It is not the will of the Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
(Matthew 18.12-14)
FROM THE DIOCESE
A Message for Advent 2025
The Diocese of Pembroke presents “A Message for Advent 2025” YouTube video with Fr. Réal Ouellette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHzPCweruOk.
Ecclesia
The Ecclesia Fall 2025 edition is now available in parishes and on the Diocese of Pembroke website at https://pembrokediocese.com/wp-content/uploads/Ecclesia-Fall-2025-final.pdf.
Spanish Mass at St. Columbkille Cathedral
Bishop Brehl will celebrate Mass in Spanish at St. Columbkille Cathedral on Friday, December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas at 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome, even if you do not speak Spanish!
Misa en español en la Catedral de San Columbkille
El obispo Brehl celebrará una misa en español en la Catedral de San Columbkille el viernes 12 de diciembre, festividad de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, patrona de las Américas, a las 7:00 p. m. ¡Todos son bienvenidos, incluso si no hablan español!
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Trudi (Gertrude) Cortens, a pioneer member of Madonna House, who died peacefully in St. Francis Hospital, Barry’s Bay, on Tuesday, November 25th in her 101st year.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for December 2025
For Christians in areas of conflict – Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.
FROM THE CCCB
Proposed Restrictions on Religious Freedom – Bill C-9 – Thursday, December 04 2025
(Ottawa) — The Liberal government has reached an agreement with the Bloc Québécois concerning an amendment to eliminate the religious exemption clause from Canada’s hate speech legislation in Section 319 (3) (b) of the Criminal Code. This initiative is intended to garner support for Bill C-9, titled ‘An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime, and access to religious or cultural places).’ The current provision in the Criminal Code slated for removal states: “(3) No person shall be convicted of an offence under subsection (2) […] (b) if, in good faith, the person expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text.”
Bill C-9 has passed the first and second readings and it is now undergoing review by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, with the latest proposed amendment, referenced above, subject to a vote possibly as early as this afternoon.
Given all that could be at stake if the amendment passes, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, with other government officials in carbon copy.
In English: https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-04-Letter-to-PM-Religious-Freedom-EN.pdf.
Vatican artifacts return to Canada – Saturday, December 06 2025
(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…)
Lighting the Way: Editorial by the Co-Chairs of the CCCB-sponsored Jewish-Catholic Dialogue – Thursday, December 04 2025
(Ottawa) —The co-chairs of the CCCB-sponsored Jewish-Catholic Dialogue have written an editorial in advance of Christmas and Hanukkah. The co-chairs are the Most Rev. Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal, and Baruch Frydman-Kohl, C.M., Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Tzedec Congregation of Toronto.
The editorial marks Christmas and Hanukkah, in the context of celebrating a decade of Jewish-Catholic national relations in Canada, and to share this “good news” in the midst of the current turmoil around the world.
In English: https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Lighting-the-Way-Eclairer-la-route-editorial-EN.pdf
Journey Through Advent – Video Series to Introduce and Reflect on the Season
The General Secretariat of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) announces the online weekly video series for this year’s Advent season. Designed to help the faithful prepare for the memorial of the birth of Our Lord celebrated at Christmas, these videos provide valuable resources and opportunities for faith formation. Titled Journey through Advent the series is a collaborative initiative of the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, the National Liturgy Office, and the Office national de liturgie. (Read more…)
JUBILEE 2025
Jubilee 2025 Calendar of Major Events
Jubilee 2025
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
2025 National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
12 DECEMBER 2025 – Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council – As Catholics, we continue to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, remembering his call to be “pilgrims of hope” in this year of Jubilee. It has been a time for reconciliation, pilgrimage and “coming home”. For Christians, this “Reconciliation” is the accomplishment of Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection reconciles humanity to God. Responding to the Lord’s call to be reconciled to one another in love, Catholic Canadians have set on a journey towards reconciliation with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples, one born out of a painful and difficult history. That history included the Indian residential schools, administered by Catholic and Christian churches alike. Accounts of prejudice, discrimination, and abuse came out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which concluded ten years ago. For many people impacted by this history, healing may well require generations to realize. (Read more…)
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation – Call for Volunteers
MMF, a Federally recognized Not for Profit Corporation that focuses on the overall health and well-being of the Urban Indigenous population of Renfrew County and surrounding area, is currently looking for volunteers to assist with the following:
- Planning/facilitating fundraising events
- Grant writing
- Supporting land-based learning and cultural events (e.g. through meal planning, cooking, event setup and takedown)
- Social media and the creation of promotional materials.
If interested, please visit the website at http://www.mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com/, or email mmf.volunteering@gmail.com.
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:
- Each journey begins with a single step.
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 – 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.
Advent Retreat at Stillpoint House of Prayer
Advent is a sacred and spiritual journey taken by those who wish to pause and reflect as they prepare for Jesus’ birth. Stillpoint invites you to this self-guided event with spiritual direction from Friday, December 12th at 4:30pm to Sunday, December 14th at 11am. Cost: $270. To register or for more information, email inquiries@stillpoint.ca or call 613 432-2791.
PARISH EVENTS
Advent Day of Recollection at St. Columbkille Cathedral
Join St. Columbkille Cathedral for a day of recollection on Saturday, December 13th. Singing Morning Prayer begins at 9:30am followed by coffee and muffins in the parish basement, and a talk from Fr. Peter Do on how to prepare for Christmas. Adoration and Confession with visiting priests available from 11am to noon. Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of our Savior!
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
Winter 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 Winter 2026 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca. Deadline to apply: December 12th, 2025.
“Emmanuel God With Us” Christmas Concert
On Saturday December 13th at 7pm at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle, 34 Jordan Avenue, Pembroke. Tickets: $10.00 for adults – free for children 12 under. Proceeds to the Grind Christmas Food program. Contact Deacon Adrien Chaput for tickets at 613 732-7933 ext. 206.
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/.
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.