INTRODUCTION TO THE LITURGY: The Christian Life: Light and Salt – Light is the thought that links today’s liturgy of the word.  Its meaning is developed in the first and third readings. Paul teaches that the light of Christ has its own power when preached and does not depend on human wisdom.

FROM THE RECTORS DESK

FORTY HOUR DEVOTION:  This March 13 to 15, 2023, we will have the 40 Hour Devotion to help us prepare during Lent for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery at the Cathedral.  It is an opportunity to devote ourselves to prayer, especially before Our Lord Jesus Christ, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, through adoration.  Father Eric F. Mason, a priest of the Diocese of Peterborough and pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Powassan, Ontario, will be the preacher each evening and the celebrant of Holy Mass each day.  Sign up sheets will go out for people of both parishes to take some time to spend in adoration during these days.  I would like to try and have adoration throughout the entire period, morning and night as is traditional if it is possible.  If it is not possible, we will have re-position each evening.

BENEFITS OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:  Every Holy Hour we make, so pleases the Heart of Jesus that it is recorded in Heaven and retold for all eternity!  (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

The spiritual lives in our families are strengthened through our Holy Hour. (St. John Paul II)

A Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is so important to Jesus that a multitude of souls go to Heaven who otherwise would have gone to hell. (Jesus’ revelation to Blessed Dina Belanger)

All the angels of heaven gaze in ecstasy at the  image left on your soul after each holy hour you make in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. (“Letters to a Brother Priest”)

Perpetual Adoration extends its influence far beyond the individual adorers, touching their homes and families and reaching out to the parish community and beyond. (Pope Paul VI)

INCENSE AT 10:30 SUNDAY MASS:  Beginning the First Sunday of Lent, once again, the priest will use incense at the 10:30 AM Mass.  We will ensure not to overdo it but put just enough incense on the coal to accompany and enhance the liturgical action. Symbolic of our prayers rising to God, incense has been used by many ancient religions and continues to be used today in the Roman Catholic Church, both in the Oriental and Latin rites, as well as in the Orthodox churches.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO HELP YOUR PARISH: We are in need of volunteers to carry out important functions for     our Mass celebration on the weekends.  We can use more lectors (readers), choir members, and ushers.  We are desperately in need of altar servers and sacristans.  Even if you are only able to help so often, please consider it.  I will have training/refresher sessions during Lent.

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNIOM:  Registration is now taking place for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion here at St. Columbkille’ s Cathedral.  A Parent and Candidate meeting will be held on Sunday February 19, 2023 at 09:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall with presentation of information and schedule of sessions.  Please contact the Parish Office for registration forms or call Deacon Adrien Chaput at 613-732-7933 ext. 206 for more details.  All forms must be completed and submitted to the Parish Office by Thursday February 16, 2023.

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULES AT OTHER PEMBROKE PARISHES

 Our Lady of Lourdes                  Most Holy Name of Jesus                 Paroisse St-Jean-Baptiste

  Monday to Friday 8:00 AM           Monday to Thursday 7:00 PM     Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:00 AM

(Please visit the Parish websites to confirm Mass times)

MASS ATTENDANCE FOR LAST WEEKEND – Saturday 7:15 – 79, Sunday 10:30 – 131, Sunday 5:15 –70    

Your total offering for last Sunday was $3205.00

Thank you for your generosity and support.

In your prayers kindly remember the sick and those who care for them, the lonely, the handicapped, those isolated, and those who have died.

Cathedral CWL is hosting a “Welcome Spring” Dessert and Card Party on Wednesday, March 29^th in Cathedral Parish Hall.    Doors open at 6 p.m.  Admission is $8.00.  Choose your games of choice for the evening. Evening includes Door Prizes, 50/50 draws, Ample desserts & beverages.  Tickets available from CWL Members; evening concludes at 9:00 p.m.  .… snow date if req’d: April 12, 2023. The Cathedral  Hall is elevator accessible.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM: The Winter Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, February 25^th and Saturday, March 11^th, 2023 at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Renfrew. Deadline to register is February 11^th. Registration is available online at www.pembrokediocese.com, or a form can be obtained from any parish and mailed in. Inquiries can be directed to Yvette Bourque at yvettebourque@pembrokediocese.com.

ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT: “Do whatever He tells you (John 2.5)” from March 24 to 26, 2023 at the Graphite Bible Camp in Maynooth. Fr. Zachary Romanowsky and Cheryl Ann Smith from Madonna House will be leading the retreat. The cost is $175.00 for 2 nights and 5 meals. Limited spots available! To register: fill in the Google registration form at RETREAT REGISTRATION , and send e-transfer to womensretreatcombermere@gmail.com (Question: what is name of retreat centre; Answer: Graphite). For more information contact us at womensretreatcombermere@gmail.com or call/text Caitlin 613 316-0992 or Kristan 613 585-0579.

Faye Cassista will be the speaker at the Feb. 28 good of the order meeting for the N.Z.Lorrain council 1531 of the Knights of Columbus. Her topic will be Sexual Assault Victim Services. The meeting will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 7 p.m. and is open to all Knights, their families and the           community.