After a valiant 6 year battle with numerous health issues which she faced head on with courage and dignity, Lisa Marie Liebeck (nee Archambault) of Pembroke passed away peacefully on January 7, 2021 at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, in her 65th year. Daughter of the late Cletus and Marjory Archambault of Chapeau, Quebec. Cherished and loving companion of William Gagnon. Loving mother of Jason and wife Amanda of Kitchener, Ontario, Granny of Emery, Porter and Weston; and Jamie and Allie of Toronto, Ontario, Granny to Jaxon. Sadly missed by stepson Wade and wife Berta, grandchildren Aidan, Evangeline and Kai of Toronto, stepdaughter Selena and husband Ricardo Deyer-Samuels and grandchild Annalise of Burlington, Ontario. Missed by brother William Archambault (Beverly) of Chapeau and sister Sharon (late Fern Montreuil) of Orleans, Ontario. Predeceased by her brother Larry of Montreal. Dear sister-in-law of Gail (Roger), Jim (late Shirley), Mary (late Jerry), Deb, David (Janet), Barb, Heather (Chuck) and Irene. She will be missed by her many friends in the Ryan family of St. Joseph’s and by her nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances. Lisa Marie adored her family. Thank-you to the home care providers for their compassionate care over the last year and a half as well as the staff of Pembroke Regional hospital. Respecting Lisa Marie’s wishes cremation has taken place. A graveside service will take place this spring in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, St. Joseph’s, Quebec. As an expression of sympathy, donations to Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation or charity of your choice would be appreciated. Funeral services entrusted to Hayes Funeral Home.
All posts by Catholic Parishes of the Upper Pontiac
Parish Bulletin – 10/01/2021 – Baptism of the Lord
Masses for the Week of 12 January to 17 January
STREAMED MASSES:
TUESDAY: 10 AM Theresa Gagnon – Cathy, Neil & Family
WEDNESDAY:** 10 AM Brandon Perrault – Angel Cybulski
THURSDAY: 10 AM Souls in Purgatory – Genevieve Keogh
FRIDAY:*** 10 AM Donald Retty – Harry Searson
SUNDAY: 10:30 AM (1) Edwin Doyle – Patricia Morris
(2) Danny Kelly & Brigitta Gottfried – Sharon Gribbon
(3) Patsy Gagnon – Michael Gagnon & Boys
All weekday Masses are celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church.
** Includes public recitation of the Rosary
*** Includes public recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
LIVE MASSES:
All Live Masses are suspended in accordance with Quebec COVID regulations until at least February 8, 2021
PLEASE REMEMBER… If you are sick or have a cough, please do not attend. Remember, the Bishop has suspended our obligation to attend a Sunday Mass until further notice so please stay home so as to not make others sick.
Collections:
St. Paul the Hermit: 20/12/2020 $ 490.00
Christmas $1355.00
27/12/2020 $ 900.00
St. Joseph’s: 20/12/2020 $1180.00
Christmas $1065.00
27/12/2020 $ 825.00
03/01/2021 $ 235.00
St. Alphonsus: 20/12/2020 $ 250.00
Christmas $2630.00
27/12/2020 $ 629.00
01/01/2021 $ 435.00
03/01/2021 $ 720.00
Total Online Donations to Date: $11,098.68
Thank you!
1) Our sympathy and prayers go out to Mrs. Sheila Stacey of Chapeau whose sister, Terrie Wickham recently passed away. May God grant comfort to Terrie’s entire family in their time of bereavement.
2) I wish to offer my personal thanks to Carmel Fleming and the Minor Hockey Association of Chapeau for their generous donations to St. Alphonsus Parish. In difficult times like these when our Sunday collections are suffering due to the COVID pandemic and its restrictions, it is the kindness of parishioners and organizations like these that help us keep our doors open. Thank you!
3) I also wish to offer my personal thanks to those who so generously offered me various Christmas gifts this past few weeks. They were all very gratefully accepted. Merci mille foix a tous!
