RIP: Abbé Marcel Ranger

This morning at 10:30AM in Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa clergy will gather at the Mass of Christian Burial to say farewell to one of our senior members, Abbé Marcel Ranger, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 85 (September 16, 1925 - December 5, 2010).

Beginning at 9 o'clock, family and friends will gather for visitation prior to the Liturgy.

Fathrer Ranger and I had had a cordial conversation several weeks ago when he had made a recovery from a heart attack and done rehabilitation therapy for a broken hip.  He told me of his happiness to be back with the community of his confreres at the John Paul II Residence for retired clergy.  But it became evident in subsequent days and weeks that his body could not handle the increasing stress of his health needs.

Father Ranger was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1956 in Saint-Hugues Church in Sarsfield. He exercised his presbyteral ministry at the parishes of St-Paul in Aylmer, St. Jean-Marie-Vianney in Gatineau, St-René-Goupil in Gatineau, Ste-Trinité in Rockland and St-Victor in Alfred.

Abbé Ranger served also as chaplain at the General Hospital and at the Children’s Hospital (CHEO). He was chaplain also at the Élisabeth Bruyère Health Centre in Ottawa.

R.I.P.

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Friday of the Second Week in Advent

Today's Advent collect for the Eucharist, oriented towards Christ's coming in glory as befits the first part of this holy season, also may be spiritually understood to apply to the individual Christian's readiness to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the mystery of death:

Grant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son, that as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten alert and with lighted lamps to meet him when he comes.  Who lives and reigns with you.