4th Sunday of Lent

We invite you to attend Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent at 7:00 p.m. 

Laetare Sunday is marked on the 4^th Sunday in Lent.

We have entered the second half of the Lenten season.  The word Laetare means to rejoice!  It is customary for the presider to wear rose coloured vestments. We continue our journey to Easter with joy.

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: Marlene Periera, Karen Marchand and Joan McDermott.

Parish Confessions

Our parish will have multiple priests available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on:

Monday, March 27^th

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday, March 31^st

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

St. John Vianney Parish,13 Baldwin Lane

Tuesday, March 21^st, Friday, March 24^th,

Tuesday, March 28th, Friday, March 31^st immediately after 9:30 am Mass.

Holy Spirit Parish, 650 Essa Road

Tuesday, March 28^th at 7:00 p.m.

We invite you to take this opportunity before Easter to make the journey into the heart of our relationship with God.  Take this challenge and hold it in readiness for the rich blessing that is manifest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Share...Life!

Show your love on the Feast of St. Joseph through ShareLife!

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph and reflect on his holy life and the way he loved and cared for Jesus and Mary.

Next week is ShareLife Sunday. May we emulate St. Joseph’s example and share our blessings with the least of our brothers and sisters.

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

Our Parish Goal this year is $125,000.00.

First ShareLife Sunday is March 26th

Please give generously!

Northern Regional Welcome Mass

St. Mary’s Parish is honoured to host a Northern Regional Welcome Mass for our new Archbishop Francis Leo on Monday, April 17^th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. 

All are welcome to attend this historical event in the life of the Archdiocese.

Hospital Visitation

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.

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.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28^th on Zoom.  We will NOT meet on March 21^st. 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).

Thursday, March 23^rd at 2:00 p.m. Classic Movies 

All are welcome to an afternoon at the movies.  Simple refreshments are provided.

Seasons of Hope

Bereavement Group to Begin

This program is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. The program rooted in Catholic tradition, conveys God’s consolation through scripture, prayer, reflection, and sharing our faith. 

A Christ- centered group is for you if any of the following are true:

• You are trying to figure out the meaning of your grief
• You want to get on with life, but have been unable to
• You find comfort in the teaching of Christ
• You are open to new ways of coping with your grief
• You are looking for friends in Christ to share your journey of sorrow.

The group meets at 7:30 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 19 in St. Joseph’s Room.  Registration is required. For more details or to register please contact Catherine Ecker in the parish office at 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

Wedding Anniversaries

Living and Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

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 March we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on March 25^th and March 26^th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

Bible Camp 2023

Our parish bible camp this summer will be held the week of July 4^th to 7^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.  The cost is $75.00/ child.  Registration is open now and has limited space! To register please visit www.stmarysbarrie.archtoronto.org or email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com. 

Please contact Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426 for any questions.

YOUTH MINISTRY

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for grades J.K.-4 and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

Our next gathering is Friday, April 14th.

EDGE is for grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  Our next gathering is Friday, March 24^th. 

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship.  We meet monthly on Sunday nights at 4:00 p.m.

Our next gathering is Sun., March 26^th.

EDGE Catholic Adventure Camp  

A 5-day Catholic adventure camp with sports & activities, catechesis, Mass, praise & worship and fellowship!

Who:  Students currently in grade 5-8 who attend EDGE.

When:  August 27th to August 31^st, 2023

Where:  Camp White Pine, Haliburton, ON

Cost: $475.00 (before April 30 early bird deadline) / $525.00 until from May 1-31 (last day to register) All-Inclusive (Food, Transportation, Accommodations, Camp T-shirt, Water bottle)

Space limited to a first come, first register basis.

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

Preparing for First Sharing in Holy Communion!  Important Reminder!

All families enrolled in the preparation process are to participate in the Parent Child Meeting. The meeting is a time of prayer, catechesis, and practicing the proper way to share in Holy Communion. The meeting is for the child and parent(s).

Saturday, March 25^th from 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.  Surnames A – M

Or

Tuesday, March 28^th from 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Surnames N – Z

Please attend the assigned meeting.