I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 16.13-19)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Canada Day!
Please note that the Diocesan Offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 1st for Canada Day.
Summer Office Hours
Chancery summer hours from Thursday, 2 July until Tuesday, 8 September:
Monday – Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 12 noon
Closed for lunch between 12 noon-1:00pm.
Pastoral Appointment – 25 June 2026
The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. announces the following appointment:
Reverend Paweł Ratajczak, O.M.I. (Assumption Province) is appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish, Wilno, effective 1 September 2026.
Walk the Opeongo Line
Join pilgrims across the Diocese and beyond for a 4-day journey from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Renfrew to St. Ann’s Shrine. Cormac, from Thursday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 26th. Visit the website at https://walktheopeongoline.org/ to register.
86th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac
86th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac on Sunday, July 26th. The Triduum of preparation will be led by Bishop Michael Brehl, Bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke. The principal Pilgrimage Mass will be at 11:00am at the Shrine. The Sacrament of Confession is available throughout the day. A Mass of healing with the Anointing of St. Ann’s oil will be celebrated at 2:00pm (Please bring your own seating). On site: St. Ann’s religious articles and other religious articles, St. Ann’s Mass League memberships, food and refreshments vendors. For more information: St. Ann’s Pilgrimage – The Shrine to St. Ann in Cormac, ON or Shrine of St. Ann Cormac | Facebook. Welcome everyone!
Pastoral Appointments
The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. announces the following retirements and pastoral appointments: https://pembrokediocese.com/article/pastoral-appointments-may-1-2026/
Clergy Personnel
Reverend Emmanuel Dibia a priest of the Diocese of Issele-uku, Nigeria, is appointed as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Renfrew; St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew and Most Precious Blood Parish, Calabogie, effective 2 July 2026. Father Dibia has been granted permission of his Bishop to serve the Diocese of Pembroke for a period of six years. He has just completed a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counselling at the Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri where he has also assisted in parish ministry.
Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception – Celebrating 100 years of service and presence in the Ottawa Valley and beyond
Join the Grey Sisters and staff to celebrate a Century of Service among God’s People at the Grey Sisters Caritas Residence, 215 Deacon Street, Pembroke, on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 1-4pm. Everyone welcome!
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for July 2026
For respect for human life – Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
FROM THE CCCB
Metropolitan Archbishops from Canada to Receive the Pallium – Thursday, June 25 2026
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will confer the pallium to newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops at the beginning of the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June 2026 at 9:30 a.m. (Rome time). Among the appointed during this past year are the Archbishops from Canada: (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Here we “Grow” Again at Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation
As our services and client base expand, so must our location and capacity. Join us in celebration of the community’s new home and team at 595 Pembroke St. E. Unit 3, Pembroke, on Saturday, July 11th between 9am – 4pm! Call 613 631-0302 or email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com to RSVP today!
The Medicine Wheel
What follows is based on oral teachings given by Elder Jules Lavaley of Red Willow Lodge in Anola, Manitoba. His information is supported by that found in Dancing with the Wheel: The Medicine Wheel Workbook, by Sun Bear, Wabin Wind, and Crysalis Mulligan. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey, with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
Everything in nature is cyclic. Our path in daily life follows that of the sun. it begins in the East, moves though the South to the West, and then travels through the North. For the reason, all movement within any circle is always done clockwise by entering from the East, and all our ceremonies and gatherings are set-up as a circle.
In addition to the four directions that most people know (Wabanong, Shawanong, Negabonong, Keewatinong), there are three more:
Below us is Mother Earth, the ground we walk on, whose water is our lifeblood. From this direction we learn co-operation. Its colour is green, which symbolizes sharing, healing and growth. Its animal is the tortoise, the turtle that lives on land who teaches us to be patient and dependable. Its plant medicines are corn, beans and squash: the three sisters who sustained our people and taught us to grow in harmony with one another.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Youth Pilgrimage to Cormac
Ages 13–19 · Beginning Saturday evening, July 18, 2026 · St. Ann’s Shrine, Cormac.
For one week this summer, young people from across the diocese will set out on pilgrimage to St. Ann’s Shrine in Cormac — walking, camping, and praying together under the open sky. The days are filled with the things that form a young heart: time in prayer, honest conversation about faith and vocation, and the kind of friendships forged on the road that last long after the walk is over.
It’s a week many of our youth come home from changed — and already asking about next year.
Registration is now open — but space is limited, so families are encouraged to register early. Parishes are warmly encouraged to sponsor youth from their community, so that no young person is kept home by cost.
Starting Location: St. Mary’s Church, Wilno. Final Location: Shrine of St. Ann, Cormac.
Cost: $150 per person.
Click Here To register or email Benjamin our coordinator at youthonthehill23@gmail.com.
PRO-LIFE
Save the Date!
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre’s 4th annual “Breath of Hope” Concert will be held once again at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, October 3rd, starting at 2pm. FSO looks forward to seeing you there!
