Around St. Mary's This Week (6 November 2022)

The mission of The Shepherds’ Trust is to help ensure that elderly and disabled priests are provided with sufficient financial resources to lead a dignified life after many years of ministry. Your generous gift will help our priests to maintain a modest but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years. For priests who are ill or otherwise infirm, the Trust ensures they ha ve access to nursing home facilities and medical care. The Shepherds’ Trust collection this year will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese next weekend, November 12th and 13th, 2022. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

PRAYING FOR THE SICK AND FAITHFUL DEPARTED                                                                        

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 prayer those who have died recently including Lawrence McCauley and Paul Berthiaume and all those mentioned in Our Book of Remembrance.

A November Prayer

Throughout November we pray for those who died. Although the falling leaves and days that are getting shorter can create a picture of death we know that Jesus in his resurrection has destroyed death for all time.  During this month you are invited to light a candle when you gather for a meal or family prayer and to include a prayer for those who have died including those who have no one to pray for them.  A traditional prayer for those who have died is:

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord,

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,

Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

Sunday Missals for the New Liturgical Year! The new Missals are available in the foyer or from the parish office. The cost is $5.00.  Please remember to put your name in the Missal!

Veterans Appreciation MASS

This Friday, November 11^th at 12:10 p.m. we will honour our veterans.  The veterans who are present will be invited to stand for a blessing.  Veterans are encouraged to wear their blazers and medals.  Regular and Reserve Force personnel and Cadets are invited to attend in uniform. 

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

It is customary to celebrate wedding anniversaries.  The witness of a married couple is life giving and a sign of God’s presence. 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.

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

DAYS FOR GIRLS

Our next Days for Girls workshop is Wednesday, November 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the church hall.  Please drop in and see the components we make for our menstrual kits and consider purchasing a Gift Certificate for $20.  This will purchase a menstrual kit you can gift to keep girls in school in developing counties.  Purchasing a kit will help us fundraise to purchase needed supplies for 2023.  Income Tax receipts are given for donations. Please contact Ann at 705-305-4875 or Evelyne at 705-722-6675 for complete details.

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. 

Wednesday, November 23^rd Soup and a Movie - 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 Monday, November 21^st.

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 8^th 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.

Writing Circle Alumni Group:  this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The monthly meeting will be held in person on Thursday, November 10^th at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.

Celebrating Advent:

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.

YOUTH MINISTRY

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth).  Our next gathering is Friday, November 11^th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an All Saints Party!  We invite those in J.K. to Grade 4 (and helpers) to come dressed as their favourite Saint.

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, November 25^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, November 13^th at the 4:00 p.m. 

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

FAMILY 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! Tickets are $20/family and can be purchased in advance at the parish office.