A YEAR OF MERCY 2015-2016

CATHOLIC OTTAWA
FA LL/ WI NTER 20 1 5
A YEAR OF MERCY 2015-2016
By Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
Pope Francis has invited the Catholic Church to
celebrate a Jubilee Year of Mercy between December
8, 2015 and November 20, 2016.
We will open a special Door of
Mercy in Notre Dame Cathedral on
December 13. I hope that many
will make a pilgrimage to pass
through it. This can be done
individually or with fellow
parishioners or members of a
parish or Catholic association
(prayer groups, CursilloChallenge,
Knights
of
Columbus, Catholic Women’s
League, etc.)
I am inviting each Catholic
of our Archdiocese of Ottawa
who is able to do so to perform,
sometime during this special
year, one spiritual work of
mercy and one corporal work of
mercy. As well, I encourage each
Catholic to celebrate the Sacrament
of Reconciliation, to go to Confession
during the year.
The corporal works of mercy are well known: to
feed the hungry; to give drink to the thirsty; to clothe
the naked; to shelter the homeless; to visit the sick; to
visit the imprisoned; to bury the dead. We are asked
by Christ to recognize him in anyone in need: “Amen,
I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these my brethren, you did for me” (Matthew 25.40)
The spiritual works of mercy are less well
known but are important for the spiritual
vitality of our faith community: to
instruct the ignorant; to counsel the
doubtful; to admonish sinners;
to bear wrongs patiently; to
forgive offences willingly;
to comfort the afflicted; to
pray for the living and the
dead. The first three may
require a special level of
authority or competence or
even extraordinary tact. The
latter four are ways for us to
express in daily living our life
as disciples of Jesus.
To show mercy towards
others comes as our response
in gratitude for the mercy
God has shown us. Pope Francis
continually reminds us that we
may tire of asking God for pardon
and mercy, but he never tires of showing
us mercy. In this Year of Mercy, I invite all
to experience God’s compassionate mercy in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation and, in grateful thanks,
to show mercy to those in spiritual or material need.
THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY
By Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
The Closing Mass of the
Synod of Bishops on the
vocation and mission of the
family in the church and the
modern world took place on
October 25. Now Catholics the
world over await the teaching of
Pope Francis on the path ahead
for the Church’s pastoral care of
families.
We know well the issues
facing the Synod members:
separation, divorce, and
remarriage even among Catholic
couples; legislative change in the
definition of marriage in some
countries to include “samesex marriage” and adoption;
the breakdown in family life,
new structures in child-rearing,
blended families, et cetera.
We see the effects of this reality
in our parishes and our schools.
Adults and children grapple
with their own unique family
situations. Our hearts and our
hands go out to those who face
difficulties in family life.
Our Catholic tradition speaks
about the family as the “domestic
church.” The early Christians
met for worship in family
homes called “house
churches.”
The Catholic
faith is a family
faith. God in
the beginning
creates us male and female,
that the two might be united
in one flesh. He commands
our first parents to be fruitful
and multiply. God begins with
the family! After sin mars that
creation, He comes to us for our
redemption through the Holy
Family.
We need to thank the mothers
and fathers who give life to our
domestic churches, those families
where the faith is first handed
on. And in the Archdiocese we
need to take action, doing all
we can to help couples to dare
the adventure of marriage and
family today: assisting the spouses
to prepare for marriage and
welcoming children, supporting
them after the wedding day,
bringing resources to bear on
helping them work through
difficulties to become strong and
happy families.
The WMOF 2015 in Philadelphia was a
remarkable testament to the communion of saints,
bound together and enlivened by the love of
God. We could sense the powerful work of the Holy
Spirit in the lives of the many presenters and the
throngs of attendees. Everything was impressive,
from the beautiful daily masses, thought-provoking
keynote presentations and inspiring breakout sessions,
to the momentous Papal Visit and the Festival of
Families. We left renewed with much hope for the Church
and for families, who are both called to boldly and lovingly
bring Christ’s love and mercy to the world, seek the lost and
the wounded, and help bring them back home to be healed and to
have life abundantly in Christ. Amy and Tim Lau
(Diocesan Representatives – World Meeting of Families)
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CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE
EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE
ARE FALSE MERCIES
By Fr. Geoffrey Kerslake
On February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of
Canada struck down Canada’s assisted suicide
law, opening the door to assisted death (Carter v.
