When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he.
(John 8.21-30)
MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Bishop’s Appeal for Evangelization Project
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The great project of evangelization that we have undertaken for some time for our diocese and of which I have already spoken to you is well and truly underway. In order for it to continue and become a reality with your multifaceted collaboration over the next few years, I believe it would be appropriate to inform you of the financial implications that the project will necessarily incur. An article will appear shortly in the next issue of Ecclesia and will tell you more about the new positions we have created to help realize our project: the hiring of a project manager to oversee the renovation projects of our churches and buildings; and inspection and evaluation of all our buildings and properties in order to eventually allow our pastoral regions to restructure themselves according to a better evangelization and financial management. He will also be working with a contractor who specializes in cemetery management and who will help us consolidate the work of our employees and volunteers who currently work in silos and with different software that are more or less efficient.
In addition to this post, we will soon be hiring a pastoral director who will train and lead the new team throughout the project, and who will become the coordinator of all our diocesan pastoral work. He is very experienced in the field of evangelization and has already worked in three different dioceses; he has also trained and helped many priests and faithful to renew the spiritual vitality of their parishes so that they become truly missionary. This bodes very well for us. I look forward to introducing him to you!
This great evangelization project is also linked to important renovations of the Rectory of the Cathedral and of the Diocesan Centre that have been due for many years. In fact, three different architectural projects had been presented in the past, none of which has taken shape to date for a variety of reasons. With regard to the rectory, you are no doubt aware that this building is a heritage building and must be renovated as soon as possible. As for the Diocesan Centre, the second floor has been heavily damaged over the past few years due to the seepage of water from the damaged roof, which has led to the appearance of mould, and has rendered the floor unusable.
With the arrival of new employees without adequate office space and the urgency of moving the current Diocesan Centre employees, we will kill two birds with one stone: the renovations of the rectory will begin soon and then all the Diocesan Centre employees can be accommodated within its walls. Once the renovations to the rectory are complete and the diocesan team is in place, the transformations to the Diocesan Centre can begin. We will change the purpose of this building to allow our retired priests currently residing at Marianhill Long Term Care and Community Support Services to retire to the ground floor and receive the basic services offered to priests who have retained at least a good deal of autonomy. The second floor of the building may be used for storage or archiving of goods from the Diocesan Centre or for the storage of the goods of the priests who will be living on the ground floor.
As you can see, these major and necessary renovation projects are intimately linked to the evangelization project we are now undertaking in our diocese. The two go hand in hand.
During the first weekend of June 2021, special envelopes will be available at the church. You will be invited to participate in a special collection that will hopefully allow us to carry out the major projects that I have just presented to you and that we consider essential to the spiritual and material survival of our future diocesan church. This collection will be renewed annually during the same period, because this project, as you can imagine, is a long term one. If you wish to contribute electronically, you can visit our website (pembrokediocese.com) and click on the red button entitled “DONATE” at the top of the page. Remember to specify that the donation will go to the diocese only and not to a parish, and that your contribution will be used only for the evangelization project.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your financial support which will allow us to carry out the future and magnificent mission that Jesus entrusts to each one of you as well as to the whole evangelization team of the diocese.
Sincerely yours in Christ our Redeemer,
+Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Pembroke
FROM THE DIOCESE
Celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph
Resources to commemorate the year of St. Joseph can be found here.
Chrism Mass
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chrism Mass scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th will be held privately.
Development and Peace in the Diocese of Pembroke–Share Love, Share Lent: Keeping Canadians Committed (March 27-28)
Did you know that advocacy by Development and Peace members resulted in several schools, parishes and municipal offices across Canada giving up bottled water? Join our Share Love, Share Lent campaign to celebrate the many ways in which Canadian Catholics show that they care for social, economic and environmental justice. Visit https://www.devp.org/en/campaign/sharelove to learn more.
FROM THE CCCB
CCCB Introduces New Resources to Celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph – Friday, March 19, 2021
On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the proclamation by Pope Pius IX of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. Today on the occasion of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) announces the launch of a webpage and corresponding resources dedicated to this special memorial year entitled Celebrating the Year of St. Joseph.
A joint initiative of the CCCB’s Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, the Office for Family and Life, the National Liturgy Office and the Office national de liturgie, visitors to the webpage will find several resources for use in parishes, religious communities, families and in schools, such as: Prayers, Litanies, and Devotions; Consecration to Saint Joseph; Church Documents; and Catechetical Resources for children, youth and adults.
A series of seven short video reflections based on the recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart) are offered in both English and French. This resource for adult faith formation highlights each of the seven attributes of St. Joseph.
