Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” 

We are pleased to announce that effective Friday, June 11, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. churches re-open to 15% of capacity! For our parish church this equals 56 people! No online reservations are needed after Thursday June 10, since the 15% - 56 person limit will apply.  All will sign in at the church doors on arrival on the weekend. Masks are mandatory.
 

Ontario to move to Step One of Roadmap: Reopen on June 11

The online booking calendar has been removed.

Nothing is more important than the truth when matters of such seriousness are brought forward.  Unfortunately, the media, the Government and others are using language, and providing inaccurate and misleading information about some of the sad and unfortunate aspects of the historical Residential Schools in Canada.  Please read the following items to learn more:

Raymond J. de Souza: Justin Trudeau can learn something from the church about apologies (June 12, 2021)

"Where are the Children Buried?", by Dr. Scott Hamilton, Dept. of Anthropology (Lakehead University)

Oblates of Mary Immaculate - Questions & Answers Concerning their Involvement in Residential Schools (June 8, 2021)

National Post - June 2, 2021 "Terry Glavin: Canadians have known about unmarked residential school graves for years. They just kept forgetting. This might have something to do with why the Indigenous community's wounds remain unhealed after all these years".

Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) The Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Roman Catholic religious order who were asked by the Federal Government to provide governance for the schools, participated fully in the IRSSA. The Holy See (The Vatican) nor the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops were involved in the governance of these schools.  The religious order functioned autonomously according to the norms of law. The Oblates were an active, participating party in the IRSSA, which came into effect in 2007.

The Residential School System - Historical 
 

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Residential Schools – June 2021 - Archdiocese of Toronto

There has been considerable media coverage and discussion in recent days following the discovery of children’s remains at the former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. The discovery has reopened a painful wound for many in our country and has identified the need for all Canadians to learn more about our history, the role of residential schools as part of that journey and to seek the truth regarding all those who suffered and continue to do so to this day.

The abuse of Indigenous peoples is a dark chapter in the history of Canada and the Catholic Church. While the Church has cared for and served Indigenous people in many ways, it is undeniable that some members of the Church undermined the dignity of First Nations people. There is evidence that much of this abuse occurred at residential schools, which were largely operated by Christian denominations.

This communication is intended to provide some context and address some frequently asked questions about this important issue. We must all join in the collective efforts on the path to healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.


1. I am deeply troubled by the discovery of children’s remains in Kamloops on the site of a former residential school. Who operated the school?

The discovery of 215 unmarked graves in late May 2021 will require further investigation to help seek the truth of who these children were, how they died and how they were buried so far from home. The school was built and initially operated by the federal government, opening in 1890. In 1892, the federal government asked a Catholic order, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, to take over operations, which they did until 1969. The federal government resumed operations of the school from 1969 until its closure in 1979.

The religious order issued a formal apology in 1991 in addition to paying settlements to residential school survivors. An excerpt of the apology reads as follows:

“We wish to apologize in a very particular way for the instances of physical and sexual abuse that occurred in those schools…Far from attempting to defend or rationalize these cases of abuse in any way, we wish to state publicly that we acknowledge they were inexcusable, intolerable and a betrayal of trust in one of its most serious forms. We deeply and very specifically, apologize to every victim of such abuse and we seek help in searching for means to bring about healing.”

2. Is the Catholic Church assisting with the efforts to seek the truth in Kamloops and elsewhere?

Father Ken Thorson, current Superior of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, has reached out to the Tk'emlups te Secwépemc Chief Rosanne Casimir to offer assistance and to express sympathies following the discovery of the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former school. Father Thorson has communicated that records from the Kamloops Indian Residential School are with the Royal British Columbia Museum and has indicated the order will assist in sharing any information regarding records at this and other locations where the order operated schools.
Among the groups of dioceses and religious communities that operated residential schools, there is a spirit of cooperation with Indigenous peoples with regards to personal records and information relating to the former schools. At the same time, there are also privacy rights, including those of Indigenous peoples who attended these schools, which need to be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.

