No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
(John 3.7b-15))
FROM THE DIOCESE
Bishop’s Easter Message 2026
Bishop Michael Brehl’s Easter message is now available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Qsgv7a3Nc.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Deacon Daniel Dauvin, a deacon of the Diocese of Sault Ste Marie who for many years resided and assisted in the Diocese of Pembroke, on April 8th at the age of 82. Deacon Daniel was predeceased by his wife, Mary in 2002.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Sister Jane Fischer, csj, who passed away peacefully at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, Pembroke, on Friday, April 10th. Sister Jane served the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph faithfully for over 60 years.
Pastoral Planning Information
Any information regarding Pastoral Planning may be found on our website at https://pembrokediocese.com/diocesan-pastoral-planning/.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope Leo: Easter opens us up to hope that never fails
At the Easter Sunday Mass, Pope Leo reminds us that the Easter proclamation that Christ is risen from the dead “opens us up to a hope that never fails, to a light that never fades, to a fullness of joy that nothing can take away: death has been conquered forever; death no longer has power over us!” (Read more…)
FROM THE CCCB
Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Alberta – Alberta Bill 18
Please find attached a Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Alberta on Alberta Bill 18, dated 25 March 2026 (original in English, with an unofficial translation in French by the CCCB).
Bill 18 proposes new legislation that will try to confine “MAiD” to people whose natural death is expected within 12 months, effectively eliminating Track 2 MAID in that province. It also adds several practical restrictions beyond federal law, including a ban on out-of-province referral for “MAiD” assessments, training requirements, and facility/provider conscience protections.
As is customary with such letters, it has been added to the CCCB website under Suffering and End of Life – Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/suffering-and-end-of-life/euthanasia-and-assisted-suicide/
Archbishop Appointed for Sherbrooke – Friday, April 10 2026
Ottawa – His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed the Most Reverend Guy Boulanger as Archbishop of Sherbrooke.
At the time of his appointment, Archbishop Boulanger was serving as Bishop of Amos and Rouyn-Noranda, the two dioceses having been united in persona episcopi. He succeeds the Most Reverend Luc Cyr, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke was accepted by the Holy Father last year. Archbishop Cyr served as Archbishop of Sherbrooke from 2011 to 2025. Since 16 September 2025, the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke has been under the care of the Reverend Steve Lemay, Diocesan Administrator. (Read more…)
Resources for National Family and Life Week 2026
Ottawa, ON — The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is pleased to announce the release of resources in preparation for National Family and Life Week 2026 (#NFLW2026), taking place Sunday, 10 May to Sunday, 17 May 2026. (Read more…)
Statement Calling for Prayer for Peace in the Middle East
Ottawa, Ontario – The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a Statement Calling the Catholic Faithful to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East. The statement affirms that we cannot remain indifferent to an armed conflict that risks escalating into a prolonged war. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Hybrid Women’s Circles
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation invites you to connect with other women, supporting one another on our healing journey, bringing together culture and community. Confidential and trauma informed. Next dates: April 16th, 23rd and 30th at 84 Isabella Street, Suite #10, Pembroke. For more information or for Zoom link, email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com or visit the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation website.
Thirteen Moons
Adapted from Year of the Spirit Moons Calendar, produced by the Anishnaabe Kendaaswin Publishing Company, North Bay, in 1998. Reference should also be made to Jamie Sams’ book, The 13 Original Clan Mothers, whose work has reinforced these interpretations. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey, with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
August – Thimbleberry Moon: The eighth moon of Creation is Thimbleberry Moon, when we honour the Thimbleberry which produces an abundance of fruit every three years. It was one of the first plants put on Mother Earth, and it purpose is to protect the Sacred Circle of Life by allowing us to recognize and understand the teachings that come from the Spirit World.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
NEW Session!! Marriage Preparation Program
Due to popular demand, an extra Spring Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program will be offered on Saturday, May 9th and Saturday, May 30th at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa. Deadline to register: May 5th. Register online at Clone of Marriage Preparation Course. E-transfers of $125/couple can be made to donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com, or mail cheques to Diocese of Pembroke, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. For inquiries, please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 732-7933 ext. 208.
Carlo’s Crew Youth Night! (A diocesan event)
This is a free event for youth grade 7 to 12 and all are welcome! The upcoming date is Friday, May 15th from 7-9:30pm at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. There will be games, social time, Eucharistic adoration, music, confession, and talks to encourage spiritual growth and personal reflection.
Questions or to be added to the e-mail list for reminders? Contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com. Come join us and bring a friend!
PARISH EVENTS
33 Day Consecration to St. Joseph
During crisis, confusion, and a world at war with the Church, it’s time to come home again to our spiritual father, St. Joseph. In this richly researched and lovingly presented program of consecration to St. Joseph, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, brings to life the wonders, the power, and the ceaseless love of St. Joseph, Universal Patron of the Church and the Terror of Demons. Those participating in the Consecration will need to buy a copy of Fr. Callaway’s book “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father” available through Sunrise Marian or Amazon. Participants will meet in St. Joseph’s sacristy, St. Joseph, QC for prayers and discussion from 10:30-11:30am on Wednesdays until May 1st.
