The Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.
(Luke 19.1-10)
MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOP
Synodal Journey in the Diocese of Pembroke
All the diocesan Churches of the world have now entered into a great process called “synod”. Pope Francis officially launched this process on Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 October 2021 in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He invites all the faithful, men and women, religious men and women, and clergy to embark on a vast consultation movement that will reach its climax in two years. (Read more…)
Letter of Exemption Requests
Please read Bishop Guy Desrochers’ letter dated September 16, 2021 to priests and deacons of the Diocese of Pembroke here.
Statement Concerning Anti-COVID Vaccines and Vaccine Mandates
Please read Bishop Guy Desrochers’ statement here.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Ordo Liturgical Calendars for 2021-22
Ordo Liturgical Calendars for 2021-22 are presently available for purchase at the Chancery Office for only $20/copy on a first-come, first-served basis. If interested, please contact Donna Biggs at 613 732-7933 ext. 203 or donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com.
Pastoral Appointments:
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral appointments:
- Reverend Justin Bertrand has been appointed Administrator of St-Thomas-d’Aquin Parish, Astorville, Ste-Bernadette Parish, Bonfield, and Sacred Heart Parish, Corbeil.
- Reverend Réal Ouellette has been appointed Pastor of Holy Canadian Martyrs Parish, Combermere, and St. Francis de Sales Mission, Latchford Bridge.
These appointments become effective on December 1, 2021.
- In October, Reverend Kenneth O’Brien concluded his ministry as Chaplain to Marianhill in Pembroke. Bishop Desrochers wishes to thank Father O’Brien for his dedication to the pastoral care of the residents and staff of Marianhill for over thirty years.
- Reverend William Kenney has been assigned as Chaplain to Marianhill. Father Kenney will provide pastoral care one day a week.
- Seminarian Lukas Časta has been assigned to St. Columbkille Cathedral Parish for his pastoral year. Due to renovations of the Cathedral rectory, Lukas is in residence at Our Lady of Lourdes rectory in Pembroke.
We’ve moved!
Please note that due to renovations, the Chancery and Bishop’s offices have temporarily relocated to 545 Pembroke St. W., Pembroke. All mail correspondence can still be sent to P.O. Box 7, Pembroke, ON, K8A 6X1.
New Diocesan Council
It is with great joy that the Diocese announces a new Diocesan Council for Development and Peace. “As the official development organization of the Canadian Catholic Church it is deeply rooted in the values of the Gospel especially for the poor.” Development and Peace’s annual People and Planet First campaign is inspired by the words of Pope Francis, who says that “a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (Laudato Si’, 49) We are praying that more people will answer the call to help in the struggle of human dignity. Will you join us in being member of our council? More information will follow in our upcoming Weekly Bulletins, as well introduction of present members. For more information, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com or 613 732-7933 ext. 206, or contact Jean S. Tyler at jmstyler56@gmail.com.
Mass for Persecuted Christians – RED WEDNESDAY
Many Christians throughout the world suffer persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Atrocities against Christians cannot be forgotten. For example, since 2003, the number of Christians in Iraq has dropped from 1.3 million to less than 200,000. There were once 1.7 million Christians in Syria and now there are only about 450,000 remaining. The Aid to the Church in Need estimates that as great as 75% of all religious persecution is committed against Christians. Bishop Desrochers will celebrate Mass for Persecution Christians at St. Columbkille Cathedral on Wednesday November 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. All parishes are asked, if possible, to mark this occasion with Holy Mass. A tradition of lighting up the churches in red is one possibility to visibly mark this event. Such action shows our solidarity with the Church persecuted as well as educate ourselves better about those who suffer for the faith and are even martyred.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Truth and Reconciliation
The news of the discovered unmarked graves this spring at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia has jarred our Catholic conscience into grappling with a Canadian reality and a matter of fact concerning our Church’s history. This issue was experienced in a variety of ways throughout our Diocese. (Read more…)
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
What can help children raised Catholic continue practicing the faith as adults?
According to The Pillar Survey on Religious Attitudes and Practices, there are factors that can help predict whether children raised Catholic continue practicing the faith as adults. These factors are the following: (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
2021 Message to mark the Sikh celebration of Guru Nanak Prakash Diwas – Saturday, November 13, 2021
The Most Reverend Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, MCCJ, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, has issued a message to mark the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The text is entitled “Christians and Sikhs: Together to foster a culture of care”. This year’s celebration is being held on 30 November.
Decree of Implementation of the New French Translation of the Roman Missal
Read the CCCB decree here.
