So my heavenly Father will not forgive you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.
(Matthew 23.1-12)
LETTER FROM THE BISHOP
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Healthcare professionals need our prayers and support. The federal government is about to expand assisted suicide across Canada. People with disabilities and those with chronic conditions will qualify, even if they are not dying. The bill has been amended in the Senate to allow people with mental health concerns to access it as well. If passed, this law will lead to disrespect for the dignity of human beings and put vulnerable people at risk.
The federal legislation will have implications for healthcare in the provinces. Now, more than ever, we need doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who will ensure vulnerable patients have caring alternatives to lethal injections. But many healthcare professionals with moral convictions are being pushed out of their profession by provincial health regulators. Here in Ontario, you can support vulnerable patients by contacting the Ontario government and asking that legislation be introduced to protect the conscience rights of healthcare workers.
I invite you to visit www.canadiansforconscience.ca/ontario where you can send an email directly to the Ontario government and learn more about this critically important issue. If your MPP is Conservative it will be sent to them, and if you are represented by another party it will be sent to the Premier and the Health Minister. If you prefer to send your MPP a letter by mail, you can use the sample letter that follows mine or compose one yourself. All letters must be sent before March 25, 2021.
If you would like to view a video with testimonies from healthcare providers, please click here: bit.ly/2021ConscienceVideo .
I would like to draw your attention again to the pastoral letter I wrote on this very topic on January 10 of this year: https://pembrokediocese.com/pastoral-letters/witnessing-the-dignity-of-life-feast-day-of-the-baptism-of-the-lord/
No one should ever be forced to participate by immoral means, for example by making an effective referral, in ending the lives of patients. This truly is an issue of life or death.
Let us continue to pray for those who are sick, vulnerable and alone. Thank you for all that you do to strengthen our faith community, especially during these challenging days.
Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Pembroke
FROM THE DIOCESE
Development and Peace in the Diocese of Pembroke– Share Love, Share Lent: Solidarity with communities in crises (March 13-14)
Did you know that Development and Peace provides humanitarian aid to communities coping with climate change, conflict and natural disasters in over a dozen countries?
The Share Love, Share Lent campaign looks at how our solidarity is meaningful for Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh.
Please pray for communities affected by crises and help us to keep supporting them by contributing to the collection on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. For inspiration and information, visit https://www.devp.org/en/lent.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Reverend Father Patrick Brady McNamara who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 3rd at the Pembroke Regional Hospital in his 80th year and 52nd year of Priesthood. Please pray for the repose of Fr. McNamara’s soul, and the consolation of his sister, Betty, and her family.
Daylight Savings Time (D.S.T.) Reminder
Please note that clocks and watches are moved forward one hour to Daylight Savings Time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 14th.
FROM THE CCCB
Life and Family Suggestions for Homilies and Prayers of the Faithful During March 2021 – Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Even during a time of social isolation because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Sunday liturgy continues to offer nourishment for prayer and reflection during the whole week – whether we are meditating on the readings, or participating in a television broadcast of the Mass and making a spiritual Communion.
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 March 2021 include suggestions from the 3rd Sunday of Lent, 7 March, to Palm Sunday, 29 March 2021. 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 March are available on the special Family and Life webpage, under the section “Suggestions for Homilies & Prayers of the Faithful”.
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.
AÉCQ
Interfaith Commemoration for Those Deceased from COVID-19
Celebrants from different communities will pray for the deceased. Prayers, music, and silence on March 11, 2021 from 8-9 p.m. via Zoom. Free event! To register, please click here: Commémoration interreligieuse pour les personnes décédées par la COVID19/ Interreligious commemoration for those who died from COVID19 (google.com).
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
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.
FREE Virtual Cincinnati Men’s Conference – Saturday March 13th
Men AND Women, actually the whole family, are invited to join in and watch the live conference from where ever you are. Speaking live and in-person are Fr. Mike Schmitz, Dr. Ray Guarendi & businessman Tony Maas (Founder and President of the Board at Ruah- Woods.) THEME- “What to do when facing adversity?” Tony Maas will cover this year’s theme from the perspective of work & being the best business leader or professional you can. Dr. Ray Guarendi will provide perspective of our Theme as a Father providing invaluable advice on keeping the family strong during hard times & of course, mixing in his renowned humor and hilarious personal stories.
Fr. Mike Schmitz will inspire on how to overcome adversity with personal stories, pastoral wisdom & insight on what he believes will help anyone grow in faith. Register for FREE now at https://catholicspeakers.com/cincinnati-mens-conference.
Family Rosary
Join Chris Brey (Catholic speaker/singer/songwriter) and his family as they pray the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary together with beautiful religious photography, reflective & meditative music and the sweet voice of his children. Pray ALL the Mysteries at www.chrisbraymusic.com/rosary.
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/.
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. 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: https://www.facebook.com/CWLAuctionDeepRiver. We can also be reached at cwlauctiondeepRiver@gmail.com. Keep checking back for future auctions as they are changing every week or two. Future items include baby cardigan and booties as well as jewellery.
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.
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 – Annual General Meeting
The FSO Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, March 29th, starting at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Please RSVP to matthewgiberson@gmail.com to receive the link to join.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Online Healing Mission
March 15-17, from 7-8:15 p.m. With Fr. Ben St. Croix, Fr. Allen MacDonald and Fr. Francis Ching, all of the Companions of the cross. Theme: “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds” Jer. 30:17. Sign up at companionscross.org.
Saint Joseph the Provider: Public Lecture on March 19th
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is hosting a virtual public lecture by Michael O’Brien on “Saint Joseph the Provider“ on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Friday, March 19th at 8 p.m. EST. In 2018 Michael O’Brien painted an image of St. Joseph the Provider for Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College. In the video lecture, Mr. O’Brien will speak about his painting and St. Joseph under the title of “The Provider”. The lecture will premiere on our YouTube channel followed by a live Q&A with Michael O’Brien over YouTube live chat. Please see www.seatofwisdom.ca for more information about the lecture or how you can receive a limited-edition print of this beautiful painting. And if you would like one or more prayer cards of Saint Joseph the Provider mailed to you free of charge, please contact Katherine Kelly at 613 756-3082 ext. 118 or kkelly@seatofwisdom.ca.
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.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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.
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).
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.