14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome Fr. Savio This weekend, we invite you to share in hospitality Sunday to welcome Father Sávio, our Associate Pastor.  The following is a biography for your information.  Rev. Sávio António Bruto da Costa, 46, is an immigrant from Goa, India. He is the eldest of three boys to Fatima and Carlos. The exemplary Roman Catholic life lead by his parents and grandparents, has been the foundation and strength in his life. At a young age, he started enterprises in interior decor, fashion, and dance, while completing a Bachelor of Commerce, a Post-Graduate diploma, and a course in Fashion. After tremendous success and some trials, during a retreat in 2003, he had a deeper conversion to the faith, where, for the first time in his life, all the success that he had achieved, all his dreams and plans for his future, lost their meaning, and he found himself open to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.  On immigrating to Canada, the call to the priesthood became very clear. He is most grateful for the encouragement and support that he has received from priests and parishioners at the parishes that he has served, and looks forward to serving the people of God at St. Mary’s Church.

Pray 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 prayer those who have died recently Maurice Brooks Jr.

Visiting the Hospital

If you or a family member are admitted to RVH and would appreciate a visit from someone at St. Mary’s please call or email the parish office.

Please note: the hospital no longer provides us with a list of Catholics who are hospitalized; therefore, you must notify the parish.

THE ANNUAL MASS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

The Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Rev. Larry Léger on Wednesday, August 16th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 208 Sunnidale Road.

In the event of rain, the Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church at 7:00 p.m.  All are welcome.

Keeping Our Parish Records Up-to-date

If you have moved, changed your email address, phone number or your family household numbers have changed, please let the parish office know by emailing stmarysba@archtoronto.org or calling 705.728.2985 ext. 101.  

If you have not formally registered in the parish please do!  Parish registration forms are available at the office or in the foyer of the church.  Being registered in the parish helps the parish to serve you.  It is more than filling out a form.  Registration means that we gather each Sunday with our brothers and sisters in Christ to worship God and that we intend to support the ministry of the Church.  We support the work of our parish by sharing our time, talents and monetary resources.

SHARELIFE

To date we have raised $105,225.63 toward our goal of $125,000.00.

Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

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.

Life Story Writing Program: September 2023

The Life Story Writing Programme provides an opportunity to stop, take stock, and look back over the process of life in order to gain deeper understanding, clearer perspective and a more integrated view.  Undertaken from a faith perspective, it is a search for evidence in your life that God has been with you and is still with you.  Such discovery nourishes one’s inner being, renews one’s spirit and energizes for the journey ahead.”

You do not need to be an experienced writer to participate in the Life Story Writing Program. Each person receives a workbook and the sessions provide suggestions and opportunities to practice writing. 

We will offer this six-week program beginning Monday, September 18^th. The sessions will be held on Mondays from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. A fee of $20.00 is requested to cover the cost of printing. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

Preparing for Confirmation or First Sharing in Holy Communion

The preparation for the sacraments formally begins in September. Information meetings will be held in the Church during September / October.  At the information meeting details regarding the preparation process and how to register for Confirmation or first Holy Communion will be shared. 

The information meeting for Confirmation will be offered twice (you attend one meeting) at 7:30 p.m. on September 26^th and Thursday October 5^th. The parent and young person seeking Confirmation are to attend.

The information meeting for first Holy Communion will be offered twice (you attend one meeting) at 7:30 p.m. on September 28^th and October 3^rd. This meeting is for parents.

Questions regarding the preparation process for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion please contact the parish catechist: Catherine at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or Email: cecker@archtoronto.org.

Family Prayer

A Prayer before Traveling

Loving God, source of all life and joy, be with us as we travel,

may we be respectful of those we meet, grateful for those who offer hospitality,

patient and kind to one another, and alert to the wonders of your world.

Remind us of your loving presence and bring us safely home.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

It is always appropriate to begin meals with prayer. The following prayer may be prayed in unison or lead by one person.

Loving God, we give you thanks for this food.

Teach us to be grateful for your many gifts

and give us strength to share what we have with others. Amen.

New Beginnings

New Beginnings assists and accompanies the separated, divorced and the bereaved in exploring grief, experiencing healing and renewing faith.  The program offers both women and men a welcoming, safe and non-judgmental environment.  Program formats; 4 week online introductory programs, online advanced program, online seminar and retreats, online drop-in support sessions.  There is no cost.  Please contact Arcangelo Limanni, MRE, Catholic Family Services Toronto at 647-215-3978 or alimanni@cfstoronto.com.