Around St. Mary's This Week (24 July 2022)

PRAYING FOR THE SICK AND DEARLY 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: Deacon Ron MacLellan, Lenore Warner, Rita DiGenova and Lloyd Chapman.

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 30th and 31st. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

THIS WEEKEND! ANNUAL BARRIE HILL FARMS BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

Barrie Council 1626 Knights of Columbus and the Gervais Family invite everyone to celebrate the return of our annual blueberry pancake festival on July 23 & 24 from 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Barrie Hill Farms, 2935 Barrie Hill Rd. Cost: $10.00/adult & $7.50/child gives you: pancakes with blueberries, sausages and coffee or juice. Net proceeds will be donated to Hospice Simcoe.

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY:

Sunday July 24, 2022

In 2021 Pope Francis established a day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in July, coinciding with the feast day of Saints Anne and Joachim, Mary’s parents, Jesus’ grandparents.

I give thanks to you, Lord,

for the blessing of a long life

for, to those who take refuge in You,

grant always to bear fruit.

Forgive, O Lord, resignation and disillusionment,

but forsake me not

when my strength declines.

Teach me to look with hope to the future you give me,

to the mission you entrust to me

and to sing your praises without end.

Make me a tender craftsman of Your revolution,

to guard with love my grandchildren

and all the little ones who seek shelter in You.

Protect, O Lord, Pope Francis

and grant thy Church to deliver the world from loneliness.

Direct our steps in the way of peace. Amen.

CHURCH BULLETIN ADVERTISING

Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in October 2022 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 1-800-268-2637.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC?

The journey towards becoming a full member of the Catholic Church includes time for prayer, catechesis (teaching) and conversation. The initiation process is for those who are not baptized and for those baptized in another Christian tradition and seek to be full members of the Catholic Church. If you would like more information about becoming a member of the Catholic Church please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email: cecker@archtoronto.org

BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF 7

The preparation for baptism of children over the age of seven is distinctly different than the process for infants and young children. If you are seeking baptism for your child who is seven years of age or older, please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) for details on the preparation process.

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. The program continues through the summer months. 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 weekly. Our next session will be on Tuesday August 2nd 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.

Falling Upward, A Spirituality for the Second Half of Life.

Father Richard Rohr OFM, has written extensively on spirituality, Christian traditions of contemplation and action. His book Falling Upward invites us to rethink what it means to age and to embrace the spiritual richness that comes in the second half of life. You are invited to join a guided discussion of the book Falling Upward. Sessions will be held on Thursday mornings in St. Joseph’s Room from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning September 15th and concluding December 8th.

All participants will need a copy of the book. To register and order a copy of the book please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org.

LIFE STORY WRITING PROGRAM:

September 2022

The Life Story Writing Programme provides an opportunity to stop, take stock, and look back over the process of life in order to gain deeper understanding, clearer perspective and a more integrated view. Undertaken from a faith perspective, it is a search for evidence in your life that God has been with you and is still with you. Such discovery nourishes one’s inner being, renews one’s spirit and energizes for the journey ahead.”

We will offer this six-week program beginning Monday, September 19th. The sessions will be held in person from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. A fee of $20.00 is requested to cover the cost of printing. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

THE ANNUAL MASS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

After two years of Covid-19 restrictions, Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto is pleased to once again celebrate our Annual Mass in person.

The Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Most Rev. John A. Boissonneau on Wednesday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 208 Sunnidale Road. In the event of rain, the Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.

SUMMER CLASSIC MOVIES!

To-date we’ve enjoyed Singing in the Rain and The African Queen.

If you enjoy a great movie and are looking to beat the heat, why not join us Monday afternoons for a classic movie in our parish hall at 3:15 p.m.

Drinks and snacks will be provided. All are welcome. Free will offering.

Please note, there will be no film on Monday, August 1st due to the Civic Holiday.