Around St. Mary's This Week (18 July 2021)...

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

Christian Meditation meets weekly, online. The next session is on Tuesday, July 20th 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).

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Takes place daily in the church on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays after the 12:10 p.m. Mass until 3:00 p.m.  For information or if you have any questions, please call Mary Bond at (705) 726-6641.

Wedding Anniversaries Living and Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

The expression “a wedding lasts a day a marriage lasts a lifetime” highlights the importance of celebrating and living marriage vows day after day. The married couples in our parish are a sign to us of God’s faithfulness and through their witness we are strengthened. If you celebrated a wedding anniversary in July we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on July 24th and 25th.  Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

City of Barrie Senior Centre without Walls

Throughout July and August, the city of Barrie will continue to offer programs for seniors. The programs run through Senior Centre without Walls are phone based, interactive and free. In addition, the City has partnered with Art Your Service who are offering programs virtually through Zoom. You can find details on the programs on the City of Barrie website, https://www.barrie.ca/Living/RecreationPrograms/Pages/Seniors55.aspx

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.

Receiving Holy Communion

A Sign of our Communion with God and Union with Others

Throughout the summer weeks of Ordinary Time children in our parish will share in Holy Communion for the first time.  The children will sit with their families and participate fully in the entire celebration of Mass.  It is always good for those of us who come to the table each week to pause and recall the proper way to share in Holy Communion.

At the time of the Communion procession when the person in front of you has received Holy Communion and you are in the front of the procession you will bow your head, the Minister of the Body of Christ will say, “The Body of Christ”, you will reply, “Amen”.  It is important to note that the only appropriate response is Amen.  The Church expects that Amen is said in a voice that can be heard by the Minister of Holy Communion.  

After saying Amen you will receive the Body of Christ, step to the side and consume the host immediately. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal indicates that when standing before the Minister of Communion the faithful should make a simple bow of the head. (par. 160).  This common sign of reverence is made once, before receiving the Body of Christ.  The Blessed Sacrament is being reverenced. When the priest sits down after Communion we sit or kneel for silent prayer.

Celebrating World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

On January 31, 2021, Pope Francis decided to institute throughout the Church the celebration of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It will be held every year on the fourth Sunday in July near the liturgical memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus. Pope Francis said, "It is important for grandparents to meet their grandchildren and for grandchildren to meet their grandparents."

The theme of this first World Day is: “I am with you always” (cf. Mt 28:20). The theme’s purpose is to convey the closeness of God and the Church to the elderly and also to emphasize the intergenerational closeness between the young and the elderly. You may find Pope Francis’ message here http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/dam/laityfamilylife/Anziani/KitPastorale/EN/EN_Messaggio%20A4.pdf.

You may find a prayer for the World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly here http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/dam/laityfamilylife/Anziani/KitPastorale/EN/EN_Preghiera.pdf.  We thank God for the faithful presence and witness of the many grandparents and elderly parishioners.

Completing the Preparation for Confirmation

All families who have chosen to complete the preparation for Confirmation are reminded that the candidate and sponsor are to attend one session.  If the sponsor cannot attend, the parent is to be present. If you did not attend the meeting on July 15th you are to attend on Tuesday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.  Please arrive ten minutes before the meeting is to begin.  When at the church please practice physical distancing and wear a mask.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Catherine Ecker cecker@archtoronto.org or phone 705 728 2985 ext. 115.