Around St. Mary's This Week (11 September 2022)

The St. Vincent de Paul Collection

September is the month we celebrate the feast of Blessed Frederick Ozanam, our founder. This year our annual collection is next weekend, September 17/18.  We continue to serve our clients only through the generosity of our parishioners. We hear from many clients wanting to give their thanks directly to you.  For July and August we spent just over $15,000 in Giant Tiger gift cards for our families in need, serving nearly 600 people.  Donations can be made using the Poor Boxes at the front and side of the church. Cheques are payable to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St Mary's Conference, or E-transfer to ssvpoffice@gmail.com.  Tax receipts for green envelopes will be issued by St. Mary's.  All other donations will be issued by SSVP. Please ensure your name and address are on the envelopes.  On behalf of our Ministry and all our clients, thank you for your continued support and prayers.

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: Patrick Collins Junior.

Are You Interested in  Becoming a Catholic?

Adults who are not baptized or baptized in another Christian tradition and seek to be full members of the Catholic Church are invited to contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email: cecker@archtoronto.org for further information.

WE ARE SEEKING YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE AT MASS

If you are in grade 4 or going into grade 4 and have received your First Holy Communion and are interested in serving at Sunday (Saturday evening) Mass we invite you to attend an information/training session on:  Tuesday, September 20^th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you have questions, please contact David Murdoch at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 101 and leave a message.

Do you want to know more about palliative care?

We invite you to participate in a learning session on Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care.

Our faith in Jesus Christ has much to teach us about living well until the end of life. The program will help parishioners, caregivers, and family members facing a terminal illness to learn more about palliative care. The four sessions address issues such as:  understanding the dying process, discernment and decision-making at the end of life, accompaniment and the importance of building Compassionate Communities.  The program is at St. Mary’s on four Wednesday evenings 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 28^th and concluding Oct. 19^th. Participation in all 4 sessions is expected. To register please email your name and phone number to Dianne Hunter at dihun04@gmail.com or call the parish office at 705-728-2985.

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, September 21^st at 12:30 p.m. Join us for Lunch with food provided by the Mandarin. The cost is $20.00 and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will be available beginning September 6, 2022. Join us for conversation, fellowship and good food. There will be a 50 /50 draw. Proceeds will go to St. Vincent de Paul Society.   

Questions: contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115

Thursday Sept. 15^th at 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a Classic Movie and simple refreshments.

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 will be on Tuesday, September 13^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.

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.  Questions regarding the preparation process for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion please contact the parish catechist: Catherine at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or Email: cecker@archtoronto.org

PARISH RELIGIOUS ARTICLE STORE

The Religious Article Store will be open this weekend and most Sundays going forward. We have put in orders, so expect to see some new items. Please refer to the business card on the display cabinet for further information or call Pat Dunn at 705-718-1853 with any questions.

YOUTH MINISTRY

A big thank you to all of the volunteers, families and campers for making this year's Edge camp at Camp White Pine such a success! We are looking forward to continuing to foster the friendships made at camp throughout the school year. 

WE INVITE ALL YOUTH TO WEAR THEIR BIBLE CAMP, EDGE CAMP OR YOUTH MINISTRY SHIRTS TO THE 4:00 P.M. MASS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18^TH, 2022 AS WE KICK OFF OUR YEAR IN YOUTH MINISTRY 2022/2023!

Please save the following dates!

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 Kick-Off night is Friday, September 16^th! 

EDGE is a youth ministry program for youth grades 5-8 to come together once a month o   n 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 Kick-Off night is Friday, September 30^th.

LIFE TEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights.

Our Kick-off Night is Sunday, September 18^th at 4:00 p.m.  

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