6th Week in Ordinary Time

WHAT'S GOING ON THIS WEEK?

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 19th at 12:10 p.m. followed by a light lunch of soup and sandwiches in the parish hall. All those requesting the Sacrament of Anointing, young and elderly are welcome to attend.

Praying for the Sick - 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 pray those who have died recently including: Rita Roberts

Visiting 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.

Family Day: Monday, February 17^th, 2025 -  The family is the domestic church, the place where we encounter the love of God for the first time. As the domestic church we are invited to gather for a family meal each day and to pray together. As we mark Family Day you are invited to include time for prayer.

Catholic Women’s League - Please mark your calendars for our next meeting on Tuesday, February 18^th at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Guest speaker is Karen from the Barrie Food Bank. Please bring a non-perishable food item to contribute. All women of the parish are invited to attend.

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

Preparation for first Holy Communion - All families who are formally registered in the preparation for first Holy Communion are reminded of the next Parent Catechetical Meeting. This meeting is for parents. The parent is to attend one of the following meetings: Thursday, February 20th, 2025 or Monday, February 24th, 2025. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude by 8:45 p.m. At this meeting you will receive a second book, We Share in the Eucharist which will be completed at home. attendance at this meeting is necessary.

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. Our next meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 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

An Afternoon of Music: Wednesday, March 12th 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 27th and concluding April 3rd. 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.

Wedding Anniversaries: Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage - The 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 February we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on February 22nd and 23rd. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

Elections - Catholics in Ontario who have the legal right to vote are being called upon as citizens to exercise their right. The Church encourages and reasserts its belief in “the political freedom and responsibility of citizens.” By exercising their right to vote, citizens fulfill their duty of choosing a government and at the same time send a clear signal to the candidates being presented by the political parties. This campaign period is brief and we need to be proactive in contacting our local candidates. We know that lack of appropriate and affordable housing and access to timely health care are two common concerns. Please visit https://stmarysba.archtoronto.org/en/our-community/ontario-elections-2025 /to see a list of potential questions you could pose to candidates.

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 7th..

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 21st.

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 Sunday, February 23rd after the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Dinner provided.

Lift Jesus Higher Rally

Join thousands of Catholics on Saturday, March 29th, 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 - Sunday, March 9th 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 Now Voyager with Bette Davis on February 25th. Bette Davis plays a lonely woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and romance. Mark your calendars for our next movie on March 11th - a family film for March break – Walt Disney’s Pinocchio.

• 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 18th at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.