Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.
(Luke 9.51-56)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Pastoral Appointments:
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral assignments:
- Reverend Steven BALLARD is granted a health leave as he begins treatment immediately. Please remember Father Ballard in prayer during this time of illness.
- Reverend Daniel KELLY is appointed administrator of St. John Chrysostom Parish, Arnprior, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Braeside, while Father Ballard is on health leave. This appointment is effective immediately.
- Reverend Jim BEANISH is appointed pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Killaloe, and Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Brudenell. This appointment is effective on 13 October 2022.
- Reverend Mitchell BEACHEY is appointed rector of the Cathedral of St. Columbkille, while also remaining as pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Paroisse St-Jean-Baptiste in Pembroke. This appointment is effective on 13 October 2022.
- Reverend Peter DO is appointed as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Columbkille, Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Paroisse St-Jean-Baptiste. This appointment is effective on 13 October 2022.
24 September 2022
The Synod on Synodality
In October 2021 Pope Francis launched the path of synodality “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission”. From 2021 to 2023 the entire Church has embarked on a journey of sharing, reflecting and listening. Dioceses worldwide have been asked to pray and reflect on how to “journey together” to better accomplish the mission of the Church.
Mid-June, dioceses across the Ontario province submitted their synod reports to the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO) which synthesize what was heard from each of the 12 dioceses and produced a provincial report that was passed on to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
The CCCB also received reports prepared by Canada’s three other Regional Episcopal Assemblies – Western, Quebec and Atlantic regions. It then wrote a national synthesis and submitted it to the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Holy See on 15 August 2022.
Links to the synthesis report from the diocese of Pembroke, from the Catholic Bishops of Ontario and from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops can all be found on our diocesan website at this address https://pembrokediocese.com/synod/. Parishioners who do not have access to the Internet can contact Donna Biggs 613 732-7933 and ask for a printed copy of the synthesis report from the diocese of Pembroke.
FROM THE CCCB
Bishops of Canada Gather in Cornwall for 2022 Annual Plenary Assembly – Thursday, September 22 2022
Bishops from across the country are gathering in Cornwall, Ontario, this week for the 2022 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The gathering will bring together 72 Bishops for in-person meetings for the first time since 2019. (Read more…)
2022 Report from the CCCB President and letter to Pope Francis on behalf of the Bishops of Canada – Monday, September 26, 2022
With the opening of this year’s Plenary Assembly, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is releasing its President’s annual report to the members, highlighting major pastoral initiatives undertaken by the CCCB since the last plenary meeting, such as the Indigenous Delegation to the Vatican in March 2022, the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to Canada in July 2022, as well as in the areas of family and life, and Church’s ongoing journey toward the Synod on synodality. (Read more…)
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022
September 30, 2022 marks the 2nd annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day we honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Please see following prayer to commemorate this day from the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board.
Terminologies
The Diocesan Action Circle committee would like to familiarize everyone with certain terminologies:
Surrender: A formal agreement that confirms the conditions and terms when a First Nation exchanges part of its territory for equitable compensation.
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
Find a Need and Fill It – Revealing God’s Heart in the Community
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
One of the challenges we may face when we want to evangelize is to realize that we know few non-Christian. Thus, it is necessary to start engaging with people who are not Catholics. Jesus asks us to go all over the world to make disciples (Matthew 28,19). For us, our world is simply our neighborhood. It is there that we can accomplish our mission. It is there that God’s heart can be revealed. (Read more…)
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for October 2022
For a Church open to everyone – We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.
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 at St Columbkille Cathedral. For more information, please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Marriage Preparation Program
The Fall Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, October 15th and Saturday, October 29th, 2022 at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. Deadline to register is September 30th. Registration is available online at www.pembrokediocese.com, or a form can be obtained from any parish and mailed in. Inquiries can be directed to Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.
An invitation for married or engaged couples!
Do you struggle to find true, quality time with your spouse? Do you struggle to find time to pray together, and grow in faith together? Do you want to meet other Catholic couples who share this amazing vocation of marriage? If so – it’s time to level up your marriage vocation with The Catholic Date Night. The Catholic Date Night is a monthly, virtual event for married or engaged Catholic couples, hosted by music ministers, Jesse and Kathleen LeBlanc (Found Together).
Each night you will enjoy:
- A powerful, live interview with a Catholic couple sharing about a topic relevant to Catholic marriages
- Time offline to discuss the content with your spouse using guided questions
- Virtual breakout rooms to meet and talk with other couples just like you, from across the country
- A time of guided prayer ministry where you will learn new ways to pray with your spouse
Don’t wait until your marriage is on the rocks to prioritize your relationship. Subscribe to the Catholic Date Night today and be sure that meaningful, fun, and transformative Date Nights are always on the calendar.
Visit www.wearefoundtogether.com/datenights to learn more and follow us on Instagram @TheCatholicDateNight. Consider joining this amazing, growing community of Catholic married couples!
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
D&P Event
Development and Peace has begun mobilizing in Pembroke Diocese this fall! We are looking to grow our movement in pursuit of human dignity, social and economic justice. Together let’s answer the Laudato Si call to be stewards of God’s Creation. If these goals resonate with you, feel welcome to come to our upcoming event!
- November 17th at 7 p.m. is the Pembroke Diocesan Fall Campaign Workshop. This formation will work on mobilizing the People and Planet First campaign in our own communities. If you’re new, this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know D&P! This will be a hybrid event, in person location to be announced soon. Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlf-GtqDouGdVdggpmLzUwMLMXgk0bhtfk.
