Love your enemis.
(Matthew 5.43-48)
FROM THE DIOCESE
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)
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Mr. Charles Lund, grandfather of Fr. Michael Lund, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 11th at the age of 93.
FROM THE CCCB
CCCB Promotional Video – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023 – Wednesday, June 14 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
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.
National Indigenous Day
Tomorrow, June 21st, is NATIONAL INDIGENOUS DAY here in Canada. A day for all of us to ponder and to pray for the gist of healing. As we ponder the sad reality of History, the expression of regret expressed by Pope Francis, and his plea for forgiveness, we on this day ask God for the grace of insight. We are reminded by those who live in woundedness that it took seven generations to get to this point. May God inspire us to journey forward seeking reconciliation. May it not take another seven generations to learn how to welcome each other as members of one family, the Human Family.
Many will remember the adage…do not criticize another person until you have walked a mile in his moccasins. As we ponder this saying may we take it to heart and pray for hearts that ponder hope.
Creator God
From you every family in heaven and on earth takes it name.
You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant of love,
and empowered us by your spirit to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership,
May be strengthened and guided
to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ.
Who is our light and our life. Amen.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons.
- States shall take effective measures to ensure that this right is protected and also to ensure that indigenous peoples can understand and be understood in political, legal and administrative proceedings, where necessary through the provision of interpretation or by other appropriate means.
Article 13 – 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
Spreading the Gospel One Act at a Time
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Evangelization, at its core, is an expression of love rooted in our faith as followers of Christ. It is not merely a responsibility but a heartfelt calling to share the Good News with others, extending the transformative and saving power of God’s love. To fulfill this mission, we should cultivate our social skills, honing our ability to engage meaningfully with the people around us. (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.
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.
The Pauline Books & Media Centre
The Pauline Books & Media Centre is bringing a mini-Bookcentre to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Pembroke. Join the Daughters of St. Paul after the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil and 9:00 a.m. Sunday Masses on July 8-9 to choose from an excellent selection of Catholic books for children, youth & adults, including Bibles, Bible stories, saints, spirituality, prayerbooks and faith formation! Select gift items and DVD movies will also be available. The Book Fair will be open before and after each Mass. Visit our webstore at www.paulinestore.ca or call us at 416-781-9131 for special requests. We look forward to seeing you there!
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Webinar on Somalia
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada is organizing a webinar on Somalia at 7 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Programs officer Dominique Godbout recently visited Somalia, where she toured the refugee camps, met our partners, saw their work up close and spoke to many people whose lives have been touched by the projects we support.
During the webinar, Dominique and Stéphane Vinhas, international programs director, will provide an update on the situation in Somalia, where the plight of millions of people facing food insecurity is often forgotten or ignored. They will also explain how, fighting impossible odds, our partners are keeping people and their hopes alive and what we, as individuals and a country, can do to help.
This represents a wonderful opportunity for your communities to learn more about Somalia and how they can express their solidarity with the Somali people. So, please do all you can to promote this event through your diocesan newsletters, communiqués, announcements and social media channels. Please see link to the Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/13JNTT15f.
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: 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
Madonna House Apostolate – New Website!
Friends, we are thrilled to announce that we launched our new website! Come visit us at Madonna House Apostolate – a Catholic Community. Find quick access to valuable resources, connections, and ways to be part of “restoring all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1.10)
Children’s Musical – “Sleeping Beauty”
Please join us for a musical production of Sleeping Beauty featuring over thirty children from the diocese. The show runs on Thursday, June 22nd at 7 p.m. and Friday, June 23rd at 3 p.m. at the Eagles Nest (178 Jane Street) in Eganville. Entrance is by free will donation, with soft drinks and snacks available for purchase. Please email ottawavalleymusicals@gmail.com or call 343 369-8739 to reserve seats. Thank you for your support!
St. Joseph House (Madonna House) Open House
St. Joseph House (Madonna House) Combermere invites you to an Open House to celebrate our 60th anniversary on Sunday July 16th, 1-4 p.m. All are welcome. Donations of finger food would be appreciated.
Walking Together Retreat
Working together with Kateri Native Ministry, the Galilee Centre have coordinated a multi-day retreat based on the Kateri Native Ministry’s new Kendaasawin Learning program, which helps both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous participants develop wisdom practices that promote life, love, and respect for all Creation. The Retreat will take place on August 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2023, and will be hosted at Galilee Centre in Arnprior.
The Cost of this Retreat would be $300 per person, which covers accommodations, meals and facilities as well as the Retreat activities from the elders and Kateri Native Ministries. Please advise if you have any dietary concerns, in addition there are some accessibility restrictions at the Galilee Centre and an outdoor nature hike to the Land.
Currently there are about 16 spots available. Please contact Deacon Guy Cote at 343-585-4009 or email john1010nrsv@outlook.com for more information and/or to book and submit payment by June 30th.