS: Presided by Archbishop Prendergast, Thurs., May 8, 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Cathedral.
PRO-LIFE MARCH: Parliament Hill, Thursday, May 8, 1:00 p.m. (Please note that the mass announced in the Diocesan Calendar for Thursday, May 29, 2008, 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Cathedral is cancelled).

National March for Life

On the occasion of the National March for Life, the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) invites all Canadian citizens to respect human life. The May 8, 2008 document reminds us of the worth and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.

‘COME & SEE’ FOR MEN: Have you ever thought of becoming a priest? Our "Come & See" group meets each month for fellowship, prayer & discussion. Next meeting: Fri., May 16, 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Basilica on Kent St. Info: Fr. Joseph Muldoon (613-738-5025).

SUPPORT TO THE SEPARATED AND DIVORCED: Support Group for those experiencing the trauma of separation or divorce meets at the Diocesan Centre, 1247 Kilborn Place on Wednesday nights, 7:30 p.m. as follows: May 21. Info: (deaconpaul@ecclesia-ottawa.org).

50^TH ANNIVERSARY TO THE PRIESTHOOD OF ARCHBISHOP MARCEL GERVAIS: You are invited to a Thanksgiving Mass on Sat., May 31, 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Cathedral. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

GATHERING OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION MINISTRY: For all parish coordinators, team members including sponsors, all involved in Christian Initiation Ministry. Sat., May 31, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. To reflect on where we have journeyed over the past twenty-five years, take a fresh look at what the Rite calls us to, and reflect on what and where our vision of evangelization may lead us to over the next 25 years. Please mark this date on your calendar. Details will follow.

ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT: What does it mean to be people of the Word of God in the World today? Presenter: Gregor Sneddon on “Lectio Divina”. Come and spend some time learning to pray more deeply with scripture. Sat., May 24. Cost: $15. 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Diocesan Centre, 1247 Kilborn. Info: Carol (738-5025 X 251); (ckuzmochka@ecclesia-ottawa.org). Registrations: Please include the name of your parish; (abrown@ecclesia-ottawa.org); (738-5025 X 217).

Participants explore the Sunday Lectionary as “People of the Word of God” in the world today

Professor Normand Bonneau, OMI former dean of the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University and specialist in the Sunday Lectionary, led “Putting Out into The Deep!” participants in an engaging and informative session on April 19^th, 2008 on the Sunday lectionary.

Explaining how the 3 cycles, A,B,C are constructed, which Gospels are featured in each, and how the reading for a particular Sunday are related to one another, as well as how readings over some series of Sunday’s are connected, Normand opened up this foundation of our Sunday celebrations in a whole new way to participants. Explaining what the Documents of the Second Vatican Council were attempting with the place of the Word of God in the Sunday assembly, Normand highlighted the real presence of Jesus Christ in his Word and the need for it to be proclaimed with excellence and received with this insight of Christ speaking to us when the Word is proclaimed in Church. Participants were encouraged to explore the bible deeply, and to become more knowledgeable about it, so that they can “live out of the Word of God” as was common in the early Church.

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Professor Bonneau explains the relationships among the scripture passages of the 3 cycles of Lent.

UNDER THE SON! The biggest retreat for Ottawa's Catholic Youth all year! May 30 - June 1, St. Monica's parish. Grades 9-12 (entering & leaving). Don't miss this weekend of FUN outdoors! Games, food, sleeping out in tents, worship, speakers, Mass, Adoration under the stars, and friends you'll never forget! Deadline to register: May 16. Register at: (www.ottawacatholicyouth.com/uts/). Info: Ted (613-738-5025 ext 231).

CONFIRMATIONS ON PENTECOST SUNDAY: Archbishop Prendergast invites all adult and secondary school age candidates to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at Notre Dame Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, May 11, at the noon Mass. All candidates will have registered at their respective parish and have received the appropriate preparation there. Parishes are to send the names and all necessary information for the preparation of the register to Annmarie Brown at Pastoral Services (613-738-5025, ext. 217; abrown@ecclesia-ottawa.org) no later than April 1, 2007. The Pastoral Services Office will forward all the provided information to Msgr. Patrick Powers, Pastor at Notre Dame Parish.

For more information about the Congress, please visit their web site at www.cei2008.ca

INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS – QUEBEC CITY – JUNE 15 – 22, 2008: Official Diocesan Representative is Fr. Pommainville, Sainte-Geneviève parish (613-731-3772). Info: (www.cei2008.ca).

New releases on the site

May 3^rd: Is there a spiritual dimension to prolonged physical pain? (Communications / Religion Expert)
Diocesan News of May 2^nd 2008 (What's New/Diocesan News)
April 27^th: Archbishop Prendergast's Pastoral letter on Catholic education (What's New / Communication > Statements)
April 26^th How does your faith group view guilt? (Communications / Religion Expert)
April 19^thShould companies or individuals have the right to own land or any natural resource forever? As part of the earth, doesn't it belong to everybody? (Communications / Religion Expert)
April 12^th What role does food and drink play in your worship services? What is it meant to represent? (Communications / Religion Expert)
April 5^th Is your house of worship open to the public at all times? (Communications / Religion Expert)

News from Youth Section– Click on Youth Section logo to the left

Have a great week!