The scribes and Pharisees do not practice what they teach.
(Matthew 23.1-12)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Share Love, Share Lent & Relaunch of the Development and Peace Diocesan Council
Join us and Bishop Guy Desrochers to explore the Share Love, Share Lent Campaign and relaunch the Development & Peace Pembroke Diocesan Council on Saturday, February 27th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. There will be a toll-free number provided so that those who do not have a computer can join in by phone. Please register in advance for this meeting here. To register by phone contact Tara Hurford at 613 738-9644 ext. 224.
MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Important events taking place in the next two weeks!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The next few weeks are proving to be quite busy for me since my participation is required at two successive annual plenaries: the first, that of the Bishops of Quebec, will take place from March 2 to 5; the second, that of the Bishops of Ontario, will take place from March 8 to 10 inclusively. I am fortunate or unfortunate, so to speak, to be part of both episcopal conferences at the same time, since our diocese is geographically spread out in both provinces. I would be grateful if you would pray for these two successive meetings that take place twice a year and that allow the bishops of the two provinces to work and reflect together on all sorts of important topics related to the vitality of our diocese and of the two provinces to which we belong, and in connection with our universal Church, of course.
Sincerely yours in Christ our Redeemer,
+ Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R.
Bishop of Pembroke
FROM THE CCCB
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
Caritas Canada conclude joint review of CCODP’s international partner organizations – Thursday, February 25 2021: Montreal/Ottawa – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (CCODP) have concluded a review of the latter’s international partner organizations that receive project funding from CCODP. From a total of 205 partners, the review initially identified 52 organizations for closer study and later added 11 more, for a total of 63 that were examined. The review did not examine partner organizations affiliated with Caritas Internationalis or part of a Catholic diocesan structure and ministry. Following a number of interim reports, a final concluding report was submitted to the Plenary Assembly of the CCCB and the National Council of the CCODP and approved by both organizations in September and November 2020 respectively. (Read more…)
Message by Pope Francis for Lent 2021 – Tuesday, February 16, 2021
The 2021 Message of Pope Francis for Lent is titled “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem’ (Mt 20:18), Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love”. In his message, the Holy Father writes: “In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who ‘humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross’ (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the ‘living water’ of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.” Link to the Message
New Video Series for Lent 2021
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17, Journey through Lent offers an introduction to the Season and reflections on Gospel readings of each Sunday in Lent. It is the result of a joint project between the CCCB’s Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, the National Liturgy Office and the Office national de liturgie. The French series were filmed here in Notre Dame Cathedral of Ottawa. To access the video series on the CCCB website: in English and in French. Each Monday, the link for the upcoming Sunday celebration will be released. The CCCB are very grateful to Bishop Gerard Bergie and Archbishop Marcel Damphousse for their generosity in preparing and recording these spiritual and pastoral reflections. For further info, please contact Mrs. Margaret Shea-Lawrence, at m.shea-lawrence@cccb.ca.
VATICAN NEWS
Pope’s Prayer Intention for March 2021
Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Marriage Enrichment
IMET (Inter-Marriage Enrichment Team) is a group of dedicated couples from eight very lively parishes in the Joliet diocese who have been putting on marriage enrichment events for over a decade. On March 20, they hold their first online event, “How to Be Married and Stay Engaged: Back to Back, Face to Face, and Shoulder to Shoulder,” presented by Jim Healey. To register for the event go to https://www.imetevents.org/.
NET CANADA
Catholic young adults Grade 12 and up to age 30 are invited to one of the upcoming “Do Something Amazing” Retreats! These are virtual retreats where you will learn what it means to become a NET missionary! Saturday, February 27th 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, and Saturday, March 20th 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
To attend, simply fill out a NET Application! netcanada.ca/apply. Once you send it in, you will be registered and receive further details! Share this link with Catholic young adults in Grade 12 up to age 30 who you think would benefit from discerning if God is calling them to serve with NET next year! For more information call or text: 613 292-9991.
By my Side Ottawa – A Program of Spiritual Friendship and Healing for Separated and Divorced Catholics
This 6 week online women-only and 6 week online men’s-only program starts on March 27, 2021. By My Side is a non-profit structured support group for separated and divorced Catholics. All classes are hosted virtually. Christ holds those who suffer close to his heart and desires to bring about healing. This program helps participants find their way to reconciliation, peace and hope through Christ and the Church. We ask participants for a $40 payment to help cover resources and promotion. Any leftover funds are donated directly to charity. Our program (previously known has Journey of Hope Ottawa) began 6 years ago and has had over 100 class participants. Included are resources, 2 follow-up classes, and monthly Facebook posts offering Spiritual Food for Thought. To find out more and to register go to www.bymyside.ca.
PARISH EVENTS
Our Lady of Good Counsel – CWL Auctions
The CWL at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Deep River is holding online auctions using Facebook to fundraise. We support local charitable organizations in the Deep River, Pembroke and Petawawa areas. Our next auction is a beautiful original painting by Bev Levasseur titled “Fox Looking for Lunch”. Go to Facebook and search for @CWLAuctionDeepRiver or use the link below. Details regarding bidding and delivery or pickup can be found on the CWL auction Facebook page. We can also be reached at cwlauctiondeepRiver@gmail.com. Keep checking back for future auctions. https://www.facebook.com/CWLAuctionDeepRiver.