4) Well, sadly 2021 hasn’t exactly started off any better than the last year ended, at least as regard to the pandemic. The provincial government, on top of instituting a night-time curfew has also ordered the closing of all churches and church offices until at least 8 February 2021. I will continue to stream both weekdays (10 AM) and Sunday Masses (9 AM) from St. Joseph’s, including the public recitation of the Rosary on Wednesdays and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on Friday. On Sunday, I will offer the Mass for three intentions, one from each parish. Please pray that we will soon find our way out of danger in these difficult times and get back to celebrating as usual in all three parishes.
5) Just a reminder that just because you can’t come to church doesn’t mean you can’t continue to support your parish. You can go to the parish blog at www.uppontiacparishes.com and make an online donation. Just remember to include which church you are directing your donation to in the message box of the donation widget. I thank you for your continuing support by whatever means possible in these difficult months with large heating bills and no regular Sunday collections. Your generous help is much appreciated.
Fr. Tim
+Guy Desrochers issues pastoral letter on MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying)
Bishop Desrochers has issued this pastoral letter to the priests and faithful of the diocese dealing with how we are deal with the issue of MAID. In short, it states that people who die via MAID will be denied any religious services in either the church or at a funeral home.
The letter, which I will post below, explains why it is that voluntary euthanasia is incompatible with Catholic teaching as well as outlining how clergy are to act in cases where we are not made aware of the manner of a person’s death or are told that they died after requesting it from the healthcare system. I highly recommend taking the time to read it so as to be informed about this very important issue and not fall prey to the false relief offered by the medical profession to end their own life.
Fr. Tim
——————————————————–
Pastoral letter of the Bishop to the clergy and faithful
of the Diocese of Pembroke
Witnessing the dignity of Life – Feast day of the Baptism of the Lord
Sunday, January 10, 2021
“Stay Awake!” (Mt 24:42)
During Advent, we have heard the voice of St John the Baptist calling the Church to repentance, conversion and the spiritual challenge of making a straight way for the coming of the Lord. Hearing this call from the Word of God each year beckons us to ‘stay awake’ for the coming of the Lord and to be prepared to given an accounting of our lives before Him at the end of time. Welcoming Christ into our hearts requires us to open our lives to Him completely and wholeheartedly, knowing that the Risen Lord and his law are where our true freedom is found.
While we were journeying through these days of Advent in our own nation, legislative procedures were undertaken that seek to expand euthanasia/assisted suicide laws to encompass those whose death is not immediately foreseeable, including those who are living with mental illness or a disability. The race towards radical expansion of the assisted dying laws in Canada in just a few short years has taken place alongside growing acceptance and normalization of something that just a few years ago was unthinkable. ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’ (MAiD) is now publicly celebrated as a virtue in many media stories, and it is not uncommon to see public obituaries proudly profess euthanasia/assisted suicide as a celebrated means of death. When societal attitudes evolve so quickly and popularly, as followers of Christ, we must return to St John the Baptist’s call to conversion and repentance: ‘Stay awake!’
The Good Samaritan: Witnessing to the dignity of life
Our Holy Father Pope Francis consistently acts as a voice in the wilderness, calling all followers of Christ to oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide. In September, Pope Francis approved, though the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a letter called Samaritanus Bonus (The Good Samaritan): on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life. It may be accessed online at vatican.va. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, the letter reminds us that euthanasia is a “crime against human life”, and therefore is intrinsically evil in every circumstance. Additionally, any formal or material cooperation (assisting in facilitating the process of euthanasia/assisted suicide) constitutes a grave sin against human life. (Emphasis added) Such realities should not cause believers to retreat into silence, but rather to re-commit ourselves to radical accompaniment of those who are facing serious physical and mental distress, and seek to care for them in every way possible: physically, emotionally and spiritually. I highly encourage you to take the time to read Samaritanus Bonus, since in the face of such rapidly changing legal and ethical situations in our country and families, we must allow our hearts and consciences to be formed to God’s Law as spoken to us in Christ and His Church.