PRO-LIFE
Help Not Harm Campaign – Bill C 218
Private Members’ Bill C-218, currently at second reading in Parliament, seeks to prevent the scheduled 17 March 2027 expansion of MAiD to individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.
The Archdiocese of Toronto, in collaboration with the CCCB Office for Family and Life, has just launched a national, bilingual online advocacy tool under the campaign banner “Help Not Harm.” By registering, individuals can automatically generate a letter to their Member of Parliament and request that it be sent on their behalf, with copies to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice. The tool is available at: https://www.helpnotharmcanada.ca/.
Since the CCCB Permanent Council publicly endorsed Bill C‑218 on 4 February 2026, you are invited to consider promoting the Help Not Harm campaign in your diocese/eparchy and to encourage the faithful to subscribe to it as a quick and easy way to support Bill C-218.
Key Info – HelpNotHarmCanada.ca.
National March for Life
Renfrew County Right to Life is co-sponsoring a bus to the National March for Life which takes place on Parliament Hill on Thursday May 14th. The coach will leave the Pembroke Metro at 7:45am, with stops at the Cobden Pentecostal Church and the Renfrew Visitors’ Centre. Payment by donation. To reserve seats, please email RCRTlife@gmail.com with names of all riders or call Susan Dagenais at 613 401-6482. For more information: facebook.com/RCRTL .
Dinner Theatre Production – “Chaos at Confirmation”
Join First Step Options for a delightful night out at a Dinner Theatre Fundraiser featuring the play “Chaos at Confirmation!” on Saturday, May 2nd at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 307 Julien Street, Pembroke. Doors open at 6:00pm – Dinner at 6:30pm. Enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner followed by a live performance. Silent auction available. Email Amy Belder at ma.belder@gmail.com for tickets (tickets: $50/person). All proceeds will be donated to First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Catholic Education Week – Ontario
Catholic Education Week begins on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The Catholic schools in our diocese will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly funded Catholic education. You are invited to learn about the various celebrations that are happening in your children’s school, and are welcome to attend, if possible. Publicly funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.
This year’s Catholic Education theme is, “Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness.”
Second Annual RCCDSB Walking Pilgrimage
We are pleased to extend an open invitation to all staff, families, and community members of the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board to participate in our second annual RCCDSB Walking Pilgrimage on Saturday, May 9th, 2026.
This will be a wonderful opportunity for a day of walking, spiritual reflection, and community fellowship. Along the route, we will take moments to pray the Rosary for the month of Mary. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Event Details: Saturday, May 9th at 9:30am at St. Michael’s Parish, Douglas to St. James Parish, Eganville. We anticipate arriving in time to celebrate Mass at 4:00pm, with Father Michael Lund as the celebrant.
The Route: The walk is approximately 15.2 kilometres via Fourth Chute Road. It is estimated to take around 3.5 hours of walking time, and there will be planned rest stops along the way.
What to Bring & How to Prepare: Please ensure you come prepared for a comfortable walk!
Your own lunch and a refillable water bottle – your Rosary – comfortable walking shoes – weather-appropriate clothing (this event will proceed rain or shine).
We look forward to sharing this meaningful journey with our RCCDSB community. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to kylie.gibson@rccdsb.ca. We hope to see you there!
OTHER
The Pembroke Community Choir presents “Broadway Revue”
There will be an afternoon concert on Saturday April 18th at 1:30pm, and an evening performance on Sunday April 19th at 7pm at Calvin United Church, in Pembroke. Tickets are available at Fleurish in Petawawa, the Customer Care Centre at the Pembroke Mall, and from Choir members for just $15. Tickets purchased at the door are $20. Students 13 and under are Free! Visit https://pembrokecommunitychoir.org/ for more information.
Spring/Summer 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. Visit https://assumptionu.ca/ for a complete list of Spring/Summer 2026 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca or call 519-973-7033. Deadline to apply: April 24th.
JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Galilee Centre – Manager of Spiritual Programs
Galilee Centre is seeking a new Manager of Spiritual Programs. This a part-time leadership role (16 hours per week) responsible for developing, coordinating, and evaluating spiritual programming at Galilee Centre. Working under the direction of the Executive Director, the Manager ensures all programs and their development align with Galilee Centre’s mission, vision and values, and the spiritual needs of retreat and program participants.
Visit the posting on the website for more information: https://www.galileecentre.com/careers/.
Volunteers Needed!
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre needs volunteers for the “Chaos in Confirmation” Dinner Theatre on Saturday, May 2nd. If you are interested in helping, please contact Amy Belder at 613 732-3848 or email ma.belder@gmail.com to sign up.