My fellow parishioners,

We have launched our Capital Campaign to raise funds needed to build a new parish hall here beside the church.

As you know, we have considered several options for a hall. You will recall the plan presented in 2019 to retrofit 17 Myrand Avenue to create a grand banquet room by combining the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Since that time, conditions have changed. Our parish has grown tremendously, to the point where the anticipated capacity of a retrofitted Myrand Avenue building was deemed too small to meet our needs. Instead, the building will be restored to its original vocation as the clergy residence and parish offices.

Moreover, following consultations with the Archdiocese, we have determined that a more cost-effective option is to build a new parish hall on the west side of the church where the rectory is currently located. This will provide greater capacity to meet our needs and allow easy access for all. We now have a draft design for the building prepared by an architect.

The projected cost of construction is $3.5 million. While this may seem like a daunting figure, we are confident that the strong financial position of our parish and the anticipated continued growth in revenues will enable us to succeed. We will finance three quarters of the cost through a mortgage from the Archdiocese and some of the savings currently on deposit with the Archdiocese. For the remainder, we will need to launch this Capital Campaign to raise $900,000 over the next three years.

As a healthy growing parish, we need a place to come together outside of Mass and enjoy social activities at a time when such opportunities for faithful Catholics are sorely lacking. Our proposed parish hall project will be a major undertaking, but I know we can meet the challenge just as our parish community has met all the other challenges it faced in its 50-year history. Your patience with this process has been most appreciated.

I want to assure you that we will give you ample opportunity to examine the details of the parish hall design and how the cost can be financed. At the entrance to the church, you will see the architectural rendering of the draft design, financial details related to the hall construction, and other information about the Capital Campaign, including more copies of the pledge form. Please pick up this information as you leave the church, take it home and review it. I invite you to communicate your questions and comments using the e-mail address provided in the attached pledge form.

Attached is the campaign pledge form as well as information on the available tax credit for donations and how the tax credit actually reduces the cost of your donation. I would ask that you carefully consider making a pledge to contribute over the three years to enable us to achieve our goal and finally make a parish hall a reality.

More detailed information can be found on our dedicated Capital Campaign website:

https://www.saintclement.ca

And any questions on the project itself should be directed to the following project email:

God bless you and thank you for your support and prayers.

In Christo,

Father Erik Deprey, FSSP
Pastor

Lenten Mission with Fr. Caleb Insco, FSSP:  March 6 to 9

Theme: The Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila. 

         Schedule for each evening:

6:30 pm Conference on The Interior Castle

6:45 pm Exposition 

6:50 pm Discursive meditation

6:55 pm Confessions

7:15 pm Benediction

7:30 pm Mass with Sermon

https://www.youtube.com/@st.clementsparishparoisses8409/streams

October 20, 2022

Subject: Update re: parish hall and related projects

Dear parishioners,

Many of you will recall our plan presented in the summer of 2019 to retrofit 17 Myrand Avenue to meet our needs for a parish hall. The main component of that plan was to create a banquet room on the 2nd floor by effectively combining the 2nd and 3rd floors. Since that time, we have worked with our architect, engineers, and consulted with the Archdiocese with a view to making that plan a reality.

Concurrently the parish has grown substantially. Since 2019, God has blessed us with an increase of around 30% in the number of parishioners. Attendance at our three Sunday Masses now averages 700-750 faithful. Collections have also increased considerably, enabling the parish to be in a very solid financial position.

Considering the significant increase in the size of our parish, the planned retrofit of the Myrand Avenue building with a maximum capacity of only 220 persons in a banquet room on the 2nd floor is not adequate. Additionally, the professionals hired in designing and providing us with a cost estimate for such an undertaking priced the project at approximately $2.5 million. Accordingly, and after consultation with the Archdiocese, our steering committee decided not to spend that amount of money for a church hall that wouldn’t meet our needs.

Considering that our parish has not only grown significantly, but also continues to grow with the grace of God, the steering committee determined that the better and more cost-effective option would be to build a new parish hall permitting venues for 350 to 400 persons. This can happen only on an expanded footprint on the west side of the church where the existing rectory is located. Such an undertaking will be more expensive than the Myrand Avenue retrofit, but we would almost double the capacity and it would provide easier (Universal) ground level access. We are optimistic that with the solid financial position of our parish and the anticipated continued growth in revenues, we will be able to finance the cost of a new hall. Once we have a draft design of a new parish hall prepared by an architect and its projected cost, we will provide it to you for review.

In view of the foregoing, the following steering committee decisions have been made:

1. The Myrand Avenue building will be returned to its primary function as the residence for our priests and will also provide rental office space for FSSP Canada. The main
floor will serve mainly as parish offices, with a section for FSSP Canada, and the second and third floors as the priests’ residence with accommodation for visiting clergy and seminarians. We are working towards having the building ready for FSSP Canada and for our priests by the spring of 2023.

