Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
(Luke 1.5-25)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Christmas Holiday Schedule
The Chancery Office will be closed from Friday, December 22nd at noon to Monday, January 1st, inclusively. It will re-open on Tuesday, January 2nd. The staff at the Diocesan Administration Office takes this opportunity to offer you and your family a Christmas Season filled with peace and joy!
Prayer for the Future Bishop of our Diocese
Heavenly Father, we ask in the name of your Son, that you bless our future bishop. Provide him with the gifts he will need to carry on the ministry of Jesus in our diocese. Grant him the heart of your Son, the heart of the Good Shepherd. Bestow upon him the zeal of St. Paul in preaching the Good News; the humility of St. John Vianney in ministering the sacraments; the compassion of St. Vincent-de-Paul in serving those most in need; the wisdom of St. Augustine in teaching the doctrine of our Church; and the missionary fervour of St. Columbkille, our patron. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
FROM THE CCCB
Episcopal appointment for the Archdiocese of Quebec – Tuesday, December 12 2023
Ottawa –His Holiness Pope Francis named Father Juan Carlos Londoño Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Quebec. At the time of his appointment, he was serving as a priest fidei donum for the Diocese of Gaspé. (Read more…)
Appointment of Apostolic Visitor for the Coptic Faithful in the United States of America and Canada – Saturday, December 16, 2023
His Holiness Pope Francis appointed His Excellency the Most Reverend Pola Ayoub Matta Usama Shafik Akhnoukh, Bishop of the Coptic eparchy of Ismayliah, as Apostolic Visitor for the Coptic Faithful in the United States of America and Canada.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for January 2024
For the gift of diversity in the Church – We pray that the Holy Spirit may help us to recognise the gift of different charisms within the Christian community and to discover the richness of different traditions and rituals in the Catholic Church.
ADVENT
CCCB – Journey Through Advent 2023
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents Journey through Advent with the Most Rev. Bishop Jon Hansen, CSsR, Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. Join us as we reflect on the Scriptures for the Sundays of Advent 2023.
A joint initiative of the National Liturgy Office, the Office national de liturgie and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis.
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, Bishop Hansen provides a reflection Mary’s ‘yes’ and God’s presence.
Watch the videos here.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples have the right to promote, develop and maintain their institutional structures and their distinctive customs, spirituality, traditions, procedures, practices and, in the cases where they exist, juridical systems or customs, in accordance with international human rights standards.
Article 34 – United Nations declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Diocesan Action Circle Survey
To better help us serve the needs of parishioners, the Diocesan Action Circle has prepared a short anonymous survey. The answers to the survey questions will direct the work around Reconciliation with Indigenous People in the Diocese. To access the survey, please check the website: https://pembrokediocese.com/article/diocesan-action-circle-survey-2023/, or click the following link: https://forms.gle/LRfMwNTBEmgKQV7w5.Thank you for your participation.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Memorable Sundays
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
The Sunday Mass holds immense importance in the life of the Church. It is on this day that the paschal mystery, which encompasses the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, is celebrated. We gather on Sunday to listen to the word of God and participate in the Eucharist, which is the heart of the Church’s life. Celebrating the Sunday Mass is the expression of our acknowledgment of God’s primacy in our lives and our participation in the saving grace of Christ through the sacraments. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On January 4th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Mission, Cobden. The Holy Hour will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by Fr. Murray, a Rosary for vocations, and time for silent prayer. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. For more information and details please visit Pembroke Vocations.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Theology on Tap (19-49ish) – PEMBROKE
Join us for Theology on Tap Tuesday January 23rd, 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Nelson St. Pub, 207 Nelson Street, Pembroke. Guest speaker: Fr. Michael Lund Topic: “St. Therese, Doctor of the Church” (Talk will begin at approx. 7:10 p.m.). Consider inviting someone who doesn’t attend or rarely attends church. Questions? Contact Yvette at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
Theology on Tap – BARRY’S BAY
On hold until a suitable location can be found.
Know any teenagers? Send them to Youth Alpha!
