My fellow parishioners,

I am very pleased to inform you that a draft design for a parish hall is on display at the entrance to our church. You may also view it on our parish website: stclement-ottawa.org.

The following are the main features of the proposed design:

Main Floor

• A banquet room with a stage and a seating capacity of 300 persons for parish activities, such as weekly Sunday coffee, potlucks, breakfasts, dinners and receptions, as well as, conferences, children’s activities, bazaars, and general parish activities.
• A large, modern kitchen with all the necessary conveniences.
• A much larger Catholic bookstore/gift shop, offering quality reading material in both official languages as well as religious articles.
• 16-12107- Church Hall – Ground Floor & Basement

Basement

• Reception area with an office for the secretary and each priest; a boardroom for parish council/finance meetings and ample storage space.
• Meeting rooms for catechism classes, choir practice, adult faith formation, and our various parish groups.
• Office space to be rented out to the national offices of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Canada, Inc.
• Accessible by elevator or stairs.

Overall Concept

The plan is to construct the hall on the site of our current rectory, which will need to be removed to provide the required space. But God provides:  we consider it to be providential that the nearby house at 566 Old St. Patrick Street became available for purchase at the same time that we were considering different options. This house will be renovated to provide a comfortable home for our priests:

16-12107- Church Hall – Elevation: Front & sides

16-12107- Church Hall – General Site Plan

While we do not yet have firm estimates regarding the total cost of the hall, the project will require financing which will be obtained through a mortgage from the Archdiocese at a favourable interest rate; we also still have significant funds available from the sale of 87 Mann Avenue for a down payment.

At this time we are developing a business plan outlining how we propose to raise funds to pay the mortgage. For example, there will be added revenue from the rental of office space to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter; we will also benefit from profits obtained via a much larger bookstore. The hall itself will also enable us to hold fundraisers in house, with many possibilities for events aimed at the external community (i.e. concerts/conferences). All of these activities will require an energetic and sustained effort on the part of all parishioners, who are eager to see the parish come together to share our Catholic faith with others.

As a parish, we have grown in number since our move to our beautiful church; the baptisms keep increasing, new faces keep coming, and new families keep registering. I believe that a hall will help enormously in bringing us closer together as a community, enabling us to grow in faith, fellowship and charity for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls.

I encourage you to review the hall design and provide feedback. There is a box beside the display in which you can place any comments and suggestions you may have. Your input will help us identify our key needs and ensure that we “get it right.” If you have questions or require clarification on any aspect of the design itself, feel free to contact Mr. Stéphane Lalonde 613-446-9972 or Mr. Frank Tanner 613-233-1146, Ext. 226.

Thank you for keeping this project in your prayers; I would invite you all to say the perpetual novena prayer to St. Joseph found in the cards at the entrance of the church.  May St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus and chaste spouse of Mary, continue to provide for our temporal and spiritual needs.

As St. Teresa of Avila once wrote: “To other saints, Our Lord seems to have given power to succour us in some special necessity; but to this glorious saint (I know by my experience) he has given the power to help us in all things.” 

Ite ad Joseph!

God Bless,
Father Erik Deprey, FSSP
Pastor

On Saturday, April 8^th volunteers placed the traditional pulpit acquired in early 2016 in position on the same column in the nave on the Gospel side which had supported Saint Anne’s pulpit for many years until the late sixties when extensive renovations to the church interior resulted in its removal.

Now that the pulpit has been placed on the especially engineered steel infrastructure ensuring its support, the curved stairs leading up to it will be carefully modified to ensure a perfect fit in their new location.  The result will ensure a respectful adaptation of the original disposition in the church of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur d’Issoudun outside of Lévis, Quebec, for which both pieces were originally made.

The late neoclassical style Issoudun pulpit and stairs were commissioned in 1912 from the well-known wood working shop of Jos. Villeneuve Limitée whose firm in Saint-Romuald d’Etchemin (Lévis) enjoyed the patronage of the clergy at the beginning of the XX ^th century.

Thank you for the generous support which has made this project possible.

