The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.
(Matthew 9.32-38)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Appointment of Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R, as Archbishop of Moncton, New Brunswick – Saturday, July 8, 2023
His Holiness Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau as Archbishop of Moncton and has appointed Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, currently Bishop of Pembroke, as his successor. (Read more…)
Summer Office Hours
The Diocesan Offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and will close at noon every Friday from July 4th to September 1st inclusively.
News from the Synod on Synodality
The secretariat for the synod has published the working document, known by its Latin title Instrumentum Laboris, for the first session of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality that will be held in the Vatican, Oct. 4 to Oct. 29. (Read More)
Pilgrimage to Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac
On Sunday, July 30th with Archbishop-Elect Guy Desrochers. The three day triduum is led by Fr. Réal Ouellette; the theme of the Pilgrimage will be “Living a Daily Life with the Holy Trinity.” The principal Pilgrimage Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers presiding. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction will occur at 1 p.m. Area priests will be assisting with Confessions and the blessing with St. Ann’s oil. Religious articles, St. Ann’s Mass League memberships, and information, please visit https://cormacpilgrimage.com/.
Walk The Opeongo Line, July 27-30, 2023
Join pilgrims from ages 7-77 in this life changing, 4-day journey from Our Lady of Fatima, Renfrew to St. Ann’s Shrine, Cormac. This will be our 5th year making the 67km walk! It’s an experience that merits many blessings and many wonderful memories. For more information and to register, visit: Pilgrimage to St. Ann’s Shrine – 2023 Pilgrimage (walktheopeongoline.org)
FROM THE CCCB
Episcopal Resignation and Appointment for the Archdiocese of Moncton – Saturday, July 8, 2023
His Holiness Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau as Archbishop of Moncton and has appointed Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, currently Bishop of Pembroke, as his successor. (Read more…)
Canadian and U.S. Bishops’ Conferences Welcome Holy See’s Announcement of North American Delegates to the October 2023 Synod of Bishops – Friday, July 07 2023
OTTAWA – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) welcomed the news from the Holy See’s General Secretariat of the Synod of the delegates appointed for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held this October. The two episcopal conferences serve as the coordinating entities for the North American region for the Synod, which is themed, For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The first session of the Synod will be held at the Vatican on 4-29 October 2023, and the second session is scheduled to be held in October 2024. (Read more…)
Death of The Most Reverend François Thibodeau, C.J.M. – Tuesday, July 4, 2023
The Bishop Emeritus of Edmundston, the Most Reverend François Thibodeau, C.J.M., passed away on Monday, 26 June 2023 at the Résidence Domaine Mahonia in Quebec City. He was 83 years of age. He had lived in the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (also known as the Eudists) of Quebec since the end of his ministry as the fifth Bishop of Edmundston in 2009, when he was succeeded by the Most Reverend Claude Champagne, O.M.I. (Read more…)
CCCB Promotional Video – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
Ottawa – The CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life, with its corresponding Office, released a 30-second promotional video supporting the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to take place on Sunday, 23 July 2023. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Indigenous peoples have the right to establish their own media in their own languages and to have access to all forms of non-indigenous media without discrimination.
- States shall take effective measures to ensure that State-owned media duly reflect indigenous cultural diversity. States, without prejudice to ensuring full freedom of expression, should encourage privately owned media to adequately reflect indigenous cultural diversity.
Article 16 – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Evangelize with the Alpha Course
Join us every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. for the Online Alpha Course! Whether you’re a curious seeker or a steadfast believer, Alpha offers a safe and welcoming space to explore life’s big questions, engage in captivating discussions, and strengthen your faith. Invite a friend or acquaintance who may be in need of God’s love and transformation. Simply click on this Zoom link to join us: Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81378641646.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Questions to Start Spiritual Conversations
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
To bring up the topic of spiritual matters and encourage individuals to contemplate God and their personal relationship with Him, asking questions during conversations can be highly effective. This approach to sharing the faith offers several advantages. To start with, purposeful questions can guide the discussion towards matters of faith, stimulating individuals to consider their own spirituality. Secondly, they provide a non-intrusive and respectful way to address topics such as prayer, church, sacraments, and more. Through these questions, we invite others to share their thoughts and experiences, thereby creating an environment conducive to open and sincere dialogue. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On August 3rd, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Renfrew – “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 Holy Hour will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by Fr. Murray, a Rosary for vocations, and time for silent prayer. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. For more information and details please visit Pembroke Vocations.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Theology on Tap – PEMBROKE
Join us at FRESCO’s patio tent, 660 Pembroke St. East, Pembroke, on Thursday, July 20th from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Veronica Ferri, a priest and a layman, all from Madonna House. Topic: “How and why to strive for a life of Purity in this current age.” This is a new initiative of the Family Life and Youth Ministry Office and is geared for those age 19 – 49 (ish). 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. To receive an e-mail each month with date, speaker and location, please contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
Theology on Tap – BARRY’S BAY
Presentations will begin again in September.
