Love your enemies.
(Matthew 5.43-48)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Retirement of Mrs. Yvette Bourque
We wish to inform you of the forthcoming retirement of Yvette Bourque as of June 27, 2025.
Yvette began her employment at the Chancery in November 2006, and for over 18 years she has served the Diocese of Pembroke as Director of Marriage, Family Life and Youth Ministry.
Please join the Diocese in prayers and best wishes as Yvette begins this new chapter in her life.
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.
More pastoral appointments can be found at Pastoral Appointments – May 2025 – Diocese of Pembroke.
Walk The Opeongo Line, July 24-27, 2025
Join pilgrims from across the diocese and beyond for a 4-day journey from Our Lady of Fatima, Renfrew to St. Ann’s Shrine, Cormac. It’s an experience that merits many blessings and wonderful memories. For more information and to register, visit: walktheopeongoline.org. The deadline for registration is Sunday, June 29th. Click for a PDF of the poster.
FROM THE CCCB
A Call to Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land and the Middle East During the Month of the Sacred Heart – Friday, June 13 2025
Amid the rising tensions and violence in the Middle East, the Catholic faithful in Canada are reminded of the urgent need to pray for peace. During this month—dedicated in the Latin Church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—we have a unique opportunity to seek the Lord’s mercy, healing, and peace for our divided world. (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 Calendar of Major Events
Jubilee 2025 – Diocese of Pembroke
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Wisdom to Wellness
This program is designed to immerse participants into Indigenous cultural teachings and protocols. Through a series of enlightening sessions, individuals will engage with a variety of teachings deeply rooted in Indigenous wisdom and traditions. The program focuses on fostering a profound understanding of cultural values, reciprocity to the land, and the significance of Indigenous protocols in various ceremonies and gatherings. These teachings will be integrated into other programs held at Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation. Email us at info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com or visit the website at www.mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com for more information. Next date: Wednesday, June 25th.
Women’s Circles
Time to connect with other women, supporting one another on our healing journey. Bringing together culture and community. Next Drumming Circle: June 19th. Visit the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation website at www.mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com, call 613 281-7969, or email at info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com.
Men’s Circles
Time to connect with other men, supporting one another on our healing journey. Bringing together culture and community. Next Drumming: June 23rd – Next Talking Circle: June 30th. Visit the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation website at www.mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com, call 613 281-7969, or email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com.
Community Drumming
Immerse yourself in the heartbeat of the hand drum as we come together in community to learn and sing once a month, on Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm. Bring you personal drum. Limited supply available for those who do not have one. Visit the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation website at www.mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com or email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com for more information. Next date: Wednesday, June 18th.
Acudetox Acupuncture
Encouraging community wellness for behavioural health including addictions, mental health, emotional trauma, PTSD, and anxiety. 6 weekly sessions on Mondays from 9am-10am (except holidays), May 26th – June 30th, 2025. To register or for more information, please email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com.
EVANGELIZATION
Following Christ: A Blessing or a Burden?
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Imagine standing at the edge of an uncharted path, uncertain of what lies ahead. You’ve heard whispers of its beauty, tales of those who have walked it before, and the promise that, despite the challenges, it leads to something greater than you could ever imagine. But hesitation lingers—what if the journey is too difficult? What if the cost is too high? (Read more…)
FAITH FORMATION
Feast of Corpus Christi
Please join us as we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi at St. Columbkille’ s Cathedral on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Eucharistic Celebration at 10:30am with a short Procession to follow with Hymns and Adoration. For more information, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
PRO-LIFE
Save the Date for the First Step Options’ 2025 Fall Concert
The 3rd annual “Breath of Hope” concert will be held at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, October 4th. Stay tuned for more details!
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Development & Peace Annual Meeting
Join the Development and Peace Diocesan Council’s year-end event on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at St. Columbkille Cathedral. Dinner at 5:30pm, Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm. Guest Speaker: Nagui Demain, who has worked as a program officer for D&P focussed on North Africa and the Middle East. Please RSVP kirish@devp.org or call 613 735-9644 or jtlemay@sympatico.ca or call 613 432-9161 by June 17th. This meeting will also be accessible via Zoom.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Permission: Fr. Bob Bedard’s Vision for the Church
PERMISSION: Fr. Bob Bedard’s Vision for the Church: Premiere of New Film on Fr. Bob Bedard draws capacity crowd at National Museum of History. Free online screenings begin now: https://www.permissionthefilm.com/payitforward.
Join the Development and Peace Diocesan Council’s year-end event on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at St. Columbkille Cathedral. Dinner at 5:30pm, Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm. Guest Speaker: Nagui Demain, who has worked as a program officer for D&P focussed on North Africa and the Middle East. Please RSVP kirish@devp.org or call 613 735-9644 or jtlemay@sympatico.ca or call 613 432-9161 by June 17th. This meeting will also be accessible via Zoom.
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
A discernment weekend in Quebec at the monastery of Abbey of Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes on October 17-19, 2025.
The purpose of the weekend will be to expose young women to an experience of contemplative life and to take some time away with God to discern His will. There will be daily mass and confession available, with the possibility of spiritual direction. Also included is a visit to the Queenship of Mary Sisters in Ottawa to learn about the active religious life and how these young women discerned their vocation.
There is 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
EMPLOYMENT AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers Needed at The Grind Pembroke
Volunteers are needed to assist The Grind Pembroke with their breakfast program Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 10:00am. Please call The Grind at 613 732-9423 if you would like to make a difference in our community!
OTHER
“Be Still and Know that I Am God” – Stillpoint House of Prayer
Join facilitator Clarissa Boyce, Chaplin, Spiritual Director, Artist and Potter on Saturday, June 28th from 9am to noon. Spend your morning in peaceful reflection. Cost: $40 per person including welcome coffee and baked goods. Contact Corrien at inquiries@stillpoint.ca or call 613 432-2791 to register or for more information.
“Pilgrims of Hope” Young Adult Summer Program
Join Madonna House Apostolate in Combermere for the following Pilgrims of Hope Young Adult Summer Programs 2025:
- June 29-July 5 – Hope for the World
- July 6-12 – Hope for Christ’s Church
- July 13-19 – Hope for my Sisters and Brothers
- 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.