3. Why aren’t we hearing an apology from the Catholic Church in Canada?

There is no such entity as the Catholic Church of Canada. Each Catholic diocese and religious order is an independent legal entity. Despite this reality, in 1991, Canadian Catholic Bishops, along with leaders of men and women religious communities, issued a statement that “We are sorry and deeply regret the pain, suffering and alienation that so many experienced” at residential schools.

Approximately 16 out of 70 Roman Catholic dioceses in Canada were associated with the former residential schools, in addition to about three dozen out of over one hundred Catholic institutes (commonly referred to as religious orders). Each diocese and institute is corporately and legally responsible for its own actions.

Many of the dioceses or orders operating schools have offered apologies, dating back to the early 1990s. In recent days, many bishops throughout Canada have offered statements and introduced other initiatives to continue our ongoing path to truth and reconciliation.

A listing of some of the numerous apologies and other resources can be found at:

http://bit.ly/CCCBreconciliationDocuments 

4. Did the Archdiocese of Toronto operate residential schools?

The Archdiocese of Toronto did not operate residential schools yet we share the collective grief and sorrow as the result of any representative of the Catholic Church inflicting pain or abuse on an individual, especially vulnerable children.

5. Have Indigenous leaders met with the Pope?

Yes, in 2009, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, along with other Indigenous representatives, had a moving encounter with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. In describing the meeting, Chief Fontaine told the media he hoped the expression of regret would “close the book” on the issue of apologies for residential school survivors.

Another attendee at the meeting with Pope Benedict, Edward John, Grand Chief of the First Nations Summit in British Columbia, said the Pope acknowledged the suffering of those who are still living with the effects of their experiences at the schools. In comments to the media he said, “I think in that sense, there was that apology that we were certainly looking for.”

The Catholic Church continues to work alongside and with Indigenous communities in order to foster an ongoing culture of reconciliation. There have been, and continue to be, numerous initiatives by Catholic dioceses, institutes and organizations throughout Canada to assist with support the ongoing healing and reconciliation journey.

6. I understand there was a formal request in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report for the Pope to personally apologize in Canada?

The Holy Father has already been invited to Canada by the present and previous Prime Minister. The Catholic Bishops of Canada, including the current and past Presidents of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, have assured the Pope they would joyfully and gratefully welcome him in a visit to Canada. Likewise, in a number of instances, Canadian Bishops, individually and collectively, have formally invited Pope Francis to visit, including with specific reference to Call to Action #58 (a recommendation of the 2015 Truth & Reconciliation Commission asking the Holy Father to apologize on Canadian soil within one year of the report being issued).
Pope Francis has encouraged the Bishops to continue taking leadership and assuming their proper role in pursuing their pastoral engagement and reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples, including ongoing conversations among the Bishops and Elders. This work builds on past apologies, dialogue and the desire to move forward together.
A formal papal visit involves a number of steps from both government and church leadership as well as significant logistical, financial commitments and other considerations. No papal visit has been publicly announced at this time.

7. Will the Catholic Church pay financial reparations to those harmed by residential schools?

The Catholic entities that operated residential schools were part of the 2006 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA).

The Holy See and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops were never involved in running the former schools. The “Roman Catholic Entities” named as parties in the IRSSA were legally deemed to have fulfilled the requirements of the settlement agreement by a judicial review. Following this review, the former Conservative government released the entities from further obligations – a decision which the present Liberal government did not appeal.

The 50 or so individual entities which signed the IRSSA paid:

   i.            $29 million in cash (less legal costs);
   ii.           more than the required $25 million of “in-kind” contributions; 

and

   iii.          an additional $3.7 million from a “best efforts” campaign.

Those same entities, together with other dioceses, institutes and national Catholic organizations, continue to be involved in efforts across the country to provide in-kind contributions, which go well beyond the scope of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.

