Jesus spent the night in prayer, and he chose twelve of the disciples and named them apostles.
(Luke 6.12-19)
MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Saint Anne’s Triduum in Cormac: The History of the Devotion to Saint Anne + Homily for Sunday, July 31, 2022
Read Parts I to III here: Part I, Part II, Part III.
FROM THE DIOCESE
Chancery Office Hours
Starting Tuesday, September 6th, the Diocesan Offices will resume normal hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Terminologies
The Diocesan Action Circle committee would like to familiarize everyone with certain terminologies:
Native: An outdated collective term referring to First Nations (status and non-status), Métis, and Inuit. It has largely been replaced by “Indigenous.”
FROM THE CCCB
108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Tuesday, August 30, 2022
“BUILDING THE FUTURE WITH MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES”. On September 25th, the Church will mark the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. It is an occasion to express our concern for the many vulnerable people on the move, to pray for them as they face many challenges, and to increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. (Read more…)
The CCCB Submits its National Synod Synthesis to the Holy See – Friday, September 02 2022
The first phase of the “Synod on Synodality,” listening at the diocesan level, has concluded. Synthesis Reports were prepared by each of Canada’s four Regional Episcopal Assemblies – Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions. These four regional reports were then received by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and used to draft a national synthesis, which has been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Holy See on 15 August 2022. The national synthesis document is divided into 11 sections, collectively reflecting on the major themes of this process and the voices heard. (Read more…)
THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM
12 Habits to Evangelize on a Daily Basis
By Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work
As Christians, pleasing God should be our ultimate goal. In this sense, we should understand that our actions and the choices we make shape our lives and the lives of those around us. The day we meet Jesus, we will hope to have served him and loved him the way he wants. Jesus himself fought and suffered to accomplish his mission. And he succeeded in doing the Father’s will by giving his life and dying on the cross for us (John 16:33). (Read more…)
THE HOLY SEE
Pope’s Prayer Intention for September 2022
For the abolition of the death penalty – We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.
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.
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
12th Annual Fall Pilgrimage St Joseph Oratory
We are back! Join our bus tour, sponsored by the Archdioceses of Ottawa-Cornwall, Gatineau, and Kingston, and the Dioceses of Pembroke, Mont-Laurier and Saint-Jérôme, on Sunday, October 16, 2022. First-come, first served! Please contact Mike Budge at 613 224-8110 or email at mike.budge@bell.net for more details.
Recollection Day for Women
There will be a recollection for women at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pembroke on Thursday, September 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Recollections are like mini-retreats that help you take a break from your busy schedule to think about your life, your relationship with God, and gain a fresh outlook. The day begins with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a time of guided prayer, followed by an examination of conscience, confessions, silent prayer, and benediction, and concludes with a talk on a practical aspect of living the faith in ordinary life. You are invited to bring your lunch and stay for a get together afterward. This spiritual activity, inspired by the writings of St. Josemaria Escriva, is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on the Prelature of Opus Dei go to www.opusdei.org. Should you have any questions, please contact Nadia at nadia.bagshaw@sympatico.ca or 613 584-9388.
Divine Renovation + Alpha Connect Canada
Join us in-person on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 5:45-7:15 p.m. EST at St. Luke’s Parish, 39 Green Lane, Thornhill, Ontario. Doors open at 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Go to https://divinerenovation.tfaforms.net/f/DR-Alpha-Connect-Sep23 for more information.
OTHER
Top 5 Reasons on Why Go to Sunday Mass
Thank you to Fr. O’Malley for suggesting this article from Catholics Striving for Holiness, which can be read here.
7th Annual Bluegrass Sunday
On Sunday, September 25th from 1:30-5 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall, 170 Ellis Street, Pembroke, ON. All proceeds go to “Friends for Life International,” a small Pembroke-based Canadian charity where 100% of funds raised go towards assisting Haitians living under extremely compromised conditions in the Dominican Republic. Cost: $20 at the door. For more information, contact Ron at 819 689-5440, or visit the website at www.friendsforlifeintl.ca.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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