20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

As the baptized we all share in the ministry of prayer. 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:  Walter Strasser, Magola Rangel, Doug Johns, Eileen Stephenson and Kamil Szypula.

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 visit you.

Vitamin F: Our Father!

Preparing for the Jubilee Year in 2025

Tuesday September 10^th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

In advance of the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has asked for a preparatory year to take place in 2024 with a focus on the need for prayer, especially reflection on the Lord’s Prayer.  We shall continue our preparation, by reflecting and focusing on the first two petitions in the Lord’s Prayer: Hallowed be your name and Your Kingdom Come. All are welcome to attend this time of catechesis, conversation and prayer. We will begin at 7:00 p.m., have simple refreshments available and conclude by 8:30 p.m.

Baptism for Children Over the Age of 7

The preparation for baptism of children over the age of seven is distinctly different than the process for infants and young children.  If you are seeking baptism for your child who is seven years of age or older, please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) for details on the preparation process.

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 September 25, 2024 in the parish library.  Registration is required. For more details or to register please contact Catherine Ecker in the parish office at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org

Annual Fall Gala for Martyrs’ Shrine

Mark your calendars for the Annual Fall Gala at the Martyrs’ Shrine on September 21^st, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Brooklea Golf and Country Club in Midland.   As we approach the 100^th Anniversary of Martyrs’ Shrine in 2025-2026, the goal is to launch a campaign dedicated to the revitalization and renovation of the Shrine church and property.  The Fall gala aims to bring the local community together for a night of fellowship and festivity.  For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://martyrs-shrine.com/fall-gala/

Announcing Manresa’s 75^th Anniversary

September 15^th, 2024 from 1:30-4:30 pm at 2325 Liverpool Rd. N. Pickering.  A BBQ celebrating 75 years of Manresa Jesuit Spirituality Centre with Hamburgers, hotdogs and cold drinks.  Bring your own lawn chairs & picnic blankets. Games for children. Rain or Shine. No RSVP needed. Come and join us, and bring your family.

All Adults 55+ - Ministry with Maturing Adults

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, September 3, 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)

Wednesday, September 11^th at 12:30 p.m. **NEW DATE! Join us for Lunch with food provided by the Mandarin. Cost $20.00 (cash).  You must get your ticket before September 9^th.  Tickets are available from Catherine Ecker or at the parish office. Join us for conversation, fellowship and good food. There will be a 50 /50 draw. Proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul Society. Questions: contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org

Life Story Writing Program: September 2024 - 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. The program helps to uncover evidence that God has been with you and is still with you. The program nourishes participants and offers an opportunity for renewal.  No writing experience is needed 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 16^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.

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. where we explore our faith in a dynamic way through activities, games, crafts and music.  Our next gathering is Friday, October 4^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.  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, September 27th.   

LIFE TEEN –for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights at 4:00 p.m. Our next gathering is Sunday, October 6^th. 

Questions or Helping with Youth:  For questions or if anyone is interested in helping with our youth ministry, please reach out to Shannon Barks at email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon at 705-229-7426.  Training days will be held in Toronto on September 22/23^rd.

Edge Camp:  Please keep all participants and leaders in your prayers as they prepare for Edge Camp starting August 17-21^st.

Summer Classic Movies - Family Film

Join us for Summer Classic Movies at St. Mary’s- a summer treat of wonderful films on Tuesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Our next film is on Tuesday, August 20^th.  We will dig into the wonderful world of classic Walt Disney animation with cartoon shorts, behind the scenes and Walt Disney’s masterpiece Cinderella.  A rare chance to see Disney movies on the big screen! All are welcome.  (Children must be accompanied by an adult.) Snacks/drinks included. Free will offering.

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 at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday October 3^rd and Monday October 7^th. You attend one meeting. The parent and young person seeking Confirmation are to attend.

The information meeting for first Holy Communion will be offered twice at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday September 24^th and Monday September 30^th. You attend one meeting. 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 (cecker@archtoronto.org) or David Murdoch (dmurdoch@archtoronto.org).