Message from the Rector

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November 28, 2021

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! During these four weeks of Advent, which begin this Sunday, we raise our voices in prayer echoing the ardent desire of Christians of nearly two millennia.  Advent has a twofold nature: it prepares us for Christmas, when we will recall Christ’s first coming among us by our celebration of the Nativity on December 25, and is also a time when we look forward to his second coming and the end of the ages, the day and hour known only to the Father. Advent is a season of joyful expectation. Although we will wear violet investments – violet being associated with penitential time – and note the presence of three violet candles as well as one rose candle in the wreath, the emphasis is on the joy of Christians knowing that the Lord has come and will come in the fullness of his glory at the end of time. During Advent, each Sunday’s Gospel reading has a specific focus. The Old Testament readings, especially those taken from Isaiah, are prophecies about the Messiah and the messianic times. The selections from the writings of the Apostles (Second Reading) present exhortations and instructions on different themes of the season. (Adapted from the Ordo 2021 – 2022, page 71)  With this first Sunday of the new liturgical year, we begin hearing the Gospel according to Saint Luke, who is also the author of the Acts of the Apostles which reminds us that the mission of Jesus the Messiah is continued by his Church until the Lord returns in glory.

On November 16, our Parish Finance Council met virtually. After the call to order, opening prayer and approval of the agenda, the members approved the minutes from the October meeting. In business arising from the minutes, the members considered the following: the Vaccination Policy of the Archdiocese indicates that diocesan authorities are not mandating vaccination but are taking the path of encouraging vaccination and education; the Parish has acquired a cemetery plot at Hope Cemetery which will be available to those, principally parishioners, who are not able to afford a Christian burial in consecrated ground with a marked grave. The members received a financial report as of the end of October which indicated that the parish continues to be in a surplus position thanks to the faithful support of our core parishioners as well as significant sums which have been received from the estates of parishioners and from the federal wage subsidy program. The financial position of the parish has enabled us to provide employment stability for clergy and lay employees. It was noted that the federal wage subsidy program, as far as our parishes are concerned, will end at the end of 2021. Preparation will begin soon for the 2022 budget. Forecasting will be a challenge given the ongoing uncertainty created by the pandemic and its related economic impact. The Council noted that the sum of $19,000 has been advanced from our Poor Fund to our Parish Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in order to look after their current and near-term obligations, including the Christmas voucher program. With respect to projects related to our physical plant, the members took note of the following: the adjustments to the sound system, particularly in the choir loft, have now been completed; a contract has been awarded with respect to the installation of backflow controls in the church and in the rectory as required by the City of Ottawa; the HVAC project in the Scavi continues, as problems have been encountered with respect to the replacement of parts, including piping, which are contingent elements expected in the renewal of mechanical equipment of its age; the parish has received the approval of the Archdiocese for the replacement of the two church boilers which should take place in 2022; the kitchen renovation in the Scavi is approaching completion; and, consideration is being given to the replacement of the front stairway in the rectory and, finances permitting, the replacement of the rectory boiler. A report concerning the status of the Book & Gift Shop indicates that it continues in a deficit position but its financial state is improving with the possibility of the Shop being in a breakeven, or even small surplus position at the end of the year. The Rector gave a brief report with respect to changes in Diocesan Administration including the employment of a new Chief Financial Officer. The Council took note of the anticipated changes in their membership with the approach of the end of the calendar year. The term of two members will end this year. In an in-camera session, the Rector reported on a number of HR issues. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The meeting ended with prayer.