Current Messages

Pope Francis has inaugurated the first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly for July 25th 2021. The theme of this day of celebration is from the Gospel of Matthew: “I am with you always” (Mt. 28.20).

In his message for this occasion, Pope Francis writes: “I am well aware that this Message comes to you at a difficult time: the pandemic swept down on us like an unexpected and furious storm; it has been a time of trial for everyone, but especially for us elderly persons. Many of us fell ill, others died or experienced the death of spouses or loved ones, while others found themselves isolated and alone for long periods.” >>more

A number of parishes in our archdiocese have outreach programs for seniors: I encourage parishes to look for creative ways to include and support our senior citizens who are at risk of isolation. A tip sheet is coming out with some ideas for parishes to put a new focus on their seniors.

Ottawa Cornwall Catholic Seniors (OCCS) is a new initiative in our diocese to encourage seniors at the parish level to help each other live meaningful lives in the later years of life. We have a new place on the diocesan website with training videos for creating ministries for seniors and projects like phone trees, general information on parish seniors activities in the diocese, and community resources available for frail seniors. More content will be posted as it becomes available.

There are many achievable things we can do to support our senior parishioners and to remind them that they are not alone or forgotten.

Patricia Marsden-Dole has been working closely with parishes on ways to support our senior citizens). She is a good resource person for parishes seeking ideas for programs or easy to implement ideas (pmarsdendole@archottawa.ca).

This new international day honouring the elderly and grandparents will now be celebrated every year on the 4th Sunday of July. I encourage parishes to mark this special day, honouring our older brothers and sisters and seeking their wisdom, guidance and prayers.
May we not only remember Jesus Christ’s promise “I am with you always” but also be his instruments, bringing this message to those most in need of a compassionate presence.
May God bless you.

Sincerely,

✠ Marcel Damphousse

“I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner self with power through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.”

I make my own the prayer of Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, a text read on this feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the face of the many challenges facing our diocesan Church and our Canadian society these days, it seems to me essential to draw on the divine love of the heart of Jesus to find healing, strength and comfort. We need to know that we are loved unconditionally when we recognize ourselves as weak and sinful, so that we can be for others "salt of the earth and light of the world" in the likeness of our Lord.

Click here to read the full article.

Statement from Archbishop Marcel Damphousse
on the Discovery of the Remains of 215 Children
at the Former Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia

"A voice was heard in Ramah , wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weepingfor her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. " Matthew 2:18

Like many of yo u,  I have  been  deeply  disturbed  and sorrowful  over the enormously  tragic discovery of the remains of the 215 children at the Indian Residential School on Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation. The pain of this great tragedy has been expressed  in the many recent cere mon ies , memorials and tributes across Canada. It has touched all of us who desire a world in which all life flourishes -­ especially the life of innocent children.

Let me say to the Indigenous peoples living within the Archdiocese: with an earnest heart , I have been praying for your consolation. Click here to read the full statment.

On Tuesday, May 25th, the Trustees of the Ottawa Catholic School Board voted 9-1 in favour of a motion to allow schools to fly the rainbow (gay pride) flag during the months of June. This decision, despite my opposition, leaves me confused and disappointed. Many of you share my pain and suffering. I am very aware of this. I have received many e-mails from parents, teachers, and members of our Catholic community who have expressed their displeasure and incomprehension about this important decision that goes against the teaching of the Church. For some, the reactions have been very strong. Faced with this reality, many questions arise. How should we react? What are we to understand about the current state of our Catholic schools in Ontario? Click here to read the full article.