Canada). Our Catholic faith teaches us to care for
our neighbour and to be merciful to others: “blessed
are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”
(Matthew 5.7). Much of the current discussion
focuses on the erroneous idea that euthanasia and
assisted suicide are merciful acts necessary both
to preserve human dignity and alleviate chronic
suffering. Our faith has a contrary, compassionate
response to the mystery of suffering instead of
euthanasia or assisted suicide. To family and friends
the face of the suffering person is a window revealing
the suffering of Jesus on the Cross. The offering
of our own suffering can be joined to Christ’s and
together this offering can be the source of many
blessings for the sufferer and her or his loved ones.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide may be convenient,
expedient ‘solutions’ to the challenge of human
suffering but they are not acts of loving mercy. The
Christian response to suffering is compassionate
and loving care and accompaniment. As Catholic
Christians, we need our voice to be heard by our
provincial and national governments. We need to
support our Catholic physicians who do not want to
kill their patients or assist them in killing themselves
through a referral to a pro-euthanasia physician.
Together we can challenge our culture to provide the
best palliative care for the dying instead of the false
mercy of killing our suffering loved ones.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has a regularly updated website featuring the latest news and
information on the serious threat of euthanasia to the life and dignity of suffering Canadians: www.epcc.ca
CARE FOR CREATION –
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PARISHES
By Dr. John Dorner
In his environmental encyclical Laudato Si’,
Pope Francis writes, “I urgently appeal for a new
dialogue about how we are shaping the future
of our planet. We need a conversation which
includes everyone, since the environmental
challenge we are undergoing, and its human
roots, concern and affect us all” (§ 14). E N G L I S H PA S T O R A L S E R V I C E S
Parishes have an important role to play
in ecological education with many ideas
available in the Archdiocese of Ottawa’s new
document - Care for God’s Creation: A
Guide for Parishes (www.catholicottawa.ca/
environmental-stewardship).
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
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TWO SOCIAL JUSTICE CONCERNS: THE REFUGEE CRISIS
AND OUR AGEING POPULATION
By Patricia Marsden-Dole
As Catholic Christians, to practice
social justice means we regard and
treat others as we strive to care
for ourselves and our loved ones.
We are now facing two immediate
calls for our personal and collective
engagement: the needs of a massive
refugee population escaping war
and chaos in West Asia and our
ageing and vulnerable population
of senior citizens here at home. The
Canadian Conference of Catholic
Bishops has released a pastoral
letter: “I Was a Stranger and You
Welcomed Me”: Pastoral Letter on
Welcoming Refugees to help get us
thinking about how to address this
complex situation. Here in Canada,
we are facing a growing population of
seniors. This year has been identified
as the time when the population of
Canada consisted of more people 65
years old and over than 15 years old
and under; over the next 15 years
the population of senior citizens will
rise to one quarter of the population.
We now are being challenged to
create welcoming and supportive
social structures in our parishes for
our growing ageing population. Our
parish communities are called upon
to pioneer a new culture that builds
hospitable communities for refugees
and the elderly, because they are our
family.
FAMILY AND YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE:
A SEASON OF CHANGES AT THE DIOCESE TOO!
By Ted Hurley
This year, there have been some big changes in
the Archdiocesan Office for Youth. After many
hours of discussion and discernment, we created
a new office of Family and Youth Ministry. Ted
Hurley will be the Director of Family and Youth
Ministry and Sophia Korban has been hired as
the Family and Youth Ministry Officer: welcome
to Sophia! The Family and Youth Ministry
Office will continue to respond to the needs of
parish youth ministry and the needs of youth
and young adults. As well, they have begun
forming a Family Ministry Team. An immediate
priority is to communicate some of the exciting
family ministry opportunities already being
offered by parishes, groups and movements. If
you would like to receive a copy of our monthly
Family and Youth Ministry Office e-newsletter,
4
please email [email protected]. Together
they will work to build outreach to our youth,
young adults and families.
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
Welcoming Sophia Korban (middle) to the team
E N G L I S H PA S T O R A L S E R V I C E S
OPENING THE JUBILEE DOOR OF MERCY AT NOTRE DAME
BASILICA CATHEDRAL DECEMBER 13TH, 2015
By Fr. Geoffrey Kerslake, EV
The Year of Mercy will officially begin on
December 8, 2015, on the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception. On that day, in Rome, Pope Francis
will open the Holy Door for pilgrims to enter. On
that occasion, the Holy Door will become a Door
of Mercy through which anyone who enters will
experience the love of God who consoles, pardons,
and instils hope. Outside of Rome, dioceses may
officially open their own local Door of Mercy on
the weekend of December 12th and 13th, the 3rd
Sunday of Advent. Here in the Archdiocese
of Ottawa, we will have a special liturgy at
the beginning of the 9 am Mass at Notre
Dame Basilica Cathedral to open our door.
