Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes.
(Luke 12.35-38)
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
We’re moving!
Please note that due to renovations, the Chancery and Bishop’s offices will be temporarily relocating to 545 Pembroke St. W., Pembroke, tentatively on Monday, October 25th. All mail correspondence can still be sent to P.O. Box 7, Pembroke, ON, K8A 6X1.
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 Sr. Mary Rice, CSJ (Sister Honora), who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on October 12th at Mount St. Joseph, Peterborough in the 78th year of her Religious Life.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Satan’s Tactics (Part 1)
By Pierre-Alain Giffard Director of Pastoral Work
Scriptures remind us that our spiritual battle between good and evil is real: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12) We are children of Light, we belong to Christ and this is why Darkness fights against us. And as we evangelize this struggle can escalate because Satan does not want people to get saved. He prowls around us like a roaring lion, seeking whom he will devour (1 Pe 5:8), and he uses various tactics to bring us down and make us fail. (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”.
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 Tuesday, October 26th. 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
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. beginning October 19th and 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.
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.