Around St. Mary's This Week (10 April 2022)

Preparing for and Celebrating the Easter Triduum

April 14 – 17, 2022

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.

A liturgical day begins at sundown, so our first day is from sundown on Thursday to sundown on Friday. The second day is sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday and the third day is sundown on Saturday to sundown on Sunday. 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 April 14th Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 8:00 p.m.

You are invited to bring non-perishable food items, gift cards for grocery stores or cash to the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The bags of food or monetary gifts will be brought forward during the Preparation of the Gifts. Everyone is invited to come ready to have their feet washed.

Good Friday April 15th 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.

7:00 p.m.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday April 16th Midday Prayer and Blessing of Easter Baskets 12:00 p.m.

Gather with the parish family to pray Midday Prayer. This time of prayer will include anointing of the elect and the final preparation for initiation.

When many of our European ancestors came to Canada they brought traditions that add to the holiness of Easter. One of the most popular is bringing a decorated Easter basket to the Church on Holy Saturday.

You may put some of the food that will be used at your Easter breakfast as well as special treats such as chocolate, wine, or a special bread or dessert. When you arrive put your Easter basket at the front of the worship space where they will be blessed.

All are invited to this brief time of prayer.

Easter Vigil April 16th 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 our two elect, renew our baptismal promises, complete the initiation of seven candidates and then with thanksgiving participate in feasting at the Eucharistic table.

Please note: ** There is no 5:00 p.m. Mass on April 16th.

Easter Sunday April 17th

We will celebrate Mass at 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.

We live in a world that seldom takes time off from work and daily demands so it is important to plan how we can keep the Easter Triduum holy. You are invited to take time each day, to prepare and to reflect on the liturgy.

PONTIFICAL COLLECTION FOR THE HOLY LAND ON GOOD FRIDAY

The Good Friday Collection is requested by the Holy See to help maintain the Christian sites of the Holy Land and to support the Church in the pastoral, educational, and social works that contribute to a sustained Christian presence in the land where Jesus the Christ once walked. Those who are unable to attend a service are still able to contribute online https://www.canadahelps.org/en/ and searching for “Commissariat of the Holy Land”, or by interac e-transfers to terresainte@bellnet.ca. Receipts will be issued.

On behalf of the Custody of the Holy Land, I sincerely thank you for your support.

Fr. Robert Mokry, OFM, Commissary of the Holy Land in Canada.

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. For details regarding the program and registration please call: 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. This group meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The next session will be on Tuesday, April 12th on Zoom.

On Tuesday, April 19th we will meet in person at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Room. If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer, have questions or would like the link please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115)

Writing Circle Alumni Group: this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The monthly meeting will be held in person on Thursday, April 21st at 2:00 p.m. Current members are asked to confirm their attendance by email (cecker@archtoronto.org) or by phoning Catherine at 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

The Next Chapter Network is a faith-based support network for women who are widowed. The network encourages and empowers widows to move forward into a positive future. This group is not a bereavement support group and is not intended to replace the Bereavement Support Group at St. Mary’s Church. The next meeting will be on Thursday April 28th at 7:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room. If you have any questions please contact Catherine Ecker (705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org)

SPRING BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM

Our next support group for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one begins on Wednesday, April 27th and runs every Wednesday until June 15th. An afternoon or evening group is available. Pre-registration is required. Please call the parish office indicating your interest and a member of the bereavement committee will call you back with further details.

SHARELIFE

To date our parishioners have contributed $24,820 toward our parish goal of $110,000

ShareLife Sunday’s are: May 1 and June 5

Thank you for supporting ShareLife!

YOUTH MINISTRY

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is TODAY, Sunday, April 10th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Dinner provided.

For information on our Youth Ministry please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.