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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January 20, 2026

Ferial – Férie

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FROM THE DIOCESE

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​​​Parishioners of Pembroke Diocese are invited to save the date to attend one of the pastoral planning

information meetings that will be held in all five deaneries of the diocese during the first weeks of Lent.

Bishop Brehl and members of the diocesan steering committee will present relevant pastoral, statistical

and financial data to help equip parishioners in ongoing dialogue and discernment on the future of the

diocese. If you cannot make the local meeting in your home deanery, please feel welcome to attend any

of the scheduled meetings. 

Dates and Locations of Deanery Meetings 

• Renfrew Deanery: Tuesday, February 17 at St. Joseph’s High School, Renfrew - 6:30pm to 8:30pm 

• Pembroke Deanery: Thursday, February 19 at Bishop Smith High School, Pembroke - 6:30pm to 8:30pm 

• Mattawa Deanery: Saturday, February 21 at Corbeil Park Hall, Corbeil- French at 10:00am to 12:00pm; English at 1:00pm to 3:00pm 

• Pontiac Deanery: Saturday, February 28 at Club de l'Âge d’Or, Fort-Coulonge -French at 10:00am to 12:00pm; English at 1:00pm to 3:00pm 

• Barry’s Bay Deanery: Sunday, March 1 at St. John Bosco School, Barry's Bay - 2:00pm to 4:00pm 

 

Les paroissiens du diocèse de Pembroke sont invités à réserver la date pour assister à l'une des réunions d'information sur la planification pastorale qui se tiendront dans les cinq doyennés du diocèse au cours des premières semaines du Carême. Mgr Brehl et les membres du comité directeur diocésain présenteront des données pastorales, statistiques et financières pertinentes afin d'aider les paroissiens à poursuivre le dialogue et le discernement sur l'avenir du diocèse. Si vous ne pouvez pas assister à la réunion locale de votre doyenné, vous êtes les bienvenus à l'une des autres réunions prévues.  

Dates et lieux des réunions du doyenné 

• Doyenné de Renfrew : mardi 17 février à l'école secondaire St. Joseph, Renfrew - de 18 h 30 à 20 h 30 

• Doyenné de Pembroke : jeudi 19 février à l'école secondaire Bishop Smith, Pembroke - de 18 h 30 à 20 h 30 

• Doyenné de Mattawa : samedi 21 février à la salle Corbeil Park, Corbeil - français de 10 h à 12 h ; anglais de 13 h à 15 h 

• Doyenné de Pontiac : samedi 28 février au Club de l'Âge d'Or, Fort-Coulonge - en français de 10 h à 12 h ; en anglais de 13 h à 15 h 

• Doyenné de Barry's Bay : dimanche 1er mars à l'école St. John Bosco, Barry's Bay - de 14 h à 16 h 

 

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FROM THE CCCB / DE LA CECC

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2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Friday, January 16 2026: (Ottawa) — The recently-launched National Ecumenical Strategy of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) lays particular stress upon “spiritual ecumenism,” defined as “the heart of the ecumenical movement.” This includes “praying for and with other Christians, promoting prayer for unity in local parishes, and participation in the planning and leadership of interdenominational prayer services for various intentions—especially that of Christian unity.” The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU), which falls in 2026 from January 18th to 25th, offers a chance for these activities. The theme for 2026 is “There is one body and one Spirit” (Ephesians 4:4).

For 2026, the Department of Interchurch Relations of the Armenian Apostolic Church prepared prayers and reflections. The Canadian Council of Churches, including the CCCB, adapts these resources to the Canadian context. These Canadian resources are found on a dedicated website:

• English: 2026 WPCU Resources — Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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Semaine de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens en 2026 – vendredi le 16 janvier 2026 :

Ottawa – La Stratégie œcuménique nationale récemment lancée par la Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada (CECC) met l’accent sur « l’œcuménisme spirituel », défini comme « le cœur du mouvement œcuménique ». Cela inclut « la prière pour et avec les autres chrétiens, la promotion de la prière pour l’unité dans les paroisses locales, et la participation à la planification et à l’animation de célébrations interconfessionnelles pour diverses intentions, notamment celle de l’unité des chrétiens ». La Semaine de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens (SPUC) est une initiative qui se déroule du 18 au 25 janvier et offre une occasion privilégiée pour de telles activités. Le thème pour 2026 est « Il y a un seul Corps et un seul Esprit » (Éphésiens 4, 4).