Canadian Bishops Invite Residential School Survivors, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Youth to meet with pope Francis in December – Wednesday, November 10 2021
The Catholic Bishops of Canada are pleased to announce that 25-30 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican from December 17-20, 2021, accompanied by a small group of Canadian Bishops. (Read more…)
Celebrating the Amoris Laetitia Family Year
Since 19 March 2021, Pope Francis has invited the Catholic faithful to celebrate a year dedicated to the family and deepen our understanding of his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, “The Joy of Love”. The Amoris Laetitia Family Year will conclude with the 10th World Meeting of Families, which will take place in Rome and will also be celebrated in local dioceses, 22 – 26 June 2022. (Read more…)
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
NET (National Evangelization Team)
NET is a team of young adults who serve by giving retreats to elementary and High School age youth. This year only one team is available this fall on a part time basis to book NET Live Virtual Retreats on Thursday mornings, Thursday afternoons or any time on Fridays. This same team will be free to go on a spring tour to offer in-person cohort style retreats. If you are interested in having NET do a retreat during their spring tour, please contact Yvette at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com. Please understand that the dates that can be offered are limited.
Pope Francis’ Message for the XXXVI World Youth Day
Pope Francis’ Message for the XXXVI World Youth Day will be held on the Solemnity of Christ the King (21 November) with the theme: “Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (cf. Acts 26:16). The Message is available in various languages at the following websites:
Vatican:
Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life:
http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/GMGMESSAGE2021.html.
PRO-LIFE
First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre 15th Anniversary Silent Auction
As part of their anniversary celebrations, FSO will be hosting their first ever online silent auction that will include fifteen items to represent the 15 years they have been serving in Renfrew County. The auction will be listed on the Facebook page – “First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre” and will begin on Monday, November 22nd at 10:00 a.m. and will end on Friday, November 26th at 4:00 p.m. Please call 613 635-7440 for more information.
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 the first Saturday of each month. 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. Next Latin Mass – December 4th.
ADVENT
For PARISHES – Free 3-day Advent retreat, “From Ritual to Relationship”
Advent Mission with Sr. Helena Burns fsp. This 3-day retreat is available for free online any time your group would like to gather. Everything is set up for your parish/group for whenever you plan your Mission:
- opening prayer
- proprietary link to 35-minute video talk for each day
- reflection/discussion questions
- closing prayer
For more information: www.sacredheartcollege.ca or call Jacob 705 808-4625.
Hope for the Church – A Virtual Advent Mission
Join the Companions of the Cross for a Virtual Advent Mission. With talks by Fr. Roger Vandenakker, CC, Fr. Brenton Cordeiro, CC, and Deacon Juan Pablo Orozco, CC, and Praise and Worship provided by the Companions of the Cross seminarians. Info: www.companionscross.org/advent-2021, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 7-8 p.m. Info: info@companionscross.org.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
CCCB – Information Systems Technician, Department for Digital, Print, Media and Information Technologies
Under the supervision of the Director for Digital, Print, Media and Information Technologies, the Information Systems Technician is responsible for various IT projects for the CCCB. The incumbent is also responsible for conducting needs analysis with a view to the design, installation, implementation, and customization of software/infrastructure. He or she will act as webmaster for the CCCB’s intranet and extranet sites, as well as first-line technical support for computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware and software. In the absence of the Director, he or she must devise temporary or permanent solutions for network, hardware and software failures to the best of his or her abilities to minimize downtime for CCCB members and employees. Full description: Information Systems Technician, Department for Digital, Print, Media and Information Technologies – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (cccb.ca). Application deadline: November 19th.
CCCB – Lead, Communications Service, General Secretariat
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada. Like other national episcopal conferences around the world, it facilitates joint pastoral action on the part of the Bishops across the country. In addition to the regulation of liturgical and pastoral matters, examples of this joint action include the coordination of charitable initiatives across many dioceses, and the fostering of ecumenical and interfaith relations at the national level. The CCCB’s work is facilitated by a permanent bilingual General Secretariat located in Ottawa. Full description: Lead, Communications Service, General Secretariat – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (cccb.ca). Application deadline: November 19th.
CCCB – Advisor for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, General Secretariat
Under the direction of the General Secretary, who is assisted by the Assistant General Secretary, and in close collaboration with the other staff of the General Secretariat, the incumbent advises the CCCB regarding ecumenical and interfaith matters, maintains several distinct ecumenical and interfaith relationships, and acts as secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, and Interfaith Dialogue. Full description: Advisor for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, General Secretariat – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (cccb.ca). Application deadline: November 19th.