You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.
(Mark 7.1-13)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Permanent Diaconate – Retirement Notice
Reverend Deacon Michael Doherty, an incardinate permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, has retired, and concluded his ministry at St. John Chrysostom Parish, Arnprior in January 2022. Deacon Michael has been serving in his ministry in Arnprior since 2007. Deacon Michael and his wife Sharon will be relocating to Kanata to be closer to family and friends. It is with heartfelt thanks to Deacon Michael for his dedication and utilizing his gifts in witnessing the Gospel to others. We wish Deacon Michael and Sharon all the best with the continued assurance of our prayers for them and their families.
Message from the Synodal path committee
We would like to thank everyone who has filled out the questionnaire for the Synod so far. For those who plan to respond in the days to come, we have provided some explanations for the first three questions.
- How can we, the faithful and our Christian communities, be more open to evangelization? (Mission)
It is common for Catholics to be uncomfortable with the word evangelization and its practice. We don’t see ourselves evangelizing others. Although evangelizing is simply sharing God’s love with our whole life, many Catholics see it as proselytism (recruiting members for an organization). Specifically, the question asks how we can become less averse to evangelization and more open to it. How can we desire more to call those who do not know God to believe that He is a God of love, compassion, and mercy?
- How can we, the faithful and our Christian communities, better respond to the universal call to holiness through a greater love for God and for one another? (Communion)
Simply put this question asks how we can be better Christians by having, and showing, more love for God and one another. Among other things, how can we be attentive to the needs of the people around us and respond to them?
- How can the priests, deacons, religious and all the faithful be mobilized to evangelize? (Participation)
Another way to phrase this question would be: What do you think could motivate all Catholics in the diocese to become more involved in spreading God’s love to those who do not know him?
Please join in large numbers to answer questions from the Synod.
Pierre Alain Giffard, Coordinator of the Synodal path
Promotional Video of the Synod 2021-2023
Pope Francis has launched the Synod on Synodality, an ambitious global process of listening to the faithful. He is asking every Catholic to help discern what the Holy Spirit is telling us for the mission of the Church as enters its third millennium. The first phase of the Synod will last through the first half of 2022 and will see the world’s faithful sharing their thoughts at a diocesan level. All those diocesan-level responses will be collected and summarized. Then the bishops of Canada will meet to discuss what they heard in their respective dioceses, followed by larger multinational meetings and, ultimately, culminating in a synod of bishops in the Vatican in 2023.
This video raises awareness of the Synod in the diocese of Pembroke: https://youtu.be/juYLcIT1uds.
Your participation is crucial, we kindly ask you to complete the questionnaire below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBBPbJLn9hvaT0lKisR4JcjVNMiukQj0na6Hy2TtsP4c1ypg/viewform.
Thank you and God bless.
The Synod’s Questions
The Synod’s questions can now be answered on our website at https://pembrokediocese.com/article/you-can-now-answer-the-synods-questions-online/.
Development and Peace – Share Lent Campaign
We are soon beginning our Share Lent campaign. Development and Peace partners with local organizations in the global south working to develop their communities. Share Lent promotes the work of our partners and educates Canadians on the root causes of global poverty. During this season of penance and reflection, we look squarely at our place in the world, and ask how we can echo Christ’s actions through extending our love of our neighbours to all of creation. We challenge ourselves to lean into the prophetic vocation of the church, and offer good news to the poor in the context of a globalized and deeply unequal world. A formation on how to mobilize the Share Lent Campaign in your parish will be held on February 12th and is open to all. If you are interested in the formation, or in learning more about D&P Parish Representatives, please contact Kiegan Irish, the regional animator at kirish@devp.org, or Jean Tyler, Chair of the Pembroke Diocesan Council at jmstyler56@gmail.com.
Ecclesia
Then next issue of Ecclesia is due to come out in early May. The deadline for the submission of articles is March 25th. Please send all submissions to heather@pappin.com.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Six Unique Features of Missional Parishes
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
“Success is nothing more than a few disciplines practiced every day”, said Jim Rohn, an entrepreneur and personal development coach. In the context of our parishes, a question arises: What pastoral disciplines should we practice to make disciples? (Read more…)
FROM THE CCCB
Canada’s Bishops Announce Indigenous Reconciliation Fund to Support Projects Across Canada
Canada’s Catholic Bishops have agreed to establish a new registered charity to support and advance healing and reconciliation initiatives. The charity is expected to manage the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, which will accept contributions from 73 dioceses across Canada in order to fulfill the $30 million financial commitment made by Canada’s Bishops in September. (Read more…)
Canadian Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Announce Rescheduled Dates for Rome Delegation
The Canadian Catholic Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami are pleased to announce that the delegation to Rome to meet with Pope Francis, originally planned for December 2021, is now scheduled to take place at the end of March and early April of this year. (Read more…)
VATICAN NEWS
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for February 2022
For religious sisters and consecrated women. We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women, thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to the challenges of our times.
