Around St. Mary's This Week (10 October 2021)

You are Invited to Join Us for Faith Nourishment or Vitamin F

Tuesday, October 12th: An Attitude of Gratitude

We will explore together how our celebration of the Eucharist calls us to live with gratitude. We will meet in person on Tuesday, October 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall.  All are welcome to join Father Larry and Catherine Ecker for a time of prayer, catechesis (teaching) and discussion. You are welcome to bring your own coffee / water and to wear your mask!

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 Shirley Moreau, Maria Martinez, Mario Caicco and Marjorie Marcolini.

Ministry to the Hospitalized If you or a family member are hospitalized please contact the parish so you or they may receive a pastoral visit.

With Burning Hearts: 4th Annual Parish Ministry Conference

A virtual event from October 26 to 30, 2021 sponsored by the Office of Formation, Archdiocese of Toronto.  Registration is now open, there is no cost for this event. Details are available at https://www.archtoronto.org/conference

A Gift of Bread!

Today after Mass members of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 will be distributing a loaf of bread to each family.  Together, you are invited to pray the prayer that is attached to the loaf.

As we pray for all families in our parish may we recognize that our dining in the Kingdom around the table of the Lord is linked to our dining around our family table. We are called to live out our celebration of the Eucharist at home and in the community. On this Thanksgiving weekend we are grateful for the gift of our parish family and pray that we may be like Jesus as we support one another, like Mary as we nurture the presence of Jesus in others and like Joseph as we care for the needs of others.

Barrie and District Food Bank

The Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 will be collecting cash, cheques and food gift cards for the Barrie and District Food Bank. You may also put your donation in an envelope marked Food Bank and drop it off at the parish office. Thank you for your generosity.

Stories of Living with Joy!

Wednesday October 20th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of stories, conversation, and humour. Our facilitator will be Jim Dunn, an author, husband, father and grandfather. Jim uses storytelling, music and poetry to engage people with humour and down to earth content while providing a message that is reflective and life-giving. Simple refreshments will be provided. Free Will Offering. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect during Covid!

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

The Ministry with Maturing Adults seeks to support the lifelong faith development of women and men throughout all phases of the pre-retirement and retirement years. Programs are open to everyone.

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

Christian Meditation meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The next session on Tuesday, October 12th will be online via Zoom. If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115). All are welcome.

Writing Circle Alumni Group: this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 14th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Please remember to wear a mask and bring your own water / coffee.

YOUTH MINISTRY

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

LIFETEEN RETREAT - Saturday, October 16th, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. we will be having our Fall Retreat with the "We the North" parishes from the Archdiocese of Toronto.  All teens are invited for a day of Frisbee Golf, Mass, Pizza and much more!  Please see the parish website for the google link to register your child. For more information, please email Shannon Barks at stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call (705) 229-7426.  Let's start this year together with our youth across the northern region of the Archdiocese of Toronto!

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, October 22^nd.

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 4and 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, November 12^th. Registration required. 

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