Around St. Mary's This Week (20 November 2022)

LUX VITAE

Saturday, November 26^th from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

You are invited to attend our Christmas Market held indoor and outdoor this year!  The Catholic Women’s League and other vendors will be in the parish hall.  Join us outdoors for a candle lit walk with vendors, Christmas crafts, live music and food.  Santa Clause will make a special appearance at 6:00 p.m.!  Don’t forget to bring your letters to give to Santa!

We look forward to seeing you, your family, friends and neighbours!

Praying for the Sick and Faithful Departed

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 prayer those who have died recently including: Robert Fournier, Msgr. Ed Putrimas, Dorothea Faulkner, Madelyn Crawford and Easton Carpino and all those mentioned in our Book of Remembrance.

A New Liturgical Year: Year A

The Church follows a three-year cycle and on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27 2022 we embark on a new liturgical year. On Sundays during Year A the Gospel reading will most often be from the gospel of St. Matthew.  The new Sunday Missal on page 554 includes a brief introduction to St. Matthew’s gospel.

How to Use the Missal

You are invited to review the instructions for using the Missal found on pages 4 and 5.

Copies of the Missal are still available for purchase.

Celebrating Advent: A Season of Joyful Expectation

Join us for Advent Lessons and Carols on Wednesday November 30^th at 2:00 p.m.

At the beginning of the Advent season you are invited to pause from preparations for Christmas to hear God’s Word. 

Following this time of prayer and reflection there will be time for fellowship and simple refreshments. All are welcome.

Being Lifted Up! Wednesday December 14th An Advent Reflection - 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. As we move closer to the feast of Christmas, give yourself a gift and gather for a time of prayer, reflection, and conversation. The facilitator will be Laurie van den Hurk. Laurie has spent more than 30 years in community outreach, spiritual development and group facilitation with people of all ages and widely diverse circumstances, including 10 years in Tanzania. Laurie is a trained Spiritual director.  All are welcome to attend this session.  Simple refreshments will be provided. Cost: free will offering.

Ministry with Maturing Adults: For All Adults 55+

All are welcome to attend the various session offered for those in the second half of life. 

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. Our next sessions will be on Tuesday November 22^nd at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer or have questions please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115). All are welcome.

Wednesday November 23^rd Soup and a Movie at 12:00 p.m.  - You are invited to join us at 12:00 noon for soup, bread and sweets followed by a movie.

Cost: free will donation. 

Please reserve your spot by tomorrow, Monday, November 21^st. Call Catherine at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email: cecker@archtoronto.org.

Bid Euchre, Cards & Games on Thursday, November 17^th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  All are welcome to enjoy a game of cards, games or Bid Euchre.  Snacks will be provided.  Questions: contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS DANCE

Save the Date!  

Please join us on Friday, December 9^th at 6:00 p.m. for a Family Dance in our parish hall.  

DJ, snacks and prizes for the whole family! $20/family and can be purchased in advance at the parish office.

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE

The CWL will be participating in Lux Vitae next Saturday, November 26th.  We have 4 booths and they will be inside this year.  We are looking for donations for the bake table, craft table, jewelry table and Take a Chance table (gift baskets, gift cards & items people may want to win).  All Take a Chance items must be new.  Please help us make this a success. Thank you in advance for your donations!

Patron Saint of Widows and Widowers: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

In our parish, many widows and widowers continue to serve God, our parish and the community at large through their witness and living faith. The years of their married life continues to bear great fruit in our midst. St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint or an example for widows and widowers. The universal Church marks her feast day on the day of her death, November 17^th. 

On Sunday November 20^th (Saturday November 19^th) at all Masses we will thank God for the witness of these many widow and widowers and ask God to bless them.

YOUTH MINISTRY

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grads J.K.-4 and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 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 9^th!

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 9^th!

LIFE TEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights.

Our next gathering is Sunday, December 11^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

For more information please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.