Around St. Mary's This Week (14 November 2021)...

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION TODAY

As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. They have been instruments in living out a “faith in action.” Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets.  Your gift will help our priests maintain a modest, but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years.  For priests who are ill or otherwise infirmed, the trust ensure they have access to nursing home facilities and medical care.  This trust fund is a tangible way to care for those who cared for us and to give thanks for the blessings we have received through them.  Please also consider remembering The Shepherds’ Trust in your will. 

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.                                                   

PRAYING FOR THE SICK

As the baptized we all share in the ministry of prayer. 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 Ernie Allard, Richard Caicco, Rosa Saladino and Joyce Dubé.

LUX VITAE

Mark your calendars for this special parish event!

You are invited to a candle lit, outdoor Christmas Market held in our parish parking lot on

Friday, November 26^th and Saturday, November 27^th from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

A candle lit walk with vendors, Christmas crafts, live music and food, as we journey towards a live Nativity in Bethlehem!  Don’t forget to bring your letters to be mailed to the North Pole for Santa Claus!  A special mailbox will be available.

Physical distancing measures in place and masks are required.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

Let’s put People and Planet First with Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s new campaign!  In Canada, most people can speak out freely when injustice is committed. In many countries of the Global South, however, communities are threatened when they seek to protect their rights, especially their right to a healthy environment. Peace’s People and Planet First campaign is seeking to ensure that Canada and Canadian corporations are not complicit in any violations of the rights of the people and the planet while operating abroad.  To learn more about this year’s Development and Peace’s People and Planet First campaign browse our new website: https://www.devp.org/en/campaign/people-planet-fir

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 November 16th will be in St. Joseph’s Room. 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)

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE

CWL's November General Membership meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16 in the church hall. Our guest speaker will talk about the programs offered by our local VON, including fall prevention education. All ladies of the parish are most welcome.  Please remember to bring your filled shoeboxes for the Christmas Operation Child program.

Also, it's time to share your creativity by offering your crafts and sewed items as well as gently used jewellery, baking and preserves for our tables at our parish's outdoor Lux Vitae Christmas Market.  Volunteers to work at the market are also needed.  Please call Karen Boyle at 705-321-0898 to let her know what you will donate or how you will help.

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. 

Registration for Confirmation or First Sharing in Holy Communion Families who participated in the October parent information meeting for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion received a package of material. The completed registration form including a legible photocopy of the young person’s baptismal certificate, the Parish Registration Form and the Sacramental Preparation envelope will be accepted AFTER Mass has ended on Nov.13/ 14 and Nov. 20 /21. Please note: Registration forms are only accepted after Sunday (Saturday) Mass. If you have questions about the form or the preparation process please email Catherine Ecker, parish catechist at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

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, November 14^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  Dinner provided.

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, December 10^th. Registration required. 

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, December 17^th.

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