Work has begun on preparing the supporting column which will receive the traditional pulpit acquired from the church of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Cœur d’Issoudun in Lévis, Quebec, today sadly closed.

Before the pulpit can be fixed to the column in the nave on the Gospel side, a robust infrastructure of steel needs to be put in place. Installed to engineered standards, it has been designed to ensure safety and stability. Once this work is complete, the pulpit will be placed in position and work on modifying the accompanying stairs to fit their new location in Saint Anne will be undertaken.

The cost of installing the pulpit is estimated at $15,000.

The Issoudun pulpit was commissioned in 1912 from the well-known wood working shop of Jos. Villeneuve Limitée whose firm in Lévis enjoyed the patronage of the clergy at the beginning of the XX ^th century.

In order to make it possible to build a parish hall that meets its needs the Parish, with the approval of the Archdiocese, has made a conditional offer to purchase 566 Old St. Patrick Street, a 4 apartment residence at the corner of Old St. Patrick and Patro just east of the church and next to the John Howard Society building.

It is envisaged that the new property will be a temporary residence for our priests while the church hall is under construction and may even possibly become a permanent rectory.  If all conditions are satisfied, including final approval of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, and the purchase completed in early May, the new property will be rented while plans for building a church hall in the location of the present rectory proceed.

Design plans for  the new church hall are expected to be ready for parishioner review within the next two to three months.

Please keep our priests, members of the Parish Finance and Pastoral Councils and this project in your prayers.

High Mass with blessing of Candles at 7:30 pm, with procession. If you would like your own candles blessed, come early and place them (clearly labelled) at the altar rail.

Please be sure to check availability of flights to GDL before applying.

When:                                     March 25 – April 2, 2017

Where:                                    Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Who:                           Men from ages 21 and up with some tradesmen or handyman talents, who are registered parishioners of an FSSP apostolate. Must have a valid passport.

What:                          A week of prayer and work at Casa Cristo Rey of the FSSP. Each day will include Mass, the Rosary, a spiritual conference, and manual labor to help prepare the future house of formation of the FSSP in Latin America. In addition, it will be great time of camaraderie among Catholic men in a traditional Catholic culture.

Chaplain:                    Fr. Gerard Saguto, FSSP

Cost:                            $300 plus travel to Guadalajara

Transportation to/from the airport, food and accommodation will be                                                                      provided.

Possible Projects:        Remodeling a house that will become a convent for nuns who will assist the apostolate and the house of formation; interior painting; installing floor tiles; rebuilding part of an exterior wall. (Other possibilities will depend on the skills sets of those who apply for the mission.)

How to apply:             Send an email to that includes a brief introduction of yourself, the FSSP parish you attend, and a list of any work skills/experience you may have. Have your pastor send a brief email recommending you.

Arrival:                       Plan to fly into Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL)

Arriving before 2pm on Saturday March 25^th.

Departure:                  Departing after 2pm on Sunday April 2^nd.

Emergency email:      

Closing date:               Closing date for applications is March 1, 2017. Applications judged on a first come, first served basis.

Group Size:                 Maximum 12. Minimum 6.

Join Fr. Tom Longua, FSSP, on a pilgrimage to Italy from April 27 – May 7, 2017. Take a look at the brochure for more information or request a Sign-Up Packet below! Starting at $2695.00 USD.

Brochure: Pilgrimage to Italy with Fr. Longua

Father Thomas Longua, the pastor of Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish in Irving, Texas, will be leading this trip along with Mr. Joseph Long, the founder of ProRome Tours.

Conference with the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, the Most Rev. Fr. John M. Berg  – Friday Nov. 18, at 7:30 pm at the Patro d’Ottawa, 40 Cobourg St..  Question and answer session at the end of his talk.

