Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
(Luke 6.27-38)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Chancery Office Hours
Starting Tuesday, September 2nd, the Diocesan Offices will resume normal hours from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Healing Service with Eucharistic Adoration
A healing service will be offered at St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish on Thursday, September 11th 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!
What is a Healing Service? A healing service is a time of prayer for those suffering any physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional challenges. The prayer can also be offered on behalf of others who are going through a time of challenge but who cannot personally attend the service. Father John Burchat will give an individual blessing with the Blessed Sacrament while you remain in your pew. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available and there will be people available to pray individually with you for your intentions or the intentions of your loved ones following the service.
What a Healing Service is Not. A healing service is not a mass. It is a prayer service which features a time of Eucharistic blessing and individual prayer.
Two Members from the Diocese of Pembroke to Receive the Benemerenti Medal
The Holy Father has bestowed the Benemerenti Medal upon two members of the Diocese of Pembroke: Sister Joan Cronin, GSIC and Mr. Mel Ready. The Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R. will convey the Benemerenti Medal during the celebration of Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pembroke, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 4:30pm. An opportunity to greet the recipients will follow the Mass. All are welcome.
FROM THE CCCB
Appointment of His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, as Member of the Dicastery for the Clergy
The Holy See Press Office announced that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, as a member of the Dicastery for the Clergy.
This appointment is part of a wider announcement in which Pope Leo XIV named a total of 22 new members and 12 new consultors to the Dicastery. The full text of the Holy See’s press release is available here (in Italian only): Rinunce e nomine
The Vatican website explains the role of the Dicastery for Clergy as follows:
“The Dicastery for the Clergy deals with all matters relating to priests and deacons of the diocesan clergy, with regard to their persons and pastoral ministry, and everything needed for the fruitful exercise of the latter. In these matters, it provides suitable assistance to the Bishops. The Dicastery is responsible for promoting all that concerns the training of future clerics by issuing appropriate norms, such as the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis and the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Diaconorum Permanentium, as well as other documents regarding ongoing formation.”
CCCB President Expresses Solidarity After Minneapolis Tragedy
The President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, sent a letter to the Most Revered Bernard A. Hebda, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, to express the profound closeness of the Church in Canada to the grieving students, families, teachers, and parishioners of Annunciation Parish and School, as well as to all the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, following yesterday’s tragic mass shooting, which claimed the lives of two children and injured many others.
It is especially heartbreaking that children, their pastor, and teachers were targeted as they gathered joyfully for the new school year for the celebration of the Eucharist.
The faithful in Canada are asked to pray for the eternal repose of the two children who lost their lives, for the recovery of the injured, and for the comfort and healing for the entire community affected by this senseless act of violence.
In these painful moments, may Christ, who never abandons the suffering, bring peace and strength to all those affected by this tragedy.
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for September 2025
For our relationship with all creation – We pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
THE SYNOD
The multi-year timeline and key milestones for the Catholic Church’s Synodal Process from 2021 to 2028
A PDF that details the phases of consultation, discernment, and implementation, including major assemblies, evaluations, and events at local, national, continental, and international levels: https://pembrokediocese.com/wp-content/uploads/ENG-Timeline-2025-2028.pdf.
JUBILEE 2025
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
Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation
Mashkiwizii Manido has been fulfilling the needs of the urban Indigenous populations by providing a lot of requests through programs and services. This foundation has become a federally recognized not for profit corporation and is currently on its way to becoming a registered charity.
For a list of programs and more information, visit the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation website at www.mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com, email info@mashkiwiziimanidofoundation.com call 613 281-7969.
EVANGELIZATION
Free Webinar – Revive and Thrive: Fostering Parish Renewal
Novalis cordially invites you to a webinar that will be featuring Dr. Pierre-Alain Giffard, on Friday, September 12th at 10:30am EST. Hear about his book on revitalizing the parish, Revive & Thrive – en-novalis.
Check out Novalis’ Facebook event page: WEBINAR | Revive & Thrive: Fostering Parish Renewal | Facebook for more information.
Evangelization: Why Relationships Matter More Than You Think
By Dr. Pierre-Alain Giffard
At first glance, the rise of Christianity across the ancient world may seem like a miracle of mass conversions, royal decrees, or eloquent sermons. But what if the true catalyst was something far more ordinary—yet infinitely more powerful? (Read more…)
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
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.