World Day of the Sick
The Pope’s Message for the World Day of the Sick on Friday, February 11, 2022 can be found here.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
NET Ministries – New Podcast
NET Ministries of Canada is launching a new podcast called Youth Ministry 101 where you can learn tips, tricks and hear stories to help reach youth in your life, parish, or youth group! The podcast launched on January 18th, and a new episode will come out every two weeks until summer 2022! Search NET Canada on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. For more information visit www.netcanada.ca or email communications@netcanada.ca.
Four Redemptorist online seminars on Youth, Young adult and Family Ministry
Fr. Santo Arrigo C.Ss.R., a Redemptorist priest in Toronto, Canada has been working with Ignite Ministry – a ministry of the Redemptorists with young people. This past year, they have been hosting a series called, “NETWORK”, inviting parishes to journey in developing and enhancing programming with young people in youth, young adult and family ministry. They initially invited parishes served by the Redemptorists across Canada and will now host four online seminars, to anyone interested, on topics that pertain to ministry with young people in parishes and other pastoral settings under the following topics:
- Prayer and Worship: Gathered and Nurtured in Christ
- Pastoral Care: Bringing Together Hands and Heart
You are invited to participate in one or more of the sessions based on your interest or involvement in ministry with young people. The sessions are on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET and are “stand alone sessions”. As these are “stand alone” sessions. There is no fee for participating in these seminars, as well as no cap on enrollment. The Presenters are Fr. Santo Arrigo C.Ss.R., and Dr. Anne Walsh D.Min.
As many programs have been paused due to COVID-19, this might be a good time to provide enrichment for leaders and volunteers for the sake of future programming in youth, young adult and family and children ministry.
The third session, “Prayer and Worship” is Saturday, February 19th. To register for this and other sessions, click: https://bit.ly/NETWORK-Winter-Seminars. For more information about Ignite Ministry and Network, please visit our website at www.ignite-canada.ca. May this opportunity will be of benefit for you, your volunteers and your ministry!
Separated and Divorced Catholics
By My Side Ministry for separated and divorced Catholics will be held virtually via zoom this spring. This is a program offering spiritual friendship and healing for separated and divorced Catholics. The program is designed to help individuals navigate through the stress of separation and divorce from a Catholic faith exploration perspective. Classes begin March 26, 2022, 2 hours/ week for both ladies and men separately and runs for 6 weeks. The cost is $40. All class details, dates, times and registration form can be found at www.bymyside.ca or by emailing Mary Jane Manley mj@bymyside.ca or by calling 613 294-1308. This ministry has been running every spring for the past 7 years and have had over 120 amazing women and men participate. Participants often mention how they gain a greater perspective on how the treasures and wisdom of our Catholic faith can give them a sense of renewed hope for their future.
PARISH EVENTS
Latin Mass
A Latin Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 is offered at St. Columbkille Cathedral at 9 a.m. on March 5th. This is basically the same form of the Liturgy which nourished the faith of many Catholics for centuries. English translations of the entire Mass are provided.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
2022 Lift Jesus Higher Rally
This is an annual event for Youth and Adults that focuses on evangelizing through uplifting music, testimonials, reflections, Divine Mercy celebration and Eucharistic Adoration. Whether you are coming for the first time or the twenty-ninth time, the Lift Jesus Higher Rally will open the door for God’s graces and blessings to flow into your life. It will be a day of compelling talks, spirit-filled praise and worship, and much more. 2022 Lift Jesus Higher Rally will be streamed live on YouTube from Michigan, March 5th. No Registration Required. https://www.ljhr.ca/.
The Bible in a Year
“The Bible in a Year” with Father Mike Schmitz is one of the top podcasts in the world! It is recommended for anyone looking to enter more deeply into God’s Word. Based on “The Great Adventure Bible Timeline,” the material is organized around the fourteen narrative books of the Bible, and then relates the other Biblical books to them. It is thematic, not simply chronological. Each podcast (about 20 minutes) includes the Biblical readings and then the explanation and context given by Fr. Mike. As they say on the Ascension Press website, “you won’t just read the Bible in a year, you will understand how all the pieces of the Bible fit together, to tell an amazing story that continues in your life today!”
OTHER
Stations of the Cross
The Pembroke Regional Hospital is looking for a set of Stations of the Cross for its new chapel. If you are aware of a set of Stations, perhaps from a closed church, please contact Michel Godbout at the hospital: michel.godbout@pemreghos.org.