PARISH EVENTS
End of an Era – The Sisters of Charity Honoured for their 145 Years of Service in the Community
Paroisse Ste- Anne Parish is hosting a special event to honour the Sisters of Charity for their ministry and charitable work in Mattawa on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Throughout the years, the Sisters of Charity’s dedication enriched the Mattawa community and have provided many essential services at Mattawa Hospital, Algonquin Nursing Home, Mattawa & Area Food Bank and Catholic schools. Their departure will leave a huge hole in the Mattawa parish and community. For a list of the day’s events and more information, please contact Gerry Therrien at gerrytherrien23@gmail.com or 705 744-2884, or Laura Connor at lauramattawa@outlook.com or 705 218-1001.
Recollection for Women
Recollection for Women at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pembroke on Thursday, July 20th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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, please contact Nadia at nadia.bagshaw@sympatico.ca or 613 584-9388.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
This Montessori-based (experiential learning) and child-centered catechetical program offers children a deep engagement of Scripture and Liturgy, to facilitate the child’s encounter with the Mystery of God and Our Lord, the Good Shepherd. A level 1 (ages 3-6) program is offered at St. Hedwig’s Parish in Barry’s Bay, and there is planning underway to offer the program in Pembroke at Our Lady of Lourdes. To learn more about this beautiful program for our young children, visit cgsac.ca (The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada), or contact Maria Reilander at st.hedwigs.cgs@gmail.com or 613 756-0528.
As we prepare for the program at Our Lady of Lourdes, we welcome any volunteer carpenters or crafters to assist in creating the hands-on materials for this unique program. Please contact Maria Reilander (contact info above) for more information.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for July 2023
For a Eucharistic life – We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming human relationships in a very deep way and opening to the encounter with God and all their brothers and sisters.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
2023 Catholic Family Retreat – August 5, 6 & 7!
Calling all Catholic Families! The 2023 Catholic Family Retreat will be hosted on Saturday, August 5th, Sunday, August 6th, and Monday, August 7th at Sacred Way Farm (745 Kells Road, Powassan, Ontario) with Retreat Leaders Ken & Janelle Yasinski! Join us for prayer, worship, Adoration, family games, activities and inspiring talks. Optional camping on site is available too. For more information, a complete itinerary of the weekend events, and to register your family, please visit: https://holynamestalphonsus.com/familyretreat. The 2023 Catholic Family Retreat is proudly presented by Holy Name of Jesus Church, North Bay, St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, Callander and Sacred Way Ministries.
Annual Pilgrimage, Sunday August 13th
For the 66th time, and the first since the pandemic, Our Lady of Knock Shrine at St. Malachy’s Church in Mayo, Quebec, will be holding a pilgrimage to honour Our Lady’s apparition at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland on August 21, 1879. The Eucharist will be celebrated in English by Monsignor Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, assisted by Father Greg Murray of Saint Malachy’s Parish. Info: http://stmalachyolv.com Contact: Mrs. Ellen Butler 819-986-3860; Mrs. Virginia Sellers 819-281-6490. mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
149th Annual Pilgrimage – Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Our Lady of the Cape from August 12-13, 2023
Buses will depart from the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, Pembroke, Mont-Laurier/St-Jérôme and Kingston August 12, 2023. Weekend celebrant: Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers. For departure locations, cost and other information, please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or mike.budge@bell.net.
Marian Pilgrimage
Father Réal Ouellette has the great pleasure and honour of accompanying a Marian Pilgrimage to Lourdes (France), Compostela (Spain), and Fatima and Lisbon (Portugal) from October 25th to November 6th 2023. For more info: https://spiritours.com/en/product/france-spain-portugal-acn/.
OTHER
CGS Catechist Training
Level 1A Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training is being offered in Ottawa this July 13-18. Visit cgsac.ca/courses-1 for more information, or contact Maria Reilander at st.hedwigs.cgs@gmail.com or 613 756-0528.if you would like to learn more about becoming a catechist. New catechists are needed as we offer this program for our young children.
St. Joseph House (Madonna House) Open House
St. Joseph House (Madonna House) Combermere invites you to an Open House to celebrate our 60th anniversary on Sunday July 16th, 1-4 p.m. All are welcome. Donations of finger food would be appreciated.