His name is John.
(Luke 1.57-66)
FROM THE DIOCESE
A Message from Bishop Michael Brehl for Christmas 2025
A Message from Bishop Michael Brehl for Christmas 2025 – YouTube
Christmas holiday schedule
The Chancery will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th and will re-open on Monday, January 5th. The staff at the Diocesan Administration Office takes this opportunity to offer you and your family a Christmas Season filled with peace and joy!
Pembroke Diocese Parishioners invited to save the date
Parishioners of Pembroke Diocese are invited to save the date to attend one of the pastoral planning information meetings that will be held in all five deaneries of the diocese during the first weeks of Lent. Bishop Brehl and members of the diocesan steering committee will present relevant pastoral, statistical and financial data to help equip parishioners in ongoing dialogue and discernment on the future of the diocese. If you cannot make the local meeting in your home deanery, please feel welcome to attend any of the scheduled meetings.
Dates and Locations of Deanery Meetings
- Renfrew Deanery: Tuesday, February 17 at St. Joseph’s High School, Renfrew – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Pembroke Deanery: Thursday, February 19 at Bishop Smith High School, Pembroke – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Mattawa Deanery: Saturday, February 21 at Corbeil Park Hall, Corbeil- French at 10:00am to 12:00pm; English at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- Pontiac Deanery: Saturday, February 28 at Club de l’Âge d’Or, Fort-Coulonge -French at 10:00am to 12:00pm; English at 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- Barry’s Bay Deanery: Sunday, March 1 at John Bosco School, Barry’s Bay - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Deacon Adrien Chaput to Receive the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, has awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers to Deacon Adrien Chaput for his tireless efforts on behalf of those most vulnerable in our community, especially in respect to his work and leadership with The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and The Grind. A medal presentation in the St. Columbkille Cathedral Parish Hall to honour his work will be held on Sunday, January 11th at 12 noon (after 10:30am Mass). All are welcome to a light meal hosted by The SSVP and The Grind afterwards. Please call St. Columbkille at 613 732-8513 by January 6, 2026 if you would like to attend.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Marie-Thérèse Sauvé-Desrochers, mother of Archbishop Guy Desrochers, Archbishop of Moncton (former Bishop of Pembroke), who passed away on December 12th at the age of 98.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for January 2026
For prayer with the Word of God – Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
FROM THE CCCB
Christmas Message 2025
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents a YouTube video message for Christmas presented by CCCB President Bishop Pierre Goudreault: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2utYV0W3T1c&t=3s.
Salt + Light TV 2025 Christmas Schedule
Ottawa — The Canadian Catholic television channel Salt + Light TV has arranged a special programming schedule for Christmas 2025, covering the celebrations traditionally led by the Holy Father in Rome.
Visit the Salt + Light TV site for ways to watch.
Schedule of celebrations:
- Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord on December 24 at 4pm ET
- Christmas Day Mass and Urbi et Orbi Blessing on December 25 at 11:30am ET
- Mary, Mother of God, First Vespers and Te Deum on December 31 at 11:30am ET
- Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1 at 11:30am ET
- Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6 at 11:30am ET
JUBILEE 2025
Solemn Closing of Jubilee 2025
Bishop Michael Brehl invites you to the solemn closing of the Jubilee on Sunday, December 28th, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at 10:30am at St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Vatican artifacts return to Canada
(Montreal) – In celebration of the Jubilee of Hope declared by Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV gifted 62 cultural artifacts that had been part of the Vatican Museums’ Anima Mundi collection to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, for immediate transfer to Indigenous communities in Canada. Among the items is a rare, century-old kayak from the Western Arctic and other artifacts of cultural significance to Inuit, First Nations and Métis communities. (Read more…)
Spiritual Laws
These 20 statements are a collection of sayings common among Anishnabe people. They are included here as universal knowledge. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey, with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
- Children are closer to the Creator, not being so long separated from the Great Mystery. We are to learn from them, as much as they are to learn from us.
