Message from the Rector

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September 20, 2020

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ

The recent “uptick” in Ottawa virus cases reminds us that the COVID pandemic is not behind us yet. All the more reason to remain faithful to the requirements of public health: social distancing, wearing of masks and providing contact tracing information in the event that Ottawa Public Health needs to contact individuals during an outbreak.

A number of our parishioners have found it difficult to adjust to the requirement that the host may now only be received in the hand. In providing the diocesan norms for the current public health crisis, the Archbishop was clear in stating that the option of receiving the host on the tongue would be restored as soon as the public health guidelines permitted. In a recent news report, Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, addressed the issue of churches still being closed in many jurisdictions by reason of the pandemic. He encourages the bishops to dialogue with civic authorities in order to permit the public celebration of the Eucharist. In the context of his letter, the Cardinal appears to address the issue of the rights of bishops to issue temporary directives restricting the reception of the host to the hand: “In times of difficulty (e.g. wars, pandemics), Bishops and Episcopal Conferences can give provisional norms which must be obeyed. Obedience safeguards the treasure entrusted to the Church. These measures given by the Bishops and Episcopal Conferences expire when the situation returns to normal.”  (Catholic News Agency, September 12, 2020)

With the intent of returning to all parish services as they existed before the March closing, our Lending Library will be open on Sundays, beginning September 19. There will be limits as to the number of persons who can be inside the Library at any one time. The wearing of masks will be obligatory.

Father Kevin