Visiting Holy Redeemer Parish (Kanata)

Yesterday, I began the Pastoral Visitation of Holy Redeemer Parish, Kanata by meeting the staff of Holy Redeemer Parish before setting out to visit the Catholic schools in the parish: Holy Trinity High School, Holy Redeemer, St. James and St. Martin de Porres elementary schools.

We received a gracious and enthusiastic reception everywhere (I was accompanied throughout by my Episcopal Vicar Father Joseph Muldoon, Pastor Father Pierre Champoux, Child and Youth Programs Director Melissa Delaney and School Trustee Ted Hurley (also Diocesan Youth Director, English Sector).

Today and tomorrow are chock-a-block with activities, so blogging content will be light. Here are some photos from the school visits:

Holy Trinity High School

The doors opened wide for the visitors from Holy Redeemer Parish and the Archdiocese of Ottawa

After the assembly with Q&A, a photo of some students and their archbishop in the school's atrium

Holy Redeemer School

After lunch and an exchange with the teachers of Holy Redeemer (unfortunately none of the photos were publishable) a couple of students tried the bishop's skullcap (zucchetto) on for size

St. Martin de Porres School

"Welcome to St. Martin de Porres, Your Grace!"

A souvenir booklet of messages from each class

St. James School

The weather's been great lately: mild temperatures, sunny skies

The children of St. James who will celebrate their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year


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Prayer from the Votive Mass for the Progress of Peoples

Let us remember to pray for the victims (living and dead) of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile:

O God, you have given all peoples one common origin, and your will is to gather them as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of all with the fire of your love and the desire to ensure justice for all their brothers and sisters. By sharing the good things you give us may we secure justice and equality for every human being, an end to all division, and a human society built on love and peace.