On the day of judgment, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
(Matthew 11.20-24)
FROM THE DIOCESE
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 2nd to August 30th inclusively.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Mrs. Mona Rochefort, mother of Rev. Jean-Paul Rochefort, who passed away on July 14th after a brief illness at the age of 89 years old. Please keep Rev. Rochefort and the members of his family in your prayers.
Congratulations to Rev. Lukas Časta!
Congratulations to Rev. Lukas Časta who was ordained to the priesthood at St. Columbkille Cathedral on Saturday, June 29th (The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul). Please keep Father Časta in your prayers as he begins his faithful journey as parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Renfrew and Most Precious Blood Parish in Calabogie. The ordination can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZhyuHYj1bs.
Watch the interview with Fr. Lukas Časta in the days leading up to his ordination on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fXaMTMXyvs.
Reverend Michael Brehl, C.S.s.R. named the 10th Bishop of Pembroke
On June 11, 2024, Pope Francis appointed Rev. Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. as the 10th Bishop of Pembroke. The Episcopal Ordination will be held at St. Columbkille Cathedral on Thursday, August 15, 2024 (The Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary) at 10 a.m. All are welcome!
Calling All Singers!
All are welcome to join the Diocesan Choir for the Episcopal Ordination of Rev. Father Michael Brehl at St. Columbkille on Thursday, August 15th at 10 a.m. Please contact Nick Walters, Director of Music, at nwalters34@gmail.com or 613 433-4729 to confirm your participation and to receive additional information.
84th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac – Sunday, July 28th
The Triduum of preparation led by Father Ryan Holly, Diocesan Administrator will be Thursday to Saturday, July 25th-27th. The principal Pilgrimage Mass will be held on Sunday, July 28th at 11 a.m. at the Shrine. A Mass of healing with the Anointing of St. Ann’s oil will be celebrated at 2 p.m. (Please bring your own seating). St. Ann’s religious articles, St. Ann’s Mass League memberships, food and refreshment vendors will be on site. For more information visit the website at https://cormacpilgrimage.com/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CormacStAnn.
Walk the Opeongo Line to St. Ann’s Shrine
From July 25th to July 28th. Join pilgrims from all ages (7-77) in this life-changing, 4-day journey from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Renfrew to St. Ann’s Shrine, Cormac. Walk, pray, sing and camp your way to St. Ann’s! For more information, or to register, visit the website at https://walktheopeongoline.org/.
Pastoral Appointments
Visit https://pembrokediocese.com/article/pastoral-appointments-june-2024/ for a complete list of appointments dated June 7, 2024.
FROM THE CCCB
CCCB Triennial Forum for Dialogues concludes with Strategic Ecumenical Vision – Thursday, July 11 2024
Ottawa, 11 July 2024 – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has successfully concluded its Triennial Forum for Dialogues at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Scarborough, Ontario. Held from June 27-29, 2024, the Forum brought together Catholic participants from various CCCB-sponsored bilateral dialogues – both ecumenical and interfaith – together with diocesan/eparchial ecumenical officers from across the country, in order to take steps towards a comprehensive national ecumenical & interfaith strategy. (Read more…)
Episcopal Appointment for the Diocese of Pembroke
11 June 2024 – Ottawa – His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Reverend Father Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., presently Provincial Superior of the Redemptorist of Canada, as the new Bishop of Pembroke. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
The Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples promotes the full and effective implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and we urge that:
Courts and human rights tribunals use the Declaration as a relevant and persuasive source in interpreting Indigenous human rights and related state obligations.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Alpha Canada
We are excited to announce the release of Reigniting Hope: Sharing the Good News in Canada! This report, produced in partnership with Flourishing Congregations, reveals unexpected and encouraging findings about the spiritual health of our nation. Over 70% of leaders across Canada are witnessing an increased spiritual curiosity in their communities. Download the report here .
The Alpha Canada Team
From Decline to Renewal: The Transformation of New Life Church-Farmington
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
The New Life Church, located in Farmington, rests upon a small, two-lane roadway in a rural setting. It needs extra signage for visitors to find it. When Pastor Kevin Kappler became its pastor in 2013, average Sunday attendance was around 40 people, down from a peak of nearly 200 a few years earlier. The church was in debt from the partially finished construction of a new metal building, undertaken when the church was experiencing a season of rapid growth. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
August 1st from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius Parish, Maynooth. 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
Marriage Preparation Program
The Fall Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, October 5th and Saturday, October 19th, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew. Deadline to register is October 1st. Register online at https://www.jotform.com/yvettebourque/marriageprep. E-transfers of $100/couple can be made to donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com, or mail cheques to Diocese of Pembroke, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. For inquiries, please contact Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 585-6301.
