5th Sunday of Lent

This Weekend is ShareLife Sunday!

ShareLife Sunday marks the first collection for our parish’s annual campaign. In the words of Cardinal Collins:  “Vulnerable members of our community are relying on you and me to ensure ongoing access to the care they so desperately need. This is why it’s crucial we meet our parish campaign goal. Our goal can be met, but only if we each do our part.”

Our parish goal this year is $125,000.00.

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

We invite you to attend Stations of the Cross each Friday during Lent at 7:00 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 prayer those who have died recently including: Dorothy McCallion and John Graham.

Walk for Justice

Friday April 7, 2023:  1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Simcoe County Kairos invites you to the 2023 annual Ecumenical Walk for Justice at Meridian Place, in downtown Barrie.  The event will consist of a Labyrinth set up on Meridian Place square.  

People are invited to walk the labyrinth, meditate, reflect, or pray and then consider ways in which they can engage in peace and justice initiatives within Simcoe County and globally. We will conclude with a Soup and Roll lunch for all.

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.

Annual Easter Food Drive

Bags will be distributed by the Knights of Columbus after all Masses next weekend, April 1/2 Palm Sunday.  Please return the bags when you attend Mass on Holy Thursday at 8:00 p.m. 

Food items, cash, gift cards or cheque donations are welcome.  All food collected will be directed to the Barrie Food Bank who are in need of the following necessities:  powdered skim milk, jam, mayonnaise, formula, canned vegetables/stew/pasta/salmon & tuna, sugar, flour, pancake mix, syrup, cereal, jam, peanut butter, kids snacks and large size diapers.

Thank you to the Knight of Columbus, Council 1626 for overseeing this important parish effort.

Celebrating the Easter Triduum

All lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are reminded to visit the sacristy and sign up for one of the liturgies.

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. 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).

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.

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.

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. where we explore our faith in a dynamic way through activities, games, crafts and music.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. EDGE is a safe, fund place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith. Our next gathering is Friday, April 21^st. 

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 TODAY, Sunday, 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). 

The second opportunity to attend this meeting is on Tuesday, March 28^th from 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Please arrive ten minutes before the meeting is scheduled to begin.