INTRODUCTION TO THE LITURGY: The Heart of Discipleship – In Jesus the messianic age has dawned.  Matthew, the gospel to be read during this A cycle, introduces Jesus’ public ministry immediately after the account of the baptism by John (3:13–17) and Jesus’ temptation in the desert (4:1–11).  As in the other synoptic accounts, the beginning of Jesus’ preaching takes place in Galilee.  To relate his geography to Israelite messianic hopes, Matthew refers to the Isaian text which is given in its complete form in today’s first reading.  In writing to Corinth, Paul sees factions as a threat to the singular allegiance due to Christ.

FROM THE RECTORS DESK:

Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to our young parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation Sunday, January 22, 2022.

            Anna Ruth Watson                               Breanna Michelle Mahon

            Allison Mary Sennett                                                    Trystyn Lydia Prescott

            Claire Elizabeth Noble                           Takoda Nathaniel Turner

            Destiny Noella Demers                                                 Ashlynn Marie Tierney

            Michael Christian Patrick Sell                                        Macey Jayne Jacyno

            Riley Michael Popke                                                     Grace Lena Flegal

            Marissa Adeline Getz                                                   Christopher Ray Hernandez

            Emma Grace Dunne

May you continue to grow spiritually, and may your faith always be strong. May God always be in your life, may He always answer your prayers and never leave you.

A word of thanks to the parents who accompanied these candidates during the period of preparation and to the candidates themselves.  Also, a very sincere thank you to Deacon Adrien Chaput and Nathan Watson, the catechists, who assisted them along their journey.

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.

      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.

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.

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.

The next CWL meeting will be held on Monday, February 6 @ 7:00pm in the parish hall.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM: The Winter Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program is coming up on Saturday, February 25^thand 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.

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!

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

MASS ATTENDANCE FOR LAST WEEKEND – Saturday 7:15 – 62, Sunday 10:30 – 154, Sunday 5:15 – 75  

Your total offering for last Sunday was $3410.40

Thank you for your generosity and support.

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)