The Myrand Avenue building requires some repairs to the exterior and upgrades to the interior. For example, we need to replace the eaves troughs that were causing water damage. Some of the upgrades for the interior include replacing old carpeting, repairing and restoring hardwood floors as well as renovating the main bathrooms on the ground and second floors. The overall costs for these repairs and upgrades will be approximately $225,000. These are not insignificant costs; however, once it is occupied, the rent collected from FSSP Canada will more than offset the normal operating costs of the building.

2. As part of the plan to move the rectory to 17 Myrand, our priests will no longer park on the east side of the church. Instead they, as well as the secretary and any additional staff working for the parish, will park on the small parking lot adjacent to the Myrand Avenue building. Although we largely resolved our Sunday parking problem by renting the Ste-Anne Medical Centre parking lot, further parking will become available with the removal of the old garage which is in peril of collapsing. In its place we will be able to provide paved parking that meets City requirements and thereby alleviate the shortage of weekday parking. In addition to removing the old garage, we will also be clearing trees to make way for the installation of new fencing on the east side of the church property. We will be sharing the cost of the fencing with Inner City Health, the new owners of the former John Howard Society property, and with the private owner of the neighbouring property. We estimate that the total costs for these property improvements, including the creation of additional parking will be approximately $112,000. Not only will this facilitate parking for those attending weekday Masses, it will also significantly improve the appearance of that property next to the Church. I must add that we are very grateful to the management of Inner City Health who agreed we can continue to use the former John Howard Society parking lot on Sundays.

3. When our priests vacate the current rectory and until such time as we build the new hall, we will use that building for meeting space for Sunday coffee, small social gatherings and for various parish groups.

Finally, I would like to thank our volunteers, our steering committee and all of you for your continued support. I ask that you continue to keep these projects in your prayers.

In Christo
Father Erik Deprey, FSSP Pastor

Feb. 22: Masses with imposition of ashes will be celebrated at the following times.  Ashes will be imposed at the very beginning of Mass:

7:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 7:30 pm (High Mass).

Feast of the Epiphany Friday Jan. 6th:
7:00 am Low Mass (followed by Exposition for 1st Friday)
12:00 pm Low Mass (Exposition then continues)
7:15 pm Benediction
7:30 pm High Mass

We will have a Solemn High Mass (Priest, Deacon & Subdeacon) for the Feast of St. Clement on Wednesday Nov. 23, at 7:30 pm.   Come and celebrate our parish feast day. We will also celebrate 25 years as a fully canonically erected parish in Ottawa. A book covering the Latin Mass Community of Ottawa’s history, from its humble beginnings in 1968 to the present day, is available at the bookstore. Just in time for Christmas, Faithful In All Generations now at a reduced price: $35. A great gift !

The Litany of the Most Precious Blood gives us a poignant reminder of not only the Passion but also of the good our Lord’s Blood can do for us as the “Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls”.

St. Peter reminds us of its importance when he writes. “You were redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). As our Lord Himself said, His blood would be shed for “the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26:28).

May the Litany of the Most Precious Blood throughout the month of July inspire you in your efforts to receive Him worthily in Communion and to have Him fortify you in your efforts to serve Him and others on your journey towards Eternal Life!

We have included along with the Litany the meditation on The Seven Sheddings of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Each day of the week has a suggested meditation as a preparation for the praying of this beautiful Litany;  the document can be downloaded by clicking the link here below:

Litaniae pretiosissimi Sanguinis Domini Nostri Iesu Christi

Monday June 13:
7:00 am, 9:00 am, 6:30 pm Fatima Devotions, followed by Low Mass at 7:30 pm

Thursday June 16: 
Corpus Christi Masses:  7:00 am Low Mass; 7:30 pm High Mass.

Dear Parishioners,

It is our great pleasure to announce to you the arrival of Father Jacques Breton’s first published children’s book: The Wonderful Story of Our Lady of the Cape!  The English version is now available!

This wonderful hardcover picture book is written by our own Father Breton and illustrated by parishioner Madame Martineau! Father recounts the wonderful story of all the miracles, virtues and marvels that took place at Notre-Dame-du-Cap many years ago. Father’s book shows us just how Canada is indeed the work of God! A work that comes about through the hands of Our Lady! Consider buying this wonderful hommage to our Blessed Mother of Canada: Our Lady of the Cape written by a Canadian F.S.S.P. Priest!

We are selling the English and French copies of this book at a cost of $20 a copy! 

For more information visit our bookstore.

Indulgences for the Poor Souls

An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven in sacramental confession.  The faithful if well disposed and within certain specified conditions, receives the indulgence by virtue of the Church which, as minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.

