2020 Messages

For many of us, this will be a Christmas like no other. The restrictions of the pandemic force us to adapt, to let go of certain traditions and customs, to cancel family or fraternal gatherings. But will all this make our Christmas less special? Might we be forced to recognize what is the essence of our celebrations? Whatever our situation, the mystery of the Incarnation will be as real and present. God will bless us as much today as He did two thousand years ago. Every Christmas is an opportunity for our God to reveal to us His Love in His Son Jesus. During this year, marked by suffering, misery, and mourning, may we allow the light of the Prince of Peace to penetrate the depths of our being, our Church, and our world.
 
In spite of COVID-19, the Christmas celebration will be in the spotlight! It is up to us to welcome the One who presents himself to us as a newborn baby, but who is in reality our Saviour and our God. May the Child God be for you a source of graces and blessings for the New Year.
✠ Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall

In inaugurating my episcopal ministry as Archbishop of this diocese under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our Cathedral and Ecclesiastical Province, we can believe that this is a pious thought. I would like to go a little further and say that it is a pious thought with intent. That is to say, I would not want to begin my ministry in any other way. Why would I want to do that? Because I find in Mary an exceptional model.

At her school I learn to be docile to the Holy Spirit. I would not want to begin this responsibility without allowing myself to be infused and moved by the power of the Spirit. Mary, Woman present with the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, will be an exceptional help to us today. Through her intercession, she will be able to bring us back to that fundamental moment of our Church, the day of Pentecost, the day when, thanks to the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were able to successfully begin a mission that seemed impossible at the outset. I therefore invite you during this Mass to implore the gifts of the Spirit so that together we can respond generously to the mission entrusted to us.

In this same spirit, Mary will be for me and for you also a model of the missionary disciple, carried by the joy of the Gospel to witness to all nations the eternal salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Mary carried in her heart a hope, a hope founded on God's promise to the people of Israel. On the day of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel came to announce God's plan for her, she recognized in this announcement the fulfillment of God's promise. Her fiat, is a "yes" to a call that will be a source of hope. Filled by the dwelling of this joy of the Gospel, she will go to visit her cousin Elizabeth. I wish you to be filled with the same joy as we begin this great pilgrimage of faith at a unique moment in our history.

Many journalists have approached me in the last few days. They, of course, want to know about the new guy in town. They are curious about this new beginning for me as your archbishop. I will acknowledge that this is a new beginning for me but it is also a new beginning for you the people of God of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. Just like the Blessed Virgin Mary had a new beginning to her life on the day of the Annunciation, this was much bigger than herself. She was taking part of a plan that would be a new beginning for the people of Israel, for all of humanity actually.

Mary’s story – is beautiful and unique. Her story in some ways is no different from ours when it is seen through the lens of faith. It is all about how God became an integral part of her life and how she intentionally collaborated with God’s plan. This is my story. This is each of your stories if you take a moment and ponder on how God has worked his way into your life and how he has called each of you to say your “yes”. To say “I’m in. I want what you want Lord.”
Of course, many days I personally struggled with God’s plans. Like Mary I had questions. “Why me Lord?”. “I don’t understand. How is this going to work? » I must say that my trust in the Lord has played a great part of who I am today and what I have been able to do. We can’t go far in life without trust, without that confidence that no matter what, you are loved and appreciated despite the limits and failures. It is often in my weakest moments that I have felt God’s merciful presence and his reassuring support, calling me to something greater and better.

Another undeniable reality that has marked my journey of faith is my personal encounter with Christ. When Jesus became real to me and not just some wonderful man some people wrote about in the bible, then everything became different. The word of God at Mass spoke to me in a personal way. Sacraments were life-giving and necessary for the mission the Lord was entrusting me with. People around me become his messengers, reminders of his presence or an invitation for me to see Christ in them.

The spiritual joy I experienced in those moments is what made me want to witness to my faith and consequently become a priest. It is my hope and prayer that I will be able to share the joy of the Gospel throughout my time and ministry with you, in such a way that you will want to do the same. I can’t say I have great plans all made up for the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall as I begin a new chapter in my life. But what I do know is that my vision for this Church of ours is that it will become a place where people will encounter the person of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, as their teacher and healer, as the one who leads us to fullness of life; and secondly, that they all become missionary disciples, proud to share their faith in the One they love.

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, the mystery of Mary conceived without sin. Thus, faith tells us that there has been in our world, where absolutely no one is without defilement, a woman, truly of our race, made totally pure. I share with you the essential part of the dogmatic text promulgated by Pius IX in 1854. "In the first moment of her conception (the Mother of God) was, by a special privilege, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved from all defilement of original sin." This privilege was granted to her in view of the role she was destined to play in the plan of salvation.
We can speak here of Mary's divine election from the day of her conception. We have talked a lot about elections this year, but here we are talking about a divine election, willed by God. We must not believe that this kind of election is reserved for a small group of illustrious people. Let us read again the text of St. Paul to the Ephesians that we read for you in the second reading.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.”  This is the true meaning of a divine election. To be chosen by God for a life lived in Christ. Through our baptism, we have all been chosen. In the course of our lives, we have all received a vocation worthy of our call as children of God.