8. Where can I find additional resources?

Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, lay movements, clergy and institutes of consecrated life, engaged in renewing and fostering relationships between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. For more information visit: www.ourladyofguadalupecircle.ca.

Executive Summary of this Document

The suggestion that the bodies of these beautiful children were found in a 'mass grave' (final paragraph) is inflammatory, misleading and totally inaccurate.  The imagery that this language evokes, suggests that some kind of genocide or barbaric war crime occurred. 

The  bodies were buried in individual graves and with dignity.
 

i

It is well known and true that a Roman Catholic Religious Order was asked to assume the management of the Residential Schools by the Federal Government.  Approximately 70% of these schools were run by this religious order and 30% by other Protestant Church denominations.

Where are the photos of their churches with shoes on the steps?

The placing of shoes and stuffed animals, and the lowering of flags is a simple and sweet gesture.  However, it might also be called 'virtue signalling'. These gestures require little effort, which is the problem. There is more to be done than symbolism. Those asking for flags to be lowered, never touch the rope of the flagpole.

It would be far more helpful, and much more serious, especially for the dear souls of the First Nations communities, if concrete action take place to help them heal and move on with their lives.  Many have asked the Federal Government, and for a very long time, to meet its obligations to our indigenous people. 

These requests, including those raised by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the early 1900's, were often ignored by the Federal Government. More is needed than flag lowering, the wearing of wristbands or ribbons and the placing of children's shoes.

When will the Government of Canada act?



The above paragraph beginning "The Roman Catholic Church..." is absolutely untrue.  Please read, once again #5 of the "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Residential Schools".  This inaccurate statement betrays the very words of Chief Phil Fontaine and Grand Chief Edward John following their audience with Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.



Paragraph 3 - there have been many requests made of the Federal Government to properly memorialize the graves of the dear ones who passed away.  These initiatives were never acted upon by the Federal Government.


Words of Pope Francis - June 6, 2021 (St. Peter's Square, Rome)

Statement of Bishop Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Pembroke


News Item: "Mass Grave" narrative misses need for answers and action: Researcher
 

The ongoing challenges of the pandemic impact our parish life, particularly the desire of parishioners to celebrate the Sacraments.

We must adapt! 

Why? The intent is to significantly limit the face to face contact that we have with each other, to prevent the spread of the virus.  All celebrations of the sacraments involve very close physical contact. 

Any parishioner who is in danger of death, meaning their physical condition is so compromised that they may pass away, can request the sacraments at any time, including the Sacrament of the Sick and the Reception of Holy Communion.  At all times, a priest is on call in Pembroke for the Pembroke Regional Hospital and all care homes for our seniors, for this purpose.  Please call, or ask a family member or nurse to call, the switchboard of the Pembroke Regional Hospital and ask that the Roman Catholic priest on call be contacted to visit a seriously ill patient.  They will be happy to assist! 

We appeal to your good will and understanding. All are invited to make an personal Act of Contrition during this interval.  Numerous sites on the internet have the Act of Contrition available. The Lord is kind and merciful to those who repent of their sins.

Please note as well: at any time of the year, the priest cannot meet privately in an unoccupied building, at any time of the day or night, to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance.

We now return to our practice of celebrating confession, prior to both weekend masses, at the front of the church near the mosaic of the Resurrection of Christ.  Why are we using this location? We cannot use the Reconciliation room, since it is a small enclosed space.  We cannot use a private room, behind closed doors, for the safety and protection of the penitent and the priest.  This type of wise caution is the norm in all professional settings, as a result of the terrible scourge of sexual abuse.
 

We thank you for your co-operation and understanding!

December 8, 2021 - December 8, 2022

Novena to St. Joseph

Roman Catholics are encouraged to offer this
novena throughout the year.

IMPORTANT NOTICE 

First Communion / Sacrament of Confirmation
 

Following discussions with our Parish Catechetical Team we have decided to delay our plans for catechetical instruction  for First Reconciliation, First Communion (Eucharist) & the Sacrament of Confirmation, until the Fall of 2021.