Samaritanus Bonus addresses the formation of family members, health care professionals and clergy in facing the unthinkable situations surrounding an impending assisted suicide. The letter makes it very clear that “the quality of love and care for persons in critical and terminal states of life contributes to assuaging the terrible, desperate desire to end one’s life. Only human warmth and evangelical fraternity can reveal a positive horizon of support to the sick person in hope and confident trust”. (SB, 10) This need for radical accompaniment of the sick person means that every effort must be made to show sacrificial love, provide real comfort and seek to alleviate physical and mental distress. Hospital chaplains and clergy are exhorted to intensify the spiritual and moral formation of healthcare workers, including physicians and nursing staff, as well as those who volunteer in our healthcare facilities, so that all involved in the care of the dying may at all times be faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Life.
Care for the body and the salvation of souls
Just as the alleviation of physical and emotional suffering is crucial at the time of caring for someone who is sick, so too is the spiritual responsibility of caring for the soul of a person. While our bodies will eventually die, the soul is the innermost part of the person, and is immortal. Authentic care for the soul is not arbitrary, but finds fullness in encountering the Truth as revealed to us by Christ. Pope Francis has taken this obligation seriously in seeking to ensure that all members of the Church are clearly aware that euthanasia is, in every circumstance, a grave evil. As your Chief Shepherd, together with the priests of the Church, we have promised with our lives to articulate what is inscribed on the human heart and taught by the Church. While many will seek to dismiss and discredit such teachings in light of the growing acceptance and even promotion of euthanasia/assisted suicide, the Word of God in recent Sundays has reminded all of us that we will all have to render a personal account before the Lord. Since the pastors of the Church are entrusted with the care of souls, we must endeavour not only to articulate the teaching but also the reasons why the teaching is consistent with the Good News of God’s Law.
Samaritanus Bonus imparts very clear pastoral guidance as to why the Sacraments are not to be administered to one who has made his/her decision for euthanasia. The Church has consistently shown us that the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum are to be administered only when a proper disposition is evident, specifically contrition and openness to the mercy of God. One cannot be open to the graces of the Sacraments while at the same time having an intention of then violating God’s Law with euthanasia/assisted suicide. To do so would create a situation where a priest is unable to administer the Sacraments faithfully. (Emphasis added) The graces of the Sacraments are so lavish that the ministers of the Church must never give up praying with such persons to seek a conversion of heart. Samaritanus Bonus states, “The position of the Church here does not imply a non-acceptance of the sick person. It must be accompanied by a willingness to listen and to help, with a deeper explanation of the nature of the sacrament, in order to provide the opportunity to desire and choose the sacrament up to the last moment”. (SB, 11)
We are now faced with the new pastoral reality of what happens in the Christian community when one has followed through with euthanasia/assisted suicide. The manner of death is often widely known and even celebrated. Perhaps in recent decades we have lost sight of the purpose of the Mass of Christian Burial: to pray for our deceased brother or sister, and to commend them to the mercy and tenderness of Almighty God by joining them to the one sacrifice of Christ made present in the Mass. Funerals are first and foremost for the dead, and we who are left to mourn find consolation in the great promise of Christ’s victory over sin and death and great promise of the resurrection of the body. This is one of the great consolations of our living faith. While funerals are for all redeemed sinners, the Church also requires that the celebration of Christian funerals be a proclamation of faith and reflect the life and conscience of the one who has died. The Church offers Christian Burial for those who have tragically died by suicide, because we are unable to understand the darkness that person was experiencing and how such suffering impaired their own decision-making at the time of death. That is why there is great consolation in the offering of funeral rites in such situations. Yet the decision to die by euthanasia/assisted suicide is a very different pastoral situation, because by virtue of the laws of our country, a person choosing this method of death — while undoubtedly suffering — manifests his/her decision in a way that is deemed rational and wholehearted. (Emphasis added) The further pain of this situation is that this deliberate decision — assisted by professionals and affirmed by those who cooperate — causes a wound of scandal in the wider believing community. In such situations, it is not possible for the offering of a Christian funeral, since such a notorious decision would undoubtedly be the cause of great difficulty for the community of the Church. (Emphasis added) This does not exclude the urgent need to pray for the deceased, but with such a public manifestation of intention, it would be difficult for an official minister of the Church to lead a liturgy in a church, funeral home or cemetery. The pastor of souls would have to endeavour to ensure that Masses for the Dead and other prayers are offered for the benefit of the deceased and for the consolation of those who mourn.