I hope, therefore, that our thanksgiving tonight will not only be a recognition of a new archbishop beginning his ministry among his people, but that it will be an opportunity for all of us to marvel at God's plan for each one of us.

You may have learned today that Pope Francis has decreed a special year dedicated to St. Joseph that begins today.

In his Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (with the heart of a father), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Having been born on the feast of St. Joseph and having grown up in the parish of St. Joseph in Manitoba, I can tell you that I rejoice in this good news. I am proud to announce that St. Joseph will remain the principal patron of our archdiocese.

Today, marks the beginning of a Holy Year dedicated to Saint Joseph. The Holy Father Pope Francis wrote an Apostolic letter Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”) against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” I like to identify myself to Saint Joseph in those qualities.

Furthermore, in his letter, the Holy Father describes another element that I relate to easily. He states that Joseph’s spiritual path “is not one that explains, but accepts” — which does not mean that he is “resigned.” Instead, he is “courageously and firmly proactive,” because with “Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude,” and full of hope, he is able “to accept life as it is, with all its contradictions, frustrations and disappointments.” In practice, through St. Joseph, it is as if God were to repeat to us: “Do not be afraid!” because “faith gives meaning to every event, however happy or sad,” and makes us aware that “God can make flowers spring up from stony ground.” Joseph “did not look for shortcuts but confronted reality with open eyes and accepted personal responsibility for it.” For this reason, “he encourages us to accept and welcome others as they are, without exception, and to show special concern for the weak” (4).
As I begin my ministry here, I can hear God telling me: “Do not be afraid”. I will have Saint Joseph as a model so that my faith can help me see God at work in my life and in the people I am called to serve.

December 4, 2020 - As announced by the Holy See today, I am assuming the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall as your Metropolitan Archbishop. This news comes as no surprise to you, but it is important, I believe, to note this transition of power. In succeeding His Grace Archbishop Prendergast, I inherit a diocesan Church that is both young because it is newly created, but also rich in history, culture and traditions. The greatest treasure is to be found first of all in each of the persons who make up our living Church because we find God's gift in each of them. I am convinced that the power of the Holy Spirit will guide and equip us for the mission that must expand in this unique time in our history.

As your pastor, your servant leader, I hope I will model for you the life of an authentic missionary disciple. With a touch of humility and a good dose of joy of the Gospel, I believe it is possible to transform hearts and awaken souls to life in abundance. In Jesus Christ, everything changes for the better and therefore makes all the difference. I therefore invite you to become pilgrims with me and dare to take the journey of faith that will lead us to an unforgettable adventure.

I entrust myself to your prayers and to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. You are already in my prayers, like a father cares for his children.

✠ Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall

May 6, 2020 - On this feast of Saint François de Laval, patron saint of Canadian Bishops, Pope Francis announced publicly his decision to appoint mc as Coadjutor Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall. This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one that will build upon multiple experiences that have taught me to trust the Lord. I have always been amazed all the callings I received from the Church; however, I did not always understand why I was the one chosen to assume responsibility for a new parish, a new diocese, a new ministry or a new undertaking. My first “fiat” is rooted in my love for God and for his people. It was from this fundamental principle that I responded to all the other callings in my life, offering my service with humility and thanksgiving. God’s plan is not always obvious, but it is revealed to us as a Mystery. No matter how many questions I ask, the answer is often the same: “My grace is sufficient for you.” So I walk gently and joyfully on a path that will be strewn with signs of divine Providence.

As Coadjutor Archbishop, I am grateful for the time ¡ will spend with Archbishop Prendergast. He will help me prepare for my new responsibilities, thus ensuring continuity with the wonderful work already begun. Both of us, together with the clergy and the laity, will form a good team capable of advancing the mission of Evangelization. The construction of the Kingdom of God for the salvation of souls is never finished. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and supported by your good prayers, I make the commitment to give the best of myself.
I will certainly have the joy of meeting again the faithful of my first diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall. The road we traveled together was short but very rewarding. Knowing that the reality of your diocesan Church is taking a turn by your amalgamation with the Archdiocese of Ottawa, I will be there to accompany you throughout the transition and in the integration into the new reality. According to the information I have received, the process is already well underway. As for the people of Ottawa, you are a big family that I will have the joy of knowing and loving.

Therefore, until the day of my arrival in my new Archdiocese, I will be with all of you in thought and prayer. The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic may complicate the situation somewhat, but I entrust everything to Mary Immaculate and to Saint François de Laval.

+ Marcel Damphousse
Coadjutor Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall