Our Companion Diocese of Jerusalem with St George’s Cathedral and its College are familiar to congregants of Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa, through our weekly prayers, through visits of Archbishop Hosam Naoum and Dean Richard Sewell to Ottawa, and especially to those who have been on pilgrimage with Bishop Shane to the Land of the Holy One and received a warm welcome there. 

Most likely you are troubled by the violent turmoil and devastation we are witnessing daily. And perhaps you have watched the recent webinar hosted by Bishop Shane, in which Archbishop Hosam and Dean Richard speak of what they are facing, and how we can help.

St. George's College is a gem of the worldwide Anglican Communion, normally welcoming thousands from around the world who seek to see, feel, and understand the biblical and contemporary richness of the Land of the Holy One, and the Christians, Jews, and Muslims who live there.  But for many months now there have been no pilgrimages, and it is uncertain when they may resume. Consequently, there are currently insufficient funds to provide already-reduced salaries for the College’s staff and essential operations. For the local families who depend on this income, and for whom there is no available alternative, the potential impact is dire. 

Let Light Shine: The Canadian Campaign for St. George’s College Jerusalem is seeking to raise $250,000 to cover these basic costs in 2025. Please consider making a donation before, during, or after this special coffee hour!

Come and enjoy a wonderful Boston-themed meal, accompanied by entertainment! The proceeds will go towards the Boys Choir and Lay Clerks who will embark on their first international trip to Boston in May 2025.

Tickets are $60 per person and will be sold after the 10.30 am service (cash or credit) or by etransfer to info@ottawacathedral.ca (include names of attendees and dietary requirments). ONLY ON SALE UNTIL THIS SUNDAY AT NOON so get yours now! 

“The human soul doesn't want to be fixed, it simply wants to be seen and heard. The soul is like a wild animal - tough, resilient and shy. When we go crashing through the woods shouting for it to come out so we can help it, the soul will stay in hiding. But if we are willing to sit quietly and wait for a while, the soul may show itself.”

Join in small group reflective conversations and explore your own soul journeys during this zoom session. You do not need to have read the book to join in this conversation. To register, please send an email to cccolabyrinth@gmail.com and then a link to the online meeting along with some background information will be sent to you. There is no cost for this online book study, but please consider making a donation to the ongoing programming of the Cathedral Labyrinth Guild by sending an e-transfer to info@ottawacathedral.ca

The Reverend Christine Jannasch, who once served as Deacon at our Cathedral and then continued on as the Spiritual Director in Residence, is retiring at the end of February. She has graced our community and many beyond it with her graceful and wise counsel, and she will be missed in the office on Wednesdays. Thank you, Deacon Christine, and may you fully enjoy retirement!

With all the snow and northerly winds this week, the temperature in the Cathedral has been particularly invigorating. So our Director of Music had to envelope himself in the Dean's heavy, woolen funeral cape to keep warm as he practiced! He also borrowed a sweather and a throw, just in case. A team effort!

Vestry is essentially the annual business meeting of our Cathedral, at which the budget for 2025 is presented and appointments and elections are made. On March 2nd, there will be a pre-vestry finance information meeting for all those who are interested in a deeper dive into the budget. Your questions are always helpful!

Vestry will be held the following Sunday, March 9th. All are welcome to attend, however to vote, you must be able to sign the following declaration: “I solemnly declare that: I am a member of this congregation of the Anglican Church of Canada; I am of the full age of sixteen years; I am a regular worshiper with this congregation; I do not intend to vote as a member of any other Vestry in the election of Church Wardens or of Members of Synod during the ensuing year, and I am a supporter of this congregation by regular contributions to its maintenance.”

The Cathedral Men will be serving fluffy pancakes, Clark's Lands End maple syrup, and delicious sausages on Shrove Tuesday. The cost is $10 per person or $30 per family. Pay at the door by cash, debit or credit. Come and enjoy this fun and tasty evening!

Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence. From the Middle Ages,  it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The reminder that we are dust turns our attention to the creative power of God, and God’s ability to heal the brokenness in our lives when we offer it to God. This turning to God is the work of Lent,  and a way to prepare for the celebration of Easter.

Come to one of the services at our Cathedral on this day - there will be imposition of ashes at both the sung Eucharist at 12.05 pm and the choral Eucharist at 7 pm.

On Thursday, March 6th from 1 to 4 pm, try one of the Vista's Aqua Fit Classes! There are four separate sessions available at 1.15 pm, 2 pm, 2.45 pm or 3 pm. Tropical refreshments and entertainment will follow, as well as the opportunity for building and model suite tours. RSVP to Julia and Erin as spaces are limited (613.809.2212 or info@thevistaonsparks.com).

In these turbulent times when everything seems to be turned upside down, a pilgrimage is a great way to settle our hearts, minds, and souls. Travel to the Land of the Holy One my not be possible at the moment, but the Reverend Canon Richard Sewell, Dean of St. George’s College Jerusalem, has developed a Lenten resource to take us on a pilgrimage with Jesus.

Bring your coffee and lunch to the Wicksteed Room (in the Undercroft) after the 10.30 am service and join Canon Doug and Edward, who are facilitating this pilgrimage during Lent.

Our Cathedral
All those who are ill or suffering, and those who care for them.
Our Diocese
The Right Reverend Dr. Shane Parker; Staff at Ascension House; St. Mark the Evangelist, Ottawa, and all who minister there.
Canadian Cathedrals
Christ's Church Cathedral, Hamilton, ON, The Very Reverend Tim Dobbin.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Most Reverend Anne Germond, Metropolitan of Ontario and Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; The Most Reverend Chris Harper, National Indigenous Archbishop; The Most Reverend David Edwards, clergy, and people of the Diocese of Fredericton; an end to human trafficking and modern slavery.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Bishop Susan Johnson; Bishop Carla Blakley; Dean, council, and congregations of the Grand River and Thames Areas of the Eastern Synod.
The Moravian Church (MOR)
The anniversary of the founding of the Unitas Fratrum (or Unity of the Brethren) on March 1, 1457, in Bohemia.
Companion Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Diocese of Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam Naoum; St. George's College, Jerusalem; peace in Israel and Palestine.

Our Clergy and the Cathedral Prayer Team will pray for all requests sent to info@ottawacathedral.ca during the week.

Scripture Readings for Sunday, March 2nd | Transfiguration Sunday | Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36

Children's Worship Activities | Weekly worship bulletins, books and other activities are on the shelves at the entrance to the Cathedral. 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.

Hearing Assist Sets | Are available at every service from our sidespeople.

Newsletter Deadline | Wednesdays at noon.

General Info | Please visit our office, call 613.236.9149, or email info@ottawacathedral.ca. Office hours are Monday 9 am to noon, Tuesday to Thursday 9 am to 3 pm, and Friday from 9 am to noon, except during holiday seasons.

Parking | Street parking is free around the Cathedral on Sundays. Cathedral parking at the Vista on Sparks is off Queen Street, immediately east of the Cathedral, on the P1 Level. You MUST have the code to enter the parking garage and to re-enter and access the elevator (glass door across from the Cathedral's new east steps). The code is 4120. It will be posted at our reception desk and listed here each week. When it changes, there will be ample notification. If you enter the garage and there are no spots available, you will need to exit and find parking nearby.