On the Day of Judgment, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
(Matthew 11.20-24)
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Message to the Clergy, Religious Communities, and Catholic Faithful of the Diocese of Pembroke
July 14, 2023
Dear Brother Priests and Deacons,
Members of Religious Communities,
and Catholic Faithful,
On June 26, the first day of a planned short vacation, I received an unexpected call from the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, His Excellency Archbishop Ivan Jurković. He informed me that Pope Francis had appointed me as the new Archbishop of Moncton. This news came as a great surprise, considering my relatively short time as the shepherd of the Diocese of Pembroke, which spans only three years. On that day, I recognized that the Lord, in His divine providence, had been mysteriously preparing me for this significant turning point in my life. Allow me to share an excerpt from the beginning of the first reading, which I read on June 26: “The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land I will show you.’ “(Read more…)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Volunteers Needed for St. Ann’s Pilgrimage
The Cormac Pilgrimage Committee seeks volunteers and students looking to earn community hours to assist with set up on July 22nd at 9 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church in Cormac. There are other tasks during that week that your help is needed with….. Please contact Tom Holly at 613 401-5391 or by email at tahollyandy@yahoo.com. or call/email St. James Parish office 613 628-2020 or secretarystjames@gmail.com.
Appointment of Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R, as Archbishop of Moncton, New Brunswick
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
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
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…)
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 individuals and peoples have the right to enjoy fully all rights established under applicable international and domestic labour law.
- States shall in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples take specific measures to protect indigenous children from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development, taking into account their special vulnerability and the importance of education for their empowerment.
- Indigenous individuals have the right not to be subjected to any discriminatory conditions of labour and, inter alia, employment or salary.
Article 17 – 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!
Evangelizing Through Random Acts of Kindness
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Performing random acts of kindness is a powerful way to live our faith and make a deep and positive impact on others. By genuinely demonstrating love, compassion, and generosity, we touch people’s hearts, inspire curiosity, and reveal the genuine face of Christianity to the world.(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
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.
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/.