Take care that you despise one of these little ones
(Matthew 18.1-5, 10, 12-14)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Diocesan Pastoral Planning – Letter from the Bishop, August 6, 2026
Diocesan Pastoral Planning – Letter from the Bishop – August 6, 2026 – Diocese of Pembroke
The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. announces the following pastoral appointments:
- Reverend Scott Murrayis appointed as Administrator of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Campbell’s Bay; St. James the Greater Parish, Portage-du-Fort; St. Anne Parish, Île-du-Grand-Calumet; Immaculate Conception Parish, Bryson; Holy Name of Mary Parish, Quyon; St. Edward Parish, Bristol; and St-François-d’Assise Parish, Lac-des-Loups. This pastoral appointment is effective 1 September 2026.
- Reverend Réal Ouellette, while remaining pastor of St-Jean-Baptiste Parish, Pembroke, and Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Pembroke, is additionally named as Administrator of St. Alphonsus Parish, Chapeau; St. Paul the Hermit Parish, Sheenboro, and St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph’s. This pastoral appointment is effective 1 September 2026.
- Reverend Michael Smithwill remain pastor of Fort-Coulonge, Waltham, Vinton and Otter Lake.
As of September 5, 2026, Sunday Mass will be celebrated only in the following churches in Pontiac Deanery:
- Alphonsus Church, Chapeau
- Église Saint-Pierre, Fort Coulonge
- John the Evangelist Church, Campbell’s Bay
- Holy Name of Mary Church, Quyon
August 6, 2026
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Diocesan Weekly Online Prayer Meetings
In light of the situation taking place in the Pontiac Deanery, the Diocesan Online Weekly Prayer Meetings, led by Viviane Shank (of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Corbeil, Ontario), would like to lend our support in prayer and invite fellow parishioners of the Pembroke diocese to join us on-line in the coming weeks as we pray together, “A Rosary for Priests“. “A Rosary for Priests” is a devotional rosary structured to pray for the sanctification, strength and protection of Catholic priests. Parishioners who are interested are welcome to join us online any Monday night from August 17th through to September 28th, 7:30pm – 8:15pm via Zoom (participants can log into the waiting room as early as 7:15pm). Through the Zoom app, first time participants may enter the Meeting ID directly: Meeting ID#: 814 1171 6854. Regular participants will receive a weekly email with the Zoom link. If you require technical support on how to use Zoom on your phone, tablet or computer or have trouble logging in, please call our tech lead, Robert Poisson at 416 560-7024.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Deacon Robert C. McDonald who passed away on the morning of Sunday, August 9th in Ottawa. Deacon McDonald was ordained for the Diocese of Pembroke on August 22, 1992. Please pray for his beloved wife, Rita, and for their family during this time of loss.
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.
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!
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for August 2026
For evangelization in the city – Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Pikwàkanagàn’s 37th Annual Traditional Pow Wow
This year’s theme: “Honour Our Elders”, August 15th and 16th at the Pikwàkanagàn Cultural Grounds. Grand Entry on Saturday at noon and 7pm – Sunday at noon. For more information call 613 631-0302. All are welcome!
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.
Strawberries are also used in many ceremonies of the Anishnabe of this area. Their medicine is reconciliation: they teach us how to forgive. One story about how strawberries came to be is about two brothers who has a fight. They were so angry with one another that they went their separate ways, vowing to never speak to one another again. But when one of them died, the other was so struck with grief, and guilt for not having made amends in time, that all he could do was cry at his brother’s grave. The Creator saw that his pain was straight from the heart, so He made a strawberry plant grow from the dead brother’s grave. By the time the fruit appeared, the surviving brother’s grief had passed, and the sweetness of the berry helped him heal. Ever since that time, the strawberry has been known as the Heart Berry. We share them in our ceremonies to remind us that life is too short to hold on to grudges; forgiveness will allow us to enjoy the sweetness of life.
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
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.
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.
