You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.
(Mark 7.1-13)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Family Day
Please note that the Diocesan Offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 17th at 8:30am.
Pastoral Planning – Walking Together in Hope
Letter from Bishop Brehl – January 25, 2026.
Pembroke Diocese Parishioners invited to save the date
Parishioners of Pembroke Diocese are invited to save the date to attend one of the pastoral planning information meetings that will be held in all five deaneries of the diocese during the first weeks of Lent. Bishop Brehl and members of the diocesan steering committee will present relevant pastoral, statistical and financial data to help equip parishioners in ongoing dialogue and discernment on the future of the diocese. If you cannot make the local meeting in your home deanery, please feel welcome to attend any of the scheduled meetings.
Dates and Locations of Deanery Meetings
- Renfrew Deanery: Tuesday, February 17 at St. Joseph’s High School, Renfrew – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Pembroke Deanery: Thursday, February 19 at Bishop Smith High School, Pembroke – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Mattawa Deanery: Saturday, February 21 at Corbeil Park Hall, Corbeil- French at 10:00am to 12:00pm; English at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- Pontiac Deanery: Saturday, February 28 at Club de l’Âge d’Or, Fort-Coulonge -French at 10:00am to 12:00pm; English at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- Barry’s Bay Deanery: Sunday, March 1 at John Bosco School, Barry’s Bay - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
FROM THE CCCB
CCCB Statement on Bill C-218: No “MAiD” for Mental Illness – Wednesday, February 04 2026
(Ottawa) – The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a statement strongly supporting Private Member’s Bill C-218, which seeks to prevent persons whose sole medical condition is mental illness from accessing euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (“MAiD”).
The CCCB has a strong record of opposing “MAiD” and seeking to limit its scope in Canadian society. This statement has been approved by 14 Bishops from across Canada, who together form the Permanent Council, the CCCB’s most authoritative voice between Plenary Assembly meetings.
The statement’s position aligns with the Permanent Council’s 2023 Open Letter to the Government of Canada on Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide: “To enable or assist in the suicide for these patients directly contradicts national suicide prevention strategies and reneges on our collective social responsibility to provide persons living with mental health challenges with treatment, support, and hope through therapeutic interventions.”
Referencing empirical research and the professional judgment of many mental health professionals, today’s statement notes that mental illness is not necessarily irremediable. This implies that access to treatment for mental illness, including palliative care, must be improved.
The Permanent Council concludes with an exhortation to allow parliamentarians to vote on Bill C‑218 according to their conscience rather than following party line.
Read the full statement:
In English: https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-04-Statement-by-CCCB-PC-Support-of-Bill-C-218.pdf
Pope Leo’s Message For The 34th World Day Of The Sick (11 February 2026)
(Ottawa) – Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, offers a reflection on the theme “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain”. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
12 Step Wellbriety Sharing Circle
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation invites you to join their Wisdom to Wellness session with Cathy Phannenhour on Wednesday, February 4th at 6pm. Register soon, because space is limited! Click here for tickets to this on-line event, or visit the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation website.
Spiritual Laws
These 20 statements are a collection of sayings common among Anishnabe people. They are included here as universal knowledge. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey,with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
19. We are related to everything that exists. As such, we must respect all of creation as much as we seek our own self-respect.
FAITH FORMATION
Diocesan Lenten Retreat
The Office of Faith Formation and Leadership Development invites you to the next Diocesan Lenten Retreat on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 9:30am to 2:00pm (Registration at 9:00am) at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. Author and speaker: Patrick Sullivan. Cost: $15.00 (lunch provided). To register please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com or 613 732-7933 ext. 206. Deadline to register: Wednesday, February 18th.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Marriage Preparation Program
The Spring Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, March 28th and Saturday, April 11th at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew. Deadline to register: March 24th. Register online at https://form.jotform.com/FamilyPembroke/marriage-preparation-course. E-transfers of $125/couple can be made to donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com, or mail cheques to Diocese of Pembroke, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. For inquiries, please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 732-7933 ext. 208.
PARISH EVENTS
6 Hand Euchre Fundraiser
This upcoming St. James the Less Parish fundraiser will take place on Saturday, March 28th at 7pm at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. Lots of laughter, table pounding, 50/50 draw and prizes! Pre-register your team at 613 628-2020 or drop by the office at 78 Wellington Street for only $20 per person (includes late lunch)! Hope to see you there!
PRO-LIFE
Become a Monthly Donor – First Step Options
Become a monthly donor or increase the amount you are currently giving, and you will be entered into a draw to win a gift certificate worth approximately $200! Visit the First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre website and click on the DONATE tab to sign up today!
First Step Options Annual General Meeting
FSO Annual General Meeting will take place at 7pm on Monday, February 23rd. For more information, please call 613 635-7440 or email fsocentre@gmail.com.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
2026 Lift Jesus Higher Rally
2026 Lift Jesus Higher Rally will be held Saturday, March 14th at the Toronto Convention Centre. Come for a great experience! For details and registration please visit Home – Lift Jesus Higher Rally (LJHR).
OTHER
Ecumenical World Day of Prayer
The Pembroke Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada invites you to this prayer service on Friday, March 6th at 2pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 68 Renfrew Street, Pembroke. This year’s theme: “I Will Give You Rest: Come.” All are welcome!
Why Lent? A Retreat with Fr. Jim Clarke at Galilee Centre
Discovering deeper meaning in the Lenten Experience from March 13-15. The purpose of this retreat is to help us go deeper into the Christian mysteries through the portal of our own lives. Visit https://www.galileecentre.com/why-lent/ for more information and registration.
2026 Women’s Retreat Combermere
All women are warmly invited to a weekend retreat.
2 retreats available:
- Elim Lodge, March 13-15, 2026; $365(696 Elim Lodge Rd. Lakehurst, Ontario K0L 1J0). Led by the team from Madonna House – Shatzi Duffy and Fr. Zach Romanowsky
Register Here: https://forms.gle/kazuMJt1RUZbHr9M8.
- Graphite Bible Camp, April 10-12, 2026; $250 (702 Graphite Rd, Maynooth, ON K0L 2S0). Led by the team from Madonna House – Shatzi Duffy and Fr. Brian Christi
Register Here: https://forms.gle/YNBLnfPpsDZngKBe8.
To register:
- Decide which retreat you would like to attend
- Fill in the Google registration form (see links above)
- Send e-transfer to womensretreatcombermere@gmail.com. (Security question: Event; Answer: Retreat)
Once your registration and payment have been received, we will send you a confirmation email. Registration limited! Please bring your Bible and journal to the retreat. For more information, please call Kristan (Graphite retreat) at 613 585-0579 or Astrid (Elim retreat) at 905 377-0688.
Tuesday, March 17 – A Day Honouring St. Patrick
Join the Galilee Centre St. Patrick’s Day morning for an introduction to Celtic Spirituality, focusing on the teachings of St. Patrick and St. Brigid, followed by an Irish Celebration Luncheon. Lead by Tim Kehoe and Mike McBane. $22 luncheon only, $50 luncheon & program. Register online at https://www.galileecentre.com/a-day-honouring-st-patrick/.
Daring to Walk Where Faith & Life Meet: Weekend Retreat
A Galilee Centre retreat exploring transformative perspectives and practices for flourishing on the journey of faith and life March 20-22. Facilitated by Dr. Carol Kuzmochka (Saint Paul University). Visit https://www.galileecentre.com/daring-to-walk-where-faith-and-life-meet/ for more information and registration.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
From May 18 to May 28, 2026 with Fr. Christopher Shalla, Diocese of Pembroke. Price – $3150.00 (includes taxes, side trips and gratuities). Departure from Pearson International Airport Toronto, KLM airlines economy class flight to Amsterdam and Split, Croatia. For more information contact Jack Duggan at 613 756-2655 or email irishjack@bell.net.