Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.
(Luke 9.51-56)
MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOP
Letter of Exemption Requests
Please read Bishop Guy Desrochers’ letter dated September 16, 2021 to priests and deacons of the Diocese of Pembroke here.
Statement Concerning Anti-COVID Vaccines and Vaccine Mandates
Please read Bishop Guy Desrochers’ statement here.
FROM THE DIOCESE
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Bishop Guy Desrochers invites you to join him in a special Mass marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, September 30th at 12 noon at St. Columbkille Cathedral, 188 Renfrew Street, Pembroke. All are welcome!
Prayers
In the charity of your prayers please pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Pat O’Malley, brother of Father Joseph O’Malley, who passed away on September 22nd at the age of 90.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Learning to Be a Missionary
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Learning to be a missionary takes place in a context and attitude of love for people who do not know or follow Christ. It requires being open to the ideas and perspectives of others and suspending our personal, cultural and religious ideas to listen to their experience. The path to mission is paved with compassion and empathy. (Read more…)
FROM THE CCCB
Statement of Apology by the Canadian Bishops of Canada to the Indigenous People of This Land – Friday, September 24, 2021
We, the Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, take this opportunity to affirm to you, the Indigenous Peoples of this land, that we acknowledge the suffering experienced in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools. Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality, failing to respect the rich history, traditions and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and sexual. We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day. Along with those Catholic entities which were directly involved in the operation of the schools and which have already offered their own heartfelt apologies[1], we[2], the Catholic Bishops of Canada, express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally. (Read more…)
Canadian Bishops Announce $30M National Financial Pledge to Support Healing and Reconciliation Initiatives – Monday, September 27 2021
The Bishops of Canada, as a tangible expression of their commitment to walk with the Indigenous Peoples of this land along the pathway of hope, are making a nation-wide collective financial commitment to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. (Read more…)
FAITH FORMATION
Got Life Questions? R.C.I.A. might just be for you!
R.C.I.A stands for the Rite of Christian initiation of Adults. It is a journey for anyone who is interested in becoming a Catholic and growing in the life as a Christian. It is for someone who has never been baptized, or maybe you have been baptized in another Christian faith and wish to know more about the Catholic faith. Maybe you have been baptized and have not received the other Sacraments for your life’s mission. If any of the above apply to you, we would love to help in your spiritual journey. Want to know more about your Catholic faith? All are welcome to join us in exploring this new quest starting late October. Please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
Are we ready to Start? Message from Deacon Adrien
I know this has been a difficult year with the COVID-19 Pandemic and with the lockdown restrictions. I know it made it difficult for Sacramental Preparation. I know I helped some of you get connected with on line Sacramental Preparation and at home preparation with parents. As we look ahead I want you to know that I am here to assist you with Sacramental Preparations. Please contact me at 613 732-7933 ext. 206, or at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Diocesan Young Adult Ministry (18 to 35)
Next gathering is Wednesday, October 6th from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the parish hall of St. Columbkille Cathedral. This fall session we are studying the book of Revelation with Jeff Cavins from Ascension Press. This study will run every two weeks on Wednesday evenings. Please contact Yvette at yvettebourque@pembrokdiocese.com to be added to our contact list for future details. Bring a friend and come enjoy unpacking the last book of the bible with us.
PRO-LIFE
First Step Option’s Baby Bottle Campaign 2021
Due to continued uncertainties related to COVID, the Baby Bottle Campaign will be run virtually again this year until Sunday, October 3rd. Donations can be made via E-transfers at firststepoptions@gmail.com, by credit card through Canada Helps, or by mail. Please note that all donations of $20.00 or more will receive a tax receipt at year end. For more information, please call 613 635-7440 or email firststepoptions@gmail.com.
Campaign Life Coalition Presents – “Life Chain”
Life Chain is a peaceful pro-life witness that takes place annually across North America. This year’s local Life Chain will be held in Pembroke at the corner of Christie Street and Pembroke St. West on Sunday, October 3rd from 2-3 p.m. COVID-19 protocols will be followed. For a complete list of Life Chains across Canada, please visit the Campaign Life Coalition website at https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/life-chain.
PARISH EVENTS
Latin Mass
A Latin Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 is offered at St. Columbkille Cathedral at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. This is basically the same form of the Liturgy which nourished the faith of many Catholics for centuries. English translations of the entire Mass are provided. Next Latin Mass – October 2nd.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Passion & Action – Integrating the Inner Life With Justice
Fr. Mark Slatter will lead this retreat focused on bringing the range of our passion for justice to the power of Transformative Love. Galilee Centre, Arnprior, October 1-3, 2021. Single: $320, Double: $275, Commuter: $180, Virtual: $90. Hosted by Galilee Centre. Info: 613 623-4242 ext. 21 or info@galileecentre.com.
2021 National Catholic Health Care Week
The National Catholic Health Care Week will be held October 3-9, 2021. National Catholic Health Care Week is part of a broader Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC) initiative called Awaken: Revealing the Courageous Gift of Catholic Health Care, an invitation to unite our voices and create a movement to boldly, confidently express the role, value, and impact of Catholic health care in Canada. Info: Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, https://www.chac.ca/en/national-catholic-health-care-week/.
Peru to Mars: New Worlds and Jesuit Science
Jesuits of Canada presents “Peru to Mars: New Worlds and Jesuit Science,” presented by Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ via Zoom on Thursday, October 14th at 7:30 p.m. EST. To register at no charge: . For more information, please contact: poreilly@jesuits.org.
Virtual Alpha Course
Got questions about life? Explore Life, Faith, Meaning. Eight Monday evenings beginning September 13th, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Also includes a Saturday on-line retreat on October 30th. Sponsored by the Companions of the Cross and the Queenship of Mary Community. For intro video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBoXPFOOemY. It’s free! Register at: https://www.queenshipofmary.ca/events-news/events.
OTHER
Men Healing from Trauma
Join this free virtual conference with live speakers, open Q&A, and recorded presentations on Saturday, October 16th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST. Hear first-hand stories of men sharing their abortion wounds, lost fatherhood, and the unhealthy ways they tried to cope with pain, hurt and trauma from abortion. To register or for more information, please go to their website at: https://www.menhealingfromtrauma.com/home.