Martha welcomed Jesus into her home.
Mary chose the better part.
(Luke 10.38-42)
MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOP
Statement Concerning Anti-COVID Vaccines and Vaccine Mandates
Please read Bishop Guy Desrochers’ statement here.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Thanksgiving Weekend
The Diocesan Offices will be closed on Monday, October 11th, and will reopen on Tuesday, October 12th at 8:30 a.m.
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
New Weekly Online Evangelization Prayer Group
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
Prayer as a means of drawing people to Christ is a primary and essential task. Benedict XVI explains that “people who pray are not wasting their time, even though the situation appears desperate and seems to call for action alone.” (Deus caritas est, # 36). In previous articles, I talked about the importance of prayer, emphasizing that it should be the foundation of all activities in the Church. To follow up on this conviction, the evangelization team is now creating 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. (Read more…)
FROM THE CCCB
Life and Family Suggestions for Homilies and Prayers of the Faithful During October 2021 – Monday, October 4, 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”.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Elect New Executive and Appoint New General Secretary – Monday, October 04 2021
Following the conclusion of the 2021 Plenary Assembly meeting, the Bishops of Canada announced two tangible commitments to walk with the Indigenous Peoples of this land along the pathway of hope as well as to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families and communities: an apology by the Bishops of Canada to Indigenous Peoples and an announcement of a nation-wide collective financial commitment with a target of $30 million.(Read more…)
VATICAN NEWS
Pope’s Prayer Intention for October
Intention for evangelization ‐ Missionary disciples. We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavour of the Gospel.
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.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Diocesan Young Adult Ministry (18 to 35)
Next gathering is Wednesday, October 6th from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the parish hall of St. Columbkille Cathedral. This fall session we are studying the book of Revelation with Jeff Cavins from Ascension Press. This study will run every two weeks on Wednesday evenings. Please contact Yvette at yvettebourque@pembrokdiocese.com to be added to our contact list for future details. Bring a friend and come enjoy unpacking the last book of the bible with us.
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.
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
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? Dates: (Express Workshop) Thursday, October 7th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. (register at Meeting Registration – Zoom) or Saturday, October 16th from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (register Meeting Registration – Zoom).
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.
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.