WEEKLY BULLETIN

BULLETIN HEBDOMADAIRE

DIOCESE OF PEMBROKE/DIOCÈSE DE PEMBROKE

 

284, ch. Trafalgar Rd., Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8                                      613 732-7933​

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April 14, 2026

Ferial – Férie

FROM THE DIOCESE

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Bishop’s Easter Message 2026: Bishop Michael Brehl’s Easter message is now available

on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Qsgv7a3Nc.

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Message de l'évêque pour Pâques 2026 : Le message de Pâques de Mgr Michael Brehl est

disponible sur YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzapV9t6_TM.

 

Prayers: For the repose of the soul of Deacon Daniel Dauvin, a deacon of the Diocese

of Sault Ste Marie who for many years resided and assisted in the Diocese of Pembroke,

on April 8th at the age of 82. Deacon Daniel was predeceased by his wife, Mary in 2002.

 

Prières : Pour le repos de l'âme du diacre Daniel Dauvin, diacre du diocèse de Sault Ste Marie qui a vécu et exercé son ministère pendant de nombreuses années dans le diocèse de Pembroke, décédé le 8 avril à l’âge de 82 ans.

 

Prayers: For the repose of the soul of Sister Jane Fischer, csj, who passed away peacefully at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, Pembroke, on Friday, April 10th. Sister Jane served the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph faithfully for over 60 years.

 

Prières : Pour le repos de l'âme de Sœur Jane Fischer, csj, décédée paisiblement à l’Hôpital régional de Pembroke, à Pembroke, vendredi le 10 avril dernier. Sœur Jane a servi fidèlement la Congrégation des Sœurs de St. Joseph pendant plus de 60 ans.

 

Pastoral Planning Information: Any information regarding Pastoral Planning may be found on our website at https://pembrokediocese.com/diocesan-pastoral-planning/.

 

Informations sur la planification pastorale : Vous trouverez toutes les informations concernant la planification pastorale sure notre site web à l’adresse https://pembrokediocese.com/fr/planification-pastorale-diocesaine/.

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FROM THE CCCB / DE LA CECC

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Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Alberta – Alberta Bill 18: Please find attached a Pastoral Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Alberta on Alberta Bill 18, dated 25 March 2026 (original in English, with an unofficial translation in French by the CCCB).

Bill 18 proposes new legislation that will try to confine “MAiD” to people whose natural death is expected within 12 months, effectively eliminating Track 2 MAID in that province. It also adds several practical restrictions beyond federal law, including a ban on out-of-province referral for “MAiD” assessments, training requirements, and facility/provider conscience protections.

As is customary with such letters, it has been added to the CCCB website under Suffering and End of Life – Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/suffering-and-end-of-life/euthanasia-and-assisted-suicide/.

 

Lettre pastorale des évêques catholiques de l’Alberta – Projet de loi 18 de l’Alberta : Vous trouverez ci-joint une lettre pastorale des évêques catholiques de l’Alberta concernant le projet de loi 18 de l’Alberta, datée du 25 mars 2026 (original en anglais, avec une traduction non officielle en français par la CECC).

Le projet de loi 18 propose une nouvelle législation visant à limiter l’« aide médicale à mourir » (AMM) aux personnes dont le décès naturel est prévu dans les 12 mois, éliminant ainsi de fait la voie 2 de l’AMM dans cette province. Il ajoute également plusieurs restrictions pratiques allant au-delà de la loi fédérale, notamment l’interdiction des renvois hors province pour les évaluations en vue de l’AMM, des exigences en matière de formation et des protections de la conscience pour les établissements et les prestataires.

Comme il est d’usage pour ce type de lettres, celle-ci a été ajoutée au site web de la CECC sous la rubrique Souffrance et fin de vie – Euthanasie et suicide assisté : 2026_03_24_Lettre-pastorale-sur-le-projet-de-loi-18-Les-eveques-catholiques-de-lAlberta.pdf

 

Archbishop Appointed for Sherbrooke – Friday, April 10 2026: Ottawa – His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed the Most Reverend Guy Boulanger as Archbishop of Sherbrooke.

At the time of his appointment, Archbishop Boulanger was serving as Bishop of Amos and Rouyn-Noranda, the two dioceses having been united in persona episcopi. He succeeds the Most Reverend Luc Cyr, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke was accepted by the Holy Father last year. Archbishop Cyr served as Archbishop of Sherbrooke from 2011 to 2025. Since 16 September 2025, the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke has been under the care of the Reverend Steve Lemay, Diocesan Administrator. (Read more…)

 

Nomination d’un nouvel archevêque à Sherbrooke – vendredi le 10 avril 2026 : Ottawa – Sa Sainteté le pape Léon XIV a nommé Mgr Guy Boulanger comme archevêque de Sherbrooke.

