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.

Gather up in the Chancel during the late afternoon when the light is soft and warm, for a lovely Sung Eucharist that features a liturgy from Iona. A wonderful time to be reflective during Lent. 

At the Spring Equinox, the balance of light and dark and begin to prepare our hearts and bodies to welcome the warmth of the sun. Come, join in, and explore an embodied approach to moving within the labyrinth that helps us to reach out, reconnect and affirm our connection to community. Sacred dancer Wendy Morrell will teach simple shared movements to help us step out of winter’s seclusion into the rebirth of spring. Wendy is an experienced dance facilitator and President of the International Sacred Dance Guild. Locally she acts as the Artistic Director of Movement Choirs.

No previous experience with dance is required and those with all physical abilities are welcome. Bring your openness and curiosity to move and re-connect. Bring a friend! No Registation is required. Donations to the programming of the Cathedral Labyrinth Guild are welcome via cash at the door or e-transfer (info@ottawacathdral.ca)

At Easter our Cathedral is adorned with beautiful flower arrangements. If you would like to remember a loved one by making a donation and having their name(s) listed on the order of service, please complete the form and submit it, or the required information, with your donation by Wednesday, April 9th. 

With great rejoicing, the new railings were installed at the end of last week! There is still some finishing work to be done but they are magnificent. When both sets of steps are finished, the forecourt will be embraced. And now when approaching along Sparks Street from Bay Street, the steps and railings indicate that there is something to see beyond the Vista. Thanks to Heritage Grade for their fine work!

What an achievement! Thank you for all you do for our Cathedral and beyond, Denise.

Nomination: Denise is active in her community having been Head Server at Christ Church Cathedral (Anglican) for the last 25 years; she has been member of the Servers’ Guild since 1982. In her capacity as Head Server, in addition to major weekly services where she mentors and trains youth, she has assisted in the planning, and participated in, state funerals for governors general, royal visits, and diocesan events, including the consecrations of Bishops, including the September 2022 National Commemorative Ceremony for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (televised).  She also co-led youth confirmation classes for several years with a member of the clergy team. For the last 25 years, she has undertaken a personal fundraising activity which has raised more than $17,000 for the Cathedral’s Restoration Fund. In 2012, she was elected to the Christ Church Cathedral Trust Board of Directors and continued in this capacity until 2025, overseeing an investment portfolio of over $600,000. In addition, she is currently a member of the Board of Condominium Association #1087 (Claridge Icon), an Employer representative of the Public Service Dental Care Plan Board, and also served as President of the Woodlands Phase II Property Owners Association, all of which were volunteer roles.

The long-planned choir trip to Boston over the May Victoria Day weekend has been cancelled. Given the rhetoric and threats made by American leadership there was no appetite for spending money in the USA, or dealing with the worries and uncertainty caused by capricious decision making. The Boston choirs with whom our choirs were looking forward to singing with are, like our own music community, both disappointed and understanding.

The good news is that the Boys and Lay Clerks will now be visiting Québec City instead! They will be supporting the Canadian economy, visiting beautiful parts of our country, and singing in the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. All the generous donations  received towards Boston will be used instead towards this Canadian adventure - thank you for your support. Hopefully a trip to Boston will be able to be explored again in the future.

Come, journey through Lent and celebrate Easter with joy at Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa! 

In spring, after a long winter’s nap, an amazing thing happens: the world comes back to life! This devotional is full of ideas and activities that can help us wake up, too, along with all God’s creatures, preparing our hearts, minds, and communities for Easter’s great celebration.

Weaving scripture, reflection and prayer together with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Anglican Marks of Mission, the Rev. Jonathan Rowe of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, offers a rich tapestry in this year’s Alongside Hope Lenten resource. Titled Living into God’s Dream, the resource also offers the reader opportunity to reflect on questions, both personal and corporate and to learn more about Alongside Hope’s partners.

CLICK HERE to learn more and subscribe

“All of creation,” wrote St. Hildegard of Bingen, “is a song of praise to God” – a swirling symphony all around us. So for this year’s 40-day Lenten journey, why not take the Christian musical treasury as your guide, classic hymns and sacred songs bringing together big ideas and beautiful melodies? As the days lengthen, the birds will sing – and so will we, joining in with creation’s symphony of sorrow and joy, death and new life. Lift up your voice! (Please note that the play lists are at the end of the brochure, available via the QR codes).

Thanks to all who have made a donation to this campaign for St. George's College Jerusalem. Fundraising is ongoing through Lent, so please consider donating if you haven't already.

Our Cathedral
All those who are ill or suffering, and those who care for them.
Our Diocese
The Right Reverend Dr. Shane Parker; Ascension House staff; St. John the Evangelist, Ottawa, The Reverend Canon Gary van der Meer.
Canadian Cathedrals
Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, BC, The Very Reverend Chris Pappas.
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 Right Reverend Mary Irwin-Gibson, clergy, and people of the Diocese of Montreal.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Bishop Susan Johnson; Bishop Carla Blakley; Assistant to the Bishop and the staff of the Manitoba–Northwestern Ontario Synod.
The Moravian Church (MOR)
The people and ministries of the Canadian Moravian Church.
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 30th | 4th Sunday in Lent | Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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.