7th Week in Ordinary Time

What's going on this week at St. Mary's?

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 prayer those who have died recently including: Diana Viau.

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.

Lent Begins on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025: Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Fridays in Lent - Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are universal days of fast and abstinence. The Church asks all Catholics to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and the Fridays during Lent.

The church asks those between the ages of 14 and 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. To fast is to eat one main meal and not to eat between meals. Those with medical conditions are exempt from the call to fast. If meat is not a staple in your diet, you may choose to abstain from a different food or drink (i.e. alcohol, coffee). You may also choose to do an act of charity in place of abstaining from meat. 

Ash Wednesday Masses: 12:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Throughout the season, there will an additional Mass each Wednesday at 12:10 p.m.

Pancake Supper - Youth Ministry Fundraiser - You’re invited to the Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025. Our Parish Youth will be serving pancakes, sausages and more! Come out to the parish hall from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 per person or $30.00 per family and are available after all Masses this weekend and next or from the parish office. We will also have prizes and a Silent Auction!

2024 Tax Receipts: Tax receipts for parish donations have been mailed. You should receive yours in the mail over the next week or two. If not, please contact the parish office. Thank you for your generous and continued support!

The Parish is Seeking for an architect or interior design person in our parish community. If interested, please contact the parish office at 707.728.2985.

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.

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 25th Surnames A to L      Monday March 3rd 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 on Monday February 24, 2025. This is the second and final opportunity to attend this essential meeting. 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 is necessary.

Ministry with Maturing Adults - All Adults 55+  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 - 2:00 p.m.– 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.

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.

For more information, please contact Shannon Barks at stmarysyouthministry-barrie@gmail.com or 705.229.7426.

Young Adults: Calling all young adults (ages 19 - 39) in the Northern region! Join us for the next Spiritus North ministry night at St. John Vianney Parish on Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Through their testimony, John and Emilie share about the struggle to live a holy life when relationships are challenging, when wounds get in the way of moving forward, and how to begin experiencing freedom and healing by trusting in God’s mercy.

Lift Jesus Higher Rally: Tickets are still available for the Lift Jesus Higher Rally on Saturday, March 29th, 2025. The bus leaves from St. Mary's at 7:15 a.m. returning around 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 including bus and cost of admission. There are adult tickets and youth tickets available. Please contact Shannon at stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or (705) 728-2985 ext. 116 for tickets.

Edge Camp 2025 - Save the date - EDGE CAMP 2025 is August 20-24th at Camp White Pine with an EDGE stream for youth going into grades 5-9, and a teen stream for high school youth. Registration opens March 1st.

Bible Camp: St. Mary's Bible Camp is from Monday, July 7th, 2025 - Friday, July 11th, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. daily. The cost is $100.00 per youth. Registration opens March 1st.

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 on Sunday, March 9th during the 12 noon Mass. All children between the ages of 4 and 8 are invited to participate. We are looking for adult leaders to lead this important ministry. 

• 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 this Tuesday, 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, March 18th at 2:00 p.m.