Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.
(Mark 3.31-35)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Mrs. Betty Margaret Barrett, mother of Deacon Christopher Barrett, who passed away on Monday, January 16th in her 94th year.
FROM THE CCCB
2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Tuesday, January 17 2023
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated January 18 to 25. Inaugurated in 1908, the event is now celebrated around the world on an annual basis. (Read more…)
Pope Francis’s Message for the 31st World Day of the Sick (11 February 2023)
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
“Indigenous art has been coveted ever since European contact with indigenous People. Explorers we instructed to collect “Exotic Curiosities” such as ceremonial regalia, clothing and tools. The desire to possess a piece of “wild” or “exotic” art, unfortunately, led to the manipulation of situations, or outright pillaging of communities, sometimes when they were at their most vulnerable and struggling with epidemics, famine or poverty…” Chief Robert Joseph
Supporting Indigenous Artists requires that one buys from reputable dealers who should readily have information about the artist, their community and their body of work.
Sales across Canada are rampant with “Knock Offs” which in no way support local artists.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth (Final Part)
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
This is the last part of the article Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth, which discusses principles that characterize missionary parishes. In this final part, we present principles seventeen to nineteen. (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.
Theology on Tap – CHANGE OF VENUE!!! Will take place in the private room at J&E’s Bored N’ Saucy, 185 Pembroke St. East, 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
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.
Annual Women’s Retreat
March 24 to 26, 2023 at the Graphite Bible Camp in Maynooth. Fr. Zachary Romanowsky and Cheryl Ann Smith from Madonna House will be leading the retreat. The cost is $175.00. For more information contact us at womensretreatcombermere@gmail.com or call/text Caitlin 613 316-0992 or Kristan 613 585-0579.