Around St. Mary's This Week (9 October 2022)

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 Guiseppe Viscardi, Rita LaVerdiere and Carol Beatty.

Hospitality Sunday: October 22/23 after all masses

You are invited to bring some of your favourite cookies or muffins to share.  The Catholic Women’s League will be hosting and serving.

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE

Please note that Membership weekend for 2023 will be January 7/8th, 2023. Dues will be $37 as CWL national has increased by $12.  If you are using the envelope in your box please change the date to January and the amount to $37.

BARRIE DAYS FOR GIRLS

Barrie On Days for Girls workshop will be held in the hall on Wednesday, October 12 from 10-3. Please drop in and see how we make our Menstrual kits. Non-sewers are welcome! We supply all fabrics.  We have been busy this year sending kits to Cambodia, Pakistan, Zambia, South Sudan, and Women’s Relief Organization.

Please inquire at barrieon@daysforgirls.org for more information or call Ann at 705-305-4875.

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.

Are you able to host a Ukrainian Family?

When hearing reports of the war in Ukraine, and the millions of Ukrainians that have been forced to flee their homeland, many have asked what they can do to help.  Over 80,000 Ukrainians have already arrived to Canada through a special visa program created by Immigration Canada.  An additional 500,000 have applied to the program and are expected to arrive in the coming months.  Many are arriving to Toronto and are without family here in Canada to help them. 

Among those will be some who are vulnerable to human trafficking, particularly seniors, single women, and women with children.  There is an immediate need for families to host for a period of between one and six months some of those who have arrived. 

If you would like to learn more about hosting a Ukrainian family, please visit

https://www.archtoronto.org/en/offices-and-ministries/social-justice--outreach/office-for-refugees-orat/home/ukrainian-crisis/

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. 

Wednesday, October 26^th: Maintaining a Healthy Brain - You are invited to join us from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. for an informative and timely session lead by VON staff.  There is no cost to attend, simple refreshments will be available.

Wednesday, November 23^rd:  Soup and a Movie

You are invited to join us at 12:00 noon for soup, bread and sweets followed by a movie. Cost: free will donation.

Thursday October 20^th: Classic Movie with simple Refreshments at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday October 27^th: Cards, Games and Refreshments at 2:00 p.m.

Writing Circle Alumni Group:  this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The monthly meeting will be held in person on Thursday, October 13^th at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.

Hold the Dates: November 30^th and December 14^th. Stay tuned for more details!

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, October 18^th at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. All are welcome.  If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer or have questions regarding any of the above program, please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 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, November 11^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, October 21^st.

LIFE TEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering “We the North” Retreat with six parishes from the Northern Region of the Archdiocese of Toronto.  To register for this overnight retreat to be held here at St. Mary’s from October 14-15^th please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com.  Cost is $25.00. 

For information on our Youth Ministry please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Catholic?

The journey towards becoming a full member of the Catholic Church includes time for prayer, catechesis (teaching) and conversation. The initiation process is for those who are not baptized and for those baptized in another Christian tradition and seek to be full members of the Catholic Church.  If you would like more information about becoming a member of the Catholic Church please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email: cecker@archtoronto.org. 

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

Devasting floods in Pakistan have displaced hundreds of thousands, at one point leaving a third of the country inundated with water. More than 1,500 people have died following record rainfall with 33 million throughout the country affected by this disaster.  The Archdiocese of Toronto will channel donations through Catholic partners (including Caritas Canada – Development and Peace as well as the Archdiocese of Karachi) to support relief efforts underway.  Please note that these organizations are not subject to the government matching funds program.

Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:

• Online through www.archtoronto.org
• By phone through the Development Office 416-934-3411
• Through the parish, making cheques payable to: St. Mary’s Parish – Pakistan Floods – Humanitarian Relief