Registration for these Sacraments continues now and through the next number of months.  We can only accept registration from families of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish.  For further information or to raise any questions, please contact: Deacon Dan @ 613-687-4764 ext. 2 or email him:
 

olsreleducation@gmail.com

The changing circumstances during this pandemic, requires us to be flexible and to make adjustments as we plan for our parish programs.  
 

CATHOLIC MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The Catholic Engaged Encounter Weekend is best experienced as an in-person weekend.  Since we are on various COVID restrictions, the CEE Weekend is not possible, so please consider attending one of the virtual CEE Weekends listed on the website. For further information and registration please visit: www.ceeeast.org. Any couple contemplating marriage should first speak to a priest or deacon to ensure one’s freedom to marry in the Roman Catholic Church. The usual 6-12 month planning notice is required before any other arrangements are made and they must understand the way in which the Liturgy of the Sacrament of Marriage differs from a wedding that takes place on a beach, private home or another secular location.

CanadaHelps.org account:
 

or
to participate in our
Automatic Sunday Giving (Electronic Funds Transfer) program, a registration form is available here

All donations will be credited for Income Tax as usual. We routinely check the donations received from this service and carefully record the offerings. We sincerely thank those who have already contributed and invite all to do the same during this unusual period.  Thank you!

 RECEIPTS FOR CHARITABLE GIVING
 

Receipts reflecting donations received in 2020 have been printed and are now available. In order to receive yours, please place a self-addressed stamped envelope in the mailbox outside the main door of the Parish Centre.  Rest assured, your receipt will be mailed out immediately.

Alternatively, we would be happy to mail your receipt at anytime, with or without a supplied envelope, if you would simply like to call or send us an email.

Call Ann Marie
 at 613-687-4764 ext. 1
or send her an email: olsparishoffice@gmail.com. 

As always we are very grateful for your kindness and financial support!

The Church supports the government's efforts to control the spread of the virus, since it is for the common good and will enable our hospitals not to become overwhelmed.  The Bishops of Canada and Ontario are carefully monitoring events and the available data, to ensure that all regulations are reasonable and are being applied equitably.

At this time:

1) Our Parish offices are closed, however you can leave a voicemail.  Calls will be returned from time to time. If you wish to talk about any of the Sacraments, call Fr. Steve at any time. Since our secretary is located in an autonomous building, she is permitted to attend to her office as needed, to deal with essential matters.  No outside visits are permitted.

June 2021
Mass Schedule & Intentions

Please remember, the gift of the Mass and the spiritual blessings that flow from its celebration, are not dependent on an individual (including the donor) being physically present. While it is nice if the donor and family can attend, we realize that this is often not possible, especially during the changing circumstances of this pandemic.

2) As always, Funeral Home Directors have direct access to the clergy. A funeral mass must adhere to the limits of attendance as seen above.  Some families are delaying the celebration of a funeral until a more favourable time.  That is a private family decision.

3) A Roman Catholic priest is on call in Pembroke for the sick and the dying, at the hospital or any senior's residence. Call the switchboard of the Pembroke Regional Hospital and ask that the Roman Catholic priest on call be contacted. They will be happy to do so!
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Note: Just because some places and people are ignoring health regulations and directives, does not mean it is the virtuous or moral thing to do! People who are doing so, may find themselves in a hospital ER or the I.C.U. at some point! The virus is not a hoax and the government has not planted microchips in the vaccine in order to monitor our lives! Let's be sensible.

The Church and her members are a part of the community, where we live. We will always follow the guidance and directives of our Bishop and work towards the common good, especially in important matters such as a pandemic.

The goal is simple: reducing the number of people who are actively fighting the virus, reducing the strain on our health care system, increasing the number of citizens who have received the vaccine, so that we can return to something of a 'normal life' and resume important surgeries, tests and treatments that have been affected by the pandemic.

It should be remembered that our ancestors dealt with two world wars and significant sacrifices during the Great Depression. Keeping things in perspective helps us a great deal.  

