Give alms, and everything will be made clean for you.
(Luke 11.37-41)
MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Statement Concerning Anti-COVID Vaccines and Vaccine Mandates
Please read Bishop Guy Desrochers’ statement here.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Diocesan Opening of the Synod
Bishop Guy Desrochers will officially open the Roman Synod in our Diocese at the Cathedral of St. Columbkille on October 17, 2021 at the 5:15 p.m. Mass. This Mass will be in English and French. The Church of God is convoked in Synod. With convocation, Pope Francis invites the whole Church to question herself on synodality: ad decisive theme for the life and mission of the Church.” The synod will be for two years, from 2021 until 2023. A time of reflection and sharing of the whole Church.”
The Synod was established by Pope St. Paul VI and usually involves the Pope and bishops from the world. Its purpose is to advise and thus assist the Holy Father in his care for the Church. Pope Francis wishes this synod to be different in that its consultation will be more broad, beginning in the Diocese, then Continents and finally the Church Universal. The topic for the synod is “synodality” and thus it is to discuss the future of the Synod in the Church.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
The One Percent Rule
By Patrick Sullivan
Frustrating as it may be for some of us, it is nevertheless completely understandable that many Catholics do not evangelize. After all, many do not know what evangelization is, never mind how to go about doing it, and doing it well, at that. The parish, too, should get at least some of our sympathy, for even though the problems we experience at the parish level are very different, the challenges can seem just as overwhelming. (Read more…)
You are invited
The evangelization team is starting an online prayer group to intercede for the diocesan evangelization project, for the members of the team, and for all those who God wants us to reach. We hope you will be with us Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm. We will pray the rosary, sometimes a novena, or meditate on a Gospel passage. Please mark your calendar and join us by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84010154174.
FROM THE CCCB
Life and Family Suggestions for Homilies and Prayers of the Faithful During October 2021
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease across the country and churches gradually welcome parishioners back in person, the Sunday liturgy offers nourishment for prayer and reflection during the whole week – whether we are meditating on the readings, praying together with our families or participating at Mass within our faith communities.
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 October 2021 include suggestions from the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 3 October, to the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 31 October 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”.
VATICAN NEWS
Pope Francis issues message for 2021 World Youth Day
The theme of the Pope’s message for the 2021 World Youth Day is “Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen.” (cf. Acts 26:16). The 2021 World Youth Day will be celebrated locally, on the Solemnity of Christ the King.” (The Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life issued pastoral guidelines for the celebration of World Youth Day in dioceses)
FAITH FORMATION
Got Life Questions? R.C.I.A. might just be for you!
R.C.I.A stands for the Rite of Christian initiation of Adults. It is a journey for anyone who is interested in becoming a Catholic and growing in the life as a Christian. It is for someone who has never been baptized, or maybe you have been baptized in another Christian faith and wish to know more about the Catholic faith. Maybe you have been baptized and have not received the other Sacraments for your life’s mission. If any of the above apply to you, we would love to help in your spiritual journey. Want to know more about your Catholic faith? All are welcome to join us in exploring this new quest starting late October. Please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
Important Gathering Call to Register
A Catechists’ formation day open to all will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Pembroke. Special guests include Bishop Guy Desrochers and Pierre-Alain Giffard, the director of pastoral work. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please inform us you have any food allergies. There is no registration fee, but registration is necessary. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please inform us you have any food allergies. There is no registration fee, but registration is necessary. This day will be held in person, however, a Zoom link is available to those unable to attend at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87817290849. To register, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206, or by email at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com by Thursday, November 4, 2021.
PRO-LIFE
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. First Step Options support women and their families experiencing the loss of a child through stillbirth, miscarriage, and abortion as part of their services. For more information, please call 613 635-7440 or email firststepoptions@gmail.com.
Campaign Life Coalition – Save Canada’s Crisis Pregnancy Centres
In page 4 of the 2021 Liberal Election Platform, the Trudeau Liberals issued a blanket condemnation of all pro-life groups across Canada. They falsely claimed: “anti-choice organizations are actively working to spread misinformation about abortion, putting the health and safety of young people and vulnerable women at risk.”
Without any facts to back up their libel, the Liberals went on to make this promise: “A re-elected Liberal government will… no longer provide charity status to anti-abortion organizations (for example, Crisis Pregnancy Centres) that provide dishonest counseling to women about their rights and about the options available to them at all stages of the pregnancy.”
If Mr. Trudeau gets his way, scores of Crisis Pregnancy Centres and hundreds of educational pro-life groups across this country will be at risk of closure. And the thousands of babies they save from abortion every year will be at risk of never seeing the light of day!
According to Pregnancy Care Canada, over 30,000 people accessed help last year from their 80 affiliated Pregnancy Care Centres. Over 7,000 clients received material supplies such as diapers, formula, and clothing. Over 600 women requested and received post-abortion support.
We must ensure these vital organizations and their dedicated staff and volunteers, who provide help, hope, and healing for pregnant women and their pre-born babies, are safeguarded.
SIGN THE PETITION: SAVE OUR CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTRES.
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 – November 6th.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Peru to Mars: New Worlds and Jesuit Science
Jesuits of Canada presents “Peru to Mars: New Worlds and Jesuit Science,” presented by Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ via Zoom on Thursday, October 14th at 7:30 p.m. EST. To register at no charge: https://bit.ly/perutomars. For more information, please contact: poreilly@jesuits.org.
Development and Peace Caritas Canada – People & Planet First
Please join Development & Peace via Zoom to discuss the dangers facing environmental and human rights defenders in the Global South and the relationship of their work with our Global Ecosystem. What could we do to move our Canadian Government to intervene in strengthening corporate due diligence laws to enhance environmental and human rights? Date: Saturday, October 16th from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (register Meeting Registration – Zoom).
Virtual Alpha Course
Got questions about life? Explore Life, Faith, Meaning. Eight Monday evenings beginning September 13th, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Also includes a Saturday on-line retreat on October 30th. Sponsored by the Companions of the Cross and the Queenship of Mary Community. For intro video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBoXPFOOemY. It’s free! Register at: https://www.queenshipofmary.ca/events-news/events.
OTHER
Men Healing from Trauma
Join this free virtual conference with live speakers, open Q&A, and recorded presentations on Saturday, October 16th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST. Hear first-hand stories of men sharing their abortion wounds, lost fatherhood, and the unhealthy ways they tried to cope with pain, hurt and trauma from abortion. To register or for more information, please go to their website at: https://www.menhealingfromtrauma.com/home.