Be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Rm 12: 2)
Just a few years ago, we could not have imagined the widespread ramifications of these issues on the life of families and the community of the Church. It must be clearly stated that in these pastoral circumstances, when the final Sacraments or Catholic funeral rites cannot take place, the Church is not punishing any person, since it is the desire of the Church that every soul benefit from the necessary graces that they offer.
It is necessary for all pastors and catechists of our diocese to begin, as soon as possible, to find practical and unified ways to form and educate the consciences of our faithful and of those who believe that euthanasia/assisted suicide is a positive evolution in our modern societies. I strongly encourage all of you to work in unison with me to reverse this rising trend, because, as you know, many Catholics are now adhering to it, not realizing the grave consequences that could ultimately compromise their eternal salvation. Therefore, when receiving a request for a funeral liturgy, whether it is to be presided at the church or at the funeral home, in cases of uncertainty and after giving our sincere condolences, the pastor or deacon should respectfully enquire about the nature of the death, to possibly determine if it is an act of euthanasia/assisted suicide or not. (Emphasis added) Our experience to date is that we are often faced with this shocking truth during the funeral liturgy itself or when a member of the family gives an unexpected eulogy at the funeral home or at the cemetery.
This respectful enquiry will give us an opportunity to form and educate the conscience of those who do not understand the danger of euthanasia. If the person does not understand the reasoning behind the position of the Church, may I suggest a first step before you open the apologetical doors that often lead nowhere: invite them to read the letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Samaritanus Bonus (or refer them to a simpler version of the same text). Before the next phase of discussion, pray that God will give you his grace to always remain at peace and respectful when you listen or talk to the person. Many people need to be listened to before they accept any reasonable or logical arguments, especially in times of grief. After a frank and polite discussion, if the person continues to object, a third step would be to affirm that they must respect the fact that we are not able to provide for the funeral liturgy at the church or at the funeral home. It would become a contradiction of our Catholic beliefs and an object of scandal for the Christian communities who become confused when they hear of the public liturgy for a euthanized person at the church or at the funeral home. This could eventually lead our faithful to believe that euthanasia/assisted suicide is now accepted by the Church. But nevertheless, we can reassure them that we will continue to pray for the deceased person and for the grieving family and friends. Special Mass intentions could later be offered for the person and/or for family members. As stated earlier in this pastoral letter, the Church’s intention is not to punish when giving her directives. She is simply echoing the command of our God-Creator who expects respect for his infinite Wisdom and Providence in deciding who comes to life in this world, and when it is time for us to leave our temporal dwelling.
To conclude
The echo of St John the Baptist to repent, change our ways, and make a highway in our hearts for the Saviour is not a call reserved to the days of Advent. The call to conform ourselves to Christ totally and wholeheartedly is the daily vocation of discipleship. This purification of our mind and heart to live the Christian life is all the more challenging in an influential and secular culture that seeks to conform the Church’s teaching and practices to popular opinion. St Paul exhorts us in the Letter to the Romans:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12.1-2)
This Year of St Joseph presents us with a fitting time to seek the intercession of the “just one” who quietly shows us the example of fidelity to the will of God, even when seemingly difficult. May St Joseph, patron of a happy death — and patron of Canada — assist us in keeping our minds hearts always awake and eager for the coming of the Lord.
