5th Week in Ordinary Time

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEK?

Vitamin F: Living as Pilgrims of Hope  Continuing to Celebrate the Jubilee Year! - Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

The Church invites us to continue to grow in our relationship with God and our understanding of our faith. All are welcome to attend this time of catechesis, conversation and prayer as we continue to explore what it means for the baptized to live as pilgrims of hope. We will have some simple refreshments available and conclude by 8:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Marriage Preparation Course - Holy Spirit Parish, 650 Essa Road, Barrie will be offering Marriage Preparation courses for those preparing for the sacrament of Marriage beginning Tuesday, February 25^th to April 8^th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. For more information and to register, please contact the parish office at 705-722-3771.

Interfaith Refugee Committee

A Sincere Thank You!

St. Mary’s Interfaith Refugee Committee wishes to extend a sincere thanks to our parish Catholic Women’s League, the Catholic Women’s League at St. John Vianney Parish and to the Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 for their generous donations totaling $9,000.00! We are grateful for all the support offered by St. Mary’s parishioners in our campaigns. You are all part of our continuing and important initiative!

Preparation for Confirmation

The next meeting is for the Candidates and Sponsors. IF, the sponsor cannot attend the parent is to attend. The candidates are grouped alphabetically. Please make every effort to attend the assigned meeting. If there is a serious reason, such as illness, you may attend the other meeting. You do not need to notify us if you are attending a different meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude by 8:45 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25^th Surnames A to L        Monday, March 3^rd Surnames M to Z

Wednesday February 19^th: Mass with Anointing of the Sick - The Anointing of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts the gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement and temptation and conveys peace and fortitude. The Anointing of the Sick is a prayer of healing including spiritual health and for the courage, strength and peace to bear the burden of illness. We will celebrate a Mass of Anointing on Wednesday February 19^th at 12:10 p.m. All those requesting the Sacrament of Anointing, young and elderly are welcome to attend. A reception of soup and sandwiches will follow in the parish hall.

Confirmation Preparation for Adults - If you are an adult, baptized in the Catholic Church and would like to be Confirmed please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115) for details regarding registering for the preparation. Confirmation will be celebrated close to the feast of Pentecost.

All Adults 55+ - Ministry with Maturing Adults

 All are welcome to attend the various session 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 an ancient form of contemplative prayer is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. Tuesdays a1 10:30am on Zoom. The Zoom link is on our parish website or contact Catherine Ecker if you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer or have questions. All are welcome! Catherine Ecker. cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115

Alumni Writing Group: this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The monthly meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13^th in St. Joseph’s Room.

An Afternoon of Music: Wednesday, March 12^th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

The Flailing Shilaleighs will be performing mostly traditional Irish and East Coast Canadian music. Simple refreshments will be served. Free will offering. All are welcome.

Guided Book Discussion Group for Women

Women are invited to join a guided discussion group. We will meet on Thursday mornings in St. Joseph’s Room from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning February 27^th and concluding April 3^rd. The book is God’s Tender Mercy. To register and reserve a copy of the book please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org.

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, March 7^th.^.

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, February 21^st.

LIFETEEN – Youth program for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is TODAY Sunday, February 21 after the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Dinner provided.

Lift Jesus Higher Rally - Join thousands of Catholics on Saturday, March 29^th, 2025 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. There is an adult side and youth side. We have tickets for both conferences. The bus will depart from St. Mary’s Church at 7:15 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $50/pp which includes admission and transportation. For tickets or more information, please contact Shannon Barks at stmarysyouthministry-barrie@gmail.com or 705.229.7426.

If you are interested in any of the following ministries of programs, please contact David at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.

• Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Children TODAY, February 9^th and March 9^th during the 12 noon Mass. All children between the ages of 4 and 8 are invited to participate.

• Classic Movies – Twice/month in the parish hall. No cost (free will offering). Snacks and drinks included! All are welcome. No sign up –Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. Our next film is Citizen Kane on February 11th. Mark your calendars for our next movie Now, Voyager with Bette Davis on February 25^th.

• Just Sing! - You’re invited to join us for song and fellowship as we come together to JUST SING our way through folk, pop, gospel and traditional music. No sign up – just come and just sing! Cookies and tea included. Join us on Tuesday, February 18^th at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.

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