Holy Mass – Extraordinary Form
Holy Masses in the extraordinary form are offered at St. Columbkille Cathedral on the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. beginning in March. An additional Latin Mass will be held on Saturday, February 27th since Masses were cancelled in January and February. These Latin Masses are in the form of the Liturgy as it was celebrated at the time of the Second Vatican Council—the same form which nourished the faith of many of our ancestors. English translations of the entire Mass are provided.
PRO-LIFE
Expansion of MAID Poses Danger to the Disabled and Mentally Ill
The Senate has amended Bill C-7. If these amendments pass the House of Commons, it will make it much easier for vulnerable Canadians to access assisted suicide and euthanasia putting them at increased risk. The amendments are: 1. Allowing people to write advance directives that require euthanasia to be administered if they are sick or disabled and lose the ability to make their own medical decisions. 2. Removing the restriction on euthanasia for people whose primary diagnosis is mental illness. This change will automatically take place 18 months after the Bill is passed. The Senate’s amendments will soon be sent back to the House of Commons for approval. Please register your concern to your Member of Parliament by using the following link from the Coalition for Healthcare and Conscience: canadiansforconscience.ca.
Campaign Life Coalition (CLC)
CLC has Virtual Pro-Life Clubs that are thriving! They have been a fantastic means of keeping pro-life youth from coast-to-coast connected and informed. They just started an in-depth breakdown of pro-life apologetics, starting with the science of our position before moving to philosophical discussions of personhood and bodily autonomy. It’s never too late to join: www.campaignlifecoalition.com/virtual-prolife-club.
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre presents BrightCourse
BrightCourse – free livestream video lessons and support! Practical, real, and applicable topics and lessons you can use today. Supporting both men and women from pregnancy to parenting and beyond! For more information call 613 635-7440 or email bevwfso@gmail.com.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
New EWTN Lent 2021 Webpage
We invite you to log onto the new Lent 2021 webpage at www.ewtn.com/lent . On this site you will find a variety of resources including a comprehensive look at the Church’s teaching about Lent, daily readings and reflections, special Lenten programming, popular devotions, video-on-demand and much more!
Free eBook With 2021 Lenten Meditations
Lent is a new opportunity to be reenergized in our faith. However, Lent can sometimes pass us by without us growing closer to the Lord. This is why one of our Franciscan Friars, Fr. Joseph has prepared a series of Lenten reflections in the form of an eBook to guide us during this solemn season. Included within the new Lent 2021 webpage is a form to fill out to receive this free eBook which will bring recipients deeper into the Mass readings with insights that are both simple and profound.
Life in the Spirit Virtual Seminar
The Life in the Spirit (LSS) is an inspiring and practical series aimed at assisting people to deepen their experience with the Holy Spirit. It provides teaching, guidance, prayer as well as times for small group discussion every Tuesday night beginning April 6th to May 18th. Registration opening soon! Go to https://www.ccrso.net/ to register or for more information.
Calling All Men! The God Squad – 24th Annual Conference
“St. Joseph Sanctifier of the Hidden Life” on March 20th from 12-3 p.m. EST. All men are invited to a FREE online men’s day conference put on by the God Squad men’s ministry in Calgary, AB. Hosted by Fr. Christino Bouvette, Calgary, AB, with guest speakers Bishop Scott McCaig, Bishop of the Military Ordinate, Andre Regnier, Ottawa and Jake Klym, Abbotsford, B.C. Recording some sessions from St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montréal! To register or for more information please go to 2021 Conference – God Squad Canada and invite friends and family!
Bootcamp for the Laity – ” The Role of Laity in the Church”
A virtual conference presented by Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of Ontario (C.C.R.S.O.) with Bishop Scott McCaig and Fr. Ben St. Croix on Friday, May 21st and Saturday, May 22nd. To register or for more information go to https://www.ccrso.net/copy-of-conference-rsvp.
OTHER
St. Joseph Greeting Cards
To commemorate the Year of St. Joseph, Madonna House Publications is offering greeting cards with icon prints of St. Joseph, by Madonna House iconographers. A set of 10 cards (blank inside) with envelopes are $12.95 + tax. Visit www.madonnahouse.org/publications and click on Store to view and order. Or call 613 756-3728 (toll free 1 888 703-7110).
Broughton’s Church Supplies, Religious Books and Gifts
I know times are different these days, but there has been some excitement around these books. There is a new book that we are taking preorder on, titled: Consecration to St. Joseph – The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father: https://www.bbroughton.com/product/ST/9781596144316/CONSECRATION-TO-ST.-JOSEPH-THE-WONDERS-OF-OUR-SPIRITUAL-FATHER, and Finding Christ in the Crisis: https://www.bbroughton.com/product/ST/9781681927732/FINDING-CHRIST-IN-THE-CRISIS. For more information, please contact Kelly Broughton, Sales Representative, at 1-800 268-4449 or 416 690-4777, email at salesrep2@bbroughton.com, or visit the website at www.bbroughton.com.
Galilee Centre Presents – Ron Rolheiser Retreat
Featuring Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, April 16-18, 2021. For details, please follow this link: Ron Rolheiser Retreat – Galilee Centre.