+Guy Desrochers
Bishop of Pembroke
Modesta (Maud) DeSOUZA | Obituary | Ottawa Citizen
Mass Intentions and Schedule for Jan 1-3/2021
MASSES:
Friday January 1st: 10:30 AM. (Chapeau) **
Mary & Edward Michaud – The Family
Robert, Dillon, & Nancy Godin – Pauline & Family
Pat Keon – Judy & Family
Sunday January 3rd: 9:00 AM. (St. Joseph’s) **
Fay Neville – Sharon Gribbon
Fr. Mike Costello – Maureen & Helen Morris
Sunday January 3rd: 10:30 AM (Chapeau)
Pat Keon – Lois & Barry Ferguson
Theresa Gagnon – Art Chaput & Mariette
** Masses are open to public and will also be live streamed on Facebook
NOTICE: Please note that the Parish Offices will be closed until at least January 11th in accordance with provincial COVID restrictions.
St. Paul The Hermit News
NOTICE: We will be suspending services in St. Paul the Hermit Parish in Sheenboro until our County is removed from the COVID Red Zone or the end of January 2021, whichever comes first.
Parish Bulletin – 4th Sunday of Advent – 20 December 2020
Parish Bulletin – 4th Sunday of Advent – 20 December 2020
Masses for the Week of December 22nd to December 27th
STREAMED MASSES:
TUESDAY:* 10 AM Lillian Moyle – Fr. Tim
WEDNESDAY:** 10 AM NO MASS
SUNDAY: 10:30 AM Missa Pro Populo
*These Masses will be streamed online, but all parishioners are welcome to attend. All weekday Masses are celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church.
** Includes public recitation of the Rosary
*** Includes public recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
LIVE MASSES:
Sheenboro: Christmas Eve 8:30 PM Donald Retty – Pauline Lepine
Saturday 5 PM Mickey Morris – Frank & Janet Retty
Carmelita Gleason – Raymond Morris
St. Joseph: Christmas Eve 5 PM Reggie Chaput – Peggy Nadeau
7 PM Elmer Gallagher – Jerry & Louise Gallagher
Sunday 9 AM Mary Spence – Dan & Colette Spence
Chapeau: Christmas Eve 5 PM Deceased Parents – Harold & Marilyn Morris
7 PM Yvonne O’Brien – Nicole & Lorenzo Bertrand
M.J. Poirier – Lois & family
Christmas Day 10:30 AM Shelby Sullivan – Nana & Papa
Jack & Helen Hill – The Family
Sunday 10:30 AM Lorena Picard – The Family
Theresa & Howard Gagnon – The O’Brien Family
PLEASE REMEMBER… If you are sick or have a cough, please do not attend. Remember, the Bishop has suspended our obligation to attend a Sunday Mass until further notice so please stay home so as to not make others sick.
Last Weekend’s Collections:
St. Paul the Hermit: $ 290.00
St. Joseph’s: $ 785.00
St. Alphonsus: $1090.00
Total Online Donations to Date: $ 9548.78
THANK YOU!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The Offertory Envelopes for 2021 are now available in each of the Churches.
2) The Parish Offices will be closed for the Christmas holidays from December 23rd through to January 3rd inclusive.
3) New Government Directive Concerning Public Gatherings: Effective this past Thursday, the Quebec government has decreed new restrictions on the numbers of people allowed to participate in all of our Masses. As a result, Bishop Desrochers has made a decision concerning the application of the law by which the Pontiac is now in the Red Zone:
1) Please keep your churches open. Schedule Masses as usual. Once the numbers reach 25, tell people that the church has reached its full capacity. All reservations for Masses (including the Christmas celebrations) are immediately cancelled.
2) Please announce this decision at the Masses this weekend. The news will spread by word of mouth, and people will be able to make plans accordingly. They may either plan to attend a neighbouring parish, or they may cross the border into Ontario to go to Mass, assuming that the restrictions will not be tightened in Ontario by Christmas Eve.