The webpage and its resources will be updated periodically throughout the Year of Saint Joseph.
Clarification CCCB Note on Ethical Concerns Related to Currently Approved COVID-19 Vaccines in Canada (2021)
PDF statement can be read here.
New Video Series for Lent 2021
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17, Journey through Lent offers an introduction to the Season and reflections on Gospel readings of each Sunday in Lent. It is the result of a joint project between the CCCB’s Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, the National Liturgy Office and the Office national de liturgie. The French series were filmed here in Notre Dame Cathedral of Ottawa. To access the video series on the CCCB website: in English and in French. Each Monday, the link for the upcoming Sunday celebration will be released. The CCCB are very grateful to Bishop Gerard Bergie and Archbishop Marcel Damphousse for their generosity in preparing and recording these spiritual and pastoral reflections. For further info, please contact Mrs. Margaret Shea-Lawrence, at m.shea-lawrence@cccb.ca.
FAITH FORMATION
Divine Mercy Sunday
Come and join us as we Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 11, 2021, from 2-3:30 p.m. at St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke. With Adoration, Hymns and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, as we pray for God’s Mercy upon the Whole world. Our Guest speaker is Bishop Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R. For more information please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at (613) 732-7933 ext.206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Diocesan Young Adult Ministry (age 18-35)
Our next gathering will be on Wednesday, March 24th at St. Columbkille Cathedral parish hall. Holy Hour is from 6-7 p.m. and the session runs from 7-8:30 p.m. We will be covering Session #4 of NO GREATER LOVE – A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion. All are invited.
NET CANADA will be Launching Virtual Retreats in March 2021!
When it comes to connecting youth to their Catholic faith, many educators & youth ministers struggle to transmit the gospel in a way that gets to the heart. NET’s team of dynamic young adults are perfectly positioned to help you reach your youth so that they open themselves up to having a personal relationship with God. Backed by a professional staff team and over 600 hours of ministry formation, educators can lean into NET Team’s support to plant seeds of faith in their youth through the facilitation of retreats. Virtual retreats include: 3 hrs. live retreat content, 6-7 dynamic missionaries to share their story and engage with young people, small group discussion, combination of live and pre-recorded video presentations, guided prayer time. Retreat Themes: Who is Jesus? , Friendship, Confirmation. *All NET Retreats include explicit kerygmatic proclamation* How does it work? Virtual NET Retreats are offered to youth from grade 6 to 12 and can accommodate up to 24 young people. Ideally, each participant should have access to a personal device (phone, iPad, computer, laptop, etc.) and a stable Wi-Fi connection to fully participate in the retreat. The NET Team will lead the young people through games, presentations, video recorded dramas, music and prayer opportunities. It is our hope that through these retreats, young people will be inspired to invite Christ to be at the center of their lives and choose to live in the fullness of our Catholic faith. Pricing: 1 Retreat: $300 – 2 Retreats: $500 – 3 Retreats: $700 – 4 Retreats: $900. Contact Maria at schedule@netcanada.ca to schedule a Virtual Retreat today.
Next Diocesan Marriage Preparation program – April 17th and May 1st
This program will be ONLINE only. To register click here or go to https://pembrokediocese.com/flymo/marriage-and-family/ . Deadline to register is April 1st. All couples will be mailed a package with the materials needed for the program.
PARISH EVENTS
Holy Mass – Extraordinary Form
Holy Masses in the extraordinary form are offered at St. Columbkille Cathedral on the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. These Latin Masses are in the form of the Liturgy as it was celebrated at the time of the Second Vatican Council—the same form which nourished the faith of many of our ancestors. English translations of the entire Mass are provided. Note: The next Latin Mass will take place the second Saturday of April (April 10th), given that April 3rd is Holy Saturday.
PRO-LIFE
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre – Annual General Meeting
The FSO Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, March 29th, starting at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Please RSVP to matthewgiberson@gmail.com to receive the link to join.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Galilee Centre Presents – Ron Rolheiser Retreat
Featuring Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, April 16-18, 2021. For details, please follow this link: Ron Rolheiser Retreat – Galilee Centre.
The Don Bosco Drama Club of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is pleased to present T.S. Eliot’s play Murder in the Cathedral
The Don Bosco Drama Club of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is pleased to present T.S. Eliot’s play Murder in the Cathedral, with music composed by Melissa Miles and performed by SWC’s music ensemble. It is directed by Frederick Duquette with music directed by Dr. Richard Heinzle. Set in December 1170, Murder in the Cathedral is a modern miracle play on the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury. This year’s drama production is being presented as a radio play due to COVID-19 restrictions. The production will be available for listening starting at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 on SWC’s YouTube channel. This year the play is being presented free of charge, though donations to the College for the Don Bosco Drama Club are welcome. For more information, visit www.seatofwisdom.ca/swc-drama-production-2021-t-s-eliots-murder-in-the-cathedral/.
