Around St. Mary's This Week (8 January 2023)

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 pray those who have died recently including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI; Adam Exton, Monsignor Raymond Modeski, Amelia Da Silva, Basil Sebastian, Jim Pendlebury, Constable Greg Pierzchala, Tien Tren and Iea Micieli.    

Ordinary Time

On Tuesday, January 10^th, 2023 we enter the season of Ordinary Time. The green of Ordinary Time reminds us of life. 

During the Winter span of Ordinary Time, except on the 2^nd Sunday when we hear the gospel of St. John, the gospel on Sundays will be from the gospel of St. Matthew. This span of Ordinary Time extends to Sunday February 19^th. This year Easter Sunday is April 9^th and Ash Wednesday is February 22^nd. marking the beginning of the season of Lent.

Each Sunday (Saturday evening) when we gather to give praise to God we are nourished from the table of God’s Word and the table of the Eucharist.  The nourishment we receive strengthens us to live as the Body of Christ for the life of the world.

A Prayer for Ordinary Time

God of wisdom and love,

source of all good,

send your Spirit to teach us your truth

and guide our actions in your way of peace.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday, January 8^th:  Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.

The word Epiphany means manifestation. On this feast the Church celebrates the manifestation of our Lord to the whole world.

Christ is revealed as the light of the Gentiles. 

During the coming week as part of your family time you can talk about how your family is a sign of God’s loving presence.

Monday, January 9^th: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marking the end of the Christmas season. This feast is a wonderful time for us to recall our own baptism.  Before your main meal today, take a few moments to light a candle and to pray in thanksgiving for all those who handed on the gift of faith to you.  Remember to thank God for the gift of godparents, the priest or deacon who baptized and the parish where the baptism was celebrated. The time of thanksgiving could conclude with this prayer:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

Today we give you thanks for the gift of baptism.

Give us grace to live in your love

and help our family to draw closer to you by faith, prayer and example.

All glory is yours through Jesus your Son

in the communion of the Holy Spirit,

now and forever. Amen.

Vocations

“On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid Him homage.  Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” 

God asks us to give our lives.  If God is calling you to be a priest, deacon, brother or sister contact Fr. Matt McCarthy, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Toronto at 416-968-0997 or email vocations@archtoronto.org.

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 registration please call: VON at 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. This group meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The next session will be on Tuesday, January 10^th on Zoom.  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).

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, January 12^th at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.

Wednesday January 18^th - Healthy Aging:  join us for an engaging, informative and fun session led by staff from Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit.  We will gather at 2:00 p.m. and conclude by 3:30 p.m.  Simple refreshments will be served and each participant will receive a “goodie bag”. If you have any questions / concerns please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org. 

DAILY MASS READINGS

Canadian daily readings are available on our parish website www.stmarysba.archtoronto.org. 

The daily readings are under the Our Faith tab in the drop-down menu or visit this link directly:  https://readings.livingwithchrist.ca/

Enrolment for Confirmation: Reminder to Candidates!

All young people who have formally registered in the preparation process for Confirmation will bring their letter to Father Larry to the Enrolment. The letter will be presented during at one of the Saturday evening or Sunday morning Masses on:

January 14/15 or January 21/22

On the day of Enrolment, as a tangible sign of our membership in the Body of Christ and commitment to living as disciples each candidate is asked to bring new socks, mitts or gloves.  The items will be shared with those who experience homelessness.

Preparing for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation

All families who have formally registered their child in the preparation process to begin sharing in Holy Communion are reminded to set aside time to complete the book We Prepare for Reconciliation.

Please continue to check your emails for updates and reminders.

YOUTH MINISTRY

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K.-4 and 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, January 13^th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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, January 20th.  

LIFE TEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is TODAY Sunday, January 8^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.