I will have more to say about this at all of this weekend’s Masses. Please help spread the word… sad as it is. Please note too that all three Christmas Masses celebrated in Chapeau will be livestreamed on both my personal and the parish’s Facebook pages
4) I wanted to share with you the cash totals we have received from our ‘Keep Warm this Winter’ (Chapeau & St. Joseph’s) and ‘Shamrock’ campaigns (Sheenboro).
Chapeau: $ 12,149.00 St. Joseph’s: $ 8655.00 Sheenboro: $ 7250.00
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!!!
Scriptural Reflection of this Weekend’s Readings
Encountering Christ:
1. Chosen: Mary was set apart in order to carry out God’s redemptive plan as the mother of Jesus. God blessed her as the Immaculate Conception so that she would be able to wholly align her will with his will. We too are chosen by God to be his disciples and given all the gifts we need to accomplish it. As Christmas approaches, it can be helpful to prayerfully reflect on just how much God has blessed us with spiritual gifts–with the Catholic faith, the Sacraments, the Eucharist, our vocation, our community–all of which can help us to enter into heaven and empower us to actively participate in the salvation of souls.
2. Unworthy/Mary’s Humility: God asked a huge favor of Mary, and he asks huge favors from us too. Our responses can tend to differ from Mary’s incredible “yes.” We sometimes respond like St. Peter in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 5:8): “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Although we’re all sinners, we don’t want to overplay our unworthiness because we know that our “yes” is contingent not on our capacities but on God’s. Mary understood who she was. She knew she was a lowly creature, but she believed that God could work through her. Mary’s first response to the Angel Gabriel – “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”– was not a doubt or hesitation, but rather, a question that allowed Mary to enter more deeply into the conversation. Her inquiry expressed a willingness to understand something divine and mysterious. Let us also seek more fully to understand the mysteries of God so that we can better carry out his plan for our life.
3. God’s Divine Plan: God chose the perfect time in human history to send his Son. In this Advent season, we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the coming birth of the Messiah, and we long for him to come again. Mary helped prepare the way for Christ’s birth, so let us beseech her to help purify our souls so that we’re able to take in the very special graces Jesus has for us this Christmas.
Conversing with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for choosing me. I may not understand fully why you chose me, but after examining Mary’s humble fiat, I too choose to exclaim: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” I pray especially in this Advent season, as my soul longs for your return, that I may always answer your call with a humble “Amen” and quick obedience to your Father’s divine plan.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray the joyful mysteries of the rosary for my family, friends, loved ones, and myself, that we will humbly answer God’s calls in our lives.
ATTENTION ALL PARISHIONERS
ATTENTION: The Government of Quebec has decided that all Masses from December 17 to January 11 inclusive are to be limited to a maximum of 25 people. This means that we will not be able to accommodate the more than 200 people who had registered to attend our various Christmas masses in St. Joseph’s, Chapeau, and Sheenboro parishes. At this point, the diocese is still contemplating how best to proceed. We will either continue with offering the existing weekend and Christmas mass schedule permitting only 22 parishioners to attend any one service (the priest, organist, and soloist are included in the 25 total allowed) or we will cancel the public celebration of masses until the restrictions are lifted in the new year. Please watch here and on the parish Faceboook page) for developments.
Please continue to pray for the proper decision to be made, for the patience of all those affected, and for this pandemic to finally come to an end so that we can go back to celebrating all the sacraments and services offered in our churches without any further government interference in our affairs. I appreciate the dangers of the times we are facing. Still, given that our churches have not been vectors of transmission of the COVID virus, I personally think that the government is overstepping its bounds with this current set of restrictions. Only God’s grace will suffice I fear to rectify this situation moving forward.
