Mary has chosen the better part.
(Luke 10.38-42)
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Bishop’s Letter to the Faithful dated September 26, 2025
https://pembrokediocese.com/article/letter-from-bishop-brehl-september-26-2025/
FROM THE DIOCESE
Thanksgiving Weekend
The Diocesan Offices will be closed on Monday, October 13th, and will reopen on Tuesday, October 14th at 8:30am.
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!
Permanent Deacons’ Retreat
Please keep the Permanent Deacons of the Diocese of Pembroke and their wives in your prayers as they are on Retreat until Wednesday October 8th.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for October 2025
For collaboration between different religious traditions – Let us pray that the believers in different traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity.
FROM THE CCCB
2025 CCCB Plenary Assembly Meeting Video Library by Salt+Light – Wednesday, October 01 2025
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) held its annual meeting of the Plenary Assembly last week, 22-26 September 2025, at the at the Sheraton Montreal Airport Hotel. This year, Salt + Light Television, a Canadian Catholic TV network, produced daily recap videos of the Plenary Assembly meeting. These videos summarize, in a dynamic way, the discussions from each day’s plenary session, including commentary from Bishops and, occasionally, experts who were invited to present on special topics. The CCCB welcomes the sharing of these videos, as broadly as possible, in an effort to keep the faithful informed about the work of the Bishops last week. (Read more…)
The Episcopal Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis Launches New Video Series on Family Catechesis
The Episcopal Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis (ECEC) of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (English Sector) is pleased to announce a new four-part video series titled Called to Witness and Proclaim, developed to support the Commission’s Pastoral Letter on Family Catechesis, released last October. The series aims to help families, catechists, and pastoral leaders deepen their understanding of the family as the “domestic church.” Each video offers accessible and engaging content suitable for formation in parish settings, pastoral reflection on family ministry, parent formation sessions, or personal reflection.
The complete series is now available on YouTube. (Read more…)
JUBILEE 2025
Jubilee Indulgence at St. Mary Church, Wilno
St. Mary Church, Wilnois the designated church for the Jubilee Indulgence on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Mass will be offered at 11:00am followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day, concluding with Rosary at 3:30pm and Benediction at 4:00pm. Confessions will be available from 12:00pm-1:00pm and from 3:00pm-4:00pm. Please see Jubilee 2025 – Indulgence – Diocese of Pembroke for more information about the graces of the Jubilee Indulgence.
15th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Brother André
Autumn pilgrimage to St. Joseph Oratory in this Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from the Archdioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Kingston and Gatineau, and the Dioceses of Pembroke, St-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier. Contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or Liane Ladouceur at 819 661-9426 for more information.
Jubilee 2025 Calendar of Major Events
Jubilee 2025
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
CCCB – STATEMENT FROM THE PERMANENT COUNCIL TO THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL on the occasion of the 2025 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Through prayer and reflection, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops continues to recognize the painful legacy of the former Indian Residential Schools and reaffirms its ongoing commitment to walking with Indigenous Peoples on the journey of reconciliation. On the 2025 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, we recall the late Pope Francis’ words during his 29 July 2022 visit to Iqaluit, NU, “It is my hope and prayer that, by listening to your Elders and drawing from the richness of your traditions and your personal freedom, you will embrace the Gospel preserved and handed down by your ancestors”.
It is this hope that calls the Catholic faithful in Canada to listen with open minds and hearts and move forward together on the road of truth and healing. As we walk together, may the Lord lead us by His grace, bringing us understanding, healing, and ongoing hope for a better future.
(Statement also available on the CCCB website).
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:
2. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
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.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
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.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) – Registration is open for Pembroke Level 1 and Level 2 CGS at Our Lady of Lourdes Church
This Montessori-based (experiential learning) and child-centered catechetical program offers children a deep engagement with Scripture and the Liturgy, to facilitate the child’s encounter with God, especially Our Lord, the Good Shepherd. The program runs from mid-October to the end of May. This year we are also offering Level 2 (ages 6-8) on Friday from 4:15-5:45pm. Children new to CGS are welcome into Level 2 Level 1 (ages 3-5) runs Saturday from 10:15am-12:00pm. Please register at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish office. The cost is $175, plus $150 for each additional child. 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.
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
Rosary Rally
Organized in partnership with Canada Needs Our Lady, the rosary rally, to pray for Canada through the intercession of Mary, will take place on Saturday, October 11th from 12-12:30pm at the Pembroke Marina’s Amphitheater., Pembroke. Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes before, and dress according to the weather. For more information visit https://old.cnol.org/.
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
“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/.