Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Mary chose the better part.
(Luke 10.38-42)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Pastoral Appointments:
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral assignments:
- Reverend Steven BALLARD is granted a health leave as he begins treatment immediately. Please remember Father Ballard in prayer during this time of illness.
- Reverend Daniel KELLY is appointed administrator of St. John Chrysostom Parish, Arnprior, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Braeside, while Father Ballard is on health leave. This appointment is effective immediately.
- Reverend Jim BEANISH is appointed pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Killaloe, and Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Brudenell. This appointment is effective on 13 October 2022.
- Reverend Mitchell BEACHEY is appointed rector of the Cathedral of St. Columbkille, while also remaining as pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Paroisse St-Jean-Baptiste in Pembroke. This appointment is effective on 13 October 2022.
- Reverend Peter DO is appointed as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Columbkille, Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Paroisse St-Jean-Baptiste. This appointment is effective on 13 October 2022.
24 September 2022
The Synod on Synodality
In October 2021 Pope Francis launched the path of synodality “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. From 2021 to 2023 the entire Church has embarked on a journey of sharing, reflecting and listening. Dioceses worldwide have been asked to pray and reflect on how to “journey together” to better accomplish the mission of the Church.
Mid-June, dioceses across the Ontario province submitted their synod reports to the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO) which synthesize what was heard from each of the 12 dioceses and produced a provincial report that was passed on to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
The CCCB also received reports prepared by Canada’s three other Regional Episcopal Assemblies – Western, Quebec and Atlantic regions. It then wrote a national synthesis and submitted it to the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Holy See on 15 August 2022.
Links to the synthesis report from the diocese of Pembroke, from the Catholic Bishops of Ontario and from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops can all be found on our diocesan website at this address https://pembrokediocese.com/synod/. Parishioners who do not have access to the Internet can contact Donna Biggs 613 732-7933 and ask for a printed copy of the synthesis report from the diocese of Pembroke.
FROM THE CCCB
CCCB Statement for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – Friday, September 30 2022
As Canadians pause to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Catholic Bishops of Canada prayerfully reflect on the painful journey of Indigenous Peoples of This Land. We are especially mindful of the role of the Catholic Church in operating residential schools and the pain and ongoing trauma it has caused for generations of Indigenous families. In particular, we remember the children who endured pain and suffering in residential schools, aware that many did not return home. (Read more…)
Bishops of Canada Deepen Their Commitments to Walk Together with Indigenous Partners on the Healing and Reconciliation Journey –Thursday, September 29 2022
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), gathered in Plenary Assembly last week, agreed upon a series of next steps related to the painful legacy of residential schools. This work builds on previous commitments to promote access to records, educate clergy on Indigenous cultures and spirituality, and contribute $30 million to healing and reconciliation initiatives across Canada. (Read more…)
2022 Report from the CCCB President and letter to Pope Francis on behalf of the Bishops of Canada
With the opening of this year’s Plenary Assembly, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is releasing its President’s annual report to the members, highlighting major pastoral initiatives undertaken by the CCCB since the last plenary meeting, such as the Indigenous Delegation to the Vatican in March 2022, the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to Canada in July 2022, as well as in the areas of family and life, and Church’s ongoing journey toward the Synod on synodality. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Terminologies
The Diocesan Action Circle committee would like to familiarize everyone with certain terminologies:
Traditional territory: The geographic area identified by a First Nation to be the area of land which they or their ancestors traditionally occupied or used.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Should we seek to grow the Church?
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Don Pigi Perini is an Italian priest who had been prepared for the lack of pastoral effectiveness. During his studies at the seminary, the decline of the Church was theologized to the point of almost becoming a virtue: “One sows, the other reaps…”; “provided that Jesus Christ is proclaimed…”; “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies” many phrases from the Bible were used to reinforce a mentality of ascetic renunciation. Decline was justified by poverty, humility and other evangelical virtues! (Read more…)
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for October 2022
For a Church open to everyone – We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.
FAITH FORMATION
Got Life Questions? R.C.I.A. might just be for you!