Daily prayer, exercise, rest and recreation are essential !
 

Pray everyday for our wonderful healthcare professionals who are doing so much for our communities! 

By Fr. Michael Smith

From December 7, 2020 to December 7, 2021, the Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian Churches in the northwestern part of Ireland (including the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland) are celebrating the 1,500^th anniversary of the birth of a local son, St. Columbkille (also known as Colmcille and Columba, “Dove of the Church”). The Catholic Diocese of Raphoe, in County Donegal, has made contact with our diocese, and will communicate with us as the celebrations progress.

Why, you may ask, are we celebrating the event here in Pembroke Diocese? After all, St. Columbkille is virtually unknown in Canada, and few of even the most devout Catholics have heard of him. In Ireland and Scotland, however, he is a saint of great significance. He is one of the three patron saints of Ireland, along with St. Patrick and St. Brigid of Kildare. St. Columbkille’s importance to the Irish and Scottish people is the reason why some of the first European settlers in Pembroke named their parish after him. That parish would later become the cathedral of the Diocese of Pembroke, and St. Columbkille would be designated as patron saint of the diocese.

Bishop Desrochers has asked me to introduce you to St. Columbkille, which I am happy to do.

Biographical sketch

St. Columbkille was born on December 7, 520 or 521, in Gartan, in what is now County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. His parents’ names were Fedlimid and Eithne. He was baptized at Temple-Douglas, between Gartan and Letterkenny, the present episcopal see of the Diocese of Raphoe. The priest who baptized him was named Cruithnechán, his teacher and foster-uncle. Columbkille eventually became well educated, having spent much of his adolescence and young adulthood travelling throughout Ireland to various monastic schools in search of learning.

He was already a deacon by the age of twenty, and he would later become a monk and be ordained a priest. At Iona, he would become abbot, or head monk of the monastery.

There are a couple of dark chapters in Columbkille’s life. Of interest to us, currently living under the shadow of the pandemic, is the fact that there was a pestilence in 544, which forced Columbkille to move out of the monastery where he was staying and to take refuge in another region.

An even darker chapter is a dispute, in about the year 560, between Columbkille and his mentor Finnian over the ownership of a manuscript which Columbkille had copied by hand. Sadly and tragically, a large number of people became in involved in the conflict, which became violent, leading to the deaths of many of them.

Also around this time, Columbkille was involved in a dispute between two kings, one of whom violated the right of sanctuary and killed Prince Curnan of Connacht, a fugitive and a relative of Columbkille, whom Columbkille was protecting.

In any case, about 563, Columbkille and twelve companions (later to be known as the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland”) moved to Scotland, eventually settling on the island of Iona, where St. Columbkille founded a monastery that would be the hub of evangelization efforts in Scotland, especially among the Picts, who at that time were pagan.

It would be useful, at this point, to mention a couple of details about monastic life at this time. ‘Pilgrimage’ was considered a form of penance because it deprived the person of the companionship of his or her own people. Unlike monks in the Benedictine tradition, who made a vow to spend their lives in the same monastery, Celtic monks would undertake a peregrinatio pro Christo, a pilgrimage for Christ, essentially committing themselves to be wanderers, at least for a time. That is what Columbkille did. One can surmise that he did so to remake himself and to amend for his being a cause of the violent struggles mentioned above.

Remake himself he did. He founded the monastery at Iona which became a centre of evangelization and a school for missionaries. The Christianization of Scotland was in large part the work of Columbkille and his companion monks. Columbkille eventually became known as a holy man, and thus he was sought out to mediate conflicts among tribes in the region.

Columbkille was a founder and a builder. He founded several monasteries in Ireland, and then several churches in Scotland, both on the mainland and in the Hebrides.

St. Columbkille died at Iona on June 9, 597, although some scholars place his death as early as 593. His feast day is June 9.

