Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body.
(John 2.13-22)
MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOP
Official Opening of the Diocesan Synod
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
All the diocesan Churches of the world have now entered into a great process called “synod” since this past weekend. Pope Francis officially launched this synodal process of the Catholic Church 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 this vast consultation movement which 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
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.
Prayers
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Harriett (Neville) Gagnon, sister of Fr. Grant Neville, who passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 3rd at the age of 82.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
An Example of a Missionary Parish: Phoenix First Assembly of God
By Pierre-Alain Giffard Director of Pastoral Work
Tommy Barnett was the senior pastor of Phoenix First Assembly of God in Arizona. His church was referred to as “The Church with a Heart” because of its more than 260 outreach ministries. Over the years and through its missionary efforts, it has experienced remarkable growth. (Read more…)
Symbols Help Us To Remember… And To Evangelize
By Patrick Sullivan
Just the other night, I had the pleasure of once again sitting down to one of life’s greatest pleasures, that, of course, being the reading of theology. And through the various musings put forward by the author, some of which were dry of course, one obvious and exciting truth in his writings struck me again as if hearing it for the first time. Essentially, the point was that though mathematical signs and language will never truly become human signs, as in, put to use by the common man in his daily communication, it is also true that we are losing the very signs that can be just that. (Read more…)
FROM THE CCCB
Decree of Implementation of the New French Translation of the Roman Missal
Read the CCCB decree here.
Horizons of Hope – A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care
Join the CCCB as they launch this Zoom Webinar on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 10-11:30 a.m. EST. An expert panel will introduce you to the key features of the free-of-cost toolkit and show you how to download it so that you can facilitate meaningful conversations on palliative care in your Catholic Communities. Click here to register.
Life and Family Suggestions for Homilies and Prayers of the Faithful During November 2021 – Wednesday, November 3, 2021
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 November 2021 include suggestions from the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 7 November, to the 1st Sunday of Advent, 28 November 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 October are available on the special Family and Life webpage, under the section “Suggestions for Homilies & Prayers of the Faithful”.
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.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Holiness – Highway to Heaven
Join Fr. Ben St. Croix, CC for this inspiring 5 part Zoom Seminar on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. ending November 16th! The call to holiness is central to the Scriptures and this call has been renewed in our times. The highway to Heaven is paved with holiness. In this series, we will explore the foundational call to holiness. Moreover, we will seek to cultivate the kind of response to this call that Christ is looking for from us. Click here to register.
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.
OTHER
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College
Committed to an authentically Catholic education, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College offers a uniquely affordable Bachelor’s degree in just 3 years! With small class sizes, a vibrant student life, and an academically rigorous education, SWC is committed to the formation of the whole human person. Apply before the Early Action Deadline on January 4, 2022, and have your application fee waived and receive a $400 dollar tuition discount! Note our regular application deadline on March 18, 2022. We will be hosting a Come & See for interested High School students from November 11-14. For more information see our website: https://www.seatofwisdom.ca/future-students/. If you have any questions about our academics, student life, or application process, please contact admissions@seatofwisdom.ca.