VOCATIONS
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College Vocations Fair
Saturday, January 10th from 11:30am-2:00pm at St. Hedwig Parish, Barry’s Bay. With representatives from the Diocese of Pembroke, Queenship of Mary, The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, The Oblates of Mary Immaculate, The Companions of the Cross, The Jesuits, The Seed of the Word, Opus Angelorum, The Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ, Madonna House. Those discerning a vocation are welcome. RSVP to acatulli@seatofwisdom.ca.
ADVENT
CCCB – Journey Through Advent 2025
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents Journey through Advent with the Most Rev. Wayne Lobsinger, Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton. Join us as we reflect on the Scriptures for the Sundays of Advent 2025.
A joint initiative of the National Liturgy Office, the Office national de liturgie and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis.
Watch the YouTube video “Journey through Advent – Fourth Sunday of Avent 2025:
Third Sunday of Avent 2025:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhdeXzvM_As&t=1s.
Second Sunday of Advent 2025:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTPWNoq-sfc&t=6s.
First Sunday of Advent 2025:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ra06xAiu5U&t=3s.
EVANGELIZATION
Christmas Greetings to Blessed Catherine’s Starflowers
To all Starflowers,
A warm thank you for your prayers for the success of renewal and evangelization efforts in this diocese!
Your prayers, whether as individuals or in groups at church praying the Litany, or in groups such as the CWL, are needed, appreciated and are bearing fruit.
May we all be Christ-bearers demonstrating His love and mercy.
We ask God’s blessing on each of you as, together, we celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world.
With gratitude,
Greg and Mary Doyle, and Lucille Tourigny (co-ordinators)
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
2026 Lift Jesus Higher Rally
2026 Lift Jesus Higher Rally will be held Saturday, March 14th at the Toronto Convention Centre. Come for a great experience! For details and registration please visit Home – Lift Jesus Higher Rally (LJHR).
OTHER
Christmas Novena – December 16th – December 24th: An Invitation from the Committee Members of the Annual Pilgrimage to St-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap
Prepare for the birth of Jesus! Email Mike Budge at mikebudge20@rogers.com to be added to the Christmas Novena distribution list. A Novena Prayer (which is short and beautiful) will be emailed to you each morning. The prayer can be said anytime during the day.
Let us come together in this Christmas Novena, striving to be a shing example through our actions, bringing joy to the heart of the Infant Jesus as He watches over us!
Are you looking for that special gift this Season?
Look no further! Funny in a GOoD Way presents “Comedy in Motion with Bob Cotes,” Comic, Juggler, Entertainer and Evangelist at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Free children’s event from 2-3pm (pre-registration required). Evening event starts at 7pm featuring worship music by Gate 47, and skit by the Pembroke and Area Clergy Association! Cost: $20 – $25 at the door. each. All proceeds go towards the local food banks. Contact Deacon Adrien Chaput to get your ticket or special ticket packages today at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or email at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com. More details available at https://www.funnyinagoodway.ca/.
Pembroke Community Choir Registration
Do you like to sing? The Pembroke Community Choir invites you to join us on January 5 as we begin rehearsals for “Back to Broadway”. Online registration begins December 15. Regular practices are from 7-9 pm every Monday, at Wesley Community Church, 210 Renfrew Street, Pembroke and our full concerts will take place on April 18 and 19. There are no auditions, but the ability to read music is helpful and you can expect some homework. Visit www.pembrokecommunitychoir.org for more info about the choir, the registration process, and fees.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
From May 18 to May 28, 2026 with Fr. Christopher Shalla, Diocese of Pembroke. Price – $3150.00 (includes taxes, side trips and gratuities). Departure from Pearson International Airport Toronto, KLM airlines economy class flight to Amsterdam and Split, Croatia. For more information contact Jack Duggan at 613 756-2655 or email irishjack@bell.net.