Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
As we continue to celebrate the season of Easter you are asked to pray in an intentional way for families preparing for Baptism, for our young people waiting to be confirmed and for all families preparing their children to begin to share in Holy Communion.
Gracious God,
I pray for the families waiting to celebrate
a sacrament during the Easter Season.
I ask for your blessing upon them.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
pray for our families.
YOUTH MINISTRY YOUTH RETREAT – Save the REVISED Date! We are excited to announce that prolific Catholic speaker, Paul J. Kim who currently resides in Texas, is joining virtually on Saturday, May 15th for a retreat for our young people. It will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For further details or to register for the retreat, please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call (705) 229-7426. |
Preparing for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion
All preparation meetings and celebrations have been suspended. Please check your emails regularly for updates and consult the parish website and bulletin. All questions about preparation and celebration of the sacraments may be directed to Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
CWL is asking fellow parishioners to contribute to our drive for the Women's and Children's Shelter of Barrie on Mothers' Day, next weekend, May 8 and 9. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the shelter had to build two additional washrooms to accommodate all of their clientele. As can be expected with the stress people are undergoing due to the pandemic, the shelter is full at this time and would be most grateful for your donations of cash or cheques. (Please make cheques payable to: The Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie).
Please enclose your donation in an envelope clearly marked CWL WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S SHELTER DRIVE.
You may leave cash or a cheque at the parish office drop box or mail your donation to St. Mary's Church, ATTENTION CWL, 65 Amelia Street, Barrie, ON L4M 1M7. Please add your name and address so that the shelter can issue you a tax receipt. Thank you for any support you can give to this most important drive.
You are Invited to Join Us for Faith Nourishment Tuesday May 4th at 7:30 p.m. Topic: The Holy Spirit The Church calls all people to continue to grow in understanding and knowledge of our faith. To assist all members of the parish we are offering a monthly session of prayer, catechesis (teaching) and discussion. During the time of lockdown we shall meet on line. Our next session will be held on Tuesday, May 4th and the topic is the Holy Spirit. Please email Catherine (cecker@archtoronto.org) to get the link. All are welcome to join Father Larry and Catherine for a time of faith nourishment! |
We are Called to Pray! During this stage of the pandemic many people are suffering, our hospitals are over capacity and our front-line workers in the hospital, long term care facilities and nursing homes are exhausted. During the month of May, Monday through Friday you are invited to come together in prayer virtually at 3:00 p.m. to pray the rosary for those affected by Covid and all health care professionals. You may join us online via Zoom. If you prefer not to use Zoom you are invited to pray at 3:00 p.m. knowing you will be in union with those who are online praying. For those joining online the Zoom link will open at 2:50 p.m. and no one will be admitted after 3:00 p.m. as the leaders will be praying. For more information or to receive the link please email Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115 and leave a message. |
DID YOU KNOW?
Our local Red Cross office are able to provide seniors with free transportation to their vaccine appointment.
Call 705 721 3313.
For a minimal fee they can provide transportation to medical appointments. You are encouraged to book early.
MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS
Christian Meditation meets weekly, online. The next session is on Tuesday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m. Christian Meditation is one form of prayer and is a discipline that requires practice, concentration and commitment. This ancient form of Christian contemplative prayer invites us into a time of sacred silence. All are welcome. No prior experience is needed. If you have any questions or to receive the link to the meeting please email Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org.
The Next Chapter Network is a faith-based support network for women who are widowed. The network encourages and empowers widows to move forward into a positive future. This group is not a bereavement support group and is not intended to replace the Bereavement Support Group at St. Mary’s Church. The next meeting will be online on Monday, May 3rd from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. To get the link or more information please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org.
Ministry with Maturing Adults Free Webinar! The Office of Formation for Discipleship is offering a webinar on Saturday, June 5th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, on, “Prescription for COVID: A Daily Dose of Faith, Hope and Love.”
These unprecedented times have been upsetting, unfair and challenging for maturing adults. We need our daily dose of faith, hope and love to fight off the fear, gloom and dread. As we reflect on what helped us through this past year, we discover that it was – and continues to be – the strength of the Gospel, which provides us with answers to the trauma and fears of the pandemic.
All men and women in the second half of life (50+), including volunteers, parish leaders, parish staff and priests are welcome to join this webinar.
To register, please visit: http://bit.ly/MAW-RegisterJune2021.
If you have any questions, please contact Ella Okonkwo at: 416-934-3400 ext. 523 or formation@archtoronto.org.