A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Mary chose the better part.
(Luke 10.38-42)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Thanksgiving Weekend
The Diocesan Offices will be closed on Monday, October 12th, and will reopen on Tuesday, October 13th at 8:30am.
Ecclesia Fall 2026 Edition
The Ecclesia Fall Edition is now available on the website: https://pembrokediocese.com/wp-content/uploads/Ecclesia-Fall-2026-final.pdf.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for October 2026
For mental health ministry – Let us pray for that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
FROM THE CCCB
Joint Statement of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Tuesday, September 29 2026
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle honour the Survivors of the Indian Residential School System, the children who never returned home, their families, and the generations who continue to live with its legacy. We remember also the courage of those who have shared their stories and encourage those who continue to listen, so that the truth of our histories remains the foundation upon which we build our collective futures. We cannot turn away from these truths when they are painful or uncomfortable. Our faith calls us instead to encounter them with humility, honesty, and charity as we walk together and learn to live rightly with one another. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Mindful Mondays
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation presents Mindful Mondays, a bi-weekly program beginning in September from 6-7:30pm: Next date: October 12th. Topic: Living the Good Life with the Seven Grandfather Teachings. For more information, please call 613 631-0302 or email info@mashkiwiziimanicofoundation.com.
Monthly Friday Morning Virtual Talking Circle
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation presents the Monthly Friday Morning Virtual Talking Circle; a brave space to share what is on our minds and in our hearts: Next date: October 16th. For Zoom meeting ID and Passcode please contact Cathy Phannenhour, facilitator at cathyphannenhour@gmail.com.
Indigenous Policing Bureau – Seven Grandfather Teachings (As held from the Algonquin Community)
- Love: To know love is to know peace. Love must be unconditional. Be able to show that you care for yourself and others.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Marriage Preparation Program
The Fall Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, October 17th and Saturday, October 31st, 2026 (Location to be determined). Register online at https://www.jotform.com/yvettebourque/marriageprep. E-transfers of $150/couple can be made to donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com, or mail cheques to Diocese of Pembroke, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. Deadline to register is October 15th. For inquiries, please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 732-7933 ext. 208. Space is limited. Don’t delay!
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) – Registration is open for Pembroke Level 1 and Level 2 CGS at Our Lady of Lourdes Church
This Montessori-based (experiential learning) and child-centered catechetical program offers children a deep engagement with Scripture and the Liturgy, to facilitate the child’s encounter with God, especially Our Lord, the Good Shepherd. The program runs from mid-October to the end of May. Level 1 (ages 3-5) runs Saturday from 10:15am-12:00pm. Level 2 (ages 6-8) on Friday from 4:15-5:45pm. Children new to CGS are welcome into Level 2. Please register at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish office. The cost is $175, plus $150 for each additional child. To learn more about this beautiful program for our young children, visit cgsac.ca (The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada), or contact Maria Reilander st.hedwigs.cgs@gmail.com.
PRO-LIFE
Celebrate Life Gala Banquet – Hosted by the Renfrew County Right to Life (RCRTL)
On Thursday, November 5th at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Pembroke. Meet & Greet at 5pm – Dinner at 6pm. Guest speakers will be from SILENT NO MORE, an international initiative where people share their personal testimonies regarding the negative emotional and physical impacts of abortion and the hope of post abortion recovery. Please bring your new baby items to donate to First Step Options! Tickets: $40 / $30 students. Reserve your tickets by mailing your cheque to RCRTL ℅ 284 Trafalgar Rd, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8 or contacting Barb Austen at 613 735-6265.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Public Rosary to Pray for Canada
A public rosary to pray for Canada through the intercession of Mary is scheduled to take place at the Pembroke Riverwalk Amphitheatre on Saturday, October 10th at 12 noon. This event is done in partnership with Canada Needs Our Lady. Please bring your rosary, family members, and friends. Any questions, contact Sean at: avemaria2638@gmail.com.
16th Annual Autumn Pilgrimage to St-Joseph’s Oratory
This year’s pilgrimage will include a special visit after leaving the Oratory to the Shrine of St-Kateri Tekakwitha in Kahnawake, where pilgrims will have the blessed opportunity to pray at the site of her tomb on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Departures available from various locations throughout the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, Pembroke, and Kingston.
For information or reservations, please email Mike Budge at mikebudge2021@gmail.com or call 613 224-8110. Space is limited. Please reserve as soon as possible!
OTHER
Ecumenical Unity Prayer
The Pembroke and Area Clergy Association invites you to its monthly gathering to pray for unity among Christians in the Upper Ottawa Valley and beyond. The next gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th at 7pm at New Life Community Church, 2777 Petawawa Blvd, Petawawa. All are welcome!
Celtic Concert
Celebrate a century with the Grey Sisters and Deirdre Ni Chinnéide, renowned composer, vocalist, and facilitator from the Aran Islands, with guest performances by The Pembroke Community Choir, conducted by Gerald LaRonde, at the Carefor Mackay Centre, Carrera Hall on Thursday, October 15th at 7pm. Cost: $20 per person. Proceeds to support Carefor Renfrew County. To purchase tickets or for more information visit the website at https://carefor.ca/event/celtic-concert-feturing-deirdre-ni-chinneide/.
Bereavement Support
Widowed? You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone. Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care is offering two supportive retreats at Stevenson’s Lodge in Combermere for people whose spouse or partner has died. Men’s Day Retreat: October 15 | $75, Women’s Weekend Retreat: October 16–18 | $195. Open to widowed adults across Ontario. Spaces are limited. 613 756 3045 ext. 350. Visit the website at: https://www.mvhospice.ca/grief-and-bereavement-services.
Pilgrimage to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
Pilgrimage to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg with Fr. Francis Ching, CC. April 22 – May 4, 2027. 13 days/11 nights. 3 Marian apparition sites, 1 Eucharistic Miracle site, St. Damien of Molokai, famous relics, Flanders Fields. Price includes all fares, fees, tips, stipends, taxes, & meals except 10 lunches. $7335 per person (double occ) Toronto Departure. Information Meeting Sunday, November 15th 2:00pm at St. Mary’s Parish, Ottawa. For information contact Tour Coordinator Laurie Courchesne-Dooley at 613 732-5739, mobile 613 602-3535 or e-mail lafrcodo@outlook.com.
Pilgrimage with Monsignor Joseph Muldoon
You are invited to join Msgr. Joseph Muldoon on a pilgrimage to Marian Shrines, the Camino and the Pyrenees, from March 31 – April 14, 2027. Msgr. Muldoon will serve as the Spiritual Director. Stops will include Lisbon, Fatima, Porto, Santiago de Compostela, León, Lourdes, Andorra, Barcelona and Montserrat. A meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at 2pm at Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Rd., in the parish hall. For reservations or more information, please contact Dennis Kam, JBC Travel at 613 569-3888 ext. 3 or dennis@jbctravel.ca.