Significance of St. Columbkille for our spiritual journey

Someone once wrote that a saint is not someone who has never sinned, but one who has accepted God’s forgiveness many times. St. Columbkille had a checkered career in his early life, but with God’s grace he was able to turn his life around, to the point of being a peacemaker and a holy man. This should fill us with hope. Whatever our past might be, God does not give up on us, and there is no telling the wonders that God can work through us. This truth is very much in keeping with biblical portrait of holy people. With the exception of Jesus and Mary, God’s instruments in the Scriptures are invariably flawed people. The Lord was able to work wonders of conversion in them, and further wonders through them.

St. Columbkille is also a model for us in the work of evangelization. Much as St. Columbkille tirelessly announced the Gospel and built up the People of God in remote regions, so also are we called, each in his or her own way, to proclaim the Gospel and build up God’s People wherever we might be.

For further reading and viewing

For more historical details about St. Columbkille’s life, I recommend the Wikipedia article under the title ‘Columba’. Please note that St. Columbkille, or Columba, is not the same person as St. Columban or Columbanus, another Irish abbot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba

Also, there is an excellent 20-minute YouTube video called, St. Columba at 1500. It is narrated by Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian clergy and laypeople in the region where St. Columbkille was born. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8xj_51-F14

Each week, the Chancery publishes a series of announcements which are of special interest.  

Visit www.pembrokediocese.com and scroll down to 'Recent Posts'.

 Thursday, May 6, 2021

Today, I have promulgated in the Diocese of Pembroke The Policy and Procedures for the Prevention and Management of Sexual Abuse of Minors and Adults who in Law are the Equivalent of Minors. This document replaces the Protocol for Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Minors that has been in force since 2007. This revision has taken place in accordance with the obligation and desire of the Bishops of Canada to embody the Catholic Church’s teachings, laws and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2018 document Protecting Minors from Sexual Abuse. This revised protocol is the fruit of this commitment. Pastors are to review with, and document that, all parish employees and volunteers have read this revised document, which may be accessed on the diocesan website www.pembrokediocese.com.

In conjunction with our revised diocesan policy, I wish to apprise you that today, the CCCB unveiled the ClearView Reporting System, which is a centralized third-party mechanism to report allegations of abuse or the cover-up of abuse by bishops in Canada. The centralized ClearView Reporting System will ensure that allegations of abuse or the potential cover-up of abuse are conveyed to the proper ecclesiastical authority, as outlined in Pope Francis’  2019     motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi. This ClearView Reporting System may be accessed via www.cccb.ca or the link from our own diocesan website.

In Vos estis lux mundi, our Holy Father states “it is good that procedures be universally adopted to prevent and combat these crimes that betray the trust of the faithful’. Let us always pray for the healing of those who have suffered abuse and for the healing of their families. Let us work for the protection and well-being of all God’s holy people.

May God bless you in these times of rejoicing and festivities as we celebrate the birth of our Savior,

+Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R.
 Bishop of Pembroke
 

Bishop Desrocher's delegate in matters pertaining to the Prevention & Management of Sexual Abuse of Minors and Adults who in Law are the Equivalent of Minors:

Father John Burchat
St. John Chrysostom Church
295 Albert Street, Arnprior, ON K7S 2M7

613-623-2282

Deputy Delegate

Father Peter Proulx
St. John Chrysostom Church
295 Albert Street, Arnprior, ON K7S 2M7

613-623-2282

The Policy & Procedures for the Prevention and Management of Sexual Abuse of Minors and Adults who in Law are the Equivalent of Minors


New Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or coverup by a Catholic Bishop
 

Diocese of Pembroke - Decree on the Code of Pastoral Conduct for all Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Employees & Volunteers
 

Specific application of the policy at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa

CODE OF PASTORAL CONDUCT: this decree is applicable to priests, deacons, seminarians, employees and volunteers engaged in ministries and services in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pembroke. It’s intent is to assist all in upholding Christian values and conduct as they minister to, or work with the People of God. In order that we may be in complete compliance with the letter and spirit of the ‘Code of Pastoral Conduct’, the following is important to note: