Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
(Matthew 6.1-6, 16-18)
FROM THE DIOCESE
A message from Bishop Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. for Lent 2026
Bishop Brehl’s message for Lent is now available on YouTube: A message from Bishop Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. for Lent 2026.
Rite of Election and Acceptance of Those to be Received into the Faith at St. Columbkille Cathedral
Bishop Michael Brehl will celebrate Mass at St. Columbkille Cathedral on the 1st Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The Mass the Rite of Election are for those to be baptized this Easter Vigil as well as the Acceptance of Candidates who will be confirmed and received into the Faith. Everyone preparing for baptism and reception into the Church throughout the Diocese are invited to participate with our Bishop at this Mass. If you do plan to attend, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
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
- 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
Journey Through Lent: Weekly Video Reflections – Friday, February 13, 2026
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) presents Journey Through Lent. This video series, a joint project of the CCCB’s National Liturgy Office, Office national de liturgie and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, provides weekly Lenten spiritual reflections. (Read more…)
Coadjutor Bishop Appointed for Saint-Jean-Longueil – Wednesday, February 11 2026
(Ottawa) – His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Most Reverend Martin Laliberté, S.M.É. currently Bishop of Trois-Rivières, as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueil. As Coadjutor Bishop, he will assist the current Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueil, the Most Reverend Claude Hamelin. (Read more…)
LENT
CCCB – Journey Through Lent – Ash Wednesday 2026
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents Journey through Lent with the Most Rev. Bishop Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough. Join us as we reflect on the Scriptures for the Sundays of Lent 2026.
On this Ash Wednesday, Bishop Miehl invites us to reflect on the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
A joint initiative of the National Liturgy Office, the Office national de liturgie and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis.
Watch the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxWxlpbB6Xs&t=1s.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Community Crafting
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation invites you to their Community Crafting Mondays from 1-3pm (excluding Holiday Mondays) at 84 Isabella Street, Suite #10, Pembroke. For more information, email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com 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:
20. Of all the strengths, the greatest is gentleness.
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
New Session of Connected Starting Soon
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre’s next Connected Healthy relationships program will begin Monday, February 23rd from 1-2:30pm. This 7-week program will help benefit every woman by establishing and maintaining healthy relationships in all areas of life – with partners, family, friends, coworkers, etc. To sign up at no cost, or for more information, call FSO at 613 635-7440 or email fsocentre@gmail.com.
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 at 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.
To register:
- Fill in the Google registration form (see link 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 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.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Cana Colony – Madonna House, Combermere, Ontario
Looking for 4 Activities Coordinators for children and youth at a family camp that runs from July 5 to Aug 8, 2026. Must be 18+. Deadline to submit a resumé: March 15th. For more information, please contact Emmanuella Kim, Cana Registrar mhcanacolony@gmail.com or 613 756-3713.