Give alms, and everything will be made clean for you.
(Luke 11.37-41)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Installation of Archbishop-Designate Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R, as Archbishop of Moncton, New Brunswick
The Most Rev. Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R. will be installed as the Archbishop of Moncton on October 18, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
Ecclesia
The Ecclesia Fall 2023 edition will be available in parishes this coming weekend. Get yours soon!
Pastoral Appointments
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral assignments:
- Reverend Kenneth O’Brien concludes his pastorship of St. James, Eganville, Our Lady of Nativity, Pikwàkanagàn, and St. Ann’s, Cormac and retires from parish ministry, effective November 7, 2023. We express gratitude to Father O’Brien for his years of service in parish ministry, and we assure him of our prayers as he prepares to celebrate his golden jubilee of ordination in May 2024.
- Reverend Réal Ouellette is assigned temporarily as administrator of St. James, Eganville, Our Lady of Nativity, Pikwàkanagàn, and St. Ann’s, Cormac, effective November 7, 2023 until the appointment of a new pastor.
Healing Service with Eucharistic Adoration
At St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 367 Martineau Avenue, Otter Lake, QC on Wednesday, November 8th from 7-8:15 p.m. Guest speaker: Father Réal Ouellette. All are welcome!
FROM THE CCCB
Statement by the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary and CCCB President, to the Catholic Faithful in Canada on the Recent Escalation of Conflict in the Holy Land – Thursday, October 12, 2023
Over these last few days, the world has witnessed a rapid escalation of armed conflict in the Holy Land, with reports of a growing number of wounded or dead, including innocent civilians. (Read more…)
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Elect New Executive – Monday, October 16 2023
Ottawa – Following the conclusion of the 2023 Plenary Assembly meeting, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) held its biennial election to determine the new members the Executive Committee and Permanent Council. The Most Reverend William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary was elected as President, and the Most Reverend Pierre Goudreault, Bishop of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière was elected as Vice President. (Read more…)
Newsletter “Encounter” (Fall 2023)
The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis (English Sector) has released latest issue of its digital newsletter “Encounter”! The goal of the newsletter is to provide dioceses/eparchies and parishes with resources to support faith formation and to promote evangelization.
The Fall 2023 Issue features information about a webinar series, “The Four Constitutions of Vatican II”, which will be offered 7, 14, 21 and 28 November 2023. Simultaneous interpretation will be available for these sessions.
Subscribe here for the newsletter! This issue and past issues can be found on the CCCB website here.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
States shall establish and implement, in conjunction with indigenous peoples concerned, a fair, independent, impartial, open and transparent process, giving due recognition to indigenous peoples’ laws, traditions, customs and land tenure systems, to recognize and adjudicate the rights of indigenous peoples pertaining to their lands, territories and resources, including those which were traditionally owned or otherwise occupied or used. Indigenous peoples shall have the right to participate in this process.
Article 27– United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
A Prayer for Inviting Others to Evangelization Meetings and Services
Heavenly Father,
We come before you with hearts full of gratitude for the opportunity to lead others to You. We seek your divine guidance and blessings in all that we are called to do. We humbly ask for your divine intervention to help us extend invitations and gather those who seek love, meaning, and hope. (Read more…)
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On November 2nd, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa. 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.
FAITH FORMATION
Got Life Questions? R.C.I.A. might just be for you!
R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 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, may have been baptized in another Christian faith and wish to know more about the Catholic faith, or may have been baptized and have not received the other Sacraments for their life’s mission. If any of the above questions 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 in exploring this new quest starting Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke. Contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or email dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
Important Gathering Call to Register
A Faith Formation Day, “I want More: Going Deeper in Faith” is open to all, and will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Most Holy Name of Jesus ANNEX, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Guest speakers: Pierre- Alain Giffard, Father Michael Smith, and Greg and Mary Doyle. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please inform us if you have any food allergies. There is no registration fee, but registration is necessary. To register, or for more information, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com by November 2, 2023.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) – Registration is OPEN for Pembroke Level 1 CGS at Our Lady of Lourdes Church
This Montessori-based (experiential learning) and child-centered catechetical program offers children a deep engagement of Scripture and Liturgy, to facilitate the child’s encounter with the Mystery of God and Our Lord, the Good Shepherd. A Saturday morning session, from 10:15 am – 12:00 pm will run October 28 to the end of May. Open to children ages 3-5 from Pembroke and area. Register before October 20, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Office during regular office hours. Registration is $150/child, plus $100 for any additional sibling.
To learn more about this beautiful program for our young children, visit cgsac.ca (The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada), or contact Maria Reilander st.hedwigs.cgs@gmail.com or 613 756-0528.
