In the feeding of the crowd, Jesus reveals himself as a prophet.
(Mark 6.34-44)
FROM THE DIOCESE
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/.
Ontario Restrictions
Premier Doug Ford announced a number of COVID-related restrictions. Please note the following for the Diocesan and parish offices in Ontario:
- Places of worship may open at 50% capacity.
- Indoor meetings are closed. Meetings may take place via Zoom or some other platform, if possible.
- In parish offices and at the chancery, provisions are to be made for employees to work from home, unless the nature of their work requires their presence on site.
These measures will be in effect at least until January 26.
Let us pray for all those who have been affected by COVID-19, whether in terms or their physical or mental health.
Pastoral Appointments:
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral appointment:
On December 31, 2021 Father Peter Do concluded his ministry at St. Pierre, Fort Coulonge, St Charles Borromeo, Otter Lake, St Elizabeth, Vinton and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Waltham. As of January 1, 2022 Father Do will be in residence at the rectory of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Pembroke. While Father Do is in residence in Pembroke, he will be assigned various ministerial duties by the Bishop and will also be available for Mass coverage in parishes.
Please click here for other pastoral appointments.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
CCCB –Canadian Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Provide an Update on Delegation to Rome
After careful assessment of the uncertainty and potential health risks surrounding international travel amid the recent spread of the Omicron variant, the Canadian Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami have jointly decided to reschedule a delegation to the Vatican in December 2021 to the earliest opportunity in 2022. (Read more…)
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Discussion And Self-Assessment Questions for Parish Evangelization
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
The following discussion and self-assessment questions come from the book, Signs of Life: Catholic, Mainline, and Conservative Protestant Congregations in Canada, (authored by Bill McAlpine, Joel Thiessen, Keith Walker, and Arch Chee Keen Wong): (Read more…)
This Is How You Can Help Your Parish Survive Covid
By Patrick Sullivan
By now, most pastors and parish councils—not to mention evangelization teams—have realized just how badly COVID has affected parish attendance. And MANY are coming to believe that getting parishioners to come back to Church will be one of the most difficult evangelizing tasks that they have ever faced … but it doesn’t have to be. (Read more…)
FROM THE CCCB
Message from the CCCB President for Christmas and New Year’s Day – Thursday, December 23, 2021
Most. Rev. Raymond Poisson’s message can be read here.
Life and Family Suggestions for Homilies and Prayers of the Faithful During January 2022
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) continues to post possible homily ideas and prayers of the faithful to help link the Sunday liturgy with the national pastoral initiative for life and family. The proposed texts for the month of January 2022 include suggestions starting from the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, on 2 January 2022, to the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, on 30 January 2022. As usual, the suggestions for homilies and prayers can be easily adapted for family prayer, as well as for personal prayer or for use with other groups or organizations. The texts for the month of January 2022 are available on the special Family and Life webpage, under the section “Suggestions for Homilies & Prayers of the Faithful.”
VATICAN NEWS
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for January
We pray for all those suffering from religious discrimination and persecution; may their own rights and dignity be recognized, which originate from being brothers and sisters in the human family.
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 February 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.