New EWTN Lent 2021 Webpage
We invite you to log onto the new Lent 2021 webpage at www.ewtn.com/lent . On this site you will find a variety of resources including a comprehensive look at the Church’s teaching about Lent, daily readings and reflections, special Lenten programming, popular devotions, video-on-demand and much more!
Free eBook With 2021 Lenten Meditations
Lent is a new opportunity to be reenergized in our faith. However, Lent can sometimes pass us by without us growing closer to the Lord. This is why one of our Franciscan Friars, Fr. Joseph has prepared a series of Lenten reflections in the form of an eBook to guide us during this solemn season. Included within the new Lent 2021 webpage is a form to fill out to receive this free eBook which will bring recipients deeper into the Mass readings with insights that are both simple and profound.
Life in the Spirit Virtual Seminar
The Life in the Spirit (LSS) is an inspiring and practical series aimed at assisting people to deepen their experience with the Holy Spirit. It provides teaching, guidance, prayer as well as times for small group discussion every Tuesday night beginning April 6th to May 18th. Registration opening soon! Go to https://www.ccrso.net/ to register or for more information.
Bootcamp for the Laity – ” The Role of Laity in the Church”
A virtual conference presented by Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of Ontario (C.C.R.S.O.) with Bishop Scott McCaig and Fr. Ben St. Croix on Friday, May 21st and Saturday, May 22nd. To register or for more information go to https://www.ccrso.net/copy-of-conference-rsvp.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Executive Director – Galilee Mission Centre
Galilee Mission Centre of Arnprior Ontario is seeking a new Executive Director who will be responsible for the administration and promotion of Galilee Centre as an inclusive Spiritual Life Centre to the broader community. Working with a staff of full and part-time employees and a network of volunteers, the Executive Director plans, oversees and promotes programs and services that respond to the broader community needs. They will be responsible for overall management and organization of the Centre’s operations and implementation of Board of Directors’ decisions. For more information on this full time job opportunity and how to apply, please click here: www.galileecentre.com.
Diocese of Whitehorse – Position for Catholic School Principal
Vanier Catholic Secondary School, located within the Diocese of Whitehorse, is in search for a full-time principal: https://network.applytoeducation.com/Applicant/AttJobPosting.aspx?JOB_POSTING_ID=fbce6827-7ab8-49af-9d56-9bad6eec499b. Kindly note that the deadline to apply is 11 April 2021 at 11:30 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time).
Development Officer / Peterborough Campus Ministry
Peterborough Campus Ministry is seeking an experienced Development Officer for a full-time (35 hours) two-year contract as soon as possible. For specifics on responsibilities, qualifications, employment details, or to submit an application, please contact Fr. John Perdue, Director of Peterborough Campus Ministry at 705 874-1871 or email at vocations@peterboroughdiocese.org.
Holy Name Parish Office Assistant Needed
The current Holy Name Parish Office secretary, Suzanne Sheridan, has been waiting for some time for full knee-replacement surgery. The first knee surgery has now been scheduled for Monday, May 3rd in Pembroke. As a result, the Holy Name Parish Office will require a replacement secretary during Suzanne’s recovery period, which to our knowledge could be a minimum of approximately six (6) weeks. This will be confirmed at a later date. If anyone is interested in filling in during this time, or have any questions, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible at 613 732-3355 or holynamepembroke@outlook.com. A training/familiarization period prior to May 3rd will also be required. Thank you for your support.
OTHER
Patricias Place Catholic Gift Shop
Beautiful handmade rosaries, wedding & anniversary rosaries, Rosary bracelets, Chaplets of different Saints, Baptism, First Communion & Confirmation gifts, coloured medals of different Saints, including St. Anne. House crucifixes including various size of St. Benedict Crosses. Blessed Mother statues of different sizes, and statues & colored medals of St. Anne. Pure silver medals of The Blessed Virgin Mary, including the Miraculous Medal. Many other beautiful gifts, please visit the web site at www.patriciasplacecatholicgiftshop.com.
St. Joseph Greeting Cards
To commemorate the Year of St. Joseph, Madonna House Publications is offering greeting cards with icon prints of St. Joseph, by Madonna House iconographers. A set of 10 cards (blank inside) with envelopes are $12.95 + tax. Visit www.madonnahouse.org/publications and click on Store to view and order. Or call 613 756-3728 (toll free 1 888 703-7110).