Representatives of the many different faithful
in Ottawa will make a symbolic entrance led
by Archbishop Prendergast to inaugurate this
special source of blessing. Our Door of Mercy
will be the left front door of the Cathedral,
the one closest to Guigues Avenue. It will be
appropriately decorated both outside and
within highlighting its special character as the
pilgrimage Doorway of Mercy. Information
will be forthcoming in the diocesan web site,
in the Friday FACTS and elsewhere about
its significance and receiving an indulgence.
Introducing the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope
Francis wrote: “it is indeed my wish that the Jubilee
be a living experience of the closeness of the Father,
whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the
faith of every believer may be strengthened and
thus testimony to it be ever more effective”. All
are encouraged to attend its opening or to make a
special pilgrimage to the Cathedral to enter through
this portal.
Congratulations to Michel
Guimont, Music Director for the
Archdiocese of Ottawa and at
Notre-Dame Cathedral, who won
the prestigious Pastoral Musician of
the Year Award from the National
Association of Pastoral Musicians in
July of this year.
E N G L I S H PA S T O R A L S E R V I C E S
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
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SHARING THE JOY OF ATTENDING A PAPAL CELEBRATION
IN A FOREIGN LAND
by Gilles Marleau
Pope Francis’ travels take him all over the world
but to see him, to hear him live, to be in
his presence, it is often necessary to
pack our bags and go where he is
scheduled to be. That is what
we have decided to do, my
son Patrick and I, when we
undertook to travel to Cuba to
attend the Papal Mass at Plaza
de la Revolucion in Havana on
September 20, 2015.
Why undertake such a
pilgrimage? What good is it for the
soul? How do these events affect our
spirit? These large gatherings help unite
our hearts around a common faith, a common
mission, despite our differences. Rich and poor, men
and women, black and white, young and old, leaders
and followers…all together, united in a same
place, to pray God and give Him thanks
for his many blessings. I did say ‘despite
our differences’ but what I should have
said is that these gatherings help us
realize the beauty and richness of our
diverse situations and points of view,
of the other person’s contribution;
help us realize the beauty and
richness of the faith that unites us and
which makes it possible to call the other
person my brother, my sister. Pilgrimages
are good occasions to grow and deepen our
resolve to do good!
At the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pope Francis unknowlingly echoed our theme
for this Pastoral Year…The Family, home of love and mercy when he said that : ‘ Perfect families
do not exist. This must not discourage us. Quite the opposite. Love is something we learn; love is
something we live; love grows as it is “forged” by the concrete situations which each particular family
experiences. Love is born and constantly develops amid lights and shadows.’ Daniel Berniquez, v.é.
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CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
F R E N C H PA S T O R A L S E R V I C E S
LITURGICAL FORMATION – TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORDS AND GESTURES USED IN
CATHOLIC CELEBRATIONS
By Serge Cazelais
On September 30, 2015, parish delegates and
persons involved in diocesan pastoral activities were
happy to welcome Marie-Josée Poiré at the French
Sector’s launch of the new Pastoral Year. Mrs. Poiré
presented the objectives and gave an outline of the
programme offered by l’Office national de liturgie.
The attendees showed interest in having this training
offered in the Archdiocese of Ottawa.
Whom is this formation meant for? Parish pastoral
team members; persons involved in sacramental
preparation or in the organizing of the various
Church celebrations, as well as other persons
commissioned by their pastor or by the Archbishop,
and wishing to participate. The objective is not to
limit access but to promote serious commitments, both
from individuals and from the faith community.
Why participate in this formation? We all want to
learn and understand. This programme helps us do
both. Where does our liturgy come from? What is the
meaning of the words and the posture we share at
Mass and in participating in the Sacraments? How is
Christ present in these words and posture? How does
liturgy strengthen my faith?
Further information is available at : http://onl.
cecc.ca/index.php/les-parcours-de-formation/leparcours-de-formation-liturgique-et-sacramentelle.
Just follow the links.
This particular formation is offered in French only.
Let me know if you are interested:
[email protected]. Thank you.
WHY ARE TODAY’S YOUNG ADULTS STILL INTERESTED IN
ATTENDING WORLD YOUTH DAY?