PARISH EVENTS
St. Alphonsus’ Parish Supper
Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, homemade baked beans, pies, and more on Sunday, September 21st from 12 noon – 6pm at the Harrington Community Centre, 52 Pembroke Rd., Chapeau. Take-out available. Cost: $25/adult – $10/children 7 and older – Children 6 and under: free!
St. Patrick Parish Supper
St. Patrick Parish Supper at Mount St. Patrick will take place on Sunday, September 28th from 1 – 6pm featuring a delicious meal of ham, potatoes, coleslaw, beans, dessert and beverages of your choice for $20.00/adult and 12 years of age and under, $12.00. There will be a raffle, a bake sale tent at DACA, and White Elephant tables and religious articles at St Patrick parish hall. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon. All are welcome!
PRO-LIFE
Pizza With a Purpose Day!
First Step Options and Domino’s Pizza in Pembroke and Petawawa are once again coming together to build and support stronger communities for those facing pregnancy and parent-related challenges on Wednesday, September 24th. Order a 1 topping pizza for $11.99 using the code word “1STSTEP” and Domino’s will contribute $5.00 for each pizza to First Step Options. Savour the slice and support the cause!
Rhythms of Hope Fundraising Concert
On Saturday, October 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle. Featuring Kathryn Perry, Red Hot Mamas, The Wall Family, Romeo Goyette, and Curtis and Esther Prins with Val Pellerin. Donations to First Step Options appreciated. Please call 613 635-7440 or email fsocentre@gmail.com for more information.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
16th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
At St. Michael Catholic High School, Kemptville, on Saturday, October 4th from 9am – 3:30pm. Theme: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Keynote speaker: Angèle Regnier. Visit www.womensfallretreat.com to register.
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.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Employment Opportunities
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is currently looking for a part-time Payroll & Reconciliation Specialist and a full-time Donor Relations Officer. Additional part-time positions will be posted in the coming weeks. For more information, see seatofwisdom.ca/about/employment-opportunities/.
OTHER
Kendyl Smith-Trimm Caring for Kids CHEO Fundraiser
Join us for an evening of fun at the Upper Pontiac Sports Complex in Chapeau, QC on Saturday, September 13th from 8:00pm to 1:00am. Our 2nd Annual CHEO Fundraiser in Support of our Childhood Cancer Little Warriors. Evening Includes: Guest Speaker Jolan Wong (Childhood Cancer Survivor and Paralympian), The Magic of Steven Anthony, Live Music by Rewd & Midlife Krisis, Late Lunch, 50/50 draw, raffles and door prize. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling or texting Sandra at 613 633-7634 or Cheryl at 613 602-2140.
Stillpoint House of Prayer presents “The Potter’s Hand – Day Retreat”
Come and enjoy a day with Clarissa Boyce to read scripture, partake in quiet reflections and discover how God, the Creator, designed us in His own image on Saturday, September 13th. Cost: $95 per person including lunch and break. To register or for more information please contact Corrien at inquiries@stillpoint.ca or call 613 432-2791.
Celebrating Galilee Centre’s 50th Anniversary
2025 marks a momentous milestone for Galilee Centre! We invite our friends, volunteers, participants, and supporters to celebrate this milestone with us.
- Official Opening of Martha’s Place – Celebrating the legacy at Galilee Centre of the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish – September 19th from noon-2pm. Luncheon 12-1pm, Opening ceremony at 1:15pm. Limited luncheon tickets available at $25, reservations required at website below.
- 50th Anniversary Mass and Reception at St. John Chrysostom Church in Arnprior – Saturday, September 20th at 11am. Most Reverend Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Pembroke presiding. Reception to follow in the church hall.
Register for any or all events by visiting https://www.galileecentre.com/50thanniversary.
Stillpoint House of Prayer – “Cup of Light!”
Cup of Light! Is a powerful spiritual journey towards Divine Light happening September 19th-21st. Come and spend time with Karen Lahaise, writer and musician, and explore this inspirational book through discussion and art. Cost: $300 per person, including meals, room and art materials (book may be purchased for a nominal fee). To register or for more information please contact Corrien at inquiries@stillpoint.ca or call 613 432-2791.