Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!”
(Matthew 12.46, 48-50)
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
- Taking down equipment on 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
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 eternal repose of Mrs. Rebecca (Becky) Chaput, mother of Deacon Adrien Chaput who passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on July 19, 2026, at the age of 86 years. We extend our condolences to Deacon Adrien, his wife Bernadette and the extended members of the Chaput family.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Sister Zita O’Grady, G.S.I.C., who passed away at Shalom Residence, Marianhill, Pembroke on Friday, July 17th in her 73rd 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!
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Medicines
The information that follows regarding ‘Medicines’ is based on the accumulation of many years of oral teachings by members of our Circle, and it is supported by that found in Dancing with the Wheel: The Medicine Wheel Workbook, by Sun Bear, Wabin Wind, and Crysalis Mulligan. The Section on Stone Medicines has been adapted from the work of Nancy Anderson, They Came from the Earth. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey, with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
Plant Medicines: The medicines most commonly used in Anishnabe ceremonies are tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, cedar & strawberries. Plant medicine can be harvested from the wild, but it should be done in a respectful manner, ensuring that it will continue for the future generations by taking only every fourth one.
Sage is women’s medicine. It is said to be a masculine plant, and it reduces, or eliminates, negative energy. Often in women’s circles, only sage is used in the smudge. There are many varieties of sage, but this sage is not the kind that is available as a spice – that’s a different genus all together. You can buy white desert sage in some gift shops, you can buy seed or plants and grow them in your garden, and depending on where you live, you can find sage growing wild. Here, in Eastern Ontario, our wild sage is commonly known as Pearly Ever-Lasting – a silvery green single stalk plant, 12-18 inches tall, with a crown of white fuzzy blossoms. It grows everywhere, especially where there is poison ivy, and it can be picked late August.
PARISH EVENTS
Feast of St. Anne
Saint Anne’s Parish in Mattawa will be celebrating the feast of Saint Anne at 10:30am Sunday mass on Sunday, July 26th. A social where everyone can gather and enjoy some tasty treats, have a hot beverage (tea or coffee) and socialize with fellow parishioners will be held afterwards. Everyone welcome!
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
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 2 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
- 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.
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.
Pilgrimage of Peace to Medjugorje
From September 23rd to October 3rd, 2026, accompanied by a priest! Price: $3,995.00 (includes taxes, air fare, room & board, side trips and gratuities). Deadline to register: September 16th. To register or for more information, contact Jack Duggan at 613 756-2655, or email irishjack@bell.net. Please visit YouTube at https://youtu.be/qbgSqkZdqxY to see the interview with Father Shalla in Medjugorje on last May’s pilgrimage.
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/ .