By Manon Chevalier
A young adult told me recently: « I believe that
in the world we live in, to be able to answer ‘yes’
when a person like you invites us to attend an
event like the World Youth Day, it takes a
minimum of conviction and people around
us who support us. Otherwise, if I share
with a friend that I am planning to join
thousands of young Catholics who are
gathering around Pope Francis, I will
be laughed at, my friends will judge
me and I will be asked all kinds of
silly questions. If we dare say we are
practicing Catholics, people watch every
move we make and, when we make the
slightest slip-up, we hear them say: «Ah, I told
you so…they are not serious. Things are not right
in their lives…they turn to God as a crutch. »
F R E N C H PA S T O R A L S E R V I C E S
In this day and age, it is difficult for a young
adult to come out and say ‘I am a
believer’ and even more so to say ‘I
am Catholic’. Preparation time for
the World Youth Day is a special
time…a time to get to better
understand who I am, to learn
to better perceive MY reality;
a time to meet and get to know
my brothers and sisters; a time
to meet Jesus Christ. A time to
meet, to get to know one another,
to talk, to listen, to respect one
another as we grow spiritually, each
at our own pace. World Youth Day is
an occasion to come out and declare our
faith – WYD is a gift for today’s world.
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
7
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast presided at the ground-breaking for the Mausoleum of the Sacred Heart at Hope Cemetery with
Msgr. Kevin Beach and Mr. Benoît Bariteau, Director of Cemeteries.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT HOPE CEMETERY
By Ted Prowse
For several years, the articles that have been in the
Catholic Ottawa magazine concentrated on Planned
Giving and the many ways that one could donate
to the Church and the resulting positive income tax
implications.
This article will review the exciting new
developments that are taking place at Hope Cemetery.
The Cemetery is undergoing changes that will make
it possible to plan and arrange a full service Catholic
funeral including a Funeral Mass in the Chapel.
In part, the capacity of the Chapel will be increased,
a reception room is under construction and, an
additional 600 niches and 80 crypts are being added.
Too often funeral arrangements are made by those
who do not know the wishes and intentions of the
deceased. This could be because the service that one
desires is not known to the individual making the
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funeral arrangements. In fact, a deceased that was
very active in the Church could have a funeral with
little or no Catholic service.
Completing the Estate Organizer, available from
the Archdiocese, could solve this problem if a family
member or the executor knows its location and
deceased’s wishes. Another way is to consider a prearranged service at Hope Cemetery. The Cemetery
would then have all the details for the service. In
addition, financial arrangements could be made. Did
you know that financial arrangements could possibly
be made via a life insurance policy? Knowledgeable
planners at Hope Cemetery could explain the main
options and assist so that all your wishes are carried
out. What a consolation.
For further information, contact Hope Cemetery at
613-822-1212 or by email at [email protected]
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
CHANGES TO FOSTER THE GOOD OF THE FAITHFUL IN
MARRIAGE NULLITY PROCESS
By Rev. Vincent Pereira, JCD, JV.
On September 8, 2015, Pope Francis issued
two decrees relating to the nullity process: one for
the Latin Church and the other for the Oriental
Churches in view of the Jubilee of Mercy that
commences on December 8, 2015. The Holy Father
simplified the nullity process without undermining
the sacrament of marriage, i.e., the indissolubility of
the marriage bond. I wish to highlight a few judicial
points of the decree that directly affects divorced
persons.
The simpler approach favours accessibility and
timely procedures for persons applying to marriage
tribunals. When the decree comes into effect on
December 8, 2015, the decision of the local tribunal
is sufficient. Once the declaration is made by the
local tribunal, it will no longer be mandatory to
proceed to the automatic review by the National
Tribunal, as currently required. An appeal is still
possible if one of the parties wishes to appeal a
decision. Our Ottawa Tribunal currently renders a
decision, on average, within one year from the time
that a petition is received. A further change concerns
the competency of the local tribunal. Under the
new procedure, the petitioner’s domicile – with the
availability of some witnesses locally - is sufficient
for a local tribunal to take up a case with some
conditions. Further, there is no fee for the services of
the tribunal. For some years, our Ottawa Tribunal
has not requested a fee. Donations to support the
work of the tribunal are always welcomed. Please
make these new procedures known to people
who may benefit from this outreach of the new
evangelization, so that the Gentle and Merciful
Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ, may invite more to the
graces offered through his Church.
SACRED PLACES FOR SACRED MEMORIES...
IN THE TRADITION OF FAITH
Hope Cemetery
4660 Bank Street
Ottawa ON K1T 3W7
613-822-1212
hopecemetery.ca
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
Notre-Dame Cemetery
455 Montreal Road
Ottawa ON K1K 0V2
613-746-4175
notredamecemetery.ca
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ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL CHARITY DINNER
- THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS GOLD
BRONZE
SITE PREPARATION
LIMITED
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Ottawa Catholic School Board
Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est
Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est Ontarien
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
SILVER
Save The Date
Next year’s Archbishop’s
Charity Dinner wil be held on
Thursday October 20 2016.
