16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 23, 2023)

Prayers 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 including:  Dian Benoit, Paul Milewski, Bernice Betteridge and Shirley Breton.

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.

Wedding Anniversaries Living and Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

The expression a wedding lasts a day a marriage lasts a lifetime highlights the importance of celebrating and living marriage vows day after day. The married couples in our parish are a sign to us of God’s faithfulness and through their witness we are strengthened.  If you celebrated a wedding anniversary in July we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses next weekend, July 29^th and 30^th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

Work together for good through ShareLife

The second reading tells us that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

He is calling us to live our lives as disciples, and we can do so by sharing what we can with those who need it the most. Through ShareLife, we can reach out to the most vulnerable in our communities and those who continue to suffer around the world.

Our parish goal this year is $125,000.00.

To date we have collected $106,750.63

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

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.

Annual BlueBerry PANCAKE Festival

Barrie Council 1626 Knights of Columbus and the Gervais Family invite everyone to celebrate the annual blueberry pancake festival on July 29 & 30 from 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Barrie Hill Farms, 2935 Barrie Hill Rd. Cost: $12.00/adult & $8.00/child and includes: pancakes with blueberries, sausages and coffee or juice. Net proceeds will be donated to Hospice Simcoe.

Today is World Day for Grandparents and Elderly

In January 2021 Pope Francis established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.  This year the Church will celebrate this day today, on July 23, the Sunday before the feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus.

The theme for the day, selected by the pope, will be “His mercy is from age to age” (Luke 1:50).

According to the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, the theme is linked to the theme for World Youth Day 2023, which also comes from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke: “Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39).

Pope Francis will preside over a special Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the grandparents’ day and has invited parishes, dioceses, associations, and communities around the world to celebrate the day “in their own pastoral context.” We will include a blessing for grandparents, grand aunts and uncles at all Masses this weekend, July 22/23rd.

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.

SUMMER CLASSIC MOVIES!

If you enjoy a great movie and are looking to beat the heat, why not join us Thursday afternoons for a classic movie in our parish hall at 2:00 p.m.

Our next movie date is Thursday, July 27^th!  Drinks and snacks will be provided. All are welcome. Free will offering.  

CHURCH BULLETIN ADVERTISING

Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin.  The advertising will begin in October 2023 and supports the bulletin service.  Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service.  Call Liturgical Publications at 1-800-268-2637.

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.

Sacred Fire: A Vision for A Deeper Humanity and Christian Maturity

Father Ronald Rolheiser O.M.I. a Roman Catholic priest is well known to many readers. He is a community-builder, teacher and writer. 

You are invited to join a guided discussion of the book Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Humanity and Christian Maturity. Sessions will be held on Thursday mornings in St. Joseph’s Room from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning September 21^st and concluding November 9^th.

All participants will need a copy of the book. To register and order a copy of the book please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org