Feast of the Holy Family

New Years Mass Schedule

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 pray those who have died recently including: Clair Moreau, Walter Rhodes, Marian McBride, Fern Theriault, Paula McHugh and Eleonora Macri-Santosuosso.   

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.

Feast of the Holy Family

Today we rejoice in the gift of family and thank God for the many ways we are able to reflect God’s love to the world.

Prayer for Families

O God, whose desire is that all the peoples of the world

should be one human family, living together in harmony,

grant that our home, by its worship and its witness,

may help to hasten the day when your will is done on earth

as it is in heaven.            Amen.

Pope Francis’ Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

in you we contemplate

the splendor of true love,

to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families too

may be places of communion and prayer,

authentic schools of the Gospel,

and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may families never again

experience violence, rejection and division:

may all who have been hurt or scandalized

find ready comfort and healing.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

graciously hear our prayer. Amen.

Prayer © 2013 Liberia Editrice Vaticana. Holy Family by Martin Erspamer OSB. Adapted.

January 1– Feast of Mary the Mother of God and World Day of Prayer for Peace

This feast celebrates Mary as the Mother of God. Every year on January 1^st the Pope marks the World Day of Peace with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.  In 1967 Pope Paul VI, now St. Paul VI began this tradition. We pray for peace in our homes, communities, country and world.

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 before a meal.

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. on Sunday, January 21^ST

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

All Adults 55+ --Ministry with Maturing Adults

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. 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.

Retrouvaille

Give yourself the gift of a joyful marriage!

Retrouvaille can help and offers hope for a better relationship.  By learning the tools of healthy communication, you can guild greater intimacy.  Retrouvaille is Catholic in origin, but welcomes couples of all faiths.  Retrouvaille can help get your relationship back on track, January 19-21, 2024 in Mississauga.  For more information call 437-234-5610 or visit https://www.torontoretrouvaille.com/ or https://helpourmarriage.org/.

CWL Membership and Hospitality Weekend

January 6th and 7th

The annual CWL hospitality and membership weekend will take place on January 6th and 7th after all masses.  The Catholic Women’s League is a national organization which focuses on Faith, Service and Social Justice.  It is women supporting women - in our own council, our community, and in developing countries.  Join us and speak to our members about who we are and what we do. All are welcome to join us for coffee/tea/juice and treats after all masses.