5th Sunday of Lent (March 17, 2024)

Parish Lenten Confessions

Our parish will have multiple priests available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday, March 18th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, March 22nd from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Confessions at our neighbouring parishes:

St. John Vianney, 13 Baldwin Lane, Tuesday, March 19th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Holy Spirit Parish, 650 Essa Rd., Wednesday, March 20th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

We invite you to take this opportunity before Easter to make the journey into the heart of our relationship with God. Take this challenge and hold it in readiness for the rich blessing that is manifest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Praying for the Sick and Faithful Departed

If 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 prayer those who have died recently including: Murray Tait, Bob Hodgins and Dieu Van Dao.

Women’s Lenten Prayer Group

All women interested in joining a Women’s Lenten Prayer Group are invited to come on Monday nights throughout Lent from 7-8:30 pm in the parish hall. For more information, please contact the parish office. All are welcome!

Catholic Women’s League

General Meeting Tues., March 19th at 6:30 pm in the parish hall. All welcome.

Celebrating the 3rd Scrutiny

Please note:

Today on March 17th at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses the readings for the Liturgy of the Word will be from Year A. The readings all have a strong baptismal theme. For those who use a Living with Christ missal to prepare you will find these readings in your Missal.

This weekend is ShareLife Sunday

ShareLife Sunday marks the first collection for our parish’s annual campaign.

Our parish goal this year is $136,500. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

PREPARING FOR AND CELEBRATING THE EASTER TRIDUUM

The Easter Triduum is the highpoint of our Church year. The word Triduum means three. For a Catholic there is really nothing more important than gathering with the community to pray throughout these three days.

The Easter Triduum is really one liturgy that extends over the three days. We go home in-between to rest, pray and to ponder the mystery of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Holy Thursday March 28th Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 8:00 p.m. (there is no noon Mass). You are invited to bring your donations for our Easter Food Drive. These gifts will be brought forward during the Preparation of the Gifts. Adoration will take place after Mass until midnight.

Good Friday March 29th Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - We will gather for the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. We do not celebrate Mass on Good Friday. It is the same liturgy at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday March 30th Midday Prayer 12:00 p.m. - Gather with the parish family to pray Midday Prayer and Blessing of the Easter Baskets.

Easter Vigil March 30th at 8:00 p.m.

St. Augustine called this vigil the “Mother of all Vigils”. We hear stories from Scripture, proclaim God’s praises and rejoice at the waters of new life. We will celebrate initiation with the elect and together with thanksgiving participate in feasting at the Eucharistic table. There is no 5:00 p.m. Mass.

Easter Sunday March 31st - 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m.

At each liturgy we shall renew our baptismal promises.

Easter Monday, April 1st   Mass is at 9:00 a.m. The parish office is closed.

All Adults 55+ Ministry with Maturing Adults

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

VON 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 Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19th, 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)

CARDS: Join us on Thursday, March 21st from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. We serve simple refreshments.

No Registration is required. All are welcome!

Seasons of Hope Bereavement Group

Our Lord assured us that those who mourn are blessed and shall be comforted. Seasons of Hope helps us come together to share in God’s love. Whether your loss is recent or long ago, Seasons of Hope is a nurturing link to the Church, our God and people of faith who understand what it means to grieve.

This program is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. Come and be comforted.

The group meets at 7:30 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 10th in St. Joseph’s Room. Registration is required. For more details or to register please contact Catherine Ecker in the parish office at 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

St. Mary’s Classic Movies

Our next movie is on Tuesday, March 26th at 2:00 p.m.

For Holy Week we will be watching the Academy Award winning film A Man For All Seasons (1966) about the last days of Saint Thomas More.

Snacks included and all are welcome!

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 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, April 12th.. Registration required.

EDGE 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, March 22nd.

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, March 24th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Dinner provided.

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

  May 5th and June 23rd, 2024.

Easter Food Drive

Members of the Barrie Council 1626 of The Knights of Columbus are coordinating our Easter Food Drive. Please bring your donations to the 8:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, March 28th, 2024.

Food, cash, cheques or gift cards for grocery stores are welcomed. All food collected will be directed to the Barrie Food Bank who are in need of the following necessities: Baby Formula, Children’s Lunch snacks, Cereal, Beef Jerky, Ensure/Protein Shakes, Feminine products, Diapers (sizes 4-6)

We ask that you bring your food donations in reusable grocery bags as the Barrie Food Bank uses them to distribute food to their clients.

You may also donate by visiting https://www.barriefoodbank.org. Thank you for your support and God Bless!