Au moment de sa nomination, il était évêque d’Amos et de Rouyn-Noranda, les deux diocèses ayant été unis « in persona episcopi ». Il succède à Mgr Luc Cyr, dont la renonciation à la charge pastorale de l’archidiocèse de Sherbrooke avait été acceptée par le Saint-Père l’année dernière. Mgr Cyr a assumé la charge pastorale de l’archidiocèse de Sherbrooke de 2011 à 2025. Depuis le 16 septembre 2025, l’abbé Steve Lemay assurait la fonction d’administrateur diocésain de l’archidiocèse. (Lire la suite…)

 

Resources for National Family and Life Week 2026: Ottawa, ON — The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is pleased to announce the release of resources in preparation for National Family and Life Week 2026 (#NFLW2026), taking place Sunday, 10 May to Sunday, 17 May 2026. (Read more…)

Ressources pour la Semaine nationale pour la famille et la vie 2026 : Ottawa (Ontario) — La Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada (CECC) a le plaisir d’annoncer la disponibilité de ressources en préparation de la Semaine nationale pour la famille et la vie 2026 (#SNFV2026), qui se déroulera du dimanche 10 mai au dimanche 17 mai 2026. (Lire la suite…)

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Statement Calling for Prayer for Peace in the Middle East: Ottawa, Ontario – The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a Statement Calling the Catholic Faithful to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East. The statement affirms that we cannot remain indifferent to an armed conflict that risks escalating into a prolonged war. (Read more…)

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Déclaration appelant à la prière pour la paix au Moyen-Orient : Ottawa (Ontario) — Le Conseil permanent de la Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada (CECC) a publié une déclaration appelant à la prière pour la paix au Moyen-Orient. La déclaration affirme que nous ne pouvons être indifférents à ce conflit armé qui risque de dégénérer en une guerre prolongée. (Lire la suite…)

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THE EVANGELIZATION TEAM / L’ÉQUIPE D’ÉVANGÉLISATION

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THE HOLY SEE / LE SAINT-SIÈGE

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VOCATIONS

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FAITH FORMATION / L’ÉDUCATION DE LA FOI

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La Messe expliquée : Le Bureau de la formation à la foi du diocèse de Pembroke vous invite à une soirée organisée près de chez vous sur le thème « LA MESSE EXPLIQUÉE ». Présentateur : le père Michael Smith, curé de Fort-Coulonge et vicaire général du diocèse de Pembroke.

Dates des conférences :

• Jeudi 7 mai à 18 h 30 à la paroisse St-Pierre de Fort-Coulonge ;

• Jeudi 14 mai à 18 h 30 à la paroisse Ste-Anne de Mattawa;

• Jeudi 21 mai à 18 h 30 à la paroisse Ste-Thérèse de Témiscaming ;

• Jeudi 28 mai à 18 h 30 à la paroisse Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Pembroke.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter le diacre Adrien Chaput au 613 732-7933, poste 206, ou à l’adresse dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com.

  

MARRIAGE, FAMILY, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS / MARIAGE, FAMILLE, JEUNESSE ET JEUNES ADULTES

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NEW Session!! Marriage Preparation Program: Due to popular demand, an extra Spring Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program will be offered on Saturday, May 9th and Saturday, May 30th at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa. Deadline to register: May 5th. Register online at Clone of Marriage Preparation Course. E-transfers of $125/couple can be made to donnabiggs@pembrokediocese.com, or mail cheques to Diocese of Pembroke, 284 Trafalgar Road, Pembroke, ON K8A 5A8. For inquiries, please contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com or call 613 732-7933 ext. 208.

 

St. Carlo’s Crew Youth Night! (A diocesan event): This is a free event for youth grade 7 to 12 and all are welcome! The upcoming date is Friday, May 15th from 7-9:30pm at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. There will be games, social time, Eucharistic adoration, music, confession, and talks to encourage spiritual growth and personal reflection.

Questions or to be added to the e-mail list for reminders? Contact Patrick Sullivan at family@pembrokediocese.com. Come join us and bring a friend!

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PRO-LIFE / PRO-VIE

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Help Not Harm Campaign – Bill C 218: Private Members' Bill C-218, currently at second reading in Parliament, seeks to prevent the scheduled 17 March 2027 expansion of MAiD to individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.

The Archdiocese of Toronto, in collaboration with the CCCB Office for Family and Life, has just launched a national, bilingual online advocacy tool under the campaign banner “Help Not Harm.” By registering, individuals can automatically generate a letter to their Member of Parliament and request that it be sent on their behalf, with copies to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice. The tool is available at: https://www.helpnotharmcanada.ca/.

Since the CCCB Permanent Council publicly endorsed Bill C‑218 on 4 February 2026, you are invited to consider promoting the Help Not Harm campaign in your diocese/eparchy and to encourage the faithful to subscribe to it as a quick and easy way to support Bill C-218.  

Key Info - HelpNotHarmCanada.ca

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Campagne « Help Not Harm » – Projet de loi C-218 : Le projet de loi d'initiative parlementaire C-218, actuellement en deuxième lecture au Parlement, vise à empêcher l'extension prévue, le 17 mars 2027, de l'aide médicale à mourir aux personnes dont la seule affection sous-jacente est une maladie mentale.

