68 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

     We are a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.  

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In 1984, Sister Rosemary O'Toole, a Sister of St. Joseph (Peterborough) returned from Lebh Shomea House of Prayer in Sarita, Texas where she had spent three years living with this contemplative-eremitical community. In response to her request to return home to Canada and start a non-monastic contemplative House of Prayer, her congregational leadership team assigned her to live on the third floor of one of their convent homes at 58 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa.

 

Here Sr. Rosemary set up the first Upper Room Home of Prayer. (She named it a "HOME" of Prayer to reflect the welcoming hospitality and familiarity that comes with visiting and revisiting.) In the spirit of the early Church it was truly to be a little UPPER ROOM  - a place of prayer in silence and solitude in the heart of the city of Ottawa inviting all searching pilgrims to come and pray and rest awhile.

 

In 1990 Sister Evelyn McGovern, CSJ (Peterborough) joined the ministry as co-director and together they were the core community for 33 more years. Over time, the Spirit life grew abundantly in the men and women who came often to the Home of Prayer for spiritual direction, contemplative retreats and programs of spirituality. They left THE UPPER ROOM to circle the city with Love. Communities of spiritual directors manifested over time (Emmaus Community).

 

Around 1997- 98, we witneessed the emerging of Little Design Communities spreading out around the city in homes where men and women gather to strengthen each other on the journey of faith.

 

Sr. Evelyn is remembered for sharing her love for God, her down-to-earth wisdom,

and her gentle humour with everyone she met.

Her fruitful and faithful earthly life was transformed

into an eternal life on March 13, 2022. 

  

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Remaining faithful to our charism of letting LOVE love through us, all of our UPPER ROOM COMMUNITY continue daily in the rhythm of contemplation and service to the dear neighbour... each one according to the Spirit-gifts that have been given to us all. In gentleness, peace and joy... we celebrate God's life within us and amongst us... and we offer our neighbourhoods and world our small gift of fidelity to grace in the present moment.

 

The House of Prayer Movement

 

     The idea of Houses of Prayer was the inspiration of Father Bernard Haring, CSSR, who first broached the notion publicly in 1965. The proposal caught on like wildfire, and within a few years it turned into an international movement. The concept kindled the interest of many persons reading the signs of the times with regard to the renewal of religious life after Vatican Council II. Among these were Father Thomas Merton, OCSO, Sister Ann Chester, IHM, and Sister Margaret Brennan, IHM.

     The basic idea of an apostolic congregation having a House of Prayer is this: With the profound changes in religious life that followed the Council, certain perennial values needed to be safeguarded and witnessed within religious institutions. These values include silence, solitude, prolonged solitary prayer, and the leisure to study the masters of spirituality -- all within a supportive community of like-spirited and praying persons.

     Yet, Houses of Prayer are not exclusively for professed religious. They are also for anyone drawn interiorly to share in the experience of those values. Thus, people availing themselves of Houses of Prayer could be lay, religious or cleric from a diversity of ecclesial affiliations and religious traditions. Some guests could be spiritual seekers without any religious affiliation. Each House of Prayer has a "core community" which provides stability, continuity and hospitality.

 

Lebh Shomea House of Prayer in Sarita, Texas where Sr. Rosemary O'Toole lived from 1981-1984   

  

Lebh Shomea (Listening Heart in Hebrew) House of Prayer was founded in June, 1975. It's core members were Father Francis Kelly Nemeck OMI (dec. Sept. 11, 2014), Marie Therea Coombs, hermit, Maria Meister, hermit (dec. Sept. 2016). Sr. Rosemary O'Toole was an associate core member from 1981-1984. In 2022, Lebh Shomea became Oblate LaParra, a retreat centre.   

                                          

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     The Upper Room Shares Reflection Evenings with... 

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Local Parishes on ZOOM 

The Upper Room recognizes the need and the search in many faith-filled persons who are restless to experience “more” in their relatioships with God, each other and all of creation. Our team of spiritual directors are eager to serve the spiritual hungers of the People of God within the Archdioceses of Ottawa, Gatineau, Cornwall and Pembroke.

 

Sr. Rosemary O'Toole: During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sr. Rosemary presented on Zoom or Webex several TALKS on various themes at the invitation of the Knights of Columbus or the Catholic Women's League. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your request. 

A few of these talks are archived here for your review. CLICK ON THE TITLE 

VIEW THE SLIDESHOWS: 

  DYING WELL

(Prepared by Sr. Rosemary for the Knights of Columbus and 

Parish family at St. John the Apostle Parish, Ottawa.

We welcomed 37 guests from across Canada) 

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 COPING WITH LONELINESS:

SELF-COMPASSION AND CARE OF OTHERS

AND

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FAITH GROWS IN THE DARK NIGHT OF A COVID-TIME

(Prepared by Sr. Rosemary for the Knights of Columbus and 

Parish family at St. John the Apostle Parish, Ottawa) 

 

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UNDERSTANDING THE SIX STAGES OF FAITH

BASED ON JAMES FOWLER AND JOHN OF THE CROSS

(Prepared by Sr. Rosemary for the Knights of Columbus and 

Parish family at St. John the Apostle Parish, Ottawa) 

 

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                                  DAY RETREATS AT THE UPPER ROOM 

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      2026 -2027 RETREAT DAYS WILL BE POSTED IN JUNE