While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed.
(Luke 9.28-36)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Two Members from the Diocese of Pembroke to Receive the Benemerenti Medal
The Holy Father has bestowed the Benemerenti Medal upon two members of the Diocese of Pembroke: Sister Joan Cronin, GSIC and Mr. Mel Ready. The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. will convey the Benemerenti Medal during the celebration of Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pembroke, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 4:30pm. An opportunity to greet the recipients will follow the Mass. All are welcome.
Bishop Brehl wishes to apprise you of the following personnel announcement
Reverend Stephen Helferty resumes academic studies this September with the blessing of Bishop Brehl. Father Helferty will be pursuing biblical studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and residing at the Canadian College in Rome.
Summer Office Hours
The Diocesan Offices will be open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and will close at noon every Friday from July 2nd to Labour Day Weekend.
Pastoral Appointments
The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral appointments:
- Reverend Daniel Janulewicz, O.M.I., concludes his ministry in the Diocese of Pembroke, effective 31 August 2025 to assume a new assignment from his religious community. Bishop Brehl wishes to thank Father Daniel for his ministry in Round Lake and Wilno.
- Reverend Miroslaw Olszewski, O.M.I., is appointed as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Wilno and St. Casimir Parish, Round Lake. This appointment is effective September 1, 2025.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for August 2025
For mutual coexistence – Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.
THE SYNOD
Synod Document: Pathways for the implementation phase of the Synod 2025-2028
Synod Document: Pathways for the implementation phase of the Synod 2025-2028 is available online in its original language, Italian, along with official translations into various languages at: Resources. Kindly note that further information will be provided as it becomes available.
JUBILEE 2025
Pastoral Letter on Debt Forgiveness – Publication by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace
The pastoral letter entitled Forgive us our Debts: Pastoral Letter on Debt Forgiveness in the Jubilee Year 2025, released by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is being released digitally and can be accessed online at: https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Forgive-Us-Our-Debts_Pastoral-Letter-on-Debt-Forgiveness-in-the-Jubilee-Year-2025.pdf.
JUBILEE 2025 PILGRIMAGE (151st Annual Pilgrimage) to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap – August 9–10, 2025
JUBILEE 2025 PILGRIMAGE (151st Annual Pilgrimage) to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap – August 9–10, 2025, for the dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Pembroke, Gatineau, and neighbouring dioceses. The weekend will be spiritually led by Archbishop Emeritus Terrence Prendergast, and Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix will preside on Saturday, August 9th. The cost remains the same as last year and includes transportation by chartered bus, overnight accommodations, continental breakfast on Sunday morning, and a banquet lunch following the 11:00am Mass. For information or to register, please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or by email at mikebudge20@rogers.com. Space is very limited. Please register as soon as possible.
The Church and Holy Well at Mount St. Patrick is the designated pilgrim site for the Jubilee Indulgence on the Solemnity of the Assumption, Friday, August 15, 2025
A Summer Morning of Prayer at the Mountain will take place at St. Patrick Parish, Mount St. Patrick, on August 15th starting at 10:00am. The morning will begin with a Rosary Procession starting at the Holy Well and concluding at St. Patrick Church. There will be a Holy Hour during which the Sacrament of Confession will be available. The morning will conclude with the celebration of Holy Mass for the Jubilee Year of the Incarnation and the Jubilee Blessing and Indulgence. A BBQ will conclude the time of prayer and fellowship. All are welcome. For further information, contact Our Lady of Fatima Parish: 613 432-8525. Please see https://pembrokediocese.com/article/jubilee-2025-indulgence-en/ for more information about the graces of the Jubilee Indulgence.
Jubilee 2025 Calendar of Major Events
https://pembrokediocese.com/jubilee-2025/
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Indigenous Palliative Care
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation’s palliative care program seeks to bridge the gap between community and Western medicine. Culturally specific care to complement medical care received in the final months, weeks and days of life are offered. Any Indigenous person or their spouse in the Renfrew County and area, regardless of status, is eligible for these services without cost. For more information, please contact the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation at 519 803-5762 or info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com.
