The sabbath was made for people, and not people for the sabbath.
(Mark 2.23-28)
FROM THE DIOCESE
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
Pope Francis’s Message for the 31st World Day of the Sick (11 February 2023) – Thursday, January 12, 2023
Earlier last week, the Vatican released Pope Francis’s message for the 31st World Day of the Sick, celebrated every year on 11 February, liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Holy Father’s message is entitled: “Take care of him” – Compassion as a synodal exercise of healing. In light of the Church’s synodal journey, Pope Francis invites “all of us to reflect on the fact that it is especially through the experience of vulnerability and illness that we can learn to walk together according to the style of God, which is closeness, compassion, and tenderness.” (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Tips for Reconciliation on a Personal Level
Don’t refer to a culture or a people as exotic. That emphasizes their “otherness.” Their culture is not exotic to them; it is who they are and what is important to them.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth (Part 5)
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
This is part five of the article Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth, which discusses principles that characterize missionary parishes. In this part we present principles thirteen to sixteen. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On February 2nd, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Michael Parish, Douglas – “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. February’s Holy Hour will be at St. Michael’s Parish in Douglas. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. The topic of the reflection will be “Candlemas – A Light to Reveal You to the Nations (Lk. 2:31)”.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
CHANGE OF PROGRAMMING – Image of God Monthly Women’s Sessions
Next session – Wednesday, February 8th from 7-8 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew. February Topic: READY FOR THE WORLD – Training, formation and catechesis – the difference will mean the world to your family. Join us for IMAGE OF GOD monthly evening sessions for Women. 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 discussion. The purpose is to grow in your spiritual health, your spousal relationship and parenting skills. No matter what age you are, you will find this very helpful. Please enter through the small Parish Hall doors. For more information contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com. Please note that there will be NO men’s group for now.
Marriage Preparation Program
The Winter Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, February 25th and Saturday, March 11th, 2023 at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew. Deadline to register is February 11th. Registration is available online at www.pembrokediocese.com, or a form can be obtained from any parish and mailed in. Inquiries can be directed to Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
NEW! Theology on Tap – East Side Mario’s, Pembroke – Wednesday, January 25– 7 – 8:30 p.m. (Feast Day of the Conversion of St. Paul)
This is a new initiative of the Family Life and Youth Ministry Office and is geared for those age 19 – 49(ish). Gatherings will take place monthly at various local restaurants in the Pembroke area that offer private rooms for such an event. Different guest speakers will be invited each month to give a talk on a variety of different topics relating to the Catholic Faith. There will be time for questions, discussion and socializing. This new initiative will replace the Diocesan Young Adult Ministry program that ran each month. We have widened the age range in hopes of getting more people out and in a setting that may be easier to invite those who are not as familiar with the Catholic faith. In other words, better suited for evangelization. Each event will be posted on the Upcoming Events page on the Diocesan website (www.pembrokediocese.com) as soon as details are available. To receive an e-mail each month with date, speaker and location, etc., please contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com. Guest speaker for January is Fr. Scott Murray speaking on “The Conversion of St. Paul.”
2023 Northern Ontario Catholic Youth Leadership Conference – LEVEL UP, Find Your Purpose
This event is for ages 13-19 (gr. 8 to 19 yrs.), and includes a day full of prayer, music, workshops, games, Catholic vendors and motivational talks from Keynote Speaker, Ken Yasinski. Mr. Yasinski has been speaking full time for 20 years within the Catholic Church. He is the founder of Face to Face Ministries, a Lighthouse Catholic Media Speaker, author, and songwriter. This event is being hosted by the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall North Bay, on February 25th from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. More information can be found at www.holynamestalphonsus.com/levelup. Young people from all over Northern Ontario and beyond are welcome to attend this Conference.
The Diocese of Pembroke, Family Life and Youth Ministry Office, is organizing transportation to attend this 1 day conference. The cost is $30.00 per participant (includes transportation, lunch and dinner). Deadline is Friday, February 17th. Contact Yvette for more information or to receive the registration forms and payment options at 613 585-6301 or yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Recollection for Women
Recollection for Women at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pembroke on Thursday, January 19th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Recollections help you take a break from your busy schedule to think about your life, your relationship with God and gain a fresh outlook. Includes exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, guided prayer, examination of conscience, confession, benediction and a talk. Bring your lunch for a get together afterward.
This spiritual activity, inspired by the writings of St. Josemaria Escriva, is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on the Prelature of Opus Dei go to https://opusdei.org/en-ca/. Should you have any questions, please contact Nadia at nadia.bagshaw@sympatico.ca or 613 584-9388.
Lift Jesus Higher Rally
The Lift Jesus Higher Rally (LJHR) is an annual event for Youth and Adults that focuses on evangelizing through uplifting music, testimonials, reflections, Divine Mercy celebration and Eucharistic Adoration. Tracks for adults ($25) and youth ($15) on Saturday March 4th, 2023, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto. For more information and registration go to: www.LJHR.ca.
2023 Bible in a Year Online Retreat
This three day online retreat with Jeff Cavins, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio will help attendees embrace their rich inheritance as sons and daughters of God. From February 11-13, 2023. Early bird discount $68.95US until January 17th. Visit https://ascensionpress.com/products/bible-in-a-year-retreat for more information.
OTHER
Funny in a GOoD Way!
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.