Our Lady of the Visitation

ARCHBISHOP?S EASTER MESSAGE 2014

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Our Easter celebration begins with a proclamation of joy. ?Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven?let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King?s triumph! Be glad, let earth be glad?!?

God?s plan was to rescue people from sin, restoring us to friendship with himself. This has taken place in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! God has come to us in the Incarnate Son to give us hope of eternal life and to bless us with Easter joy.

Christ the Lord comes to share with us his joy and peace, his Holy Spirit and the special gift of himself ?in the breaking of the bread??Holy Communion.

Our new life in Christ was proclaimed by the apostles to whom our Risen Lord appeared. The Church continues to repeat with amazement the apostles? message that Jesus, the crucified one, is risen from the dead and remains with his people.

In his recent Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium (?The Joy of the Gospel?), Pope Francis reminds us of the joy God and his Son Jesus wish to share with us through the Holy Spirit:

?The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew? (EG #1).

Risen and alive, Jesus comes to us in the Easter Sacrament of Holy Communion. Today, in our churches, we recognize him ?in the breaking of the bread? (Luke 24.35).

This explains the importance of the Sunday Eucharist in feeding our spiritual life. We endanger our faith if we neglect the Eucharist and undervalue at Mass the victory Christ has gained for us.

Today, as the Church celebrates our victory with Christ, we invite you to renew your commitment to sharing in Sunday Mass?the little Easter?every Sunday without fail. This is the sure path to the holiness that God wishes for you.

Pope Francis encourages the whole Church?our diocese, our parishes and groups, all of us?to become disciples who are also missionaries. Disciples learn from Jesus Christ every day. Missionaries share this Good News with others: your family members, fellow students, and associates at work and at recreation.

God bless you and Happy Easter!

+ Terrence Prendergast, S.J.
Archbishop of Ottawa.

Fundraising and Events:

ANNUAL OLV AUCTION!

OLV's Annual Charity Auction is Saturday, April 26 ! Live and silent auctions plus a bargain table and, new this year, a costume jewellery table. Many framed works of art as well. Donations still accepted. Enjoy a KOC prepared breakfast and lunch. Please share this news on your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Info call 613-822-1777 or email: marie.trojan@sympatico.ca

Click here for more information - and download the "letter of introduction" for potential donors as well!

United Way Campaign 2013: If you work for a federal government department/agency or a company/organization that offers payroll deductions, you can designate your United Way donations to the building fund at Our Lady of the Visitation. Simply complete your donation card with: Our Lady of the Visitation - CCRA number 128967353RR0116
Please advise the office of your donation 613-822-2197. Thank you.

Councils and Groups:

Osgoode Care Center - Eucharistic Team Needs You: Father Brian is seeking parishioners who are interested in becoming part of the Osgoode Care Center - Eucharistic Team. The Team should consists of volunteers from OLV and St. Catherine's (Metcalfe) who work in concert to bring Communion to Care Ctr residents on a rotational basis. This is an extremely satisfying ministry. Your help is needed! INFO: Pls contact Sandra at 613-443-1453.
We are looking for interested parishioners to help as lectors, readers, ushers, and Eucharistic Ministers at Masses. It is a great way to get involved, any training is provided, and the commitment is generally only one or two Masses per month. Take it to prayer. Contact Tony at tonehahn@gmail.com or 613-248-9284 for details.

Updated schedules for the readers, etc. can be found by clicking "Schedules" found on the left side of this page.
KOC BINGO: The Knights of Columbus is organizing teams (males and females) for BINGO sessions at the Rideau Carleton Raceway on Albion Rd. The sessions are from 12:00 noon until 3:00pm every Saturday. Your commitment would be approximately one Saturday (more or less) per month. Please take it to prayer. WE NEED YOUR HELP! It is a great and guaranteed way to raise funds for the Church. For more information, contact Peter at phuszcz@rogers.com.
OLV is in need of volunteers to host our Sunday Coffee Social Time, after each Sunday Mass. Please contact the office for more information.
Update your information: Please help us update the Parish Membership information. Fill in the form on the hardcopy bulletin at church or send the following information to olvis@rogers.com (for internal church use only): Surname, Given Name, Email, Phone (cell, business, residence), Sunday Envelope #, Spouse's Name (if applicable), Email, Phone (cell, business, residence), # of children at home (infant-4, 5-13, 14-21, young adult, and your address.