One of you will betray me; another will deny me three times.
(John 13.21-33, 36-38)
MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Let us enter the great mystery of Holy Week
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
How quickly time passes! Here we are already immersed once again in the great mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus: Christ’s victory, which snatches us from the bondage of Satan and the spirit of the world, and which gives us access to his Kingdom of glory and eternal life. To help us enter more deeply into this great mystery (which we will certainly have to meditate on throughout our lives if we want to understand to what extent we are loved by God), I offer you the beautiful reflection that Pope Francis addressed to us this Palm Sunday during the Angelus. To each of you, I wish a very Holy Week. May your meditation on the holy mysteries of our salvation be most fruitful and enable you to “understand with all the faithful how wide, how long, how high, how deep…” (Eph 3:18) is the love of our Redeemer for each and every one of us.
Sincerely yours in Christ our Redeemer,
+Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Pembroke
Dear brothers and sisters,
We have entered Holy Week. For the second time we are experiencing it in the context of the pandemic. Last year we were more shocked, this year we are more tried. And the economic crisis has become severe.
In this historical and social situation, what does God do? He takes up the cross. Jesus takes up the cross, that is, he takes on the burden of the evil that such a reality entails, physical, psychological and especially spiritual evil, because the Evil One takes advantage of crises to sow distrust, despair and discord.
What about us? What must we do? The Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus who is also his first disciple, shows us. She followed her Son. She took upon herself her own share of suffering, of darkness, of bewilderment, and she walked the path of the passion, keeping the lamp of faith burning in her heart. With God’s grace, we too can make this journey. And, along the daily Way of the Cross, we meet the faces of so many brothers and sisters in difficulty: let us not pass by, let our hearts be moved to compassion and let us draw near. At the moment, like Cyrene, we may think: “Why me?”. But then we will discover the gift that, without our merit, has come to us.
Let us pray for all the victims of violence, especially for those of the attack that took place this morning in Indonesia, in front of Makassar Cathedral.
May Our Lady, who always goes before us on the path of faith, help us.
(Reflection by Pope Francis during Angelus, Sunday March 28, 2021)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Diocesan Office Hours
Please be advised that the diocesan offices will be closed from Good Friday (April 2nd) to Easter Monday (April 5th) inclusively. The staff at the Diocesan Administration Office takes this opportunity to wish you and those you hold dear peace and happiness this Easter season!
Clergy Appointments
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers C.Ss.R. announces the following appointments:
- Reverend Timothy Moyle has been appointed Pastor of Sainte-Anne Parish, Mattawa. This appointment is effective May 1, 2021.
- Reverend Scott Murray has been appointed Pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Chapeau; St Paul the Hermit Parish, Sheenboro; and St Joseph Parish, St Joseph. This appointment is effective May 1, 2021.
After a period of consultation among the priests in the Diocese, the Most Reverend Guy Desrochers C.Ss.R. announces the following appointments to the office of Dean:
- Reverend Mitchell Beachey as Dean of the Pembroke Deanery
- Reverend Kerry Brennan as Dean of the Renfrew Deanery
- Reverend Patrick Dobec as Dean of the Barry’s Bay Deanery
- Reverend Michael Goring as Dean of the Pontiac Deanery
- Reverend Cyril Okebanama, S.M.M.M., as Dean of the Mattawa Deanery
All Deans are appointed for a term of three years as of March 27, 2021.
Sincere thanks to all who accepted a new appointment.
Celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph
Resources to commemorate the year of St. Joseph can be found here.
Development and Peace in the Diocese of Pembroke – Thank you for sharing love this Lenten season! (April 3-4)
The Share Love, Share Lent campaign called you to share love, and you opened your hearts. This money will help sustain programs and projects that serve some of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers in the Global South! Thank you for your generosity. If you have not already done so, please consider making a donation. Visit https://www.devp.org/en/campaign/sharelove to learn more.
FROM THE CCCB
2021 Easter Message – Friday, March 26, 2021
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!”
There is something unique about the Easter Liturgies, and that is, the reality of movement – not just activity, but a joyful movement of going forth – the Church that goes forth! (Read more…)
New Bishop Appointed for the Diocese of Prince Albert – Thursday, March 25, 2021
His Holiness Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Albert Thévenot, M. Afr., as the Bishop of the Diocese of Prince Albert, and today appointed his successor, Father Stephen Hero. At the time of his appointment, Father Hero was the Rector of St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton. Bishop Thévenot has been the Bishop of Prince Albert for the past 13 years. He submitted his resignation to the Holy Father upon reaching the age limit of 75, as stipulated by Canon 401 of the Code of Canon Law. (Read more…)
CCCB Introduces New Resources to Celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph
On 8 December 2020, Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of the proclamation by Pope Pius IX of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. Today on the occasion of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) announces the launch of a webpage and corresponding resources dedicated to this special memorial year entitled Celebrating the Year of St. Joseph.
A joint initiative of the CCCB’s Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, the Office for Family and Life, the National Liturgy Office and the Office national de liturgie, visitors to the webpage will find several resources for use in parishes, religious communities, families and in schools, such as: Prayers, Litanies, and Devotions; Consecration to Saint Joseph; Church Documents; and Catechetical Resources for children, youth and adults.