Edison Carroll Obituary – Pembroke, ON | Neville Funeral Home
Peacefully at Pembroke Regional Hospital on Sunday, December 13th, 2020 in his 93rd year. Edison Carroll of Pembroke, beloved son of the the late Joseph and Mabel Carroll (nee Picard). Survived by sisters Lila (Ron)Robinson, Muriel (the late Pat) O’Meara and Helen (Cecil) D’Arcy, and sister-in-law Frances (the late Earl) Carroll. Predeceased by sisters Geneva (the late Harry) Howard, Phyllis (the late James) Fox and Patricia (the late Gerald) McGuire, by brothers Earl, Willie and Preston Carroll. Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Respecting Edison’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church, Chapeau on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at 11 a.m. Interment Old St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Chapeau. DUE TO THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS REGARDING COVID-19, FACE MASKS/COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE MASS. Please feel free to bring your own face mask/covering or one will be supplied to you upon arrival. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Carefor Health & Community Services or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. Arrangements by the
Neville Funeral Home
491 Isabella St., Pembroke, ON, K8A 5T8
(613) 732-7481
Source: Edison Carroll Obituary – Pembroke, ON | Neville Funeral Home
Parish Bulletin – 3rd Sunday of Advent – 13 December 2020
Parish Bulletin – 3rd Sunday of Advent – 13 December 2020
Masses for the Week of December 15th to December 20th
STREAMED MASSES:
TUESDAY:* 10 AM Mike Sullivan – Eulalia Ryan
WEDNESDAY:** 10 AM Yvonne O’Brien – Pat Hynes
THURSDAY:* 10 AM Lillian Smiley – Joanne Gagnon & Tommy Marcotte
FRIDAY:*** 10 AM Doreen Dubeau – Laetitia Tardiff Peacock
SUNDAY: 10:30 AM Missa Pro Populo
*These Masses will be streamed online, but all parishioners are welcome to attend. All weekday Masses are celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church.
** Includes public recitation of the Rosary
*** Includes public recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
LIVE MASSES:
Sheenboro: (Saturday) 5 PM Patricia Smith – The Family
St. Joseph: (Sunday) 9 AM Danny Kelly – Marilyn Miller (Hynes)
Chapeau: (Sunday) 10:30 AM 1) Jacqueline Mainville – Gaetan, Lise, Patrick, & Annabelle St. Cyr
2) Lorna Keon – Lois & Barry Ferguson
PLEASE REMEMBER… If you are sick or have a cough, please do not attend. Remember, the Bishop has suspended our obligation to attend a Sunday Mass until further notice so please stay home so as to not make others sick.
Collections:
St. Paul the Hermit: $2880.00
St. Joseph’s: $1095.00
St. Alphonsus: $ 894.00
Total Online Donations to Date: $ 9356.65
THANK YOU!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) St. Alphonsus Church Christmas cards featuring artwork of the late Maurice Bissonnette are available for sale at a cost of $20 for four cards. The proceeds from these cards are being donated by his family to the Chapeau Parish. Cards will be available for sale at the entrance to the church before and after the Sunday Mass, during the week from the parish offices, and from Karie Bissonnette-Sullivan. Our sincere thanks to Karie and the Bissonnette family for this generous initiative in support of St. Alphonsus Parish.
2) Christmas Schedule: St. Joseph’s: 5 pm (Full), 7 pm.
Chapeau: 5 pm, 7 pm.
Sheenboro: 8:30 pm
On Christmas Day, there will be one Mass celebrated in Chapeau at 10:30 am. Please call the parish office to reserve a space as we must control the number of people attending to conform to the COVID regulations of the province.
3) We welcomed a new member into our Catholic family, Lennox Joseph Michaud who was baptised in St. Alphonsus Church last weekend. Lennox is the infant son of Carly McDonald and Jonathan Michaud.
4) The Offertory Envelopes for 2021 are now available in each of the Churches.
