The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.
(Matthew 9.32-38)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Volunteers Needed – 86th Annual Cormac Pilgrimage
Our Annual Cormac Pilgrimage is fast approaching, and we are looking for volunteers to help make this year’s pilgrimage a welcoming and meaningful experience for everyone attending.
We are seeking volunteers to assist with a variety of roles, including:
- Parking and traffic guidance
- Setting up and taking down equipment on July 18th and July 27th
- General assistance throughout the day.
Whether you can spare an hour or are available for the entire event, your help would be greatly appreciated. Volunteering is a wonderful way to support our faith community, meet fellow pilgrims, and help ensure the day runs smoothly. If you are willing to volunteer, please let us know your availability and any areas where you would particularly like to help. Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve. Your generosity of time and talent helps make the 86th Annual Cormac Pilgrimage a special and memorable event for all. Call 613 628-2020 or email secretarystjames@gmail.com.
Summer Office Hours
Chancery summer hours from Thursday, 2 July until Tuesday, 8 September:
Monday – Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 12 noon
Closed for lunch between 12 noon-1:00pm.
Pastoral Appointment – 25 June 2026
The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. announces the following appointment:
Reverend Paweł Ratajczak, O.M.I. (Assumption Province) is appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish, Wilno, effective 1 September 2026.
Walk the Opeongo Line
Join pilgrims across the Diocese and beyond for a 4-day journey from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Renfrew to St. Ann’s Shrine. Cormac, from Thursday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 26th. Visit the website at https://walktheopeongoline.org/ to register.
86th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac
86th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac on Sunday, July 26th. The Triduum of preparation will be led by Bishop Michael Brehl, Bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke. The principal Pilgrimage Mass will be at 11:00am at the Shrine. The Sacrament of Confession is available throughout the day. A Mass of healing with the Anointing of St. Ann’s oil will be celebrated at 2:00pm (Please bring your own seating). On site: St. Ann’s religious articles and other religious articles, St. Ann’s Mass League memberships, food and refreshments vendors. For more information: St. Ann’s Pilgrimage – The Shrine to St. Ann in Cormac, ON or Shrine of St. Ann Cormac | Facebook. Welcome everyone!
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Sister Elizabeth Ann Howard (Sister St. Claire), G.S.I.C., who passed away at the Pembroke Regional Hospital on Sunday, June 28th in her 68th year of Religious Life.
Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception – Celebrating 100 years of service and presence in the Ottawa Valley and beyond
Join the Grey Sisters and staff to celebrate a Century of Service among God’s People at the Grey Sisters Caritas Residence, 215 Deacon Street, Pembroke, on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 1-4pm. Everyone welcome!
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for July 2026
For respect for human life – Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
FROM THE CCCB
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Launches New National Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry (Human Mobility) and Begins Recruitment for National Coordinator – Monday, July 06 2026
Ottawa – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has established the Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry (Human Mobility), a new national initiative that will strengthen the Catholic Church’s pastoral response to migrants, refugees, and other people affected by human mobility across Canada. The CCCB is seeking a National Coordinator to lead the Service during its three-year pilot and establish a national network supporting dioceses and eparchies. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Here we “Grow” Again at Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation
As our services and client base expand, so must our location and capacity. Join us in celebration of the community’s new home and team at 595 Pembroke St. E. Unit 3, Pembroke, on Saturday, July 11th between 9am – 4pm! Call 613 631-0302 or email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com to RSVP today!
The Medicine Wheel
What follows is based on oral teachings given by Elder Jules Lavaley of Red Willow Lodge in Anola, Manitoba. His information is supported by that found in Dancing with the Wheel: The Medicine Wheel Workbook, by Sun Bear, Wabin Wind, and Crysalis Mulligan. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey, with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
Everything in nature is cyclic. Our path in daily life follows that of the sun. it begins in the East, moves though the South to the West, and then travels through the North. For the reason, all movement within any circle is always done clockwise by entering from the East, and all our ceremonies and gatherings are set-up as a circle.
In addition to the four directions that most people know (Wabanong, Shawanong, Negabonong, Keewatinong), there are three more:
In the Centre is the Creator. It teaches us about our ability to create, and to develop to the full of our potential. It is the Spirit within each of us which teaches us about our own sacredness and about our own faith. It is all colours, but it is often represented by the colour purple, which symbolizes devotion, spirituality, gratitude. It is all animals, and all plants: All Our Relations.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Youth Pilgrimage to Cormac
Ages 13–19 · Beginning Saturday evening, July 18, 2026 · St. Ann’s Shrine, Cormac.
For one week this summer, young people from across the diocese will set out on pilgrimage to St. Ann’s Shrine in Cormac — walking, camping, and praying together under the open sky. The days are filled with the things that form a young heart: time in prayer, honest conversation about faith and vocation, and the kind of friendships forged on the road that last long after the walk is over.
It’s a week many of our youth come home from changed — and already asking about next year.
Registration is now open — but space is limited, so families are encouraged to register early. Parishes are warmly encouraged to sponsor youth from their community, so that no young person is kept home by cost.
Starting Location: St. Mary’s Church, Wilno. Final Location: Shrine of St. Ann, Cormac.
Cost: $150 per person.
Click Here To register or email Benjamin our coordinator at youthonthehill23@gmail.com.
PRO-LIFE
Save the Date!
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre’s 4th annual “Breath of Hope” Concert will be held once again at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, October 3rd, starting at 2pm. FSO looks forward to seeing you there!