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
So Sings My Soul
Music as Prayer Young Adult Retreat from July 3-5, 2026. Join us at the Galilee Centre in Arnprior for a summer gathering celebrating music and faith with facilitator Catherine Cardeal. Open to young adults 18-25 (student ages 16-17 may apply with parental consent). Cost: $100 per person (single and double rooms available). Retreat includes transportation in the Ottawa and Ottawa Valley area, 2 nights accommodation and all meals. Visit www.galileecentre.com or call 613 623-4242 ext. 21 for more information. Program made possible by the generous contributions of the Ex Corde-Foundation.
The Encounter School of Ministry Summer Intensive – Try it out!
This annual event provides a survey of the content offered in the first four quarters of the Encounter School of Ministry. The summer intensive is perfect for anyone desiring to attend the Encounter School during the year but unable to do so because of distance or schedule. It is also ideal for those discerning their enrollment in the school of ministry but needing greater discernment.
The survey includes: Identity & Transformation • Hearing God’s Voice & the Prophetic Gifts of the Holy Spirit • Power & Healing • Inner Healing & Freedom -Worship – Teach – Equip – Activate. Available in-person at 3 satellite locations:
- Ottawa Campus: July 23rd evening, July 24th evening and July 25th day hosted this year at Our Lady of Fatima Parish on Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa. Cost: $60 – https://servantsofthecross.ca/encounter-school-of-ministry/.
Registration: https://encounterottawacampus.regfox.com/encounter-ottawa-2026-summer-intensive
- Kingston Campus: July 17th evening, July 18th day, hosted at St Paul the Apostle Parish Hall, Kingston. Cost: $40 – https://encounterschool.org/kingston/#summer Registration: https://ourladyofdivinefire.regfox.com/2026-summer-taste-and-see
- Toronto Campus: 4 evenings July 27-30th, hosted at St Timothy’s Parish Hall, North York. Cost: $75. – https://encounterschool.org/toronto/
Registration: https://encounterschooltoronto.regfox.com/copy-encounter-toronto-summer-intensive-2026
“’Be Not Afraid’: The Church’s Call to Mission in a Post-Christian World”
Strengthen your faith and enjoy the Ottawa Valley! Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, located in Barry’s Bay, Ontario invites you to their annual Wojtyla Summer Institute from August 6-9, 2026.
Keynote Speaker is Archbishop Marcel Damphousse (Ottawa-Cornwall Archdiocese).
For more information and to register: https://www.seatofwisdom.ca/news/summer-institutes/wojtyla2026/.
JUBILEE 2026 PILGRIMAGE (152nd Annual Pilgrimage) to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré and Notre-Dame-du-Cap – August 8–9, 2026
For the dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Kingston, Pembroke, Gatineau, and Mont-Laurier. The weekend will be spiritually led by Auxiliary Bishop Yvan Mathieu, Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. For information or to register, please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or by email at mikebudge2021@gmail.com. Space is limited. Please register as soon as possible.
69th Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Knock in Mayo, Quebec
This year’s Pilgrimage to honour Our Lady of Knock will be held on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026. The Eucharist will be celebrated at 11am in English by Archbishop Paul-André Durocher assisted by Father John Braganza of St. Malachy’s Parish. For more information, please contact Mrs. Ellen Butler at 819 986-3860, Ms. Joann Kearnan at 819 986-7827 or email mayopilgrimage@gmail.com.
OTHER
17th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
On Saturday, October 24th from 9am to 3:30pm at St. Michael Catholic High School, 2755 Hwy. 43, Kemptville. Guest speaker Melanie Rabishaw reflects on the 200th anniversary theme of the Archdiocese of Kingston: “To know Christ and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Join us for Holy Mass, inspiring reflections, worship, personal prayer and fellowship. Morning snack and lunch provided. Registration ($50) is limited to 100 participants: romancatholic.kingston.on.ca/womens-fall-retreat.
Fall 2026 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 (Deadline to apply: August 14th)! Visit https://assumptionu.ca/ for a complete list of Fall 2026 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca or call 519-973-7033. Deadline to apply: August 28th at noon.
Kendyl’s Caring for Kids CHEO Fundraiser
Join us on Sunday, July 5th from 1pm to 3pm at Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch for an Ice Cream Social. Raffles, 50/50 and live music by Gillan Rutz. All proceeds from the sale of cones goes to the CHEO Foundation.
JOB AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Spiritual Care Volunteers needed at the Pembroke Regional Hospital
The Pembroke Regional Hospital is looking for Spiritual Care Volunteers; people who are willing to sit with others, listen, and offer a calm, caring presence. This isn’t about having the right words or specific training; it’s about being there for patients and families during some of life’s harder moments, or when they may be feelings disconnected from what matters most to them.
Each of us brings our own gifts—whether it’s presence, conversation, compassion, or companionship through simple activities like playing cards, reading, or helping patients stay connected with loved ones. At times, and when welcomed, volunteers may also offer prayer or spiritual support, depending on the needs of patients and families.
If you’re someone who is open, caring, and comfortable with people from all walks of life, this could be a meaningful way to extend your compassion to those who need it. To learn more about what’s involved, please reach out to Dan Cuddy, Coordinator of Spiritual Care & Ethics, at 613-732-2811 ext. 6264 or by email at dcuddy@prh.ca.