Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?
(John 20.1, 11-18)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Help Needed – 2025 Cormac Pilgrimage
We are seeking energetic volunteers to help on Monday, July 28th at 6pm to help “take down.” High school students looking for community hours are more than welcome! If interested, please contact Tom Holly at 613 401-2244 or contact St. James Parish Office at 613 628-2020.
Summer Office Hours
The Diocesan Offices will be open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and will close at noon every Friday from July 2nd to Labour Day Weekend.
Pastoral Appointments
The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral appointments:
- Reverend Daniel Janulewicz, O.M.I., concludes his ministry in the Diocese of Pembroke, effective 31 August 2025 to assume a new assignment from his religious community. Bishop Brehl wishes to thank Father Daniel for his ministry in Round Lake and Wilno.
- Reverend Miroslaw Olszewski, O.M.I., is appointed as Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Wilno and St. Casimir Parish, Round Lake. This appointment is effective September 1, 2025.
FROM THE CCCB
Young People from Canada to Gather in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth 2025 – Wednesday, July 16 2025
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is pleased to announce that a special gathering of young people from Canada will take place in Rome on Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at the church Santa Andrea dell Valle (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 00186 Roma RM, Italy) during the Jubilee of Youth (28 July to 3 August 2025) organized as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations. (Read more…)
CCCB Publishes Promotional Video for the 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (2025)
The CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life, in collaboration with its Office for Family and Life, has released a one-minute promotional video to mark the fifth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, taking place on Sunday, 27 July 2025.
The CCCB video illustrates the beauty of intergenerational relationships, portraying children engaging with their grandparents both digitally and in person, as well as spending time with “adopted grandparents” – seniors in their community welcomed as part of the family.
This annual observance was instituted by Pope Francis in 2021 and is celebrated by the universal Church on or near the liturgical Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus. The theme, chosen by Pope Francis earlier this year, is “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2).
The faithful are encouraged to view and share the video within their families, parishes, and communities, and to make use of the other resources made available to support the celebration of this Day.
Resources:
The video and related materials, including suggestions of concrete actions and activities for parishes and families can be found on the CCCB webpage for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2025 at the following link: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/family-and-life/grandparents-and-the-elderly/
THE SYNOD
News of the Synod (2025-07-16)
The General Secretariat of the Synod released “Pathways for the Implementation of the Synod”, which provides “an interpretive key for understanding the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality.” (Read more…)
JUBILEE 2025
85th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac and Diocesan Celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope
85th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac and Diocesan Celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope will take place on Sunday, July 27th, 2025. The Triduum of Preparation and Pilgrimage Sunday will be led by Bishop Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., Bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke. The principal Pilgrimage Mass will be at 11:00am at the Shrine. A Mass of Healing with the Anointing of St. Ann’s oil will be celebrated at 2:00pm. The Sacraments of Confession is available throughout the day. Pilgrims have the opportunity of availing of the Jubilee Indulgence. On site: St. Ann’s religious articles and other religious articles, St. Ann’s Mass League memberships, food and refreshments vendors (Please bring your own seating.). Triduum Masses on Thursday, July 24th, Friday, July 25th and Saturday, July 26th at 7:00pm each evening. For more information: http://www.cormacpilgrimage.com or http://www.facebook.com/CormacStAnn. Welcome everyone!
JUBILEE 2025 PILGRIMAGE (151st Annual Pilgrimage) to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap – August 9–10, 2025
JUBILEE 2025 PILGRIMAGE (151st Annual Pilgrimage) to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap – August 9–10, 2025, for the dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Pembroke, Gatineau, and neighbouring dioceses. The weekend will be spiritually led by Archbishop Emeritus Terrence Prendergast, and Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix will preside on Saturday, August 9th. The cost remains the same as last year and includes transportation by chartered bus, overnight accommodations, continental breakfast on Sunday morning, and a banquet lunch following the 11:00am Mass. For information or to register, please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or by email at mikebudge20@rogers.com. Space is very limited. Please register as soon as possible.