A series of seven short video reflections based on the recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart) are offered in both English and French. This resource for adult faith formation highlights each of the seven attributes of St. Joseph.
The webpage and its resources will be updated periodically throughout the Year of Saint Joseph.
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.
COVID-19
Anxiety is not a Choice – How You Live Your Life Is
(Psychological and Spiritual Reflections on Coping with the Pandemic and Other Big Stressors) by Dr. Len Gignac, Psychologist
The idea that anxiety and even fear is not a choice may be, at first, startling. The fear of contracting COVID-19 certainly triggered a lot of this discomfort, and people have had to make some difficult choices about how to deal with it all. Like it or not, the truth is that pain and suffering are part of life. Mental suffering like fear/anxiety are also experienced in varying degrees at different times. It is important to distinguish between normal fear/anxiety and that which threaten our threshold of tolerance and begins to run our lives. (Read more…)
Clarification CCCB Note on Ethical Concerns Related to Currently Approved COVID-19 Vaccines in Canada (2021)
PDF statement can be read here.
FAITH FORMATION
Divine Mercy Sunday
Come and join us as we Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 11, 2021, from 2-3:30 p.m. at St. Columbkille Cathedral, Pembroke. With Adoration, Hymns and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, as we pray for God’s Mercy upon the Whole world. Our Guest speaker is Bishop Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R. For more information please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at (613) 732-7933 ext.206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Evening of prayer and music with NET
Join NET (New evangelization Team) on Tuesday, March 30th at 8:00 p.m. for a prayer night to start your Holy Week! Music will be led by NET alumni Natalie Steiner and Mike Travo and there will be prayer ministry stations where you can receive prayer from some of this year’s NET missionaries, alumni, and staff. Everyone is welcomed to this event, so feel free to invite your friends and family! We look forward to praising the Lord with you this Holy Week! Register HERE.
Have you seen the Fast Friday video series during Lent? It’s a series of short Lenten videos every Friday throughout Lent on social media! Watch the most recent one here!
Next Diocesan Marriage Preparation program – April 17th and May 1st
This program will be ONLINE only. To register click here or go to https://pembrokediocese.com/flymo/marriage-and-family/ . Deadline to register is April 1st. All couples will be mailed a package with the materials needed for the program.
PARISH EVENTS
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. 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. Note: The next Latin Mass will take place the second Saturday of April (April 10th), given that April 3rd is Holy Saturday.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
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.
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.
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.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Board Chaplaincy Leader – Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board is in search of a Board Chaplaincy Leader. Deadline to apply is April 23, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. For a full description and qualifications, please contact NPSCSB at careers@npsc.ca or visit the website at https://www.npsc.ca/employment.
Executive Director – Galilee Mission Centre
Galilee Mission Centre of Arnprior Ontario is seeking a new Executive Director who will be responsible for the administration and promotion of Galilee Centre as an inclusive Spiritual Life Centre to the broader community. Working with a staff of full and part-time employees and a network of volunteers, the Executive Director plans, oversees and promotes programs and services that respond to the broader community needs. They will be responsible for overall management and organization of the Centre’s operations and implementation of Board of Directors’ decisions. For more information on this full time job opportunity and how to apply, please click here: www.galileecentre.com.
Diocese of Whitehorse – Position for Catholic School Principal
Vanier Catholic Secondary School, located within the Diocese of Whitehorse, is in search for a full-time principal: https://network.applytoeducation.com/Applicant/AttJobPosting.aspx?JOB_POSTING_ID=fbce6827-7ab8-49af-9d56-9bad6eec499b. Kindly note that the deadline to apply is 11 April 2021 at 11:30 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time).
Development Officer / Peterborough Campus Ministry
Peterborough Campus Ministry is seeking an experienced Development Officer for a full-time (35 hours) two-year contract as soon as possible. For specifics on responsibilities, qualifications, employment details, or to submit an application, please contact Fr. John Perdue, Director of Peterborough Campus Ministry at 705 874-1871 or email at vocations@peterboroughdiocese.org.
Holy Name Parish Office Assistant Needed
The current Holy Name Parish Office secretary, Suzanne Sheridan, has been waiting for some time for full knee-replacement surgery. The first knee surgery has now been scheduled for Monday, May 3rd in Pembroke. As a result, the Holy Name Parish Office will require a replacement secretary during Suzanne’s recovery period, which to our knowledge could be a minimum of approximately six (6) weeks. This will be confirmed at a later date. If anyone is interested in filling in during this time, or have any questions, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible at 613 732-3355 or holynamepembroke@outlook.com. A training/familiarization period prior to May 3rd will also be required. Thank you for your support.
OTHER
Patricias Place Catholic Gift Shop
Beautiful handmade rosaries, wedding & anniversary rosaries, Rosary bracelets, Chaplets of different Saints, Baptism, First Communion & Confirmation gifts, coloured medals of different Saints, including St. Anne. House crucifixes including various size of St. Benedict Crosses. Blessed Mother statues of different sizes, and statues & colored medals of St. Anne. Pure silver medals of The Blessed Virgin Mary, including the Miraculous Medal. Many other beautiful gifts, please visit the web site at www.patriciasplacecatholicgiftshop.com.