winter St. Mary

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted : Jan-26-2023

Prayers for our 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.

Please remember those who have died including: Annette Potter, Maria Ormonde, Beryl Fairchild and Veronica Herra

 

Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Service  -- January 2023

This year’s message of Isaiah 1:17, “Do good; seek justice” inspires all of us to pray and work together for the unity willed by Christ for the Church.  The downtown ministerial association continues to advocate and pray for Christian unity. 

Join us this coming Tuesday, January 31st at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 47 Owen Street, Barrie for an ecumenical service. 

 

Wedding Anniversaries: Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

Wedding ringsThe married couples in our parish are a sign to us of God’s faithfulness and through their witness we are strengthened.

If you celebrated a wedding anniversary in January we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses this weekend, on January 28th and 29th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

 

Tree representing Ministry with Maturing AdultsMinistry with Maturing Adults: For All Adults 55+

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.

 

meditationChristian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31st on Zoom.  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)

 

game timeThursday February 2nd Bid Euchre, Cards and Games!  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  All are welcome to attend. Simple refreshments will be provided.

This group will now meet on the 1 and 3 Thursday of the month.

 

The Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman’s Life

Joan Chittister is a Benedictine Sister of Erie, Pennsylvania. For over 50 years she has passionately advocated on behalf of peace, human rights, women’s issues, and monastic and church renewal. She has written over 60 books.

You are invited to a guided discussion of the book The Story of Ruth. Sessions will be held on Thursday mornings in St. Joseph’s Room from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning February 16th and concluding March 23rd. All participants will need a copy of the book. To register and order a copy of the book please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org

 

Preparing for First Holy Communion: Parent Meeting # 2

priest holding CommunionPreparing for Full Participation in the Celebration of Mass!

To assist all parents in preparing their children for first sharing in Holy Communion each parent is to attend one of the following parent meetings. You will receive the second family book at this meeting. We ask that only parents attend the meeting on:

Tuesday February 7th from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

 OR

Thursday February 16th from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

You attend only one of the meetings.

 

Confirmation of adultsConfirmation Preparation for Adults

If you are an adult, baptized in the Catholic Church and wish to be confirmed please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115) for a registration form and details on the preparation process.

 

Catholic Women's League logoCatholic Women’s League

St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s League will be holding the Mary Matthews Public Speaking Contest in our parish hall on Saturday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. Grades 7 & 8 students who have won or are runner - up from all schools in the St. Mary’s catchment area will be invited by their school to compete.

The winner from this competition will be invited to compete in the CWL Regional Contest on February 25th at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church in Barrie.  For further inquiries contact Karen Boyle 705-321-0898 or kboyle@bell.net.

 

CandlemasFeast of the Presentation of Our Lord: February 2nd

This day is also known as Candlemas. The feast is celebrated 40 days after the birth of Jesus.  In the gospel we hear the prayer of Simeon, an old man, who was promised that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord. As Simeon held the infant Jesus in his arms he recognized Christ as the light for the world.  The words of Simeon are part of our Gospel Canticle for Night Prayer. Simeon, announced that the Messiah has come for all people. Since the 7th century candles have been blessed at this Mass and used throughout the year.

As the baptized we are to walk as children of the light bearing witness to our Lord.

 

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, February 10th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

Middle school kidsEDGE 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, February 24th.  

Teen youth groupLIFE TEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is this Sunday, January 22nd at the 4:00 p.m. 

 

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

 

Lift Jesus HigherLift Jesus Higher Rally  - Saturday, March 4th, 2023

St. Mary’s Church will be taking a bus for our young people and any adults interested in attending the Life Jesus Higher Rally in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.   Tickets are $50/pp.  Please contact Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.

 

We the North Valentine’s Dinner and Dance

Valentine's danceAll teens are invited to a We the North Valentines Dance on Saturday, February 4th here at St. Mary’s Church at 6:30 p.m.

All teens are invited to this semiformal dinner and dance.  Tickets are $10.oo/each and available at the parish office.

For more information please call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426 or email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com.