Around St. Mary's This Week (1 August 2021)

THE ANNUAL MASS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Due to the protocols surrounding COVID-19, this year’s Annual Mas for the Faithful Departed has unfortunately been cancelled at our seven Catholic cemeteries.  His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins will celebrate and livestream a special Mass in honour of our faithful departed on Wednesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica.  The mass can be viewed here:  www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live.  Here in the parish, the Mass on Wednesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. will be offered for the souls of the Faithful Departed of the parish in the past year.

Celebrating Confirmation

August 10, 19 and 26, 2021

After a lengthy time of preparation, that has been interrupted more than once, with joy we shall celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with our young people. During the Rite of Confirmation, the Church prays that those to be confirmed will be strengthened to be more like Christ.  We invite you to pray for our candidates, their sponsors and families.   Candidates and sponsors are reminded to arrive at 6:30 p.m. There is designated seating for candidates and sponsors.  Please remember to maintain physical distancing, wear your mask and practice good hand hygiene.

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

Christian Meditation meets weekly, online. The next session is on Tuesday, August 3^rd at 10:30 a.m. This ancient form of Christian contemplative prayer invites us into a time of sacred silence. All are welcome. If you are new to Christian Meditation and would like some information or if you would like the link to the meeting please email Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org).

Life Story Writing Program - September 2021: 

“The Life Story Writing Programme provides an opportunity to stop, take stock, and look back over the process of life in order to gain deeper understanding, clearer perspective and a more integrated view.  Undertaken from a faith perspective, it is a search for evidence in your life that God has been with you and is still with you.  Such discovery nourishes one’s inner being, renews one’s spirit and energizes for the journey ahead.”                                                                                                                                                                                            Dr. Richard Johnson

We will offer this six-week program beginning Monday, September 20^th.  The sessions will be held from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.  Registration is required.  For details please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

RADIO PROGRAM - Debbie Windsor has been running her own radio program out of Saskatoon called “People with Disabilities Speak Out” for the past 1.5 years.  Download the CFCR 90.5FM app or listen at CFCR.ca. every Thursday at 8pm.  Debbie interviews people who have a severe disability like herself and hosts phone interviews with politicians and experts on disabilities.

YOUTH MINISTRY

WALKING WITH THE CANADIAN MARTYRS PILGRIMAGE

We are very excited to be offering our first ever Walking Pilgrimage from St. John's Church in Waubaushene to St. Ann's Church in Penetang.  Our young people are invited to join us on Saturday, August 14th, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 7:00 p.m. 

This pilgrimage is “Walking with the Canadian Martyrs” and is for those going into Grade 7 through to post-secondary. Along the way, we will highlight the lives of some of the Canadian martyrs who died for the Faith on the very ground we tread. In this way, we want the youth to realize that Canadian soil is holy ground, given to us by God to enrich. God has given us a distinct call as Canadian Catholics to radically share the light of Christ with those who are deprived of it, even when the surrounding culture is shy to take up the Faith, misunderstands it, or even persecutes it. 

The cost of the pilgrimage is $15 per pilgrim, which covers snacks and water along the way, as well as dinner. We will attend Mass at 5:00 p.m. at St. Ann's Church in Penetang and dinner will follow Mass.  Please fill out the Google Form below as soon as possible as there are limited spaces allowed. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJ4cchEbgKpqdD_ne5RvQ5_OtzTiiYzOQylZiPs2flP6eT1A/viewform?usp=sf_link