Pour 2026, les prières et les réflexions ont été préparées par le Département des relations inter-Églises de l’Église apostolique arménienne. Le Conseil canadien des Églises, en collaboration avec la CECC, adapte ces ressources en tenant compte du contexte canadien. Ces ressources canadiennes sont accessibles sur un site Web dédié :

• Français : Ressources pour la SPUC 2026 – Semaine de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens

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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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​1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations: February 5th from 6:30-7:30pm at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. The Holy Hour will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by Fr. Murray, a Rosary for vocations, and time for silent prayer. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. For more information and details please visit Pembroke Vocations.​​​

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FAITH FORMATION / L’ÉDUCATION DE LA FOI

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Diocesan Lenten Retreat: The Office of Faith Formation and Leadership Development invites you to the next Diocesan Lenten Retreat on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 9:30am to 2:00pm (Registration at 9:00am) at St. James the Less Parish, Eganville. Author and speaker: Patrick Sullivan. Cost: $15.00 (lunch provided). To register please contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com or 613 732-7933 ext. 206. Deadline to register: Wednesday, February 18th.​

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

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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, January 23rd from 7 – 9:30pm (new date!) 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

 

​First Step Options Annual General Meeting: FSO Annual General Meeting will take place at 7pm on Monday, February 23rd. For more information, please call 613 635-7440 or email fsocentre@gmail.com.​

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PARISH EVENTS / ÉVÉNEMENTS PAROISSIAUX

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Our Lady of Sorrows Spaghetti Dinner Fundaiser: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa is holding a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, January 17th 2026 from 5:30 - 7:00pm in the parish hall. This home-made meal comes with salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage for $18 per person featuring the music of Randa Teschner. The evening promises good food, friendship and fun! For tickets contact Theresa Sabourin at 613 687-2429.

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​​​​OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS / AUTRES ÉVÉNEMENTS CATHOLIQUES

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National Catholic Health Care Week 2026: National Catholic Health Care Week in Canada will be held from February 1-7, 2026.

 This year’s theme Open Hearts, Healing, Hope reflects the profound belief that healing is communal. It emphasizes the ways in which we are bound together by our shared humanity, and how compassion, justice, and solidarity guide our work to serve all people, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized. Inspired by Catholic social teaching, the theme invites us to reflect on how our daily actions, decisions, and relationships contribute to a health system and a society where everyone belongs.

This year's theme is part of a national priority to work across Catholic health in Canada to foster communities of welcome for all. 

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2026 Lift Jesus Higher Rally will be held Saturday, March 14th at the Toronto Convention Centre. Come for a great experience! For details and registration please visit Home - Lift Jesus Higher Rally (LJHR).

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

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OTHER / AUTRES

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Funny in a GOoD Way Comedy! Funny in a GOoD Way presents “Comedy in Motion with Bob Cotes,” Comic, Juggler, Entertainer and Evangelist at the Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Free children’s event from 2-3pm (pre-registration required). Evening event starts at 7pm featuring worship music by Gate 47, and skit by the Pembroke and Area Clergy Association! Cost: $20 - $25 at the door. each. All proceeds go towards the local food banks. Contact Deacon Adrien Chaput to get your ticket or special ticket packages today at 613 732-7933 ext. 206 or email at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com. More details available at https://www.funnyinagoodway.ca/.

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Musical Theatre – Anastasia! Join Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College this February 6, 7 (at 7:30pm) and 8th (at 1pm) 2026 at the Madawaska Valley District School in Barry's Bay for our musical performance of Anastasia. Witness the story of an orphaned amnesiac who is unaware she is the only surviving sovereign of Imperial Russia, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. Tickets: $25 general admission, students $12, families $60. For advance ticket reservations, please email drama@seatofwisdom.ca. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals www.concordtheatricals.com.

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Pilgrimage to Medjugorje: From May 18 to May 28, 2026 with Fr. Christopher Shalla, Diocese of Pembroke. Price - $3150.00 (includes taxes, side trips and gratuities). For more information contact Jack Duggan at 613 756-2655 or email irishjack@bell.net.

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