The Church and Holy Well at Mount St. Patrick is the designated pilgrim site for the Jubilee Indulgence on the Solemnity of the Assumption, Thursday, August 15, 2025
A Summer Morning of Prayer at the Mountain will take place at St. Patrick Parish, Mount St. Patrick, on August 15th starting at 10:00am. The morning will begin with a Rosary Procession starting at the Holy Well and concluding at St. Patrick Church. There will be a Holy Hour during which the Sacrament of Confession will be available. The morning will conclude with the celebration of Holy Mass for the Jubilee Year of the Incarnation and the Jubilee Blessing and Indulgence. A BBQ will conclude the time of prayer and fellowship. All are welcome. For further information, contact Our Lady of Fatima Parish: 613 432-8525. Please see https://pembrokediocese.com/article/jubilee-2025-indulgence-en/ for more information about the graces of the Jubilee Indulgence.
Jubilee 2025 Calendar of Major Events
https://pembrokediocese.com/jubilee-2025/
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Indigenous Palliative Care
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation’s palliative care program seeks to bridge the gap between community and Western medicine. Culturally specific care to complement medical care received in the final months, weeks and days of life are offered. Any Indigenous person or their spouse in the Renfrew County and area, regardless of status, is eligible for these services without cost. For more information, please contact the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation at 519 803-5762 or info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com.
EVANGELIZATION
Those Who Understand the Heart of Jesus Will Engage in Evangelization
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
“The heart of Jesus aches for the lost — for every soul wandering in darkness, unaware of His love. His is a heart that seeks, pursues, and never gives up, burning with mercy and longing to bring each one home to the Father.” (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
August 7th from 6:30-7:30pm at St. John Chrysostom Parish, Arnprior. 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.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Our Lady of Knock Annual Pilgrimage
For the 68th time, Our Lady of Knock Shrine at St. Malachy’s Church in Mayo, Quebec (a 50-minute drive from Ottawa), will be holding its annual pilgrimage to honour Our Lady’s apparition at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland. The Eucharist will be celebrated in English at 11:00am on Sunday, August 10th by Archbishop Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, assisted by Father Greg Murray of St. Malachy’s parish.
Info: http://stmalachyolv.com/pilgrimage.asp Contact: mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
16th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
At St. Michael Catholic High School, Kemptville, on Saturday, October 4th from 9am – 3:30pm. Theme: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Keynote speaker: Angèle Regnier. Visit www.womensfallretreat.com to register.
Women’s Discernment Weekend
At the monastery of Abbey of Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes on October 17-19, 2025. Limited space available – registrations will be at a first-come first served basis. The cost is $150 for the weekend. Please contact Mary-Kate Long at marykatelong210@gmail.com for more information.
To register: https://forms.gle/8bvDCtsPqAKZNkkTA.
OTHER
Totus Tuus Ministries – “Catechism Test”
For those interested in the Catechism, an interesting challenge: Totus Tuus Ministries’ Catechism Exam, which gives you seven tests to cover the entire Catechism.
“Pilgrims of Hope” Young Adult Summer Program
Join Madonna House Apostolate in Combermere for the following Pilgrims of Hope Young Adult Summer Programs 2025:
- July 20-26 – Hope for my Present Moment
- July 27-August 2 – Hope for my Future
To register or for more information, please contact Madonna House at 613 756-3713 or info@madonnahouse.org.
Encounter School of Ministry
The Encounter School of Ministry Summer Intensive is a powerful experience that helps bridge the gap between the everyday experience of many believers and the supernatural lifestyle of Jesus and the early Church after Pentecost. It provides a survey of the content offered in the first four quarters of the Encounter School of Ministry covering the following topics:
- Identity & Transformation; Hearing God’s Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- Power & Healing; Inner Healing & Freedom.
Cost: $60
Ottawa Campus: evening/day July 25, 26 https://encounterottawacampus.regfox.com/encounter-ottawa-2025-summer-intensive-
Kingston Campus: 4 evenings August 11-14 https://ourladyofdivinefire.regfox.com/2025-summer-intensive.
Fall 2025 Classes – Assumption University
Receive a graduate diploma in Catholic Studies (online) at one of Canada’s most historic universities! A completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a cumulative average of 70% required. Scholarships available! Visit https://assumptionu.ca/ for a complete list of Fall 2025 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca or call 519-973-7033. Deadline to apply: August 15th at noon.
Pilgrimage of Peace to Medjugorje
From September 30th to October 10th, 2025. Price: $3,125.00 (includes taxes, air fare, room & board, side trips and gratuities). Deadline to register: September 9th. To register or for more information, contact Jack Duggan at 613 756-2655, email blackfishbay@bell.net or Lois Losole at 613 318-4756, email lelosole@gmail.com.