R.C.I.A stands for the Rite 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. For more information, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
NEW! IMAGE OF GOD evening sessions for Men and Women in Renfrew
Come check out the new IMAGE OF GOD monthly evening sessions for Men and Women starting Wednesday, October 19th from 7-9 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew – in the small Hall. (Men 7-8 p.m., Women 8-9 p.m.). This is a new initiative from the Office Family Life, Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Renfrew deanery, but open to all, to reach adults who wish to grow in their faith, marriage and family life. Hosted by Patrick Sullivan, Lay Evangelist, and Yvette Bourque. Each evening has a different topic and will include lots of discussion and time for questions. See upcoming dates and topics here.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
D&P Event
Development and Peace has begun mobilizing in Pembroke Diocese this fall! We are looking to grow our movement in pursuit of human dignity, social and economic justice. Together let’s answer the Laudato Si call to be stewards of God’s Creation. If these goals resonate with you, feel welcome to come to our upcoming event!
- November 17th at 7 p.m. is the Pembroke Diocesan Fall Campaign Workshop. This formation will work on mobilizing the People and Planet First campaign in our own communities. If you’re new, this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know D&P! This will be a hybrid event, in person location to be announced soon. Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlf-GtqDouGdVdggpmLzUwMLMXgk0bhtfk.
If you would like more information, please contact D&P’s regional animator, Kiegan Irish at kirish@devp.org
PRO-LIFE
RCRTL Celebration of Life Dinner
Please join Renfrew County Right to Life for the 2022 Celebration of Life Dinner! Enjoy a roast beef buffet by Ulrich’s, and an informative talk by Scott Hayward of RightNow, an organization that seeks to elect pro-life politicians in Canada.
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, 280 Lourdesview Ave, Pembroke.
When: Wednesday October 19th. Refreshments at 5 p.m. – Buffet at 6 p.m.
Cost: $30/adult, $20/student. To reserve your seat, please mail your dinner payment cheque before October 10th to: Renfrew County Right to Life c/o Holy Name Church, 284 Trafalgar Rd, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. Any questions? Please call Barb at 613 735-6265 and leave a message.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Online Religion course for High School students – Our Moral Life in Christ: A Complete Course
This is a senior level high school course, but since there are no prerequisites except passion and interest, you are free to sign up regardless of your grade if the subject matter interests you. It will be interesting and informative. The plan at the moment is to teach on Wednesdays again between October 12 and June 21. We “meet” using Zoom and the online textbook service provided by My Catholic Faith Delivered. It runs for 60-70 minutes per session. The time of the class is a little up in the air, but you can expect that it will be somewhere between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
The cost of the course is $500 for the full year. A payment plan of two to three payments is possible. An online textbook will be accessible. For families with multiple children interested in the course, a price reduction is available. If you are interested or have further questions, please contact Jim McManamy S.T.B., M-Div,. OCT at jvmcmanamy@hotmail.com.
Rosary Coast to Coast 2022
Looking for a way to celebrate Thanksgiving? This year, Rosary Coast to Coast will be held on Sunday, October 9th at 4 p.m. ET. Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, the holy rosary and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary! Gather the children of the world to pray together through the recitation of the rosary, ideally in the presence of our Eucharistic Jesus in our churches. If not possible, pray at home with your families and prayer groups! Contact Angie Carboni at 416 871-3908 or marsha.c@stbernadettesfrc.org for more information.
13th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
“Pray always; Do not lose heart!” on Saturday, October 15th, 2022 from 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall, Kemptville Campus, 820 Heritage Drive, Kemptville. Cost: $65 in person – $20 Zoom. To register or for more information, please visit www.womensfallretreat.com.
12th Annual Fall Pilgrimage St Joseph Oratory
We are back! Sponsored by Committee of the Annual Pilgrimages for the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, Pembroke, Mont-Laurier/St-Jérôme and Kingston, on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Stop in the afternoon at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in LaSalle. Please note that the pilgrimage for Renfrew, Pembroke and Fort-Coulonge has been cancelled due to no bus drivers being available. However, seating places are still available for the Belleville, Kingston and Cornwall bus.
Please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or email at mike.budge@bell.net for more details.
OTHER
Canadians give generously to CNEWA Ukraine Campaign
Canadians give generously to CNEWA Ukraine Campaign, with total donations now exceeding $5.5 million CAD since the launch of their fundraising campaign in late February. The significant generosity of Canadians has allowed CNEWA’s efforts to help the displaced and the vulnerable people on the ground in the Ukraine.
As the war rages on and the energy crisis looms, CNEWA’s focus remains on helping people affected by this war get through the winter.