Virtual Ministry

Home | Contact Us | About Us
Testimonials | Cindy's Reflections | Golf

VM - January 22, 2010

Stan-e5	Two reflective articles are proposed dealing with the disaster which devastated Haiti We’re in the Year for Priests until June 19^th 2010. A few inspirational quotes from Saint John Vianney (Patron saint of priests) have been added to the beautiful icon commissioned by the Knights of Columbus. Recordings of hymns sung by the Basilica Choir on January 17^th have been added to Liturgical overview of the month of January. Link to a powerful video entitles The Catholic Priest Today is given Helpers of God’s Precious Infants is looking for vigilers across from the abortion mill. A captivating book review of Canadian Converts is available. To help you keep up-to-date on developments regarding Pro-life issues, we have new articles related to the abortion issue, and one on euthanasia. Recording of an informative Theology on Tap lecture given by Richard Bastien is available. A group of Ottawa Pro-life General Practitioners would like to expand their membership. Prayers are requested for this initiative. Guest schedule is available for on Wednesday’s Program of EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa for the months of January and February. We have requests for Prayer Intentions. Upcoming Events of Note: January 23^rd: Breakfast for All – St. Augustine Parish. January 26^th : Theology on Tap, Fr. Mark Slatter on “Being a Man” January 29 – 31: Annual Men’s Retreat in Pembroke, ON. January 30^th: Fellowship of the Rings starts at St. Mary’s Parish. February 9^th : Theology on Tap, Claire Johnson on “Women in Salvation History” February 23^rd : Theology on Tap, Fr. Tim McCauley, on Priests March 8^th: Cardinal Levada comes to Ottawa
	Searching for meaning in disaster - MICHAEL COOK Is it really so stupid to ask why this had to happen to the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere? Click HERE to read reflective article followed by stimulating blog.
	The spiritual side of suffering in Haiti - CARL ANDERSON The tragedy in Haiti is likely to have long-lasting effects, not only for the people who have lost loved ones there, but for an entire generation that has witnessed its destruction. And it is important that we get the right understanding of what has occurred there…. Read The spiritual side of suffering in Haiti
	A Prayer For Our Priests We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry. Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love. Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Lead them to new depths of union with your Son. Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us. Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will. O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son. Intercede for our priests that, offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. St. John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests. View larger version Click HERE for explanation of icon. Random quote from St. John Vianney "Prayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains." "No, my dear brethren, there is no virtue which will let us know better whether we are the children of God or not than charity." "If we could comprehend all the good things contained in Holy Communion, nothing more would be wanting to content the heart of man. The miser would run no more after his treasures, or the ambitious after glory; each would shake off the dust of the earth, leave the world, and fly away towards heaven."
	January 2010 - Overview for the Month The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, whose feast is celebrated on January 3rd. Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. For overview of month including Papal Intentions, click HERE. Hymns as sung by the 11:00 am Basilica Choir on January 17^th Processional: Praise the Lord of heaven , lyrics Offertory: Lord of all Power I Give You my Will , Communion: Panis Angelicus , lyrics Recessional: All Creatures of Our God and King , lyrics
Don DeCuypere	Below is a link to a great USSB produced 28 minute documentary which offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be a dedicated Catholic priest in today's culture. The Catholic Priest Today provides a rare glimpse of the reality of life as a Catholic priest in the United States in the third millennium. Viewers are able to take a close look at the life of three Catholic priests and to hear commentary from a variety of people about how the priesthood impacts the lives of many. To download and view the video, click on: http://www.thecatholicpriesttoday.com/DVDs/thecatholicpriesttoday.wmv How can you help to promote this video? http://www.thecatholicpriesttoday.com/howToHelp.htm
Doris Gagnon	Happy New Year fellow Helpers, I am inviting you to come and pray for God's Precious Infants on the following dates during January : Thursday, January 14th Thursday, January 21st Wednesday, January 27th. These are the days when our team of sidewalk counsellors will be reaching out to the women and men entering the abortion mill. This is when your prayers are most needed. You may sign up by going to the registration page here : http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=.. Click HERE for more details Looking forward to seeing you at this modern day Calvary.
John Gay	Book Review of “Canadian Converts” Click HERE to read an insightful review of this captivating book by Herman Goodden, from Catholic Insight Magazine. Canadian Converts is one of the first books published by Justin Press, a new Ottawa-based Canadian Catholic printing house. Click HERE for details of this and other books. These books can also be purchased at St. Patrick's Gift Shop.
	Pro-life Corner Abortion Related Articles: The vital need for Crisis Pregnancy Centres: Supporting Women in Canada Means Educating That Abortion Hurts Women (NOTE: The report "Exposing Crisis Pregnancy Centres in British Columbia" referred to in the article below can be found at: http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/Exposing-CPCs-in-BC.pdf ) Angus Reid survey: Many Canadians Would Like to See Restrictions on Abortion Procedures Breast cancer and abortion: What scientists don't tell you about abortion by Lorne Gunter Euthanasia Related Article “We have medicalized, depersonalized, dehumanized and technologized death – and, as a result, dying people suffer intense premortem loneliness. We need to recognize and address that loneliness….” : Finding meaning in dying by Margaret Sommerville. See also Related letters.