There is a youth group for grade 7-12 students on Sundays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Pembroke. This Youth Alpha program will provide a space to ask and explore some of life’s biggest questions. Please visit the following website for more info and to register. There is no cost, and it is open to all youth. https://jwmccluskey.wixsite.com/our-lady-of-lourdes Email Jessica McCluskey at jwmccluskey@nrtco.net with any questions.
IMAGE OF GOD monthly MEN & WOMEN Sessions
IMAGE OF GOD monthly MEN & WOMEN Sessions continue Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in the parish centre and run monthly until June. Topic: “Do You Really Know them? – Here’s what’s missing to dramatically improve the relationships in your life and family” This event is being hosted by the Family Life and Youth Ministry Office, with guest speaker Patrick Sullivan, Lay Evangelist, and is open to all. Each evening has a different topic and will include time for separate discussion for men and women. The purpose is to grow in your own spiritual life, your spousal relationship, and your relationship with your children. Upcoming dates are Feb. 7th and March 20th. For more information contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
PRO-LIFE
Pro-Life Week of Action
Are you in high school and want to spend your March break making a difference for pre-born children in Canada, while making amazing memories and lasting friendships? Join CCBR in Toronto from March 11-14 for our Pro-Life Week of Action. You will join passionate pro-life youth for training, and public outreach, learning how to have effective conversations about abortion. You will also join CCBR’s team on the streets, to change hearts and minds, and save lives from abortion. For more information and to apply go to https://www.endthekilling.ca/plwa/ or email csibiga@endthekilling.ca. The application deadline is January 31st (early bird discount ends December 31st). Lodging/accommodations can be provided.
DEVELOPMENT & PEACE
Development & Peace – Stand for the Land
In solidarity with the defenders of Guapinol and the San Pedro sector in Honduras, Development and Peace are seeking to collect 32,000 signatures on a letter to the Honduran ambassador to Canada by February 25, 2024. A Development and Peace-Caritas Canada delegation will meet the ambassador and hand her the letter during the spring of 2024.
Act now! Sign the letter digitally at this link: https://devp.org/en/campaign/stand-for-the-land/act/.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College – Winter Semester Courses
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College has opened registration for Winter Semester courses. The list of course offerings is available online at seatofwisdom.ca under “Academics” on the “At a Glance” page. One course that may be of interest to part-time students is Dr. Christine Schintgen’s LIT 104 Literature and Composition course, which is open to Grade 12 students or above, with permission of the instructor (in-person only; spaces are limited).
15th Annual Men’s Retreat
“Harden Not Your Hearts”, Jan. 12-14th, 2024 at the Graphite Bible Camp (south of Maynooth). $175 includes retreat, shared room and meals. For questions or to register (by December 20th), please contact Pierre-Paul Fillion at 613 602-6580 or ppfilion@yahoo.ca. It is filling fast….
OTHER
Looking for a great gift idea for someone this Christmas? Look no further!
Funny in a GOoD Way presents an evening of laughter and praise to celebrate the week of Prayer for Christian Unity on January 20th at 7:00 p.m., Festival Hall. Featuring Byron Trimble Comedy and worship music by Gate47. Cost $25.00 in advance. To purchase tickets, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com. More details available at www.funnyinagoodway.ca. Net proceeds go to First Step Options.
Do You Like to Sing? Join the Pembroke Community Choir!
With our “Christmas Around the World” concert behind us, the Pembroke Community Choir will begin rehearsing for the beautiful “Brahms Requiem” on Monday, January 8th. Early Bird Registration for the Winter/Spring session is on now! Save money by registering before January. If you submit a registration form during December, dues are $40; in January, $50. Students (full-time, 25 and under) pay $25/$30. Note: You get the early bird discount regardless of when you pay. You also have the option to pay by cheque by the first rehearsal, January 8th.
Two-hour practices are held every Monday at 7 p.m. at Wesley Community Church, 210 Renfrew Street, Pembroke. There are no auditions to join. The concert will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Details and registration available on our website at www.pembrokecommunitychoir.org.