You will conceive in your womb and bear a son.
(Luke 1.26-38)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Christmas Holiday Schedule
The Chancery Office will be closed from Friday, December 23rd at noon to Monday, January 2nd, inclusively. It will re-open on Tuesday, January 3rd. The staff at the Diocesan Administration Office takes this opportunity to offer you and your family a Christmas Season filled with peace and joy!
Ordo Liturgical Calendars for 2022-23
Ordo Liturgical Calendars for 2022-23 are presently available for purchase at the Chancery Office for only $20/copy on a first-come, first-served basis. If interested, please contact Donna Biggs at 613 732-7933 ext. 203 or donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com
FROM THE CCCB
Update on World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 – Thursday, December 15 2022
In 1984, during the Holy Year of Redemption, Pope Saint John Paul II invited young people from around the world to join him in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday. This event inspired what is now known as World Youth Day. Since 1986, there have been fifteen World Youth Days where young people gathered in countries around the world to meet with others to share faith, encounter Christ and reflect on how the call to live as witnesses to a life of Christian virtue. Canada hosted WYD in 2002 in Toronto. (Read more…)
Burying the Dead, Grieving Well – A Guide for Catholics on Bodily Disposition and Grief
In recent decades, there have been numerous changes to the treatment of the bodily remains of the deceased within our Canadian and North American societies, due to rapid developments in the technologies used in bodily disposition. The new practices concerning the treatment of the bodies of the departed have direct consequences on the way we live out our grief. (Read more…)
Journey through Advent 2022
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents Journey through Advent with the Most Rev. Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA, Auxiliary Bishop of London, Ontario. (See more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation Belongs to Everyone
“There is no more important task for Canadians than to hear the voices of Indigenous Peoples.
This is humanities collective responsibility-
To face uncomfortable, sometimes horrific truths,
To educate ourselves, to listen, to reflect,
To learn and to act with newfound awareness and sensitivity.
And that all humans are equal, all humans are humans.”
Lieutenant General (Retd)
The Honorable Romeo Dallaire
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth (Part 3)
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth (Part 3)
The purpose of this article is to present pastoral orientations that contribute to parish development. These pastoral orientations are intended to be helpful to pastors and pastoral councils as they seek to evangelize and renew their parishes.
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
Beginning January 5th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt. 9:37-38). The vocations office is beginning a new prayer initiative in 2023. The First Thursday of each month there will be a Holy Hour to pray for priestly vocations. The Holy Hour will be in a different parish of the diocese each month. It will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by a priest, a Rosary for vocations, and time for silent prayer. The first Holy Hour will be at St. Joseph Parish, QC (10 minutes from Pembroke) with the reflection given by Fr. Scott Murray. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. The topic of the first reflection will be “St. Joseph’s Conspicuous Absence from the Story of the Epiphany.”
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Young Adult Ministry Pre-Christmas Party
Join us on Thursday, December 22nd at Harrington Community Centre, Chapeau QC., from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for some 5 pin bowling, and other games as well! Invite friends and family…anyone from 18 to 49 years of age…or so…. (we have expanded our age range). Please invite your spouse along if you have one. This is a potluck snacks party, so bring something you like. Plates, cups, cutlery and drinks will be provided. The bowling alley is in the basement of Harrington Community Centre, which is next door to the sports complex. It’s the first big building on your right past the baseball field as you drive into Chapeau. For more information contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
Image of God Monthly Men’s and Women’s Sessions for Men and Women
Next session – Wednesday, January 11th at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew. Join us for IMAGE OF GOD monthly evening sessions for Men and Women from 7-9 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier parish. (Men 7-8 pm, Women 8-9 pm). This is a new initiative from the Office of Family Life, Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Renfrew deanery, but open to all, to reach adults who wish to grow in their faith. Hosted by Patrick Sullivan, Lay Evangelist and Yvette Bourque, each evening has a different topic and will include time for questions. Topic for January – Do you really know them? Here is what can dramatically improve the relationships in your life and family. Please enter through the small Parish Hall doors. For more information contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
PRO-LIFE
No Options No Choice
In March, the Canadian government will expand access to medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Offering MAiD to Canadians at their most vulnerable without improving access to services to help them live with dignity isn’t offering them a real choice. Canadians with long-term conditions, disabilities, and mental illness are at risk of being given no better option than death. Email your provincial representative today. Tell them Canadians deserve more compassion. Visit NoOptionsNoChoice.com to learn more.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Advent Stories from D&P
It has become something of a yuletide tradition at Development and Peace for us to share Advent stories that warm the heart by showcasing the real-world impact of the solidarity and generosity of our Canadian Catholic community.
We have just published our first Advent story, with more to come every Sunday in Advent. We’ve also shared it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Salt+Light Media has produced a 30-minute program on Madonna House
Here is the link: https://slmedia.org/w/xpaykXC1/xIqO8l44/madonna-house-a-song-of-love?fbclid=IwAR15mnQyitOxdDXDcMuoBp_VZm5ri2cGsymi8Iee92ycFf5v8U-mN8BqbXc
14th Annual Men’s Retreat – 2023
Retreat will be given by Fr. Paul Burchat and Scott Eagen from the Madonna House Community in Combermere, from Friday, January 13th to Sunday, January 15th, 2023 at the Graphite Bible Camp (Between Maynooth and Bancroft). This year’s theme: “God the Father: Our Hope and Salvation (“You are With Me” Jn 15:31). Cost: $175.00 for the weekend (includes retreat, room and great meals). For more information, questions, special requests, dietary or financial concerns, please call Pierre-Paul Filion at 613 602-6580 or email ppfilion@yahoo.ca. Reserve now; deposit and registration due by December 20th, 2022.
OTHER
National Association of Catholic Nurses-Canada (NACN-Canada)
Our goal is to align professional practice with faith through prayer, fellowship, mentoring, access to resources regarding ethical issues and participation in public discourse. On First Fridays at 3:00 p.m., pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with us using the link on our website. Join us for announcements regarding other events, both virtual and in-person.
CONTACT: NACN-Canada PO Box 19525, Manulife PO, 55 Bloor St. W., Toronto ON M4W 3T9.
EMAIL: nacncanada.boardcontact@gmail.com WEB: https://catholicnurses.ca/.
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 21st at 7:00 p.m., Festival Hall. Event features, Praise Band – Gate47, a skit by local Clergy, and award winning Comedian Andy Beningo. Cost $20.00 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 The Grind Pembroke.
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College Winter Courses
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is pleased to announce that registration is open for Winter Semester courses, including some that are accessible online. We are beyond excited to offer you this opportunity to join our professors in the classroom to learn about these subjects from a Catholic perspective. Courses include options in Canadian history, music, literature, and philosophy. See seatofwisdom.ca for a complete list. If you would be interested in auditing or taking these courses for credit, please email Mrs. Emma O’Brien at emmaobrien@seatofwisdom.ca.