IMPORTANT: To see the lyrics and hear the hymn please click on the title. There is then a link to click on to hear an MP3 recording. Parishioner Bob Czerny has composed a hymn that offers a very human perspective on the anguish of those who were closest to Jesus after the Crucifixion. Bob and his wife Kathy joined St. Basil’s in 1977 and have participated in many ministries and activities. Bob is a Sunday fixture – he has led the music at the 9 a.m. Mass since the early 1980s with his 12-string guitar and several mates. “I’m not sure what inspired me to write the hymn,” says Bob, “but the Stations of the Cross paintings probably contributed. Although the original set were quite abstract, they conveyed the human drama so powerfully. “It struck me that as believers, we don’t have the experience that Mary and the others had in the aftermath of the Crucifixion. They did not know that the Resurrection was around the corner. They did not anticipate joy. I figured there is something to be gained by speculating on how they felt. Besides the mother of Jesus, I chose to focus on Mary Magdalen, Peter and Thomas. And I already had the melody – I had written it years earlier to accompany Shakespeare’s text that starts ‘Fear no more the heat of the sun.’” Bob thanks Kevin Burns for recording him; Fr. John Pungente SJ for putting the lyrics on the igNation blog site; Denise Trottier for permitting the use of her father’s painting; and Gerard Lewis for putting the hymn on the web site. “My apologies for the voice quality,” he adds; “I’m OK for live performance, but recording shows all the warts. I hope someone else will do a better job with it!” Lyrics found on Home Page/Pastor's Welcome

The Renovation Campaign Benefit Concert lifted the spirits of a large audience on the afternoon of Sunday, April 2. The event, featuring the National Capital Concert Band under the direction of Maestro Rocco Romeo and the lovely Tzietel Abrego, raised $3,300 for the renovation campaign as we kick off the $50,000 second phase of the Campaign at St. Basil's Parish. For a taste of what you missed, here's a sound clip of this excellent concert band and the glorious voice of Ms. Abrego. Thanks to the Renovation Campaign organizers of this benefit concert aided and abetted by our tireless Knights of Columbus!  We are indeed a blest community.

During the months of April and May 2017, the CWL of St. Basil's will be collecting donations to be given to St. Joseph's Women's Centre. A box will be placed in the narthex to receive donation of items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and brushes. Click the title of this article for the full details.

Just a quick reminder that the first parent/child preparation session for First Communion/Reconciliation is Sunday, January 15th at 6pm.   Please click the article for more information regarding dates to remember along with other details.

Too early to register your little one for kindergarten? Absolutely not! Click title for more!

The Mass Schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is as follows: Christmas Eve: 4:30 p.m. Family Mass 7:30 p.m. Evening Mass 10:00 p.m. Evening Mass Christmas Day: 11:00 a.m. Christmas Mass

Click on the article to see more information about joining the CWL at St. Basil's that is open to all women of the Parish.

Click the News Item to find out how you can help!

The Pope Video is a global initiative developed by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer) to assist in the dissemination of the Holy Father’s monthly intentions related to the challenges the humanity faces. The latest video and the history of videos since January 2016 is available at http://thepopevideo.org/ (One video for each month)

Just a year ago, on 17 August 2015, the Al Dabei family arrived in Ottawa. Nabil, Manal, Bashar, Julie, Saly and Karim left war and hopelessness behind and started on a road of increasing independence, self-reliance and integration into Canadian life as our neighbours and friends. They brought with them an innate warmth and hospitality, a strong faith and sense of family, an openness and determination to learn, and an entrepreneurial spirit that bodes well for their future success.

Structural Report For The Wood Slats on the Bell Tower of St. Basil’s Church (Click title to see link for report)

Constable Jordan is the co-chair of the Ottawa Police Special Olympics committee. She stopped by to thank the Knights and St. Basil's for our ongoing support for the Special Olympics. (Click on title for photo)

St. Basil's is participating in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge through Canada Helps (on-line donation) starting on June 1st. Every 1$ donation to St. Basil's through the Giving Challenge website (the link is in the full article) gives the Parish a chance to win $10,000! You can go to givingchallenge.ca and search for St. Basil's or use the link in the article (go to the article by clicking the title of this article). Contest starts June 1st 2016 and ends June 30th and the draw is Canada Day (although you can donate anytime before or after that)!

Sister Jean Goulet, C.S.C, a sister of Holy Cross, is celebrating her 60th (Diamond!) anniversary of religious life by renewing her vows at St. Basil’s Parish on May 22nd at the 11 AM Mass. Be sure to join us for this special occasion! --Details in the Full Article (please click the heading)

This annual St. Patrick’s Roast Beef Dinner features lively Irish music provided by the Rob Kealey Band on Saturday, March 12th in our Parish Hall starting at 6:00 pm

Parishioners of St. Basil's Parish braved the cold weather and participated in the 100% Possible campaign for Climate Action and Justice.