L’archidiocèse de Toronto, en collaboration avec le Bureau de la famille et de la vie de la CECC, vient de lancer un outil national de mobilisation en ligne bilingue sous la bannière de la campagne « Help Not Harm ». En s’inscrivant, les personnes peuvent générer automatiquement une lettre à l’intention de leur député et demander qu’elle soit envoyée en leur nom, avec copie au premier ministre et au ministre de la Justice. L’outil est disponible à l’adresse suivante : Français — Help Not Harm.

Étant donné que le Conseil permanent de la CECC a publiquement approuvé le projet de loi C-218 le 4 février 2026, nous vous invitons à envisager de promouvoir la campagne « Help Not Harm » dans votre diocèse/éparchie et à encourager les fidèles à y adhérer, ce qui constitue un moyen rapide et facile de soutenir le projet de loi C-218. 

Informations clés –  HelpNotHarmCanada.ca.

 

National March for Life: Renfrew County Right to Life is co-sponsoring a bus to the National March for Life which takes place on Parliament Hill on Thursday May 14th. The coach will leave the Pembroke Metro at 7:45am, with stops at the Cobden Pentecostal Church and the Renfrew Visitors' Centre. Payment by donation. To reserve seats, please email RCRTlife@gmail.com with names of all riders or call Susan Dagenais at 613 401-6482. For more information: facebook.com/RCRTL .

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Dinner Theatre Production – “Chaos at Confirmation”: Join First Step Options for a delightful night out at a Dinner Theatre Fundraiser featuring the play “Chaos at Confirmation!” on Saturday, May 2nd at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 307 Julien Street, Pembroke. Doors open at 6:00pm – Dinner at 6:30pm. Enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner followed by a live performance. Silent auction available. Email Amy Belder at ma.belder@gmail.com for tickets (tickets: $50/person). All proceeds will be donated to First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre.

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PARISH EVENTS / ÉVÉNEMENTS PAROISSIAUX

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33 Day Consecration to St. Joseph: During crisis, confusion, and a world at war with the Church, it's time to come home again to our spiritual father, St. Joseph. In this richly researched and lovingly presented program of consecration to St. Joseph, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, brings to life the wonders, the power, and the ceaseless love of St. Joseph, Universal Patron of the Church and the Terror of Demons. Those participating in the Consecration will need to buy a copy of Fr. Callaway’s book “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father” available through Sunrise Marian or Amazon. Participants will meet in St. Joseph’s sacristy, St. Joseph, QC for prayers and discussion from 10:30-11:30am on Wednesdays until May 1st.

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​​​​OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS / AUTRES ÉVÉNEMENTS CATHOLIQUES

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Catholic Education Week – Ontario: Catholic Education Week begins on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The Catholic schools in our diocese will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly funded Catholic education. You are invited to learn about the various celebrations that are happening in your children’s school, and are welcome to attend, if possible. Publicly funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.

This year’s Catholic Education theme is, “Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness.”

 

Second Annual RCCDSB Walking Pilgrimage: We are pleased to extend an open invitation to all staff, families, and community members of the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board to participate in our second annual RCCDSB Walking Pilgrimage on Saturday, May 9th, 2026. 

This will be a wonderful opportunity for a day of walking, spiritual reflection, and community fellowship. Along the route, we will take moments to pray the Rosary for the month of Mary. Everyone is welcome to join us!

Event Details: Saturday, May 9th at 9:30am at St. Michael's Parish, Douglas to St. James Parish, Eganville. We anticipate arriving in time to celebrate Mass at 4:00pm, with Father Michael Lund as the celebrant.

The Route: The walk is approximately 15.2 kilometres via Fourth Chute Road. It is estimated to take around 3.5 hours of walking time, and there will be planned rest stops along the way.

What to Bring & How to Prepare: Please ensure you come prepared for a comfortable walk!

Your own lunch and a refillable water bottle – your Rosary – comfortable walking shoes – weather-appropriate clothing (this event will proceed rain or shine).

We look forward to sharing this meaningful journey with our RCCDSB community. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to kylie.gibson@rccdsb.ca. We hope to see you there!

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VOLUNTEER & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES / OPPORTUNITÉS DE BÉNÉVOLA ET D’EMPLOI

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Volunteers Needed! First Step Options Pregnancy Resource Centre needs volunteers for the “Chaos in Confirmation” Dinner Theatre on Saturday, May 2nd. If you are interested in helping, please contact Amy Belder at 613 732-3848 or email ma.belder@gmail.com to sign up.

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OTHER / AUTRES

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The Pembroke Community Choir presents "Broadway Revue": There will be an afternoon concert on Saturday April 18th at 1:30pm, and an evening performance on Sunday April 19th at 7pm at Calvin United Church, in Pembroke. Tickets are available at Fleurish in Petawawa, the Customer Care Centre at the Pembroke Mall, and from Choir members for just $15. Tickets purchased at the door are $20. Students 13 and under are Free! Visit https://pembrokecommunitychoir.org/ for more information.

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Spring/Summer 2026 Classes – Assumption University: Receive a graduate diploma in Catholic Studies (online) at one of Canada’s most historic universities! A completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a cumulative average of 70% required. Visit https://assumptionu.ca/ for a complete list of Spring/Summer 2026 classes. Register at registrar@assumptionu.ca or call 519 973-7033. Deadline to apply: April 24th.

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