Around St. Mary's This Week (14 August 2022)

Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed                                                                            

This year’s Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed will be celebrated by Most Rev. John A. Boissonneau on Wednesday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 208 Sunnidale Road.   Please note – there are no confessions in the parish on that day and no Mass.  In the event of rain, the Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church at 7:00 p.m.  All are welcome.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

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: Harry Chapman, Steven King, and Father Andrew Boelryk

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 

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.

Preparing for Confirmation in Eastertime 2023:

An Information Meeting for Parents and Young People

There will be an information meeting for parents and young people who are currently in grade 7 or older, baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and would like to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Participation in an information meeting is essential. Details regarding the preparation process, registration and the celebration of Confirmation will be shared at the meeting.  The meeting will be at the church. You may attend on either Tuesday September 27^th or Thursday October 6^th. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

Preparing Young People for first Holy Communion:

An Information Meeting for Parents

There will be an information meeting for parents of children who are currently in grade 2 or older, baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and would like to prepare their child to begin to share in Holy Communion.  The meeting will in the church. You are asked to arrange for childcare so you may participate fully. You may attend on either Thursday, September 29^th or Tuesday, October 4^th. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. The program continues through the summer months. 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, August 16^th and 30^th 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.

Life Story Writing Program: September 2022

"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.”

We will offer this six-week program beginning Monday, September 19^th. The sessions will be held in person 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.

FALL BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM

Our parish offers a support group for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.  Our Fall Bereavement Program begins on Wednesday, September 7 and runs every Wednesday evening until October 26.  Please call the parish office indicating your interest and a member of the bereavement committee will call you back with further details.

SUMMER CLASSIC MOVIES!

If you enjoy a great movie and are looking to beat the heat, why not join us Monday afternoons for a classic movie in our parish hall at 3:15 p.m.  Drinks and snacks will be provided. All are welcome. Free will offering. 

SIMCOE MUSKOKA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Are you interested in making a difference in Catholic education?  Catholic School Board Trustees are locally elected representatives of the public, and they are the community's advocate for Catholic education.  Please consider running for election and serving in the important office - Catholic School Trustee.  Further information can be found on the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board website at https://www.smcdsb.on.ca/trustees/trustee_election.  The deadline to apply and submit the papers to run for election is August 19th, 2022, for the Municipal Election in the Fall.  Thank you for your ongoing support of the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

THE ROSARY APOSTOLATE IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

The Rosary Apostolate has been faithfully visiting our classrooms once a month to pray the Rosary with our students for 22 years. They are a great inspiration to our students! They are seeking people who have a great love for the Rosary and who are willing to visit our schools to pray the Rosary with the children once a month for a total of only 8 days a year.  Training, screening, and materials will be provided.  If you are interested, please contact:  Anne` Gariepy Tel: 705 – 305 – 0911 or E-mail: mammamiamaria27@gmail.com

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On Monday, August 15^th the universal Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The assumption refers to Mary be assumed into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. Many writings of the early Church fathers illustrate that Christians have believed for more than a millennium that Mary was assumed into heaven. In 1950 Pope Pius XII officially defined the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. Our beliefs about Mary shine a light on our beliefs about Jesus. The Assumption reminds us of Christ’s teaching of eternal life and the resurrection of the of the body.

SPECIAL COLLECTION – The collection this weekend, August 13/14 is in support of Catholic Canadian Missions of Canada and the selected dioceses in Northern Canada who will benefit from your generosity to sustain and extend the Catholic faith to isolated, poor and hard-to-reach mission areas in our country.  Thank you for your support.