CANADA
The Ottawa Citizen
By Matthew Pearson, The Ottawa Citizen
July 8, 2012
OTTAWA — Parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Church were asked at Sunday mass to pray for Father Joseph LeClair, days after the popular priest who formerly led the congregation was charged with theft, fraud, money laundering and breach of trust.
A warm morning sun streamed in as about 100 people, many dressed casually in shorts and flip flops, gathered in the 80-year-old sanctuary, where high above purple ribbons were criss-crossed leading up to the altar, over which a purple and white ribbon was draped from the ceiling.
While many might grieve over the situation with Father Joe, as he was known, they must keep their eyes fixed on the Lord, urged Father Francis Donnelly.
“It is so important for all of us to keep the main thing the main thing,” he said.
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