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CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL CHARITY DINNER
ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL CHARITY DINNER
- BENEFICIARIES 2015 CHEZ MÈRE BRUYÈRE
‘Chez Mère Bruyère’ is a charitable
organization operated by the Sisters of Charity
of Ottawa. Located in the heart of Vanier,
‘Chez Mère Bruyère’ continues, since 1992,
to actualize the charism of compassion of
Mother Élizabeth Bruyère by providing relief
to impoverished children from 0 to 12 years of
age. Appropriate clothing is provided free of charge for each season.
‘Chez Mère Bruyère’ is managed by Sisters assisted by a team
of dedicated volunteers. A non-profit organization, ‘Chez Mère
Bruyère’ can count on a number of generous benefactors: members
of the community, merchants, Religious congregations and various
other organizations.
ST. JOE’S SUPPER TABLE
At St. Joe’s Supper table, we welcome
those who are hungry and invite them
to come share a meal or use the food
bank when they need extra help. We
provide a place for people to contribute
as volunteers to cook and serve meals,
assist at the food bank and work in the
community garden. Our goal is to nourish our community, not just
our bodies. We strive to be a ministry of hospitality and solidarity
with those who are hungry and find themselves in the margins. We
are a community that serves an average of 120 meals an evening,
40 people a week in our food bank and over 80 volunteers who
want to serve. On October 3rd, we opened a second food bank to
serve the needs of those with mobility issues and who live in the
disadvantaged area of Sandy Hill. This fall we began a Community
Kitchen Pilot program with one of the high schools. Our vision to
serve the needs of our guests continues to grow and evolve as we
listen and discern.
HCFB / BACH
The mission of the Hawkesbury Central Food
Bank is to be a service center for its citizens, a
place where food and other necessities are made
available to relieve problems of hunger in the
short-term and poverty in the longer-term.
A clear and precise policy has been set. The
first objective is to provide temporary help to persons in need of
food, and to develop ways that will empower them to take control
and make positive and lasting changes in their lives.
In October, two volunteers will offer recipes and cooking classes!
THE SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT
DE PAUL
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a
lay charitable organization whose mission is
to live the message of the gospel by serving
Christ through the poor with love, respect, justice and joy; making
no distinctions of creed, ethnic background, social condition, and
respecting their dignity and privacy.
Home visits are unique and distinctive of the way we help out. We
meet the poor face to face, we listen, we assess the needs and seek
solutions.
The Society collaborates with other organizations in the parish,
community centres and food banks.
Vincentians serve in hope, the hope that comes from Our Lord
Jesus Christ.
KATERI NATIVE MINISTRY
The Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa is
a Christian Native Ministry with a Catholic
Orientation, committed to the healing and
reconciliation of aboriginal people and all
peoples. Kateri provides the spiritual and
corporal works of mercy to aboriginal people
through the blending of their culture and traditions with Christian
spirituality and values. The central core of the Ministry is located
in Ottawa where it serves the needs of aboriginals within the
Archdiocese of Ottawa. However, its operation extends throughout
Canada and elsewhere.
CATHOLIC CENTRE FOR
IMMIGRANTS
The Catholic Centre for Immigrants
(CCI) is a community-based charity which
facilitates the reception of newcomers into
Canadian life; makes the community aware of newcomers’ needs, and invites
it to respond in a welcoming way. CCI Ottawa helps newcomers achieve
their full potential in society. CCI has served immigrants and refugees for
over 60 years. Our services and programs include:
• settlement services
• refugee sponsorship and pastoral services
• temporary accommodations and housing assistance
• referrals to other services (education, employment, health)
• networking and helping newcomers make friends
• special programs for youth and other groups
• The Bruyère Centre for Immigrants – a one-stop service centre for
newcomers
• Maison Sophia Reception House – a temporary residence for
newcomers
To learn more: cciottawa.ca
ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL CHARITY DINNER
CATHOLIC OTTAWA † FALL/WINTER 2015
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- RECENT DIOCESAN EVENTS -
Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate
Michael Tien Do and Mathew N. Mathew
Archbishop’s Charity Dinner
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
World Meeting of Families 2015
Send-off Mass
Ordination to the Priesthood
Michael Hartney
Archbishop’s Charity Dinner
Archbishop Prendergast and Msgr. Kevin Beach
Archbishop’s Charity Dinner
This newsletter is published by
the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Ottawa,
1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa, ON, K1H 6K9
ISSN 1927-2618 (Print)
Tel: 613-738-5025; Fax: 613-738-0130
ISSN 1927-2626 (Online)