You are the light of the world.
(Matthew 5.13-16)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Healing Service with Eucharistic Adoration
At St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish, 19450 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay on Tuesday, June 13th from 7-8:15 p.m. Guest speaker: Father Réal Ouellette. All are welcome!
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
Bishops of Canada Release Guidelines for Developing Policies on Indigenous-Related Records in Canadian Catholic Diocesan Archives – Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released guidelines to assist dioceses in developing their respective diocesan policies on Indigenous-related records. The guidelines are intended to guide those responsible for the development of the policies, such as bishops, chancellors, and archivists, as well as promote best practices for the care of, and access to, the archives of Catholic Dioceses across Canada. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
National Indigenous People’s Day Prayer Service
Brought to you by the Eganville Ministerial Group at the Eganville Centennial Park bandshell on Wednesday, June 21st at 4 p.m. Parking available at 50 Bonnechere St. West, Eganville.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Indigenous peoples have the right to manifest, practice, develop and teach their spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies; the right to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to their religious and cultural sites; the right to the use and control of their ceremonial objects; and the right to the repatriation of their human remains.
- States shall seek to enable the access and/or repatriation of ceremonial objects and human remains in their possession through fair, transparent and effective mechanisms developed in conjunction with indigenous peoples concerned.
Article 12 – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Evangelize with the Alpha Course
Step into a journey of faith exploration and become an evangelizer of God’s love! The Online Alpha Course awaits you every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Whether you’re a curious seeker or a steadfast believer, Alpha provides a secure and inclusive environment to seek answers, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and deepen your faith. Don’t pass up the chance to make a difference in someone’s life by extending an invitation to a friend or acquaintance who may be yearning for God’s love and transformation. Together, let’s embark on this remarkable journey of faith. Join us by clicking on the following Zoom link every Wednesday: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81378641646
Gather, Witness and Invite
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Becoming a missionary parish begins by organizing various prayer activities for the renewal of the parish and for the people we seek to reach. The next step is for parishioners to focus on building new relationships, opening channels of communication and creating an environment conducive to spiritual discussion. This is what is called pre-evangelization, which is the preliminary step in the process of sharing one’s faith with someone. Activities such as connecting with new people, bringing them together, witnessing to the Gospel, and inviting people are all part of pre-evangelization. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On July 6th, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, LaPasse – “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 J&E’s Bored N’ Saucy, 185 Pembroke St. East, Pembroke, on Tuesday, June 20th from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: John Paul Meenan, Theology professor at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College. Topic: “From the Flaming Swords of Eden to the Many Mansions of the Father’s House: A Theological discussion of Proper Notions of Exclusivity and Inclusivity”. 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
Join us at the Legion, 250 John St. Barry’s Bay, Friday, June 23rd at 7:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Dennis Buonafede (Sessional Instructor in Theology at OLSWC). Topic: Angels and Demons. 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. For more information about the Barry’s Bay Theology on Tap contact Kenton Biffert at kentonbiffert@gmail.com.
PRO-LIFE
First Step Options 2023 Baby Bottle Fundraising Campaign
From May 14th to June 18th. Fill our virtual bottle & bring hope. Donations of $20 or more will receive a receipt. E-transfers, cheques, or monthly donations accepted. For more information, please visit the website at www.firststepoptions.com, call 613 635-7440 or email fsocentre@gmail.com.
Faces of Abortion Tour
This summer, the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform is running a national pro-life tour across Canada. Speakers from CCBR will stop in Ottawa for a special evening event on “the faces of abortion.” Participants will learn how they can take action to make abortion unthinkable in Canada today! Please join us for this new program on Friday June 16th at 7 p.m. – Ottawa Reformed Presbyterian Church (466 Woodland Avenue, Ottawa, ON)! For more details and other stop locations visit endthekilling.ca/tour.
PARISH EVENTS
Blessing of the Boats on the Ottawa River
Boaters are invited to gather on the Ottawa River at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, LaPasse on Sunday, June 25th around 12:15 p.m. for the Blessing of the Boats.
Traditional Bazaar Supper (sea pie)
In Fort-Coulonge on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Doors open at 4 p.m. for eat-in or take-out. Cost: Adults: $25 – Children 6 to 12: $10, Children 0 to 5: free. On that same day (June 18), there will be a garage sale (fundraiser) for St-Pierre Parish in Fort-Coulonge.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Retreat day with Sisters of the Queenship of Mary (praise, worship, testimonies, lunch, and fellowship)
July 8th from 10 a.m – 4 p.m., Home of John & Anna Moreau – 995 Yakabuskie Rd. Westmeath (signs will be up). BBQ lunch will be provided, free will offering can be made. BYO lawn chair. Everyone of every age is welcome! RSVP by July 4th to jpplum@nrtco.net or text/call 613 633-6024.
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.
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: Bishop 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
CNEWA Team Makes Visit to Ukraine Amidst War
OTTAWA,June 8, 2023 — Key members of Catholic Near East Welfare Association’s team (CNEWA) back to the United States and Canada, following a powerful and enlightening visit to Ukraine.
CNEWA President Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, joined by the national director for CNEWA in Canada, Dr. Adriana Bara, and program officer Anna Dombrovska, visited the many humanitarian works of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church which are supported by CNEWA and funded by countless donors from across North America.
Since the Russian-led invasion in February of 2022, nearly $5.7 Million CDN has been disbursed by CNEWA Canada, thanks to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
The quick pastoral visit was both a visit of solidarity with the suffering of the people of Ukraine and an ongoing effort to demonstrate the prayerful support, informed awareness and extraordinary generosity of CNEWA’s donors to care for Ukrainians displaced by war to northwestern Ukraine.
Dr. Adriana Bara, National Director of CNEWA Canada, who accompanied the senior leadership team of CNEWA on their journey to Ukraine was grateful yet taken aback by the visit.
“The experience of being with our partners and the people of Ukraine during this most troubling time in their history was rewarding yet incredibly tragic,” she said.
Continue to learn about CNEWA’s work in Ukraine by visiting https://cnewa.org/ or following the organization on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cnewacanada), Twitter (@CnewaC) and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cnewacanada/.