On all the days from November 1 through November 8 inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray even if only mentally for the departed.

Also, on All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2) a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit any parish church or public oratory and there recite one Our Father and one Credo.

[Note:  Because of the current COVID 19 pandemic, the Plenary Indulgence applicable to the poor souls (obtained by those who visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased, even if only mentally), and which is normally established only on the individual days from 1 to 8 November, may be transferred to other days of the same month, until its end. These days, freely chosen by the individual believers, may also be separate from each other]

Conditions for both indulgences:

1. Only one plenary indulgence can be granted per day.
2. It is necessary to be in the state of grace, at least by completion of the work.
3. Freedom from attachment to sin, even venial sin, is necessary; otherwise the indulgence is only partial.
4. Holy Communion must be received each time the indulgence is sought.
5. Prayers must he recited for the intentions of the Holy Father on each day the indulgence is sought.
6. A sacramental confession must he made within a week of completion of the prescribed work. (One confession made during the week, made with the intention of gaining all the indulgences, suffices.)

Dear faithful,

I would like to thank-you for your prayers over the past week. The Motu Proprio of Pope Francis took us all by surprise but things at St. Clement’s are proceeding as per usual. We are fortunate to have an Archbishop who is understanding and supportive of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. The US and Canadian Bishops have been largely supportive of the FSSP and seem to be generally taking the stance that the new Motu Proprio is not directly dealing with Societies of Apostolic Life like ours. However, let us continue to pray that our apostolates be secure. I would invite you to pray especially to St. Joseph, who has been named special Patron of the North American Province of the FSSP.

You may remember that I was away in the United States for a special meeting of the FSSP in Pennsylvania. At this meeting the North American District of the FSSP was elevated to the status of a Province. At the parish level, FSSP communities will not see much change. The differences will primarily be administrative: a Provincial Superior has ordinary power, whereas a District Superior does not. The Province will be able to handle things such as priest assignments, without having to refer them up to the Superior General. Overall, it makes the administration of the FSSP in North America operate locally through the principle of subsidiarity. This change is a great testament to the growth of the FSSP in North America, especially at a time when many religious orders are consolidating existing provinces rather than forming new ones.

Fr. William Lawrence, FSSP has been named our first Provincial. He has been priest for many years with much experience in teaching at the seminary. He was also a former pastor of our parish in the Diocese of St. Catharine’s and so is a bit more familiar with the needs of Canada. Fr. Deprey has been appointed “Delegate for Canada”, a sort of regional superior working on behalf of the Provincial. This will entail more work for me. The Province has also divided the territory into regions with Deans overseeing the needs of priests in a grouping of apostolates.

While our new Provincial wants to see the FSSP grow, he is also conscious of the need for more priests in our present apostolates, as we are a bit short staffed. We currently have 12 priests working alone, which is not good for the priest. The FSSP emphasizes community prayer and community life in our rule. Please pray that we have more ordinations to the priesthood so that those who are alone can get an assistant soon.

I have some sad news to report – it has now been confirmed that Fr. Breton is being transferred to Québec City. He is to begin his new assignment on August 1st. I would like to thank him for all his years of hard work at St. Clement’s. It has truly been a blessing to have him as an assistant. Fr. Breton’s dedication to parishioners of all ages, whether it be in terms of sick calls, confessions, activities with youth, has been outstanding. Despite all the hard work and the crunch of time management he always seems to keep his peaceful smile and energy. He will be sorely missed by both the priests and parishioners. We wish him God’s blessings and promise him our prayers as he takes on his new assignment.

Unfortunately our Superiors are unable to send us a replacement priest at this time. So there will be only two priests at St. Clement’s for the next while. Please understand that this will mean some modifications to our schedule so that the priests can pace themselves and so attend to all of our duties. At the same time please pray that, if a priest does become available somehow, that our Superiors send him to St. Clement’s as a 2nd assistant.

As we approach the Feast of St. Ann, a co-patroness of our parish, let us entrust all of our needs to the Lord through her intercession. St. Ann, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, is patroness of unmarried women, housewives, women in labour or who seek pregnancy, grandmothers, mothers and educators. She is also a patroness of horseback riders, cabinet-makers and miners. As the mother of Mary, this devotion to Saint Anne as the patron of miners arises from the medieval comparison between Mary and Christ and the precious metals silver and gold. Anne’s womb was considered the source from which these precious metals came. Saint Anne is also said to be a patron saint of sailors and a protector from storms. She will undoubtedly assist us in the storms of life, if we beseech her intercession.

Saint Ann, pray for us!

Be assured also of our prayers.

God bless,

Fr. Erik Deprey, FSSP
Pastor
St. Clement Parish