Pembroke, November 1, 2026
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and sat down… He began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God…’” (Matthew 5)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We begin the month of November with the Gospel of the Beatitudes, and the great feast of All Saints. This is an important celebration which strengthens the hope to which we are called in Christ. As the days grow shorter, and we become more deeply aware of the challenges facing our Diocese, Jesus himself reminds us that we are blessed, and that he is with us now and always. In this Spirit, I write this letter to update you on our process of pastoral planning.
When I last wrote on August 6th, I promised to send you this update which would also indicate the next steps for each parish and deanery as we move forward. It is important to remember that even in the past few months, we have experienced some unexpected changes and challenging circumstances.
In June, three of our active priests in full-time parish ministry retired. Fortunately, two new priests came to serve our Diocese. However, two other priests unexpectedly left active ministry in the Pontiac Deanery, one on health leave, and the other for personal reasons. Another active priest will leave the Diocese at the end of November. This means that we have four fewer active priests to serve our parishes, directly affecting 12 parishes. Despite our best efforts, we have not yet been able to find sufficient replacements, even on a temporary basis. This situation stretches our priests to the maximum.
As you saw from the Financial Report published in Ecclesia in September, the financial situation of the Diocese has improved slightly, with a small reduction in the annual deficit for the Diocese. However, as indicated by the reports sent to each parish in June, most parishes in the Diocese are experiencing significant financial challenges. Many are unable to pay their heating and other daily costs. Nor can they finance necessary and urgent repairs. As we approach another winter, this is a very serious situation.
Some urgent decisions have already been taken, including adapting the Sunday Mass schedules in several places, and the suspension of Sunday Masses in ten Churches in the Pontiac Deanery. I am very grateful for the cooperation of both priests and people with these decisions. Although these decisions are provisional, it is clear that we will not be able to return to the status quo and the previous situation. We need to move forward with our pastoral planning process in the next few months to ensure long-term solutions for the benefit of all the people of the Diocese.
I would like to now outline some important steps and urge every parish and community to engage in them under the guidance of your pastors.
1. Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer:
I ask every Pastor to organize at least one Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our Pastoral Planning Process. In order to embrace the future with hope, we need the Holy Spirit to open all of our hearts to face the decisions we will have to make. To respond to our challenging situation with hope and courage, all of us will need to ‘let go’ in some way. This ‘letting go’ will touch the priests and the people, the Bishop and future generations. Jesus calls us to take up our Cross and follow him in faith and hope.
These Holy Hours could take place in every parish cluster beginning as soon as possible, but certainly before Advent. I encourage parishioners to gather together with the different communities served by the same pastor so that all may pray together.
2. Parish Meeting to Reflect on the Individual Parish Reports:
Some Parishes have already had a chance to reflect together on their individual situation in the light of the parish reports distributed in each church at the end of June. Although most parishioners have already read their parish report, some parishes have not yet had an opportunity to talk about it with fellow parishioners and their pastor. I encourage any parish that has not yet had this opportunity to do so as soon as possible. Perhaps Parish Councils could convoke and animate such a meeting.
It is important to recognize that we are facing a shortage of priests, serious financial deficits, as well as shifting demographics in our population.
3. Deanery Meetings with the Bishop and Steering Committee:
In preparation to discern and draft the concrete decisions needed for the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, we are planning a series of Deanery Meetings to take place with delegates from every parish and mission. Each meeting will take place on a Saturday, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, with a light lunch included. Delegates will include the active priests in each Deanery, with three designated persons from every parish and mission. Dates of the Deanery Meetings and directions on the designation of delegates will be sent separately to each pastor.
May the Holy Spirit guide us as we continue to walk together, accompanied by Mary, Our Blessed Mother and St. Columbkille, our patron.
In Christ our Redeemer,
Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R.
Bishop of Pembroke
