December 24th, 2023

My Fellow Parishioners,

With Christmas we celebrate Emmanuel - the reality that God comes to us! God has come to us in History – over 2023 years ago in Bethlehem, God will come to us again – in Majesty and Glory, and God Does Choose to come to us here and now – in Mystery! We often speak of a parish as being a Family, and never more have I experienced this than with the recent death of my Dad. The ways in which you supported my family and me, brought that home! In the midst of all that has and is happening in our lives and our world, God is very close to us. This is the good news that we can share with everyone in our lives. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and may the Glory of God shine around you, and the hope of the Spirit encourage you in these times. You are in our pastoral team’s prayers these days.  Thank you for your prayers!

Prayers 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. We pray for all deceased members of our parish.

Visiting the Hospital: if you or a family member are admitted to RVH please let them know you are Catholic and call the parish office to inform us. If you wish to receive Holy Communion please let the parish office know and one of our pastoral visitors will come to see you

Wedding Anniversaries: Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

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 December we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on December 30th and December 31st. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent

Light four candles on your Advent wreath. If you do not have an Advent wreath you may light a taper before you pray.

God of all hope, you have chosen us to be a witness to your love.

 Help us and guide us in all that we do in your name.

May we rejoice in the coming of your Son.       

Amen.

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. There will be no class on Tuesday December 26 2023. Class will resume on Tuesday January 2, 2024. 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. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday January 9, 2024 on Zoom. All are welcome! 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)

Save the Date!

If it is your intention or plan to celebrate another birthday in 2024 then please come to our Birthday Party on Wednesday January 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

There will be refreshments, games, cake and ice cream and some door prizes. All are welcome.

Reminder:  the parish office will be closed December 25, 26, December 29 at noon and January 1 for the holiday season

Celebrating Christmas until January 8, 2024

The Christmas season continues until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrated this year on Monday January 8, 2024. Throughout the liturgical season of Christmas our Church celebrates the many ways that God is made present in our midst and world. We are invited to celebrate the full season of Christmas.  From Christmas Day until the Baptism of the Lord, the following prayer can be prayed.

Father in heaven, you so loved us that You sent Your Son, among us as Savior and Lord. Fill us with Your blessing, that we may grow in love and continue to live our Christian faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Some suggestions for celebrating Christmas beyond December 25th are: sing a verse or refrain of a favourite Christmas carol before the evening meal; call or schedule a virtual visit with a family member who lives a distance from your home; pray for peace in our homes, community and world; at meal time talk about the many ways you see God each day; walk through your neighbourhood and enjoy the lights and decorations.

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.

Our next gathering is Friday, January 12^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. 

Our next gathering is Friday, January 26^th.

LIFE TEEN –for high school teens. Meets monthly on Sunday nights at 4:00 p.m.

Our next gathering is Sunday, January 14^th. 

Young Adult Ministry -Theology on Tap :

At the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs)  from 6:00-9:00 p.m.: January 21

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

--On behalf of the youth ministry, we would like to thank everyone who supports our young people with prayer, financial support, and time.; in a special way our core team who serve our young people faithfully. May each of you have a blessed and holy Christmas