Expect to discover and use God's Spiritual Gifts to partner with him in building His Church and spreading the Gospel! 

Each of us has been created with a unique purpose and equipped with special gifts from God. These spiritual gifts include ministry gifts such as- hospitality, teaching, leadership, administration, music, writing, helps, service, intercession, mercy, etc. or perhaps you don't know that you can also have some of the power gifts like healing, working of miracles, and discernment of spirits, and more—all are graces given so that we can partner with him in living out the Gospel and building up his Kingdom.

Our Journey of Discovery: A Spiritual Gifts Workshop is designed to help you uncover and understand the gifts God has placed within you. Through engaging presentations and reflection, you’ll learn how to recognize your God-given abilities, see how they can be cultivated and strengthened, and explore how to use them to serve Jesus, his Church, and others.

When we use our gifts, we experience a deeper sense of joy and purpose. We find fulfillment in living out our mission as disciples, and God is glorified through our service. This workshop will help you discover how God has uniquely equipped you for ministry, reflect on how your gifts fit into his plan for your life, and be inspired to use them in service to the Church and the wider community.

The workshop will be presented by Fr. Ben St. Croix, CC (Pastor, St. Maurice Parish) and Brian Sullivan, President of CCRSO (Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of Ontario). We’re excited to welcome Brian, a long-time leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and President of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of Ontario. He also serves as Bishop’s Liaison for the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie and co-founded Sacred Way Ministries, which reaches out to the homeless and hosts a Catholic Family Retreat each summer.

It takes place on Friday, November 7, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Parish Atrium.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Click here to register today.

Come and discover the gifts that God has given you—and how he’s calling you to use them for his glory!

What if following Jesus wasn’t meant to be routine—but an adventure? Our parish invites you to take that next step into something new: a five-week Discipleship Mini-Series designed to help us rediscover the joy, wonder, and purpose of walking with Christ.

Through Scripture, prayer, and conversation, we’re exploring how faith comes alive when we move beyond comfort and begin to follow Jesus with intention. Each week builds on the last—helping us grow in faith, courage, and community.

Everyone is welcome! Even if you missed the first session, it’s not too late to join us. Each evening stands on its own, and every session offers something new to experience.

In a world that pulls us in a hundred directions, it’s easy for faith to fade into the background. But Jesus still calls, just as he did on the shores of Galilee: “Come, follow me.” Those words changed lives then—and they still do today.

Whether you’re new to the parish or have been here for years, this is an invitation to start fresh. To grow in faith. To walk together. To discover how God is still writing a story through each of us—one step, one “yes,” at a time.

Join us next Thursday from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the Atrium.

Click here to register and see where God leads you.

Reaching Beyond the Bricks

October 20, 2025

 By: Mercy Ayodele 

The cool, clear skies of October 18th made it the perfect day for the ‘Seeds of Hope’ gardening event. Hosted in partnership with Matthew House, St. Maurice Church, Holy Rosary Church, and the Hintonburg community, the event received sponsorship from Merkley Supply, Tim Horton’s Wellington and Giant Tiger Wellington. “It was a beautiful day, and everyone worked together really well,” said Ellen, one of the parish volunteers. “I met new people, and everyone was friendly and helpful. The word I’d use to describe today? Community.” 

The people came together to dig, plant, and grow something more than flowers: connection. For many, the event was not just about gardening but about creating bonds that cross backgrounds and experiences. Andrea, one of the organizers, shared that the hope was to bring together local churches and Matthew House residents who are newcomers to Canada to strengthen the cooperation between these groups and the broader community. 

Dennis, one of the organizers and a member of the Holy Rosary Parish Financial Council, noted how special it was to see so many faces. “Normally, I only have a small group of volunteers,” he said. “But today we had a dozen people, including newcomers from Matthew House. It really felt like we were part of something bigger.” In preparation for the gardening day, additional volunteers from Matthew House and the community worked hard together to contribute their time and labour.

Jean Baptiste, a Resident of Matthew House from Haiti, reflected on how volunteering has helped him settle in Canada.  “When people are involved in their community, even little activities can build something big,” he said. “Gardening connects you to nature. It teaches you about life.” 

Righot, another Matthew House resident from Congo, shared how volunteering gives him a chance to connect with people beyond his building and feel more at home in a new country. 

From volunteers to local business sponsors, everyone played a part. Mason, a member of the community, described how he got involved after hearing about the event through a friend. “It’s a great way to feel part of something,” he said. “A lot of people spend their days in offices, so getting outside to work with your hands and meet others is refreshing.” Finally, St. Maurice Church generously shared plants with Holy Rosary Church and hosted a similar event at their location. Their lead organizer, Anna, reported a great turnout, shared purpose and bonds. 

At the end of the day, the garden was more than a patch of soil. It reflected teamwork and shared purpose. "There is room for everyone," Andrea said. "No matter what your talent is, there is always a way to get involved." 

As the planted seeds grow, they will serve as a representation that community grows strongest when people reach beyond their bricks into other's lives while creating an environment that is welcoming for everyone. 

Mercy Ayodele is an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa studying Public Administration. Her interests include public policy, community engagement, and advocacy for marginalized communities. When she’s not diving into her coursework, she’s probably watching a movie or singing along to her favorite songs.  

Matthew House is a faith-based, volunteer-driven, charitable organization that helps refugee claimants in Ottawa to establish connected, safe, healthy, and dignified homes within our community. https://www.matthewhouseottawa.org/

If you would like to become involved in the gardens or grounds at 1153 Wellington West/Holy Rosary Church please email: ottawaholyrosary@gmail.com or call.

To find out more about helping in the gardens at St. Maurice Church on Meadowlands/Perry St. please email: office@stmauriceparish.com or call.

 

Ellen and Righot planting flowers received from St. Maurice Church and Hosta Divisions.

The volunteers who gathered at St. Maurice Church with Anna for the parallel event.