The large white crucifix on the West side of the Church now bears a welcome addition:  a sign bearing  “INRI” (Latin acronym for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” which represents the Latin inscription for “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews”.   In the Gospel of St.  John 19:20 it states that this titulus crucis was placed on the cross by the Roman authorities during the crucifixion of Jesus.  It was originally written in three languages — Aramaic, Latin, and Greek .  The local artist, a parishioner of St. Clement, Mr. Paul Dupuis, shared these photos of the process involved in making it.   Thank-you Mr. Dupuis!

Discouraged by the state of politics these days? Do you love Jesus and desire to work that He may Reign?  Come hear guest speakers discuss the role of Catholics in political life from Nov. 4 to Nov. 6 at l’École La Salle.  This conference is in French.  For more information see the bulletin board poster and contact Dominique Boily , .   A full programme can be downloaded at the link below.

Colloque: Que-faire-d’Athalie ?

Solemn High Mass at 7:30 pm followed by candlelight procession around the church.

We would like to thank his Grace, Archbishop Prendergast, S.J., as well as Msgr. Daniel Berniquez for making last week’s Solemn Mass at the Cathedral possible in this Year of Mercy !  It was a beautiful Mass and a great success!   (Photos below)

Photos: Cathedral Mass / Messe cathédrale

Throughout the Year of Mercy designated by our Holy Father Pope Francis, a plenary indulgence applied either to oneself or to a poor soul in purgatory, is available to all those Catholics who make pilgrimage to the Cathedral. In order to obtain the indulgence, one must go to confession within the space of 8 days before or after your visit, be in the state of grace and receive Holy Communion the day of your visit, pass through the designated ‘Door of Mercy’, recite the Creed, then recite an Our Father for the intentions of the Holy Father.   Let’s take advantage of this indulgence by making pilgrimage to one of the most beautiful and historic churches in Canada !

Come and celebrate Corpus Christi and our 1st Holy Communion children’s big day after the 10:30 am Mass at the gymnasium of the Patro D’Ottawa, 40 Cobourg St. (right behind our church). The potluck will begin after the procession.  Bring your favourite dish to share!  Volunteers appreciated.  Please sign up at the entrance of the Church.

In addition to our regular confession times (30 min prior to all Masses 7 days a week), we have added to our schedule for Lent confessions on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Take advantage of this opportunity to be reconciled with the Lord during the Lenten season.

Novena to Saint Joseph (requested by the Archbishop;  to be said March 10 – 18)
Glorious St. Joseph, foster-father and protector of Jesus Christ! To you I raise my heart and my hands to implore your powerful intercession. Please obtain for me from the kind Heart of Jesus the help and the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I ask particularly for the grace of a happy death and the special favour I now implore.
[Mention your request here.]
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel animated with confidence that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

V. O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ, and for the glory of His Name.
R. Hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. Amen.

Important Message from the Archbishop of Ottawa:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada redefined medical ethics by striking down Canada’s Criminal Code prohibition of assisted suicide. This decision causes concern because authorities could interpret the subjective language of the Court decision to allow euthanasia, with few or no constraints. The result? Society would abandon people at their most vulnerable stage, rather than provide proper medical care for their suffering and need. This is precisely how the Parliamentary Committee, which recently published its recommendations on February 25, viewed the Supreme Court decision.

From not only a Catholic perspective but any rational perspective, the intentional, willful act of killing oneself or another human being is clearly morally wrong. How can a just society permit the state-sanctioned taking of lives by our physicians? When any life is vulnerable and can be taken at will, the dignity of all lives is seriously eroded. Respect for all human life in our society is jeopardized.

Advocates for assisted suicide and euthanasia often raise the issue of managing severe, chronic pain. They propose terminating the patient’s life as the best “medical treatment.” Many people do indeed fear physical pain, but the Church teaches that patients in the final phase of terminal illness may receive whatever pain relief is required, even if, indirectly, it could shorten their life. The principle involved here is simple and clear: the goal of the medication is to ease the patient’s great pain, not to hasten their death.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly teaches us, “whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable” (n. 2277). The right to life is not a matter for Christians only. It is a human right for all. To formally cooperate in the killing of the disabled, frail, sick, or suffering, even if motivated by a misplaced compassion, requires a prior judgement that such lives do not have value and are not worth living. But all human life has value. The law should protect all life. No one forfeits the right to life because of illness or disability.

