Why has this honour been given to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
(Luke 1.39-56)
FROM THE DIOCESE
2022 Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann
The 2022 annual Cormac Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann will take place in Cormac, Ontario from Thursday, July 27th through Sunday, July 31st. This year’s theme: “History of the Devotion to St. Ann”, with Bishop Guy Desrochers as presider. For more information please call 613 628-2020 or email secretarystjames@gmail.com. All are welcome!
Pastoral Appointment
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following appointment:
- Reverend Stephen HELFERTY is assigned to graduate studies in Patristic Theology with the purview of serving as a teacher for St Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto. Father Helferty will begin full-time studies in languages and other relevant topics at the University of Toronto this September in preparation for beginning his licentiate program in 2023.
Thanks for being a part of the Synodal process!
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the synodal process so far. We appreciate your participation as we journey together to build a listening, synodal church. Our prayer and hope are that these local conversations continue and bear fruit for the mission of our church. The next few weeks will be spent reading, learning, and reflecting on what you have communicated and it’s meaning for our Diocese. We look forward to sharing more with you soon. God bless you.
Ecclesia
The May 2022 Ecclesia edition can be read here.
The Diocese of Pembroke now has Facebook and YouTube!
- Like our Facebook page: https://pembrokediocese.com/facebook
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://pembrokediocese.com/youtube
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
CCCB Statement on the occasion of the anniversary of the findings at the Kamloops Residential School
It is with great sadness that Canada’s Catholic Bishops wish to recognize the one-year anniversary of the shocking reports from the site of the former Kamloops Residential School. These triggered a painful and lasting reminder of the ongoing legacy of suffering caused by Canada’s residential school system. (Read more…)
Terminologies
The Diocesan Action Circle committee would like to familiarize everyone with certain terminologies:
First Peoples: Another, less frequently used collective term to describe the original peoples in Canada.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
A shared faith is a growing faith
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
The word of God tells us that as workers and friends of God, we should help people taste the goodness of the Lord through our life (Psalm 34:8), and be prepared to give an answer, with gentleness and respect, to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the peace and hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15-16). “Come, follow Me,” Jesus says, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19-20) (Read more…)
The Parish Renewal of the Church of the Nativity
Fr. Michael White and his associate Tom Corcoran share their blueprint for renewal, chronicling how their struggling Church of the Nativity in Baltimore was transformed into a vibrant parish. Their formula has been documented in two books, Rebuilt and its sequel Tools for Rebuilding. To read their testimony at the New Evangelization Summit, click here: https://www.catholicregister.org/item/25250-parish-renewal-more-disciples-less-pot-luck
FROM THE CCCB
Rosary for the Family – Friday, May 27 2022
In preparation for the 10th World Meeting of Families (WMF), the CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life is hosting a live and nationwide Rosary for the Family via Zoom Webinar. The virtual event will take place on Sunday, 19 June 2022 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and will be facilitated by several families from across the country. (Read more…)
Press Release: World Meeting of Families
In preparation for the 10th World Meeting of Families (WMF), the CCCB Standing Committee on Family and Life has produced a short promotional video to help bring to life the WMF theme “Family Love: Vocation and Path to Holiness”. Pope Francis has announced that the WMF event will be held in a new way; celebrated not only in Rome, but in all dioceses and eparchies across the world. Organized by both the Diocese of Rome and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, the WMF will take place 22-26 June 2022 and will coincide with the closing of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year. (Read more…)
CCCB Submits Brief to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted a brief to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). The Committee is currently conducting a “statutory review of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to Medical Assistance in Dying and their application”, which includes issues relating to mature minors, advance requests, mental illness, the state of palliative care in Canada, and the protection of Canadians with disabilities. (Read more…)
Catholic Bishops Welcome Announcement of Dates and Hub Cities for Papal Visit to Canada – Friday, May 13 2022
The Vatican formally announced that Pope Francis will travel to Canada from July 24-29, 2022. The historic visit, focused on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, will be the fourth papal journey to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II’s visit in 2002. (Read more…)
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
37th WYD – Lisbon, Portugal – August 1st – 6th, 2023
The Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall is pleased to welcome a delegation from the Diocese of Pembroke. Ms. Julie Bélec, Pastoral Worker at the C.S.C. Catholique Jeanne-Lajoie Secondary Pavilion in Pembroke, has been tasked by Bishop Desrochers to accompany them on this journey. This involves spiritual preparation and fundraising activities. Thanks to an exception, the Archdiocese can offer this experience to young people from the age of 16. However, there must be an accompanying adult for every 2 minors. This means that we are also looking for responsible adults who want to have a unique and memorable spiritual experience. The cost, which includes airfare, accommodation, food, on-site transportation and registration for “Days in the Diocese” and WYD, is $3600. The first information gathering will take place at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa on Monday, May 30, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. If interested, a first deposit of $100 is required. In order to have all the necessary information, parents must be present at this meeting. Even if you miss this first information session, there is still time to register! For questions and/or information, please contact Ms. Julie Bélec by email: belecj@ecolecatholique.ca or by phone: 613 735-3948 ext. 42848. A video had been prepared to highlight WYD 2023: https://youtu.be/HxtO3xtybOw.
Steubenville Toronto Youth Conference Cancelled
The Steubenville Toronto Youth Conference scheduled for July 15-17 has been officially cancelled by the Archdiocese of Toronto Youth Office due to lack of registrations within the GTA.
Thank you all for your efforts to promote this event. It will now be 3 summers that this amazing conference for youth has not been able to run. They hope to offer the Conference next year in 2023.
PRO-LIFE
Renfrew County Right to Life Quarterly Meeting
Renfrew County Right to Life meets quarterly to discuss current pro-life issues, and how we can make a change in our community and society. Anyone who shares our goals is welcome to attend our next meeting at Calvary Baptist Pembroke, 567 Melton St., Pembroke, on Wednesday, June 1st at 7 p.m. Bring a friend! Check out facebook.com/RCRTL for more information.
First Step Options 2022 Baby Bottle Fundraising Campaign
Fill our virtual bottle and bring hope from May 8th to June 19th. Donations can be made via e-transfer, cheque, or monthly withdrawals. Visit the website at www.firststepoptions.com or email firststepoptions@gmail.com for more information.
Renfrew County Right to Life Grade 12 Essay Contest
Renfrew County Right to Life is delighted to announce their third Essay Contest, open to all grade 12 students residing in Renfrew County. This year’s theme is The Ethics of In-Vitro Fertilization. The winner receives $300. All essays must be received by June 1, 2022. For more details, visit facebook.com/RCRTL.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Sisters of the Lady Immaculate Encounter
Sisters of the Lady Immaculate present a “Come and See” Retreat from June 20th-26th for women discerning Religious Life. If interested, please contact Sr. Maria Immaculata at vocations@solisisters.ca.
OTHER
The Feast of Pentecost is celebrated in the Catholic Church on June 5th
How can we prepare to welcome the Holy Spirit deeper into our lives? Sign up and join Catholic speaker Ken Yasinski for a 9 day Novena to the Holy Spirit in preparation to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost: https://youtu.be/38KZuxsVA1Q.
Article: 5 Reasons We Need to Celebrate Mass on Sunday – Every Week
Perhaps, many people have gotten accustomed to attending online Masses during these grueling three years of the pandemic. However, with less restrictions in many places and less severity of the recent viral variant strains, it is the time to prudently discern and consider the attendance of Sunday Masses in person, knowing of its utmost importance and of the benefits of being able to receive Holy Communion as along as we are in state of grace. Check out the article “5 Reasons We Need to Celebrate Mass on Sunday – Every Week.”.