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Thursday, July 16th at Mt. Carmel Hill (Ferrant Family Farm), 293 Hubers Road, R.R.#3 Killaloe. Celebration of Rosary at 5:00pm. Mass at 6:00pm. Followed by potluck lunch and fellowship. Please bring chairs, games and food to share. For more information, call Ted or Maria at 613 757-0438. Bring friends and family, everyone welcome!
The Encounter School of Ministry Summer Intensive – Try it out!
This annual event provides a survey of the content offered in the first four quarters of the Encounter School of Ministry. The summer intensive is perfect for anyone desiring to attend the Encounter School during the year but unable to do so because of distance or schedule. It is also ideal for those discerning their enrollment in the school of ministry but needing greater discernment.
The survey includes: Identity & Transformation • Hearing God’s Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Power & Healing • Inner Healing & Freedom -Worship – Teach – Equip – Activate. Available in-person at 3 satellite locations:
- Ottawa Campus: July 23rd evening, July 24th evening and July 25th day hosted this year at Our Lady of Fatima Parish on Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa. Cost: $60 – https://servantsofthecross.ca/encounter-school-of-ministry/.
Registration: https://encounterottawacampus.regfox.com/encounter-ottawa-2026-summer-intensive
- Kingston Campus: July 17th evening, July 18th day, hosted at St Paul the Apostle Parish Hall, Kingston. Cost: $40 – https://encounterschool.org/kingston/#summer Registration: https://ourladyofdivinefire.regfox.com/2026-summer-taste-and-see
- Toronto Campus: 4 evenings July 27-30th, hosted at St Timothy’s Parish Hall, North York. Cost: $75. – https://encounterschool.org/toronto/
Registration: https://encounterschooltoronto.regfox.com/copy-encounter-toronto-summer-intensive-2026
“’Be Not Afraid’: The Church’s Call to Mission in a Post-Christian World”
Strengthen your faith and enjoy the Ottawa Valley! Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, located in Barry’s Bay, Ontario invites you to their annual Wojtyla Summer Institute from August 6-9, 2026.
Keynote Speaker is Archbishop Marcel Damphousse (Ottawa-Cornwall Archdiocese).
For more information and to register: https://www.seatofwisdom.ca/news/summer-institutes/wojtyla2026/.
JUBILEE 2026 PILGRIMAGE (152nd Annual Pilgrimage) to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap – August 8–9, 2026
For the dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Kingston, Pembroke, Gatineau, and Mont-Laurier. The weekend will be spiritually led by Auxiliary Bishop Yvan Mathieu, Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. For information or to register, please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or by email at mikebudge2021@gmail.com. Space is limited. Please register as soon as possible.
69th Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Knock in Mayo, Quebec
This year’s Pilgrimage to honour Our Lady of Knock will be held on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026. The Eucharist will be celebrated at 11am in English by Archbishop Paul-André Durocher assisted by Father John Braganza of St. Malachy’s Parish. For more information, please contact Mrs. Ellen Butler at 819 986-3860, Ms. Joann Kearnan at 819 986-7827 or email mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Collection for Venezuela
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada has begun a collection for quake-affected people in Venezuela.
D&P – Caritas Canada’s partner Caritas Venezuela has already begun providing food, water, clothing, medicines, hygiene kits, emergency supplies, psychosocial support and pastoral care, according to priority to the most vulnerable people, including children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with disabilities and chronic ailments. Thankful as they are for our initial contribution of $50,000, they have stressed that they will need a lot more support.
Development & Peace – Caritas Canada is now participating a government donation matching scheme. This means that every dollar donated for Venezuela to Development and Peace ― Caritas until July 14 will be doubled, up to a maximum of $4 million!
Please join us in praying for the suffering people of Venezuela. Thank you for your support.
OTHER
17th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
On Saturday, October 24th from 9am to 3:30pm at St. Michael Catholic High School, 2755 Hwy. 43, Kemptville. Guest speaker Melanie Rabishaw reflects on the 200th anniversary theme of the Archdiocese of Kingston: “To know Christ and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Join us for Holy Mass, inspiring reflections, worship, personal prayer and fellowship. Morning snack and lunch provided. Registration ($50) is limited to 100 participants: romancatholic.kingston.on.ca/womens-fall-retreat.
Fall 2026 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 (Deadline to apply: August 14th)! Visit https://assumptionu.ca/ for a complete list of Fall 2026 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca or call 519-973-7033. Deadline to apply: August 28th at noon.
JOB AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Employment Opportunities at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College has a number of paid positions open, including positions in our Admissions, Facilities, and Development offices. To learn more about these positions, see https://www.seatofwisdom.ca/about/employment-opportunities/ .
Spiritual Care Volunteers needed at the Pembroke Regional Hospital
The Pembroke Regional Hospital is looking for Spiritual Care Volunteers; people who are willing to sit with others, listen, and offer a calm, caring presence. This isn’t about having the right words or specific training; it’s about being there for patients and families during some of life’s harder moments, or when they may be feelings disconnected from what matters most to them.
Each of us brings our own gifts—whether it’s presence, conversation, compassion, or companionship through simple activities like playing cards, reading, or helping patients stay connected with loved ones. At times, and when welcomed, volunteers may also offer prayer or spiritual support, depending on the needs of patients and families.
If you’re someone who is open, caring, and comfortable with people from all walks of life, this could be a meaningful way to extend your compassion to those who need it. To learn more about what’s involved, please reach out to Dan Cuddy, Coordinator of Spiritual Care & Ethics, at 613-732-2811 ext. 6264 or by email at dcuddy@prh.ca.