YOU – Theology of the Body for Teens by Ascension Press
For all teens from age 14 – 19. Come learn what LOVE really is, why we were made male and female, how do we know what the truth is, what is our true value, what does God want to reveal to us about our bodies and so much more. Saturdays October 21st, November 18th, December 9th from 10 a.m. – 3:30 pm. $40 per participant includes student workbook and daily lunch. *Special parent session on October 21st, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Includes lunch. No cost*. Online registration and further details at www.pembrokediocese.com (front page) or register here https://pembrokediocese.com/tobforteens/.
Questions? Contact Yvette at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
Theology on Tap – PEMBROKE
Join us for Theology on Tap Tuesday, October 24th, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Nelson St. Pub, 207 Nelson Street, Pembroke. Guest speaker: Fr. Peter Do. Topic: “Why do Catholics pray the Rosary and wear the scapular?” (Talk will begin at approx. 7:10 p.m.). Consider inviting someone who doesn’t attend or rarely attends church. Questions? Contact Yvette at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
Theology on Tap – BARRY’S BAY
The monthly talks will be on hold until there is a suitable location found to hold Theology on Tap in the Barry’ Bay area.
Know any teenagers? Send them to Youth Alpha!
There will be a youth group for grade 7-12 students each Sunday starting Sunday November 5th, 6:30-8 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall. This Youth Alpha program will provide a space to ask and explore some of life’s biggest questions. Please visit the following website for more info and to register. There is no cost, and it is open to all. Visit the website: https://jwmccluskey.wixsite.com/our-lady-of-lourdes. Email Jessica McCluskey at jwmccluskey@nrtco.net with any questions.
Ignite Canada is offering NETWORK WORKSHOPS for those working with youth, young adults, and family ministry
Throughout the year, we will be hosting online 2-hour workshops on a variety of topics pertaining to ministry with youth, young adults and family and ministry. These workshops provide information, skills, and practical elements to enhance the work of staff and volunteers in these ministries. These workshops take place on Thursday evenings (roughly every second week) from 7-9 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Zoom. Pre-registration is required. Simultaneous closed-captioned translation for French and Spanish is available for participants, as well as all major language groups. Registration is completed with payment of $15/workshop. The following schedule of workshops include:
- October 19 “Polarizing World & Church – Impact and Opportunities on Ministry with Young People Today” (Dr. Anne Walsh DMin)
- October 26 “Collaborative Ministry: Bringing together people, gifts and skills” (Lauren van Vliet MDiv)
- November 23 “Enculturated Evangelization: The Call for Missionary Disciples Today” (Bishop Bryan Bayda CSsR)
TO REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE
PARISH EVENTS
Recollection for Women
Recollections are like mini retreats that help you take a break from your busy schedule to think and pray about your life, your relationship with God and gain a fresh outlook. Join us at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Pembroke on November 23rd from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Bring a lunch if you wish to stay and socialize.
This spiritual activity, inspired by the writings of St. Josemaria Escriva, is entrusted to Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on the Prelature of Opus Dei go to www.opusdei.org.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nadia Bagshaw at nadia.bagshaw@sympatico.ca or 613 584-9388.
PRO-LIFE
Celebration of Life Banquet 2023
Come and enjoy a delicious diner catered by Ulrich’s on Thursday, October 26th at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall. Meet & greet at 5 p.m. – Dinner at 6 p.m. Guest speaker: Justina Van Manen. Book signing by local pro-life author Sheryl Ende. Please reserve your seat by mailing your payment of $30 per person ($20 per student) to: RCRTL c/o Holy Name Parish, 284 Trafalgar Rd., Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. For more information, please call Barb Austen at 613 735-6265.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Women’s Fall Retreat 2023
14th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat, Saturday, October 21st, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Holy Cross Church, 503 Clothier St., Kemptville, ON. Miriam Wright, a well-known speaker, will encourage us to respond wholeheartedly to the call of Jesus, the Bridegroom: “Arise, My Beloved, Come!” (Song of “Songs 2:10), so that we may come to love as we are loved. Cost ($70) includes three keynote addresses and follow up discussions, plus lunch and snacks. Register at www.womensfallretreat.com.
OTHER
The deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research
The deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research will be hosting a free online two-night lecture series on October 24th and November 7th on supporting women and families through pregnancy and after. Please visit www.deveber.org to register or for more information.
A Fall Festival of Music
Please join us at Zion Lutheran Church 454 Miller Street, Pembroke, for organ, piano & flute music on Sunday, November 5th at 2:30 p.m. Admission by freewill offering at the door. Proceeds going to Camp Lutherlyn, St. Joseph’s Food Bank, and the Zion Organ Fund. For more information, please contact Blaine at 343 369-8700.