Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed.
(Luke 11.47-54)
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Letter from Bishop Brehl
Please read Bishop Brehl’s message inviting the faithful to join in the prayer offered by Pope Leo XIV: https://pembrokediocese.com/article/prayers-for-pope-leo-xiv-oct-14-2026/.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Prayer for the Pope
Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV as he now faces treatment for lung cancer, and so that he may by quickly restored to health (Prayer from the Vatican News website): https://www.vaticannews.va/en/prayers/prayer-for-the-pope.html.
Permanent Deacons’ Retreat
Please keep the Permanent Deacons of the Diocese of Pembroke and their wives in your prayers as they are on Retreat October 19th to October 21st.
FROM THE CCCB
Prayers for the Holy Father and Letter from the CCCB President – Wednesday, October 14 2026
Ottawa — The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops joins the faithful across Canada and throughout the world in praying for the swift and complete recovery of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV following his surgery on 13 October 2026. (Read more…)
Letter to the Holy Father Following His Surgery – Wednesday, October 14 2026
CCCB Welcomes Holy See for World Mental Health Day – Friday, October 09 2026
Ottawa — The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomes the Message on the Occasion of World Mental Health Day (10 October 2026) of Reverend Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F. M. A., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Monthly Friday Morning Virtual Talking Circle
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation presents the Monthly Friday Morning Virtual Talking Circle; a brave space to share what is on our minds and in our hearts: Next date: October 16th. For Zoom meeting ID and Passcode please contact Cathy Phannenhour, facilitator at cathyphannenhour@gmail.com.
Mindful Mondays
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation presents Mindful Mondays, a bi-weekly program beginning in September from 6-7:30pm: Next date: October 19th. Topic: Respectful Communication in the Workplace, in Relationships and in Community. For more information, please call 613 631-0302 or email info@mashkiwiziimanicofoundation.com.
MMF Annual General Meeting
Join Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation for a special evening to celebrate achievements and togetherness at 595 Pembroke St. E., Unit #3, Pembroke on Monday, October 20th at 5:30pm. RSVP by emailing Mashkiwizii.manido@gmail.com or calling 613 631-0302.
Full Moon Ceremonies
At Foy Provincial Park, 933 Red Rock Road, Killaloe from 7-9pm. Next Full Moon Ceremony: Monday, October 26th – Falling Leaves Moon. Contact the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation at 613 631-0302 for more information and what to bring.
Indigenous Policing Bureau – Seven Grandfather Teachings (As held from the Algonquin Community)
- Honesty: Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave. Approach life situations and challenges with an open mind and heart. Recognize and accept who you are.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Marriage Preparation Program
The Fall Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, October 17th and Saturday, October 31st, 2026 (Location to be determined). Register online at https://www.jotform.com/yvettebourque/marriageprep. E-transfers of $150/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 15th. For inquiries, please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 732-7933 ext. 208. Space is limited. Don’t delay!
PRO-LIFE
Celebrate Life Gala Banquet – Hosted by the Renfrew County Right to Life (RCRTL)
On Thursday, November 5th at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Pembroke. Meet & Greet at 5pm – Dinner at 6pm. Guest speakers will be from SILENT NO MORE, an international initiative where people share their personal testimonies regarding the negative emotional and physical impacts of abortion and the hope of post abortion recovery. Please bring your new baby items to donate to First Step Options! Tickets: $40 / $30 students. Reserve your tickets by mailing your cheque to RCRTL ℅ 284 Trafalgar Rd, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8 or contacting Barb Austen at 613 735-6265.
First Step Options 20th Anniversary Open House
You’re invited to come celebrate First Step Options’ 20th anniversary on Tuesday, November 24th from 4pm to 7pm at the FSO Pregnancy Resource Centre, 362 Miller Street, Pembroke. Enjoy refreshments, tours, stories and fellowship. Cake cutting ceremony at 4:30pm. Hope to see you there!
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Mass of Remembrance for the Fallen
With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, the RC Military Ordinariate of Canada cordially invites you to attend the Mass of Remembrance for the Fallen-on Wednesday, November 11th at 8:45am at Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, 285 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. Most Rev. Scott McCaig, C.C., Bishop of the RC Military Ordinariate of Canada will preside over the ceremony.
16th Annual Autumn Pilgrimage to St-Joseph’s Oratory
This year’s pilgrimage will include a special visit after leaving the Oratory to the Shrine of St-Kateri Tekakwitha in Kahnawake, where pilgrims will have the blessed opportunity to pray at the site of her tomb on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Departures available from various locations throughout the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, Pembroke, and Kingston.
For information or reservations, please email Mike Budge at mikebudge2021@gmail.com or call 613 224-8110. Space is limited. Please reserve as soon as possible!
OTHER
Celtic Concert
Celebrate a century with the Grey Sisters and Deirdre Ni Chinnéide, renowned composer, vocalist, and facilitator from the Aran Islands, with guest performances by The Pembroke Community Choir, conducted by Gerald LaRonde, at the Carefor Mackay Centre, Carrera Hall on Thursday, October 15th at 7pm. Cost: $20 per person. Proceeds to support Carefor Renfrew County. To purchase tickets or for more information visit the website at https://carefor.ca/event/celtic-concert-feturing-deirdre-ni-chinneide/.
Bereavement Support
Widowed? You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone. Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care is offering two supportive retreats at Stevenson’s Lodge in Combermere for people whose spouse or partner has died. Men’s Day Retreat: October 15 | $75, Women’s Weekend Retreat: October 16–18 | $195. Open to widowed adults across Ontario. Spaces are limited. 613 756 3045 ext. 350. Visit the website at: https://www.mvhospice.ca/grief-and-bereavement-services.
Pilgrimage with Monsignor Joseph Muldoon
You are invited to join Msgr. Joseph Muldoon on a pilgrimage to Marian Shrines, the Camino and the Pyrenees, from March 31 – April 14, 2027. Msgr. Muldoon will serve as the Spiritual Director. Stops will include Lisbon, Fatima, Porto, Santiago de Compostela, León, Lourdes, Andorra, Barcelona and Montserrat. A meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at 2pm at Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Rd., in the parish hall. For reservations or more information, please contact Dennis Kam, JBC Travel at 613 569-3888 ext. 3 or dennis@jbctravel.ca.
Pilgrimage to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg
Pilgrimage to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg with Fr. Francis Ching, CC. April 22 – May 4, 2027. 13 days/11 nights. 3 Marian apparition sites, 1 Eucharistic Miracle site, St. Damien of Molokai, famous relics, Flanders Fields. Price includes all fares, fees, tips, stipends, taxes, & meals except 10 lunches. $7335 per person (double occ) Toronto Departure. Information Meeting Sunday, November 15th 2:00pm at St. Mary’s Parish, Ottawa. For information contact Tour Coordinator Laurie Courchesne-Dooley at 613 732-5739, mobile 613 602-3535 or e-mail lafrcodo@outlook.com.