EVANGELIZATION
Embracing Failure: When Hopes Are Shaken, A New Path Is Taken
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Failure is rarely comfortable, often discouraging, and sometimes even humiliating. Yet failure is not foreign to the Gospel or to the Christian life. Our life journey whether in personal growth, mission, or evangelization, is rarely a straight line. In fact, it is often marked by stumbling, learning, getting up, and trying again. When we take on the mission of evangelization, we must expect to fail—not once, but eventually many times—and yet press forward, allowing the Holy Spirit to use even our weaknesses for God’s glory. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
August 7th from 6:30-7:30pm at St. John Chrysostom Parish, Arnprior. 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.
PRO-LIFE
Pizza With a Purpose Day!
First Step Options and Domino’s Pizza in Pembroke and Petawawa are once again coming together to build and support stronger communities for those facing pregnancy and parent-related challenges on Wednesday, September 24th. Order a 1 topping pizza for $11.99 using the code word “1STSTEP” and Domino’s will contribute $5.00 for each pizza to First Step Options. Savour the slice and support the cause!
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Our Lady of Knock Annual Pilgrimage
For the 68th time, Our Lady of Knock Shrine at St. Malachy’s Church in Mayo, Quebec (a 50-minute drive from Ottawa), will be holding its annual pilgrimage to honour Our Lady’s apparition at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. The Eucharist will be celebrated in English at 11:00am on Sunday, August 10th by Archbishop Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, assisted by Father Greg Murray of St. Malachy’s parish.
Info: http://stmalachyolv.com/pilgrimage.asp Contact: mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
16th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
At St. Michael Catholic High School, Kemptville, on Saturday, October 4th from 9am – 3:30pm. Theme: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Keynote speaker: Angèle Regnier. Visit www.womensfallretreat.com to register.
Women’s Discernment Weekend
At the monastery of Abbey of Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes on October 17-19, 2025. Limited space available – registrations will be at a first-come first served basis. The cost is $150 for the weekend. Please contact Mary-Kate Long at marykatelong210@gmail.com for more information.
To register: https://forms.gle/8bvDCtsPqAKZNkkTA.
OTHER
Celebrating Galilee Centre’s 50th Anniversary
2025 marks a momentous milestone for Galilee Centre! We invite our friends, volunteers, participants, and supporters to celebrate this milestone with us.
- Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Father Roy Boucher, OMI – August 10th from 2-3:30pm.
- Official Opening of Martha’s Place – Celebrating the legacy at Galilee Centre of the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish – September 19th from noon-2pm. Luncheon 12-1pm, Opening ceremony at 1:15pm. Limited luncheon tickets available at $25, reservations required at website below.
- 50th Anniversary Mass and Reception at St. John Chrysostom Church in Arnprior – Saturday, September 20th at 11am. Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Pembroke presiding. Reception to follow in the church hall.
Register for any or all events by visiting https://www.galileecentre.com/50thanniversary.
Encounter School of Ministry
The Encounter School of Ministry Summer Intensive is a powerful experience that helps bridge the gap between the everyday experience of many believers and the supernatural lifestyle of Jesus and the early Church after Pentecost. It provides a survey of the content offered in the first four quarters of the Encounter School of Ministry covering the following topics:
- Identity & Transformation; Hearing God’s Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- Power & Healing; Inner Healing & Freedom.
Cost: $60
Kingston Campus: 4 evenings August 11-14 https://ourladyofdivinefire.regfox.com/2025-summer-intensive.
Fall 2025 Classes – Assumption University
Receive a graduate diploma in Catholic Studies (online) at one of Canada’s most historic universities! A completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a cumulative average of 70% required. Scholarships available! Visit https://assumptionu.ca/ for a complete list of Fall 2025 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca or call 519-973-7033. Deadline to apply: August 15th at noon.
Pilgrimage of Peace to Medjugorje
From September 30th to October 10th, 2025. Price: $3,125.00 (includes taxes, air fare, room & board, side trips and gratuities). Deadline to register: September 9th. To register or for more information, contact Jack Duggan at 613 756-2655, email blackfishbay@bell.net or Lois Losole at 613 318-4756, email lelosole@gmail.com.