They did not receive Jesus, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.
(Luke 9.51-56)
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
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 begin their Retreat from Monday October 6th to 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
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Elects New Members of the Executive Committee and Permanent Council – Friday, September 26 2025
Following the conclusion of the 2025 Plenary Assembly meeting, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is pleased to announce the results of its biennial elections for new members of the Executive Committee and Permanent Council. (Read more…)
The Episcopal Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis Launches New Video Series on Family Catechesis – Wednesday, September 24 2025
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…)
President’s Report Plenary Assembly 2025 – Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Your Eminences, Brother Bishops, distinguished guests, and members of the CCCB staff,
To the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I present the President’s Report, which summarizes the activities and achievements of the Conference since our last Plenary Assembly at Mont Ste-Anne in 2024. I wish first to acknowledge and sincerely thank the members of the Permanent Council, the Executive Committee, the General Secretariat, and the staff of the CCCB for their dedicated work on behalf of the Conference. (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.
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 – Tuesday, September 30, 2025
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:
- Be in good relationship with all things.
EVANGELIZATION
Patience is the Needle, Love the Thread
By Dr. Pierre-Alain Giffard
Evangelization is not an event, but a journey. It is not about instant results, but about faithful witness across the arc of time. In the delicate work of drawing souls toward the heart of God, we must learn to sew patiently: “patience is the needle and love the thread.” (Read more…)
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.
VOCATIONS
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
October 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm at Paroisse St-Jean Baptiste, Pembroke. 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.
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
Rhythms of Hope Fundraising Concert
On Saturday, October 4th from 2-3:30pm 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.
Life Chain – Pembroke
Life Chain is a powerful, peaceful street witness and prayer vigil held every year across North America. We stand silently and prayerfully on the sidewalk. Signs provided. Bring your whole family! Life Chain goes rain or shine. Lawn chairs, umbrellas and strollers are welcome. Meet at the Festival Hall parking lot at 1:45pm on Sunday October 5th to collect your sign and greet fellow pro-lifers. Please join us in standing for life!
Sponsored by Renfrew County Right to Life: www.facebook.com/RCRTL
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.
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/.