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. 

The 2025 Ottawa Easter Blood Drive encourages Christians to donate blood or plasma, and so collectively demonstrate Jesus' love to our city. While 1 in 2 Canadians are eligible to donate, only 1 in 81 does – yet each donation can save up to three lives. Book an appointment to donate at Canadian Blood Services donation sites (Carling Avenue for blood or Place d’Orleans for plasma).  Visit Easterblooddrive.ca or email us at info@easterblooddrive.ca. The Easter Blood Drive is sponsored by Love Ottawa and CHRI Christian radio, and partners with Canadian Blood Services.

Before and after the 10:30 am service, Cathedral Women will be selling their made-in-Cathedral-kitchen marmalade: regular (oranges, lemons and sugar) and with liqueur (oranges, lemons, sugar and Drambuie). Bring cash (and coin)!

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. 

Spring is just around the corner and it is time, once again to "look our best" for the Easter Season. You are invited to roll up your sleeves and help put the shine back into our Cathedral home. All cleaning supplies will be provided, as well as refreshments. With Palm Sunday being the following day, all interested in the art of palm cross making are welcome to join in this artistic venture. The refreshments and palm cross making will be held in the Great Hall. 

On Saturday, March 22nd, the Cathedral Girls Choir, parent chaperones, James, and Dean Beth boarded a bus and headed "up the line" to the Parish of the Valley. St. Patrick's, Lower Stafford (between Cobden and Pembroke) is a gem of a church, and the only one named for this saint in our diocese. With the girls travelling to Ireland, and the church needing some restoration work done, it was a great opportunity to partner, with the proceeds from donations being split 50/50. The clergy team of the Reverends Matthew Brown, Nick Forte, Gillian Hoyer and Christine Muise led a service of evensong, and the wonderfully hospitable people of the parish provided a full on lasagna dinner. It was amazing, on all fronts!

This issue offers inspiration for the rest of your Lenten journey looking toward the dawn of Easter.

Bishop Shane Parker shares the story of a remarkable hike through the summits of the Maumturks, in County Galway, Ireland when a thick fog hemmed him in on all sides and the parallels he sees in our faith journeys.

The Rev. Canon Stephen Silverthorne writes of the good news Easter offers to all who are burdened by the cares of this life.

A story from All Saints’ Westboro highlights the challenges and joys of being home to the Westboro Region Food Bank for the past 40 years, welcoming and caring for vulnerable neighbours.

All Saints Greely shares an update on their mission to keep milk bag plastic out of landfills by weaving the bags into soft, waterproof mats that provide comfort to people sitting or sleeping on the streets.

And you can catch up on highlights from the joyful celebrations of Black History Month.

Explore these stories and more in this month’s edition of Perspective.

Read it now.

APRIL ISSUE in Perspective, featured stories include:

• From our Bishop: When God showed us the way home
• Reflection: Where does our help come from?
• All Saints’ Westboro’s food bank cares for its neighbours
• All Saints Greely makes a difference on milk bag at a time

Highlights from Black History Month:

• St. Thomas the Apostle hosted Black History Month fashion show
• St. Stephen’s celebrates Black History Month — dining, drumming and dancing

New to Perspective? 
Sign up now.

The mission of our diocese's Refugee Ministry Office is to collaborate with community partners to bring refugees to safety in Canada, supporting them to become confident members of our society. This office is a valued part of our Community Ministries so make sure to check out their newsletter!

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.

Scripture Readings for Sunday, April 6th | 5th Sunday in Lent | Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8

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. 

Our Cathedral
All those who are ill or suffering, and those who care for them.
Our Diocese
The Right Reverend Dr. Shane Parker; Area Parish of the Valley, The Reverend Matthew Brown, The Reverend Nicholas Forte, The Reverend Gillian Hoyer, The Reverend Christine Muise.
Canadian Cathedrals
The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary, AB, The Very Reverend Chris Dowdeswell.
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 House of Bishops as they meet this week in Niagara Falls; Theological colleges and training programs within the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada: The Atlantic School of Theology, Montreal Diocesan Theological, College, and Queen’s College.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Bishop Susan Johnson; Bishop Carla Blakley; Congregations of the Northwestern Ontario area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.
The Moravian Church (MOR)
The Right Reverend M. Blair Couch, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.
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.