Saint Patrick Basilica
220 Kent Street Ottawa, ON, Canada

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Please find attached the Meditations and Prayers of the Faithful prepared by Deacon Jim, Fr. Steve's Homily and my Homily. With my brother Knights, we give thanks to God for the announcement this week that the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Fr. Michael McGivney, will be beatified. I note the faithful promotion of his cause that has been the work of local Knights through the Fr. Michael McGivney Honoris - http://www.michaeljmcgivneyhono...ris.ca/ The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus maintains a web site concerning Fr. McGivney - https://www.fathermcgivney.org/en/ We pray now for his canonization! Let us continue to pray for one another, especially those who are most isolated and alone. Fr. Kevin

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Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, As we have been doing for some weeks now, I am attaching for this Sunday, the Meditations and Prayers of the Faithful prepared by Deacon Jim, Fr. Steve's Homily and my Homily. Some other points ...... Fr. Steve and I are available for Confessions. To respect current guidelines, we are hearing Confessions by appointment only in the Rectory. Please call, or email (Fr. Steve's email is [email protected]), in order to make an appointment. Parish Pastoral Council - we meet 'virtually' this past week to discuss, among other things, how they and other parishioners are experiencing this time of 'exile' from our church. We also discussed some possible issues and scenarios when we reopen. It is almost certain that the process will be gradual with various restrictions and conditions. In his weekly message, Archbishop Prendergast made the following comment: "Reopening of Churches - Many people are asking about this. From inquiries I have made, all that can be said at the moment is that there are discussions going on with authorities of the Province of Ontario, that the reopening will be gradual and that some restrictions will remain. We will need great patience." Let us pray for wisdom and patience and for each other, especially for those most isolated and alone. Fr. Kevin

To listen for free, simply go to basilica.formed.org

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, As done for previous Sundays since the middle of March, I am attaching the following: Meditations and Prayers of the Faithful prepared by Deacon Jim... Fr. Steve's Homily My Homily In the Prayers of the Faithful for the deceased, you will note the mention of Fr. Norm Dodge, a Jesuit Father who passed away recently at age 92. For many years, Fr. Norm ministered in Ottawa where he was key in establishing and supporting pastoral care teams in parishes as an outreach to the ill and infirm at home. Many of you will know him for the work that he did at Saint Patrick's. Fr. Norm was among the residents of the Jesuit Retirement Residence in Pickering who succumbed to complications from COVID-19. May the Lord give Fr. Norm the reward of his apostolic labours. Let us continue to pray for one another, especially those who are most isolated and alone. Fr. Kevin

On this Mother's Day, let us pray for a blessing on all mothers, those still with us and those who have gone to the Lord: Blessing for Mothers Loving God; we ask you to bless all mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth in their children. May they know your loving hand guiding them and encouraging them in their vocation as mothers. Bless our mothers living in other places and welcome into your presence our mothers who have died. We ask all this throu...gh the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, in the name of her Son, Jesus Christ who lives forever and ever. Amen Fr. Kevin

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Since the closure of our church, we have been updating our email lists on a regular basis. So, some of you might be receiving this Sunday email for the first time. Some have been asking "When will the Basilica be open again?". The simple answer is "We don't know". It appears that churches will not be in the 'First Phase' of openings in Ontario. We continue to hope and pray ... and prepare for the day when we are open again. We foresee,... already, that new measures will need to be in place to ensure everyone's safety. May has begun. During this month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us renew our devotion to her. Praying the rosary daily, whether individually or as a family, has been a great source of spiritual strength for generations of Catholics. Again this weekend, I am sending the following: Meditations and Prayers of the Faithful prepared by Deacon Jim Fr. Steve's Homily My Homily Let us continue to pray for one another, especially for those who are most alone and isolated. Fr. Kevin

To listen to this resource for free, simply go to basilica.formed.org

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Christ is risen, alleluia! For this Sunday, please find attached the following ...... Meditations and Prayers of the Faithful prepared by Deacon Jim Fr. Steve's Homily My Homily In addition, I am attaching a Prayer of Consecration of Canada to Mary, used at the time of the 150th Anniversary of Confederation, which the Archbishop proposes for this consecration. On Friday May 1st - the beginning of the month traditionally dedicated to Mary, the Catholic Bishops of Canada will consecrate their individual dioceses or eparchies to Mary, Mother of the Church, seeking her protection during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), in fraternal communion with the leadership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has agreed that this Marian consecration be held on the same day in both countries, making this a most meaningful and powerful intercession throughout North America to the Blessed Mother. https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net//Prayer_for_Consecra Let us remain united in prayer, particularly for those who are most vulnerable and alone. Fr. Kevin

Dear Brothers & Sisters in our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, I am attaching to this message, the following: The Archbishop's Easter Message Prayers of the Faithful prepared by Deacon Jim... Fr. Steve's Homily My Homily In the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday, a text from an ancient homily on Holy Saturday was the Second Reading. I offer an extract: Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because [the Lord] is asleep ... God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have ever slept since the world began. ... He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives ... "Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead ... Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you ... Rise, let us leave this place. ... I will enthrone you in heaven ... The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity." Let us prepare ourselves for Easter, to join with the whole Church in our Easter Proclamation: Christ is risen, alleluia, alleluia! Fr. Kevin