Introduction to the Liturgy:  A Call to the Wild – Today’s feast adds a new and central feature to the Christmas message. Epiphany means manifestation – in this case, manifestation to the nations.  Jesus is not solely the Jewish Messiah; he comes for the entire world.  In Christ, all barriers will fall.  In the reading from Third Isaiah, Jerusalem looks out upon her own people returning from the diaspora, but, on the far distant horizon, appear caravans from all parts of the world.  The letter of the Ephesians sees this as the great mystery now revealed in the final times; the total equality of Jew and Gentile in God’s plan.  The account of the astrologers, taken from Matthew’s infancy narrative, summarizes it all in story form.  While the Jews, with the scriptural prophesies in hand, remain apart, the foreigners move in faith to Bethlehem.

From the Rector’s Desk:

THANK YOU:  A big thank you to all those who helped in any way to make our Christmas celebrations so beautiful.  You help in so appreciated by the parishioners and especially by me.   Father Beachey

I WILL BE AWAY:  I am away from the 9^th of January until the 20^th of January.  I will be home visiting my family, especially my dad, and I will be going to Toronto to see our seminarian, Mr. Lukas Casta, as part of my duty as the Vocation Director for the Pembroke diocese.  Pray for me as I despise large cities.

EXTRA DUTIES FOR THE PRIESTS DURING JANUARY:  Father Peter Do and I are responsible for the weekend Masses and any funerals at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Deep River and St. Anthony in Chalk River during the month of January as Father Moses is gone to Nigeria for a month.

CONFESSIONS – Confessions will be heard following all masses.

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 – 58, Sunday 10:30 – 132, Sunday No Mass

Your total offering for last Sunday was $4870.25 (incl. New Year’s Day and Initial Offering)

Thank you for your generosity and support.

CONFIRMATION: We ask you to keep the young people in your prayers who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, Sunday January 22^nd at our 10:30 am mass.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE COMING YEAR

Ash Wednesday————————————————————————————————– February 22, 2023

Forty Hours at Cathedral————————————————————————————- March 13 – 15, 2023

Palm (Passion) Sunday—————————————————————————————- April 2, 2023

Good Friday——————————————————————————————————– April 7, 2023

Easter Sunday—————————————————————————————————– April 9, 2023

Pentecost Sunday———————————————————————————————– May 28, 2023

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.

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

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Kindergarten registration at Renfrew County Catholic District School Board is opening soon! From January 23^rd – February 3^rd, go to www.rccdsb.ca to enroll your child and learn more about our inclusive, caring and engaging Kindergarten programs.  Then make an appointment with your designated school to finalize your registration.  Come learn, laugh, pray and play at RCCDSB!  Truly Schools to Believe In!

RECOLLECTION FOR WOMEN at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pembroke on Thursday, January 19th from 11 am to 1 pm. Recollections help you take a break from your busy schedule to think about your life, your relationship with God and gain a fresh outlook. Includes exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, guided prayer, examination of conscience, confession, benediction and a talk. Bring your lunch for a get together afterward.

This spiritual activity, inspired by the writings of St. Josemaria Escriva, is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on the Prelature of Opus Dei go to https://opusdei.org/en-ca/. Should you have any questions, please contact Nadia at nadia.bagshaw@sympatico.ca or 613-584-9388.​​​​​​

RCCDSB DANCE FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EXPERIENCE: One of the most treasured experiences that students get the opportunity to take part in is our annual mission trip to the Dominican Republic, which will resume this year. Come on out for live music – Classic Rock/Country Music and help raise funds for food and medical supplies for our friends in Yamasa, Dominican Republic. There will be awesome prizes to be won and a silent auction. Please contact Jackie Beaupre at 613-585-7498.  Tickets $15/person

Leigh Sweeney will be the guest speaker at the Jan. 21 good of the order meeting sponsored by Bishop N.Z. Lorrain council 1531 of the Knights of Columbus. The meeting will be at the K of C Hall on Ellis Avenue in Pembroke. It starts at 7 p.m. and is open to all K of C members, their families and     the community at large.

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