Young woman, I say to you, get up.
(Mark 5.21-43)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Ordo Liturgical Calendars 2022-23 (Booklets)
Ordo Liturgical Calendars for 2022-23 are presently available forpurchase 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)
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
RCCDSB and RCDSB present “The 2023 Indigenous Speaker Series – Speaker Cody Coyote
Next February Feature Speaker: Cody Coyote on Thursday, February 16th from 7-8 p.m. on Healing Through Art. ‘With this presentation, Cody Coyote speaks about how he found healing through art while overcoming bullying, racism, and certain life experiences. He also shares about his experiences as an intergenerational survivor of Canada’s 60’s Scoop. This presentation is an hour in duration and also includes live music from his album “Mamawi” and “Ma’iinganag”.’ To sign up for Cody’s presentation, please click here.
One Ojibway’s Meditations
Something that most do not understand about my people: when we stand up in acts of resistance to things that threaten our spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual well-being, it is not because we hate what is in front of us; it is because we love what is behind us. We love our homes, our families, our communities, our nations, our ceremonies, our teachings, our cultural ways, our histories and the land that those things spring from. In that, we are like anyone anywhere throughout the course of human history who has ever stood up to injustice. Stay Brown! Richard Wagamese, EMBERS One Ojibway’s Meditations
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
19 Pastoral Orientations for Parish Renewal and Growth
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
In the parables about the sower and the seed, the wheat and the weeds, and the mustard seed which is sown and then becomes a large plant, Jesus spoke to us about the growth of his kingdom. On earth, God’s kingdom is his Church and its mission is to make disciples. As God’s plan unfolds, the kingdom of God on earth will continue to grow through the apostolic efforts of its members and the power of the Holy Spirit. (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.
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. 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.
Mysteries of the Rosary
The Ministry of the Wild Goose and Paradisus Dei are excited to release Mysteries of the Rosary! Episode one (First Sorrowful Mystery) is available now on WILDGOOSE.TV to watch without signing in to make it easier for you to share this with friends and family! The remaining six episodes will be released on Ash Wednesday (February 22nd): https://wildgoose.tv/.
Adult Steubenville Summer Conferences
Registration is now open for Adult Steubenville Summer Conferences (2 in June, 3 in July). Go to: https://steubenvilleconferences.com/adult/ for more information.
OTHER
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College & The Don Bosco Drama Club present live theatre with “Candida”, a comedy by George Bernard Shaw
Considered by many to be the original situation comedy, Shaw’s drama about a brooding young poet’s infatuation with a married woman (Candida Morell) provokes realizations about the sacred bond of marriage and the proper aim of love, amidst all the laughter. Showtimes: Friday, February 10th, 7 p.m., Saturday, February 11th, 7 p.m., Sunday (matinee), February 12th, 1 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 406, 250 John St., Barry’s Bay. Tickets available at the door – Adults: $20, Students/Seniors: $12 (cash, cheque, etransfer only). Advance tickets – Adults: $15.35, Students: $11.70 (etransfer-only), Children under 6: Free, Family rate: $50. For more details contact candida@seatofwisdom.ca or call 613 756-3082.