Ordination of the New Bishop for Pembroke – Today, August 15th, the Assumption!
Our new bishop for the Pembroke diocese is being ordained this morning, on the Solemnity of the Assumption, so please do keep him and all of us in prayer!
Rev. Michael Brehl, C.S.s.R. named the 10 th Bishop of Pembroke:
With great cause for rejoicing, I announce that today that our Holy Father, Pope Francis has named Reverend Michael Brehl, C.S.s.R. as the 10th Bishop of Pembroke. Father Brehl was born in Toronto in 1955 and entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) in 1975. He professed vows as a Redemptorist on August 15, 1976, and was ordained priest on March 15, 1980. Father
Brehl currently serves as Provincial Superior of the Canadian Province of the Redemptorists, a role that he held for the Edmonton-Toronto Province from 2002-2009. In addition to many years in parish ministry, preaching missions and the formation of novices, Father Brehl served two terms as the Redemptorist Superior General in Rome from 2009-2022. The episcopal ordination and canonical possession will take place at the Cathedral of St. Columbkille in Pembroke on Thursday, August 15, 2024, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at ten o’clock in the morning.
Following in the footsteps of Archbishop Guy Desrochers, C.S.s.R., this will be the second member of the Redemptorist Congregation that the Lord has bestowed upon the Diocese of Pembroke. Please join with me in prayers of thanksgiving for the appointment of our bishop-elect and may Our Lady of Perpetual Help guide and protect him as he prepares to assume the graces and duties of the episcopal office (Fr. Ryan Holly, June 11th, 2024).
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk
(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→
Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów
We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→
Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland
Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→
Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd
A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→
Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness
Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→
An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday
The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→