Dear friends and parishioners of The Good Shepherd Parish:

It is with great joy that we look forward to the lifting of the severe lockdown restrictions under which we have all been living. On Tuesday 16 February, Ottawa will move to the orange/restrict level that will permit us to hold Mass and activities as we were in December. We will continue to have the careful COVID protocols followed (advance registration for Sunday weekend Masses, welcoming team at the door (with temperature taking if you have not done so at home) and the social distance seating by our ushers, etc. We have the protocols down and so it will be so very wonderful to again gather in our church as one faith family to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, together. Weekday Mass resumes on Friday 19 February, with COVID protocols.

While there is excitement to returning to church, some of you may still not feel comfortable in returning to the church until the vaccine program has given us the protection we all need; this is very understandable. Archbishop Marcel has extended the exemption of the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. We will still have our Mass uploaded to our YouTube channel and I encourage you all to continue to pray along with us via those means. One day we can all be comfortable to attend Mass together in our beloved church. Until then, we continue to offer prayers for everyone suffering with COVID and for their families; for all those frontline workers who are assisting the afflicted; and in a very special way, let us pray for the vaccination program that is underway and for those who are charged with its efficient and speedy delivery.

With the re-opening of our Church, on Ash Wednesday we will hold two Masses: one at 9:00 am and one at 6:00 pm. At both of these Masses you will be registered on arrival and all COVID protocols will be followed. All in attendance will receive ashes sprinkled on the head as described by Archbishop Marcel; the following is an excerpt from a recent message from him:
 
At both of these Masses we will have the outside speakers on, so that parishioners who wish to attend Mass, while remaining in their cars, may do so; you need to tune to 100.7FM on your radio. At the appropriate time (and when the assembly has departed the church out the side door), all those in their vehicles will be invited to proceed to the church front door, maintaining proper social distancing to receive the ashes and also to receive Holy Communion (all no touch). I will have said the “Body of Christ” over the microphone during Mass, so there will be no speaking when you come up to receive the Blessed Sacrament. Simply hold out your hand very flat and I will place the Holy Eucharist on your hand; step aside, remove your mask and consume the Holy Eucharist while standing in place. Replace your mask and return to your car. Ashes and Holy Communion will be distributed at the front door from the end of each Mass until 10:30 am and 7:30 pm respectively. The Ash Wednesday Mass at 9:00 am will be recorded and uploaded to the parish YouTube for praying along at 2:00 pm that same day.

Let us continue to pray for the well-being of ourselves and for one another… this pandemic is taking such a toll on everyone, particularly the most vulnerable. Let us remember to bring all our cares to the Lord in our daily prayers.

As we proceed to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Season of Lent, let us take the time to pause and consider to what this Season is calling us … to live a fuller, holier life.

I hold you and your families in my prayers, and I ask you to continue to pray for me. God bless you.


Yours in Christ,
Fr. Virgil