Easter Sunday (March 31, 2024)
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
For 50 days we celebrate the great feast of Easter! In our parish and homes, we continue to praise our God and celebrate Jesus’ victory over death. Alleluia! As your family gathers for meals throughout the season of Easter you are invited to begin by lighting a candle and then praying together.
God, source of life,
Pour in our hearts the joy of Easter, and grant us to live the new life
that Christ has gained for us through his resurrection,
for he reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
(adapted from Blessings and Prayers for Home and Family, © Concacan Inc., 2004)
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: Shirley Easson.
Hospital Visitation - 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.
Divine Mercy Sunday – April 7th
All are invited to a holy hour on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7th from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, and was established by St. John Paul II centered on the revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska. A Divine Mercy Novena began on Good Friday. Pamphlets are available in the church. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on Rosary beads with a different set of prayers. During the holy hour, there will be Adoration, confessions and the sung Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. There are special graces that our Lord promised for those who pray on Divine Mercy Sunday and can only be received for oneself, through reception of Holy Communion in a state of grace. A plenary indulgence, however, can be offered for oneself, or for souls suffering in purgatory.
St. Faustina, pray for us!
ShareLife: Embrace Jesus’ love and compassion through giving
Jesus’ love and example inspire us to extend a helping hand to others, especially those facing the greatest challenges. ShareLife agencies continue to reach out to the most vulnerable members of our community, offering essential services made possible by your compassion and generous contributions. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
Our parish goal is $136,500.00
The next ShareLife Sunday’s are:
April 28th and June 2nd, 2024 Please give generously or at www.sharelife.org
Seasons of Hope Bereavement Group
Our Lord assured us that those who mourn are blessed and shall be comforted. Seasons of Hope helps us come together to share in God’s love. Whether your loss is recent or long ago, Seasons of Hope is a nurturing link to the Church, our God and people of faith who understand what it means to grieve. This program is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. Come and be comforted. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 10, 2024 in St. Joseph’s Room. Registration is required. For more details or to register please contact Catherine Ecker in the parish office at 705 728 2985 ext. 115.
Celebrating the Joy of Easter and Deepening Our Grasp of the Sunday Liturgy
During the Easter season we will study Rita Ferrone’s book Pastoral Guide to Pope Francis’s Desiderio Desideravi (On the Liturgical Formation of the People of God). Pope Francis’s pastoral letter to the people of God invites us on a retreat providing us with prompts to deepen our understanding of the Liturgy.
Preregistration is necessary and each participant will need a copy of the book ($20.00).
We will meet from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays beginning April 11th and concluding May 9.
To register please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) 705 728 2985 ext. 115.
Confirmation Preparation: Important Reminder!
Catechetical Meeting # 3 Candidates and Sponsors 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
It is understood that the candidate and sponsor will attend the meeting. IF, the sponsor cannot attend the parent is to attend. The candidates are grouped alphabetically. Please make every effort to attend the assigned meeting. If there is a serious reason, such as illness, you may attend the other meeting. You do not need to notify the parish office if you are attending a different meeting.
Thursday, April 4th Surnames A to L
Monday, April 8th Surnames M to Z
This is the last catechetical meeting for all candidates!
Questions or concerns please contact David Murdoch (dmurdoch@archtoronto.org) or Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) 705 728 2985 ext. 115.
Preparation for First Sharing in Holy Communion: Parent Child Meeting # 2
7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early!
Each parent and child will participate in a family catechetical meeting. Please arrange childcare for siblings, so you and your child preparing for Holy Communion may participate fully. You are asked to attend the assigned meeting. IF for serious reasons you cannot attend the assigned date please attend the other meeting.
Tuesday, April 9th Surnames A to L
Monday, April 15th Surnames M to Z
Questions or concerns please contact David Murdoch (dmurdoch@archtoronto.org) or Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) 705 728 2985 ext. 115.
You are Invited to Join Us for A Time of Faith Nourishment on Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Easter Joy! Alleluia! Alleluia!
We will gather for a time of prayer, reflection, discussion and catechesis on the Easter liturgies. All are welcome! We gather for 7:00 p.m. and conclude by 8:30 p.m. All are welcome. Simple refreshments will be provided.
All Adults 55+ Ministry with Maturing Adults
All are welcome to attend the various sessions 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. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2nd, 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).
Cards / Bid Euchre: all are welcome to participate. Lessons will be provided for those new to Bid Euchre! Join us in the parish hall on Thursday, April 4th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Simple refreshments are provided.
Everything Old is New Again
Spring is Here: Join us for a Time of Renewal
Wednesday, April 17th at 2:00 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of conversation, games and refreshments! We will play bingo, assorted board games and have some door prizes! All are welcome, no previous play experience needed!
“Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground”. G. K. Chesterton
If you want to be ready for heaven you need to play!
Youth Ministry
M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 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, April 12th.. Registration required.
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, April 26th.
LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, April 14th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Dinner provided.
For information on our Youth Ministry please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.
Theology on Tap
At the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs) on the following Sundays from 6:00-9:00 p.m.: May 5th and June 23rd, 2024.