If you would like more information, please contact D&P’s regional animator, Kiegan Irish at kirish@devp.org
PRO-LIFE
First Step Options’ 2nd Annual “Baby Bump” Party
Throughout the month of September everyone will have the opportunity to join this virtual baby shower by gifting the Centre with items listed here. For more information, please call First Step Options at 613 635-7440, or email firststepoptions@gmail.com.
First Step Options – Free Community Workshop “Preparing for Postpartum”
On Thursday, September 29th, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Wesley Community Church, 201 Renfrew Street, Pembroke. Special guest speaker: Christine Raddatz from Renfrew County Doulas. Free registration: fsocentre@gmail.com.
Life Chain
Life Chain is a powerful, peaceful street witness and prayer vigil held every year across North America. We stand silently and prayerfully on the sidewalk. Signs provided proclaim “Adoption the Loving Option,” “Jesus Forgives & Heals,” “Lord, Forgive Us and Our Nation,” “Abortion Hurts Women,” and “Life – the first Inalienable right.”
Bring your whole family! Life Chain goes rain or shine. Lawn chairs, umbrellas and strollers are welcome. Meet at the Festival Hall parking lot at 1:45 on Sunday, October 2nd to collect your sign and greet fellow pro-lifers. Please join us in standing for life!
Sponsored by Renfrew County Right to Life: www.facebook.com/RCRTL.
RCRTL Celebration of Life Dinner
Please join Renfrew County Right to Life for the 2022 Celebration of Life Dinner! Enjoy a roast beef buffet by Ulrich’s, and an informative talk by Scott Hayward of RightNow, an organization that seeks to elect pro-life politicians in Canada.
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, 280 Lourdesview Ave, Pembroke.
When: Wednesday October 19th. Refreshments at 5 p.m. – Buffet at 6 p.m.
Cost: $30/adult, $20/student. To reserve your seat, please mail your dinner payment cheque before October 10th to: Renfrew County Right to Life c/o Holy Name Church, 284 Trafalgar Rd, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. Any questions? Please call Barb at 613 735-6265 and leave a message.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
Creation Care School – Integral Ecology
Happy Season of Creation, from September 1st to October 4th! Online courses in the Creation Care School are now free thanks to the generous donation from a religious congregation. Check it out!
Online Religion course for High School students – Our Moral Life in Christ: A Complete Course
This is a senior level high school course, but since there are no prerequisites except passion and interest, you are free to sign up regardless of your grade if the subject matter interests you. It will be interesting and informative. The plan at the moment is to teach on Wednesdays again between October 12 and June 21. We “meet” using Zoom and the online textbook service provided by My Catholic Faith Delivered. It runs for 60-70 minutes per session. The time of the class is a little up in the air, but you can expect that it will be somewhere between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
The cost of the course is $500 for the full year. A payment plan of two to three payments is possible. An online textbook will be accessible. For families with multiple children interested in the course, a price reduction is available. If you are interested or have further questions, please contact Jim McManamy S.T.B., M-Div,. OCT at jvmcmanamy@hotmail.com.
Rosary Coast to Coast 2022
Looking for a way to celebrate Thanksgiving? This year, Rosary Coast to Coast will be held on Sunday, October 9th at 4 p.m. ET. Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, the holy rosary and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary! Gather the children of the world to pray together through the recitation of the rosary, ideally in the presence of our Eucharistic Jesus in our churches. If not possible, pray at home with your families and prayer groups! Contact Angie Carboni at 416 871-3908 or marsha.c@stbernadettesfrc.org for more information.
13th Annual Women’s Fall Retreat
“Pray always; Do not lose heart!” on Saturday, October 15th, 2022 from 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall, Kemptville Campus, 820 Heritage Drive, Kemptville. Cost: $65 in person – $20 Zoom. To register or for more information, please visit www.womensfallretreat.com.
12th Annual Fall Pilgrimage St Joseph Oratory
We are back! Sponsored by Committee of the Annual Pilgrimages for the Dioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, Pembroke, Mont-Laurier/St-Jérôme and Kingston, on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Stop in the afternoon at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in LaSalle. Please note that the pilgrimage for Renfrew, Pembroke and Fort-Coulonge has been cancelled due to no bus drivers being available. However, seating places are still available for the Belleville, Kingston and Cornwall bus.
Please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or email at mike.budge@bell.net for more details.
OTHER
Canadians give generously to CNEWA Ukraine Campaign
Canadians give generously to CNEWA Ukraine Campaign, with total donations now exceeding $5.5 million CAD since the launch of their fundraising campaign in late February. The significant generosity of Canadians has allowed CNEWA’s efforts to help the displaced and the vulnerable people on the ground in the Ukraine.
As the war rages on and the energy crisis looms, CNEWA’s focus remains on helping people affected by this war get through the winter.
EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
CCCB – Office and Resource Development Assistant
Under the supervision of the Director of the Office for Family and Life, the Research and Resource Development Assistant [ENGLISH] supports the Office by assisting the Director. For more information, and for a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, click here.
Marianhill Board of Directors
Marianhill is currently seeking several community volunteers to join our Board of Directors. Marianhill operates as a charitable not-for-profit organization founded by the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and now overseen by Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario. Our dedicated staff provide long-term care and community services to seniors from Pembroke, and across Renfrew County and The Pontiac.
We are all aware that this is a challenging time to be caring for seniors. Two years of pandemic pressures and Ontario’s aging demographics mean that Marianhill requires a dedicated governance team to help guide the redevelopment and human resource challenges now facing our organization.
If you wish to give back to your community in a meaningful way and this challenge appeals to you, please send your letter of intent to:
Linda M. Tracey, CEO
Secretary of the Board