5) News from the Diocesan Office of Lay Formation:
Vivre et aimer – Worldwide Marriage Encounter: Wordlwide Marriage Encounter, mouvement catholique appelé Vivre et Aimer dans la francophonie est au Québec depuis 45 ans pour promouvoir le mariage et le sacerdoce dans l’Église et dans le monde. Ils ont aidé des millions de couples et des milles de prêtres dans près de 100 pays, à faire grandir leur amour.
Les Thèmes abordés:
- Explorer nos styles de personnalité
- Apprécier nos différences
- Écouter d’une nouvelle façon
- Dialoguer en profondeur
- Découvrir le désir de Dieu pour nous
- Continuer de s’épanouir ensemble
En ce temps de pandémie, des week-ends virtuels se sont ajoutés. Au début de 2021, un week-end virtuel aura lieu du 12 au 14 février (date limite d’inscription: 12 janvier). Ainsi un rencontre est disponible en contactant: Marc Beaudoin & Ghislaine Rigolt Beaudoin, Père Roger Landry, s.m. – Trio responsable pour le Québec., Tél: 819 566-6638 / grigoltbeaudoin@gmail.com.
Vous êtes invités à visiter le site internet: vivreetaimer.com, à le faire connaitre et suivre sur Facebook (Vivre et Aimer Québec).
6) Please be advised that with the arrival of snow and the colder Winter weather, we have officially closed all of our cemeteries for ash burials until the arrival of Spring effective 1 December 2020. We will only continue to bury coffin burials throughout the Winter months.
7) The Parish Offices will be closed for the Christmas holidays from December 24th through to January 3rd inclusive.
Scriptural Reflection of this Weekend’s Readings
1. Ready the Way: This is Gaudete Sunday, the day when we remember to rejoice as we prepare our hearts for the joy that Christ brings on Christmas morning. St. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the hearts of the people for Christ, to “make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23). He is the embodiment of Advent. He came in righteousness (Matthew 21:32) to help the people prepare for the joy that they would receive when the Messiah arrived. We can truly experience the joy of Christmas when we have become righteous by conforming ourselves to God’s will. This is the reason for the penitential cleansing of this season: We shed all of the sinful clutter in our hearts to make a straight path for Christ to come and reign in us.
2. Sent from God: God the Father sent Jesus on his mission: “I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me” (John 6:38). St. John the Baptist was also “sent from God” (John 1:6) on his own mission: to prepare the way for Christ. When the priests questioned John about his identity–“Who are you?”–what they really wanted to know was his purpose. Jesus has sent us on our own missions as well. Just before his passion–the culmination and fulfillment of his mission–he prayed to the Father for us, to help prepare us for our missions: “As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world” (John 17:18). We can ask ourselves this Advent if we have truly discerned our own mission. How has Jesus specifically sent me into the world to serve him?
3. Prepare Your Heart: We help St. John the Baptist fulfill his mission when we immerse ourselves in Advent rather than skipping ahead to the Christmas celebrations. When we enjoy these last days of Advent, really relish them, Christmas will be so much brighter and more joyful. We could use this week to meditate on Christ’s divine mission and how he comes to reign in our hearts. We could meditate on Our Lady, remembering her holy pregnancy and how she and St. Joseph were likely on their journey to Bethlehem about a week before Christmas. Or we can meditate on the “O Antiphons” within the Divine Office that begin this Thursday. These antiphons are traditionally sung at Vespers and focus on a specific name of Christ: “O Wisdom,” “O Morning Star,” and so on. The focus of these meditations is to center our hearts on Christ and his coming in order to prepare the way to receive the gift of him. When our hearts are purified and prepared, they can receive the Holy Spirit, rejoice, and be strengthened for our unique missions.
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, please help me discern and embrace my mission. How are you sending me into the world to serve you, in ways both large and small? Help me to prepare my heart in order to fully embrace and become strong for my unique mission. Please help me to tune out all the distractions of this week and focus on you and your birth.
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will pray about how you are sending me into the world and take one tangible step to fulfill my mission.