The Catholic Church does not advocate prolonging life at any cost. Rather, the Church is guided by the principle of the quality of life that considers the whole person and not simply keeping the body going no matter what. As rational Catholic Christians, we ask the question in evaluating whether or not to accept life-prolonging treatment: is there a reasonable hope of benefit without excessive pain, expense, or other serious problem?

As your bishop and your brother in Christ, I exhort you to fast and pray that our parliamentarians heed our concerns. Please take part in a Novena to St. Joseph from March 10–18. Let us pray that our legislators at the national and provincial levels will protect life, especially that of the most vulnerable, and that they will respect the right of medical professionals to refuse to take part in assisted-dying.

What else can you do? Take these concerns to your Member of Parliament and Member of Provincial Parliament. You may also join or start a parish pro-life group to support the work of resisting the culture of death and nurturing the culture of life in Canada. Talk to your friends and co-workers about the grave threat to human dignity and life that assisted suicide and euthanasia pose to our most vulnerable neighbours. Explain to your children, grandchildren, friends, and associates the importance of reverencing human life that begins at conception in the womb and ends in natural death.

I encourage you to be an agent of mercy in this Jubilee Year of Mercy–“feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, comfort the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead.” Catholics, like all other citizens, have a right and a duty to participate in the political process of our democracy. We must act to uphold the dignity of every human life.

Take courage. Do not be afraid to stand up for the value and dignity of life. Catholic Christians have a special role to play in resisting this culture of death. I call on all Catholics to be strong supporters and proponents of the Gospel of Life. Make your voice heard.

✠ Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
Archbishop of Ottawa

In support of our pulpit restoration project. 1st prize: Hand-made pine bench with storage under the seat ! Perfect for storing your scarves, mittens, shoes, or whatever else needs organizing!  2nd Prize:  Basket of misc kitchen items including the DVD “Song of Bernadette” and organic spices from Epicure. Tickets are $10 each or 3 tickets for $20.   To be included in the draw fill out the ‘yellow’ Restoration fund envelope with “Parish Raffle” on it & include your donation of $10 (for one) or $20 (for 3), then drop in the collection basket. The draw will be held on Easter Sunday. Thank you for your support of this project !

(Please note that the 12:00 am Mass is cancelled in lieu of the funeral.  Please keep the deceased and his family in your prayers.)

POTHIER, Bernard Alexander

b. Inverness, NS August 17, 1936,

d. Ottawa, ON February 21, 2016.

The son of Louis Pothier and Margaret Chisholm Pothier. Survived by Jean Dolorosa MacIsaac, his wife of more than 50 years; his four children, Chisholm, Julian, Helena-Maria and Natasha; his sons-in-law Christian and Philippe; and ten grandchildren: Jack, Hailey, Crispin, Philippa, Isabel, Mariel, Marc, Margaret, Olivia and Isaac. Also survived by his sisters Norine, Alexandra (Archie), Louise and Clare and his in-laws Bernie and Sr. Linda, He served many years as a historical researcher and curator, chiefly in the federal government service, and devoted his retirement years to contemporary Catholic studies and parish apostolates. Special thanks to extended family, parish priests, parishioners, family friends and devoted caregivers for their attention these last several months. Friends may pay their respects to the family at Whelan Funeral Home, 515 Cooper St. (between Bay & Lyon) on Wednesday, February 24 from 1:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary to take place at 3 p.m. Mass and prayer offerings or donations to St. Clement Parish gratefully accepted in lieu of flowers. Latin Requiem Mass at St Clement Parish, 528 Old St Patrick St., Lower Town on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Hope Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home
tel. 613-233-1488

Next Saturday the Legion of Mary will be having a day of recollection here in the Church. Parishioners are welcome to attend the morning session which will include mass at 9:00 am, a spiritual talk at 10:00 am, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 11:00 to 12:00 with confessions.   The theme will be “Preparing for Lent with Mary”