The Good Shepherd Parish 

We have received guidance from Fr. Dan Van Delst, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall regarding changes to the COVID protocols and regulations as it pertains to attending liturgical services and meetings at our church.  These two documents are posted on our parish homepage, and I encourage everyone to please read them.  There are a number of changes listed in his memos, but in this message, I would like to draw your attention to a couple of them.

Firstly, effective Monday 21 March 2022, attendees will no longer be required to wear a mask when in our church.  While removing this requirement may be seen as a release from a burden to some, it may cause undue stress for others.  I ask all parishioners to please be mindful of this and respect that, while some may gladly throw away their masks, there are likely a number who will continue to wear theirs.  Each person must come to their own decision as we navigate our way towards this new post-pandemic reality.

And secondly, Archbishop Marcel is extending the dispensation from attending Mass in person on Sunday until the vigil Mass for Palm Sunday, 09 April.  This means, that the last Sunday Mass that will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel will be the anticipated Sunday Mass that will be held on Saturday 02 April 2022.  As Archbishop Marcel has noted, attending Mass in person to receive the sacraments is the integral way we practise our faith.  All are invited and encouraged to consider returning to attending in-person Masses as soon as you feel comfortable with doing so.  Discontinuing the recording and uploading of our Sunday Masses will give our faithful videographer, Mark McAvoy, well-deserved relief; he has done such a splendid job of holding us all together during the pandemic days – our deepest gratitude goes to you Mark.  With all the care and attention to our COVID protocols over the last two years, we can now thankfully once again, gather in person as The Good Shepherd faith family.

As we proceed through this Season of Lent, we recall how Jesus journeyed through the forty days leading to his Passion and Resurrection.  Let us call on Our Lord Jesus Christ to be with us when we, too, are weary and when we are anxious.  I pray for each of you that during this Lenten journey you will be restored and renewed; and that we may one day soon welcome everyone back to celebrate our faith in the presence of one another, and of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ

Memoranda from the Archdiocese:

1. Province of Ontario Religious services changes to COVID Safety Guidelines 21 March 2021
2. Province of Ontario Meeting spaces and offices regarding end of mask mandate and all other regulatory requirements

If you wish to participate in an “in-person” or “Zoom” Synodal session, please contact Marilyn Olsen: mabolsen@rogers.com; please enter the word “Synod” in the subject line, and provide your name and your telephone number, indicating how you would like to participate (in person or online). Link to all Synodal process resources. Please review all and consider getting your voice heard. We want to hear from you! Prayers are requested for the success of our Synodal participation ….

Please also consider extending an invitation to a friend or family member who no longer practices their faith, or belongs to another faith tradition, or to no faith, to come with you to share their thoughts on the Church.

All are needed! All are welcome!!

Faithfully yours,
Marilyn Olsen
Parish Synodal Coordinator

• Options for ways to contribute to the support of your Parish
• The Good Shepherd Parish Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Form
• Donate to the Parish online through CanadaHelps.org