Woe to you Pharisees!
(Luke 11.42-46)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Faith Formation Day
Faith Formation Day will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish Annex, Pembroke starting at 9:30am with the celebration of the Holy Mass, concluding at 2:00pm. This day is open to all. Presenter: Bishop Brehl C.Ss.R. There is no registration fee, but registration is necessary. Lunch and refreshments will be provided (please inform us of any food allergies). To register or for more information, contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at the Diocesan Office of Faith Formation at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com by Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Healing Service with Eucharistic Adoration
A healing service will be offered at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Bancroft on Thursday, October 16th at 7:00pm. Guest speaker will be Deacon Adrien Chaput. Musical accompaniment for the service will be provided. See posters at the church entrances for further information. All are welcome!
THE HOLY SEE
Message from the Holy Father – 40th World Youth Day 2025
The Holy Father’s Message to young people for the 40th World Youth Day 2025 has been issued by the Holy See Press Office and is available on the Holy See’s website: Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for the 40th World Youth Day [23 November 2025] (7 October 2025)
FROM THE CCCB
Pope Leo XIV released his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te (“I have loved you”)
On 9 October 2025, Pope Leo XIV released his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te (“I have loved you”), on the Church’s care for the poor. Drafted by Pope Francis before his death and now revised and issued by Pope Leo XIV, the Exhortation is in continuity with Pope Francis’ last encyclical, Dilexit nos (“He has loved us”), on the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope Leo emphasizes that “love for the Lord . . . is one with love for the poor” (n. 5). Divided into five chapters, the Exhortation outlines God’s identification with the poor (chapter 2), the centrality of the poor in the Church’s life (chapter 3), the development of the Church’s social doctrine over the past 150 years (chapter 4), and the challenge facing the Church today (chapter 5). In his accompanying letter addressed to the Bishops of the world, Pope Leo outlines his hope for this Apostolic Exhortation: “May Dilexi te help the Church to serve the poor and help bring the poor to Christ.”
The Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te is now available on the Holy See’s website:
- in English: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html
- in French: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/fr/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html
JUBILEE 2025
Jubilee 2025 Calendar of Major Events
Jubilee 2025
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Spiritual Laws
These 20 statements are a collection of sayings common among Anishnabe people. They are included here as universal knowledge. Excerpt from the book “Anishnabe 101”, written by Aimee Bailey, with contributions by Annie Parker and others:
- Children are a gift from the Creator, lent to us for a short time.
EVANGELIZATION
Pembroke Diocese Online Prayer Meetings
Are you searching to deepen your prayer life, for opportunities to discuss your faith with others, faith community and fellowship… then please join us every Monday from 7:30-8:30pm as we alternate weekly between doing the rosary and exploring different faith videos. Zoom meeting hosted by the Diocese of Pembroke:
Meeting ID: 814 1171 6854
If you require assistance with Zoom access or additional information, please contact Viviane Shank at viviane.shank@outlook.com.
FAITH FORMATION
Got Life Questions? O.C.I.A. might just be for you!
O.C.I.A (Previously known as R.C.I.A.) stands for the Order of Christian initiation of Adults. It is a journey for anyone who is interested in becoming a Catholic and growing in the life as a Christian. It is for someone who has never been baptized, or maybe you have been baptized in another Christian faith and wish to know more about the Catholic faith. Maybe you have been baptized and have not received the other Sacraments for your life’s mission. If any of the above apply to you, we would love to help in your spiritual journey. Want to know more about your Catholic faith? All are welcome to join us in exploring this new quest at St Columbkille Cathedral. First Session starts on Wednesday October 15, 2025, from 6:00-7:30pm in the Parish Hall. To register or for more information please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or email dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
November 6th from 6:30-7:30pm at St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish, Barry’s Bay. The Holy Hour will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by Fr. Scott 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
POP Theology
Next event: Thursday, October 16th at 7pm at St-Jean Baptiste Parish Hall, Pembroke. Guest speaker: Patrick Sullivan, Family, Life and Youth Director for the Diocese of Pembroke. Topic: “The 3 Languages of Evangelization: Learning to share the faith in a way that they can understand” (Talk will begin at approx. 7:10pm). This event is geared for those age 19 – 49(ish). There will be time for questions, discussion, and socializing. Upcoming dates: Thursdays November 20th, December 18th, January 15th, February 19th and Wednesday, March 18th. Please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com for more information or to be added to a group e-mail list. All are welcome!
Bishop’s Mass with Youth of the Diocese
Friday, October 24th at 7pm at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. All youth and friends of our youth are invited to attend the joyous occasion where Bishop Michael will celebrate the canonizations of St. Carlo (the patron saint for our diocesan youth nights) and St. Frassati (the patron saint of our young adult ministries within the diocese), as well as the growing movement of youth and youth related activities in our diocese. Refreshments will be served in the hall afterwards. Please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com for more information or to be added to a group e-mail list. We will see you there!
Marriage Preparation Program
The Fall Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, November 8th and Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. Register online at https://www.jotform.com/yvettebourque/marriageprep. E-transfers of $100/couple can be made to donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com, or mail cheques to Diocese of Pembroke, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. Deadline to register is October 30th. For inquiries, please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 732-7933 ext. 208.
PARISH EVENTS
Coffee with Christ Bible Study
Join Fr. Scott Murray and Patrick Sullivan for a weekly gathering every Friday from 9:45-10:45am in St. Joseph Sacristy, St. Joseph, QC. All are welcome!
PRO-LIFE
Celebrate Life Banquet 2025
On Thursday, November 13th at 5pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Pembroke. Come and enjoy a delicious dinner catered by Ulrich’s and music choir from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College. Silent Auction from 5-6pm. Guest speaker: Nicole Scheidl, a lawyer with Canadian Physicians for Life. Price: $40 per person ($30 for students). Please contact Barb Austen at 613 735-6265 to reserve your seat, to donate to the Silent Auction or for more information.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Catholic Pilgrimage to Dublin, Ireland
Catholic Pilgrimage to Dublin, Ireland, including Our Lady of Knock Shrine, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Edinburgh, Scotland will be on April 08-23, 2026, with Spiritual Leader Monsignor Joseph Muldoon.
Scheduled Masses in Shrines, Private Tour bus, ferry, local guides. Limited numbers: minimum 26. Contact: Dennis Kam at JBC travel Ottawa, dennis@jbctravel.ca or 613 569-3888.
For more information a meeting is scheduled with Dennis Kam, Director, JBC Travel on Sunday, November 16th at 2pm at Holy Cross Parish (685 Walkley Rd. Ottawa) in the parish hall. All are welcome.
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
Stillpoint House of Prayer – Advent Card Making Seminar
In preparation for Advent, join Sister Donna Smith, Sister of St. Joseph and experienced Card Designer, for a weekend of prayer and card making instruction from November 14th-16th. Cost: $250 per person, including meals, room and materials. To register or for more information please contact Corrien at inquiries@stillpoint.ca or call 613 432-2791.
“The Prodigal Son – A Book of Poems”
Father Réal Ouellette has published a book titled “The Prodigal Son – A book of poems”. Through poetry, he explores verse by verse the emotions and movement of this famous parable of the Prodigal Son. For more information, please visit his website: https://padrereal.com/en/home-2/.