Around St. Mary's This Week (11 December 2022)

Advent Confessions are available on:

Monday, December 12th 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 14th 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday, December 16th 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

PRAYING 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 pray those who have died recently including Nancy Stone, Carmen Di Martino and Mary Ellen Tanner.

CELEBRATING ADVENT:  A Season of Joyful Expectation

Prayer for the Third Week of Advent

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

As we draw near to you, Lord God, keep us aware of your presence in all we do.

Come with power to enlighten us by your grace, that we may live in praise and peace all our days. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PARISH SUPPORT FOR 2023

Offertory envelopes are available for pick up in the parish hall.

Please remember to write your name on the envelopes for the first couple of weeks in January to ensure proper credit.

For those who prefer to switch to P.A.G. at this time, forms are available at the back of the church, from the parish office or from our website.

Thank you for your support!

Being Lifted Up! Wednesday December 14th

An Advent Reflection

Wednesday, December 14 - 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

In December Vitamin F will be held on Wednesday December 14th in the afternoon. Give yourself a gift and gather for a time of prayer, reflection, and conversation.

The facilitator will be Laurie van den Hurk. Laurie has spent more than 30 years in community outreach, spiritual development and group facilitation with people of all ages and widely diverse circumstances, including 10 years in Tanzania. Laurie is a trained Spiritual director. All are welcome to attend this session. Simple refreshments will be provided.

SHARELIFE GOAL UPDATE

NEW: Your year-end gift will double in value! From now until the end of 2022, your contribution to our parish’s ShareLife campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $1 million.

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

Christmas Mass Schedule

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 the program and registration please call: 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. Our next sessions will be on Tuesday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer or have questions please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115) All are welcome.

Classic Christmas Movie: Thursday, December 15th at 2:00 p.m. Simple Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome!

CHRISTMAS PRAISE & WORSHIP SING A LONG

Come and join us for an evening of Advent and Christmas music on Sunday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the church proper. You are invited to come and sing along to both old and new Advent and Christmas favourites! Refreshments to follow in the parish hall.

PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION!

Catechetical Meeting # 1: Parent, Candidate & Sponsor

All families who have registered in the preparation process for Confirmation are reminded to attend the parent candidate sponsor meeting. The meeting will begin with Mass at 7:00 p.m. and conclude by 9:00 p.m. It is understood that the candidate, sponsor and parent will attend the meeting. The second and final opportunity to attend this meeting is Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m.

PREPARING FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND FIRST RECONCILIATION

All families who have formally registered their child in the preparation process are reminded to participate in the Enrolment ceremony at one of the Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses this weekend, December 10 /11.

Please remember to bring the ‘lamb’ with you to enrolment. Please continue to check your emails for updates and reminders.

If you any questions / concerns regarding preparation for the sacraments please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.