NETWORK Leader Seminars
Join Ignite Ministry Canada this Fall for “NETWORK” Leader Seminars! As a program of the Redemptorists and Ignite Ministry Canada, these seminars provide formation for leaders and volunteers involved with youth, young adult and family ministry. Learn more here! To register please visit NETWORK LEADER SEMINARS – REGISTRATION 2024-2025 Survey (surveymonkey.com).
PARISH EVENTS
St. Michael’s Parish Fundraiser Dance
Come on out for an evening of great music, dancing and fun! Friday, July 19th from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Cobden Agricultural Hall. Music by Louis Schryer, Erin Leahy, Siobheann Donohue, and Xavier Leahy. Callers Chanda Leahy and Jackson Corry. Square Dance, Swing and Step Dancing. Cash Bar. Late Lunch included. $20 per person or $60 for a Family; Students $15. Tickets available at Olmstead’s Home Hardware in Cobden and at the door. Contact St. Michael’s Parish at 613 649-2450 or dco.parishes@outlook.com for more information.
Parish Supper
On Sunday, July 28th at Ste-Bernadette Parish, Bonfield, ON. Take-out Sea Pie & Beans, Raffle Draw.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Encounter Ministries Summer Intensives
- Ottawa: Evenings, July 22-25th, https://encounterottawacampus.regfox.com/encounter-ottawa-2024-summer-intensive
- Toronto: Evenings, July 29-Aug.1st, https://encounterschooltoronto.regfox.com/encounter-toronto-summer-intensive
67th Annual Pilgrimage – Our Lady of Knock Shrine
Our Lady of Knock Shrine at St. Malachy’s Church in Mayo, Quebec, will be holding our annual pilgrimage on Sunday, August 18th to honour Our Lady’s apparition at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland on August 21, 1879. The Eucharist will be celebrated in English by Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe (Bishop Emeritus of Sault St. Marie and Ottawa native), assisted by Father Greg Murray of St. Malachy’s parish. Info: http://stmalachyolv.com/pilgrimage.asp. Contact: Mrs. Ellen Butler 819 986-3860; Mrs. Virginia Sellers 819 281-6490. mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
150th Anniversary of the Annual Pilgrimage to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Our Lady of the Cape
From the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Pembroke, Mont-Laurier/St-Jérôme, Kingston and Gatineau on August 10-11, 2024. Our Weekend Celebrants: Archbishops Marcel Damphousse, Terrence Prendergast, Guy Desrochers, and Bishops Yvan Mathieu, Raymond Poisson, and Pierre Goudreault. This may be the last Annual Pilgrimage due to health issues with the Rector of the Shrine and Mr. Mike Budge. For registration and information contact: mike.budge@bell.net. See poster at Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre | Annual Pilgrimage.
“Awaken Your People That the World May Believe”
All day retreat with speakers, Worship, Prayer Ministry, Testimonies at St. Mary’s Parish, Ottawa, on Saturday, August 24th. Cost: $35/person or $60/couple. Registration at BIT.LY/4BTWRBW.
OTHER
13th Wojtyla Summer Institute
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is happy to announce that registration is open for the Wojtyla Summer Institute, August 8-11. This year’s theme on “Literature and the Catholic Imagination,” with the keynote address by Dr. Randy Boyagoda, will consider various works and eras of literature and their importance for Catholic readers. To learn more and to register, please visit www.seatofwisdom.ca.
Pilgrimage of Peace to Medjugorje
With Father Albert MacPherson O.S.A. Augustinian Healing Ministry from September 28 to October 9, 2024. Price: $2,875.00 (includes all taxes, air fares, room & board, side trips and gratuities). For additional information please contact Jack or Patricia Duggan at 613 756-2655, or email blackfishbay@bell.net or dugganpatricia@bell.net.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Chaplaincy Lead Position – St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, Renfrew
Attention all job seekers! An exciting opportunity awaits you at the St. Joseph’s High School. They are currently looking for a qualified Candidate for the position of “Chaplaincy Lead Position“. To apply or learn more about the job specifics, please visit Permanent Chaplaincy Leader (1.0 FTE) | Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (applytoeducation.com). Application deadline: August 12, 2024. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives. Apply today!