Every plant my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
(Matthew 15.1-2, 10-14)
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Homily for the Feast of Saint Anne in Cormac
July 30, 2023
Dear faithful and pilgrims who have gathered here today in large numbers to honour Good Saint Anne on her feast day,
I know that many of you have come here today to ask for a special favour, for a healing, or even for a miracle. I must remind you though, that Saint Anne does not operate or do any miracle whatsoever. She simply turns to her grandson Jesus and begs him to grant a particular grace or divine favour to the person who invokes her in faith and who believes that her intercession is extremely powerful. (Read more…)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Installation of Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R, as Archbishop of Moncton, New Brunswick
The Most Rev. Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R. will be installed as the Archbishop of Moncton on October 18, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Cormac Pilgrimage 2023
For those interested, Fr. Réal Ouellette has the videos of the main events of the Cormac Pilgrimage 2023 on his YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsIbzFdTXwk5MRu5NUxdn_7re3KSki6q4.
Pastoral Appointments
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R. announces the following pastoral appointments:
- Reverend Tim Moyle, while remaining pastor of Saint Anne Parish, Mattawa, becomes administrator of Paroisse Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, Astorville, Paroisse Sainte-Bernadette, Bonfield and Sacred Heart Parish, Corbeil.
- Reverend Réal Ouellette resigns as administrator of Astorville, Bonfield and Corbeil due to reasons of health. Father Ouellette will be in residence at St. James Parish, Eganville and continue to assist with pastoral ministry in the diocese.
Summer Office Hours
The Diocesan Offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and will close at noon every Friday from July 4th to September 1st inclusively.
FROM THE CCCB
The Holy Father`s Apostolic Visit to Canada: Looking Back One year Later
Ottawa – On the liturgical Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, we remember that a year ago, in July 2022, His Holiness Pope Francis came among us in Canada (his 37th apostolic journey) to undertake what he referred to as a “penitential pilgrimage.” A very important pastoral visit for the Holy Father, which he made in communion with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, it marked an important step towards “walking together” in the Church’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, both in Canada and abroad. Travelling over 8,000 km to reach Canada, Pope Francis then travelled 5,700 km within Canada, with stops in Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit, where he attended seven events in total. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social systems or institutions, to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities.
- Indigenous peoples deprived of their means of subsistence and development are entitled to just and fair redress.
Article 20 – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
New Evangelization Initiatives
Missionary evangelization, wrote Pope John Paul II, is “the primary service which the Church can render to every individual and to all humanity” (Redemptoris Missio, §2).
From the very start, the diocesan evangelization team recognized prayer as the core foundation for evangelization and missionary transformation of the diocese. As a result, they initiated the Blessed Catherine’s Star Flowers initiative, which now has over 300 participants dedicated to interceding for the missionary efforts within the diocese. This initiative provides parishioners with valuable resources such as booklets and litanies of the patron saints of parishes, fostering unity and devotion among the participants. For more information on the Blessed Catherine’s Star Flowers, please contact Greg and Mary Doyle.
Revitalizing the Rural Parish for Mission
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Rural parishes face a unique set of challenges that can make evangelization and vitality seem like insurmountable goals. Declining and aging populations, few resources, and maintenance burdens on aging buildings can all contribute to a sense of struggle or even despair. However, with intentionality, creativity, and a focus on empowering laity, rural parishes can tap into their potential to become strong, missional faith communities. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On September 7th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Bancroft – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt. 9:37-38). The Holy Hour will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by Fr. Murray, a Rosary for vocations, and time for silent prayer. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. For more information and details please visit Pembroke Vocations.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Theology on Tap – BARRY’S BAY
Presentations will begin again in September.
PARISH EVENTS
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Supper
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Supper in Bancroft, Ontario, on Sunday, September 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Silent Auction, Raffle Tickets, Cash Prizes! Cost: $15/adult – $6/children 12 & under. Take-out available!
St. Patrick Annual Supper and Bazaar
St. Patrick Annual Supper and Bazaar will take place on Sunday, September 24th from 1-6 p.m. at the DACA Center. Visitor’s Mass at 12 noon at St. Patrick Church.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for August 2023
For World Youth Day – We pray the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to live and witness the Gospel in their own lives.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Annual Pilgrimage, Sunday August 13th
For the 66th time, and the first since the pandemic, Our Lady of Knock Shrine at St. Malachy’s Church in Mayo, Quebec, will be holding a pilgrimage to honour Our Lady’s apparition at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland on August 21, 1879. The Eucharist will be celebrated in English by Monsignor Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, assisted by Father Greg Murray of Saint Malachy’s Parish. Info: http://stmalachyolv.com Contact: Mrs. Ellen Butler 819-986-3860; Mrs. Virginia Sellers 819-281-6490. mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
149th Annual Pilgrimage – Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Our Lady of the Cape from August 12-13, 2023
Buses will depart from the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, Pembroke, Mont-Laurier/St-Jérôme and Kingston August 12, 2023. Weekend celebrant: Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers. For departure locations, cost and other information, please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or mike.budge@bell.net.
Marian Pilgrimage
Father Réal Ouellette has the great pleasure and honour of accompanying a Marian Pilgrimage to Lourdes (France), Compostela (Spain), and Fatima and Lisbon (Portugal) from October 25th to November 6th 2023. For more info: https://spiritours.com/en/product/france-spain-portugal-acn/.
Women’s Fall Retreat 2023
14th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat, Saturday, October 21st, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Holy Cross Church, 503 Clothier St., Kemptville, ON. Miriam Wright, a well-known speaker, will encourage us to respond wholeheartedly to the call of Jesus, the Bridegroom: “Arise, My Beloved, Come!” (Song of “Songs 2:10), so that we may come to love as we are loved. Cost ($70) includes three keynote addresses and follow up discussions, plus lunch and snacks. Register at www.womensfallretreat.com.
OTHER
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College Bachelor of Catholic Studies
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is a faithfully Catholic liberal arts college in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, offering a three-year Bachelor of Catholic Studies degree. Small class sizes and a strong academic program set students up for success in the classroom and in all future pursuits. Faculty take their Catholic faith seriously, and profess an oath of fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church. A vibrant campus life, men’s and women’s residence houses, and ample spiritual opportunities create a Catholic culture that forms the whole person. Students build life-long friendships, and often discern their vocations. The tuition is affordable, and financial aid is available. There are still spots available for 2023-2024! Please visit www.seatofwisdom.ca.