Ray Duplesis	On November 24th, 2009, Richard Bastien delivered an enlightening lecture entitled The Issue of God Today at the Theology on Tap lecture series. It dealt with Fideism, Modernism, Postmodernism and Catholicism. Mr. Bastien shows how each of them has developed on the basis of a particular understanding of the role of faith and reason in the quest for truth. More specifically, he argued that these worldviews are mutually exclusive and that each of us is bound to make a choice between Mohammed, Descartes, Nietzsche and Benedict XVI. To listen to this compelling talk, click on LECTURE. To listen to the "questions and answers" which followed the lecture, click on Q's & A's. (Our apologies for the background noise) To read the text of his lecture, click on The Issue of God Today On Liberalism Mr. Bastien also wrote a related paper on Liberalism. It defines the Zeitgeist of the last half century and will likely continue its triumphant march over the foreseeable future. It permeates all our institutions - our schools, our colleges and universities, our governments, our judicial system, including human rights tribunals, and even our churches. It is thus important to understand where this ideology came from and how it works. To read it, click on Liberalism in a Postmodern Age
Dr. Clarke	Pro-life General Practitioners Needed Ottawa Pro-life doctors would like to expand their membership in order to provide better coordinated services to our community. Pro-life GP’s are therefore invited to join this association. For more info, please contact Dr. Joseph Clarke at: Email: joseph_clarke3@sympatico.ca Phone: 613-563-0343 (private line at office) Fax at office: 613-563-2211. All are invited to pray for this important initiative. Please pass this on.
Graham C	EWTN Live - schedule of guests The following is the list of scheduled guests for January and February 2010 on the "EWTN Live" program hosted by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, which airs on EWTN on Wednesdays from 8 to 9 pm (ET) (repeats Thursdays at 9 am). The program can also be viewed on-line by going to the following webpage (see links to Live Video and Archived Video): http://www.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp http://www.ewtn.com/tv/prime_wednesday.asp January 27 Stephanie Mann Catholics and the English Reformation February 3 Helen Hull Hitchcock The New Missal February 10 TBA February 17 Fr. Oscar Lukefahr The Catholic Mass February 24 Sr. Margherita Marchione Pope Pius XII March 3 Fr. John Trigilio & Fr. Kenneth Brighenti
	Prayer Intentions In thanksgiving for the successful heart surgery which Deacon Marc Gauthier has undergone this past Tuesday (January19th). Please pray for a full recovery from this operation. Click HERE for special prayer requests from Don and Maureen Hall
	UPCOMING EVENTS
	Tuesday, January 26, 7:00 p.m. Malone's Bar and Grill, Dow's Lake (1001 Queen Elizabeth Dr). “What does Catholic moral thought have to say about 'being a man?” Speaker Fr. Mark Slatter Be a man! What does that mean? What should that mean? Come out and hear popular priest, professor at St. Paul University, and moral theologian Fr. Mark Slatter SThD (Pontifical Gregorian University) discuss what it means to "Be a Man" in the world today. More info: (www.ottawa-theologyontap.com)
	Men’s Retreat in Pembroke A group from Madonna House is putting on their 3rd annual retreat. Please post the attached on the bulletin boards of your local parish. Here are some of the details found in the attached: Friday, Jan. 29 (6:30 p.m.) – Sunday, Jan. 31(2:00p.m.), 2010 Cost: $150.00 for the weekend (includes retreat, room and meals) Where: Marguerite Center, Pembroke Father Tom Zoeller and Scott Egan of Madonna House will be our retreat leaders.
	Tuesday, February 9, 07:00 pm, Malone’s Bar and Grill, Dow's Lake (1001 Queen Elizabeth Dr). *"More than flowerpots: the importance of women in the biblical narrative"* Speaker: Claire Johnson Eve, Ruth, Judith, Mary. These are all figures key to the economy of salvation. Some women have their own books in the Bible, while others are featured prominently. Come hear Clair Johnson, PhD student in Biblical theology at St. Paul University discuss how women are presented importantly in the Bible and discover what this means for us today. More info: (www.ottawa-theologyontap.com)
	Tuesday, February 23, Malone’s Bar and Grill, Dow's Lake (1001 Queen Elizabeth Dr). *"Save a Priest, Save 10 000 Souls"* Speaker: Fr Tim McCauley Fr. Tim, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Ottawa, will speak on the Year for Priests, with reflections on the renewal of the ministerial priesthood, the priesthood of Christ in the Letter to the Hebrews, and implications for the priesthood of the baptized. Come out and hear the value of priesthood and what it means for your life! More info: (www.ottawa-theologyontap.com)
	THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., St. Mary's hall, 100 Young St. Fellowship and discussions for newly-married Catholic couples will take place over several Saturday sessions. These will deal with how to grow from anger to intimacy. Please bring your favourite veggies, fruits or desserts. Sat. Jan. 30, Anger: Stuff it, Spew it or Study it; Sat., Mar. 13, Personal Responsibility and Emotions; Sat., Apr. 17, The Perfect Apology; Sat., Jun. 12, Roadblocks to Forgiveness. RSVP: André & MaryBeth Pion (613-723-0150).
Guy Dacquay	*CCO Welcomes Cardinal Levada to* *Ottawa* CCO presents their second annual fundraising gala on Monday, March 8th, 2010 in Ottawa with His Eminence William Joseph Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Holy Mass with Cardinal Levada - Notre Dame Cathedral at 4:30 on March 8^th with Gala Evening at The Westin Hotel - Cash bar at 5:45, Dinner at 6:45 125$ per ticket with 60$ tax receipt. For Tickets or information contact: CCO Headquarters: 613 736 1999 ottawamtm@cco.ca For more information please see event poster For more information, visit http://www.ccocanada.ca/ Cardinal Levada serves as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Roman Curia. On May 13, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI elected Levada to be his successor in this highly important post.