Welcome to St. Mary's

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted : Oct-26-2023

Praying for the Sick and Faithful Departed

prayer requestsIf you or a family member is sick please let us know and we shall add their name to our prayer list which is posted in the gathering space of the church.

We remember in pray those who have died recently including:

Mary (May) McKendry, Michael Bagley, Larry Kitchen, June Bouchard, Julia Fazio and Maria Castilho.

 

hospital visitsVisiting the Hospital: if you or a family member are admitted to RVH please let them know you are Catholic and call the parish office to inform us. If you wish to receive Holy Communion please let the parish office know and one of our pastoral visitors will come to see you.

 

All Saints Day

all saints day

On November 1st the church celebrates All Saints Day. On this day we celebrate the women and men who have lived before us and the Church has given them the title of saint. For exam

ple, people like St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Theresa, St. Matthew, St. Agnes and St. Monica. On all Saints Day we also celebrate all of the people who lived holy lives and have died. Some of these people would be our grandparents, aunts, uncles, leaders who have worked for justice and peace. We believe in the communion of saints which means we believe that through baptism we are united with the baptized who are living on earth, those who have died and all who have been named saints. We pray: All holy men and women, pray for us.

Book of Remembrance

The parish Book of Remembrance will be available in the church proper during the month of November so that you may inscribe the names of those who have gone before you marked with the sign of faith. Please remember to use your own pen.

Annual Memorial Mass

cross and windOn Thursday, November 2nd, All Souls Day we will pray for all of the faithful departed at the 7:00 p.m. Mass. Our Bereavement Committee has extended a personal invitation to all families who had a loved one buried from St. Mary’s Parish during the past year to attend this Mass.

All parishioners are welcome to attend as we pray for family near and far who have died this past year. When you arrive, we will give you a lit candle which you will place on the steps near the altar. When Mass has ended you are welcome to take a candle home or to leave it in burning in the church.

After Mass everyone is invited to join us in the parish hall for simple refreshments and fellowship.

 

Hallowe’en is actually a Christian celebration that is over 1000 years oldHalloween

October 31st Hallowe’en and November 1st All Saints Day have been celebrated since the early 8th century. Pope Gregory III wanted to establish a day to celebrate all Saints. The word Hallowe’en comes from “All Hallows Eve” that refers to the night before All Hallows Day, also known as All Saints Day. Hallow as a noun is an old English word for saint and Hallow as a verb is to make holy or to honour as holy.

 

Traditions - The supernatural aspects of Hallowe’en, like ghosts and demons, have their roots in Catholic belief. At certain times of the year it was believed that the veil separating earth from the afterlife was very thin. When this veil is “thin” the ghosts and demons could be seen. October 31st and November 1st were considered a time when the veil was thin. People would wear costumes to scare away the ghosts and demons.

 

All Adults 55+  -- Ministry with Maturing AdultsTree representing Ministry with Maturing Adults

All are welcome to attend the various session offered for those in the second half of life.

seniors exercisingVON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. For details regarding registration please call: VON at 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

 

Christian meditationChristian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31st on Zoom. All are welcome! If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115)

 

playing cardsThursday Afternoon: November 2nd from 1:00p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month join us for cards or your favourite board game. We serve simple refreshments.

No Registration is required. All are welcome.

 

Mark Your Calendars!

bowl of soupWednesday, November 22nd at 12:30 p.m.

Soup and a Movie

 

Lessons and CarolsWednesday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m.

Advent Lessons and Carols

 

Advent WreathWednesday, December 13th at 2:00 p.m.

Advent Reflection: Living in Hope

 

Pop-up Covid-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinicsyringe for a shot

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will hold a Covid-19 and Flu Clinic in our parish hall on Wednesday, November 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments can be booked at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling 1-833-943-3900. Walk-ins accepted while supplies last.

 

Catholic Women’s League – PRAYER SHAWLS

Prayer Shawl MinistryPrayer Shawls are available for women, men and children who are seriously ill or grieving. A Prayer Shawl can wrap, enfold, comfort and give solace to a person who is suffering. Each shawl is crafted with prayers for the recipient. Contact Diana at 705-722-7067 or email: dancatton@rogers.com.

 

Registration for Confirmation or First Sharing in Holy Communion

Golden ChaliceFamilies who participated in the September / October parent information meeting for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion received a package of material.confirmation cross and flame

The completed registration form including a legible photocopy of the young person’s baptismal certificate, the Parish Registration Form and the Sacramental Preparation envelope will be accepted AFTER Mass has ended this weekend, October 28 / 29. Please note: Registration forms are only accepted after Sunday (Saturday) Mass.

If you have questions about the form or the preparation process please email Catherine Ecker, parish catechist at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

 

Youth Ministry

Ages K to Grade 5 groupM.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K.-4 and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. where we explore our faith in a dynamic way through activities, games, crafts and music. Our next gathering is Friday, November 10th.

 

EDGE 2023EDGE is a youth ministry program for youth grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. EDGE is a safe, fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith and most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Our next gathering is Friday, November 24.

 

LifeTeen 2023LIFE TEEN –for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights at 4:00 p.m. Our next gathering is TODAY, Sunday, October 29th.

 

For more information on our Youth Ministry, please email: stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.

 

Theology on Tap

Theology on TapAt the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs) on the following Sundays from 6 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.:

Nov. 19, Jan. 21, March 17, May 5 and & June 23.

 

 

Reminder on a post-it note

Daylight savings time 2023 will come to an end on Saturday, November 5 at 2:00 a.m. Don’t forget to adjust your clocks back one hour.