Around St. Mary's This Week (27 November 2022)

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: Judy Luckett, Bill Forbes, Jim McRae, Madelyn Crawford, Dave Holloway and Jean Webster and all those whose names on in our parish book of remembrance.

Wedding Anniversaries: 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 November we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on November 26^th and 27^th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

A New Liturgical Year: Year A

The Church follows a three-year cycle and on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022 we embark on a new liturgical year. On Sundays during Year A the Gospel reading will most often be from the gospel of St. Matthew.  The new Sunday Missal on page 554 includes a brief introduction to St. Matthew’s gospel.

How to Use the Missal

You are invited to review the instructions for using the Missal found on pages 4 and 5.

Copies of the Missal are still available for purchase, $5.00/copy.

Celebrating Advent: A Season of Joyful Expectation

Prayer for the First Week of Advent

Before your family meal, light the first candle on your Advent wreath. If you do not have an Advent wreath you may light a taper before you pray.

O God, as we light this candle,

remind us of the need to bring

the light of hope into the world.

Help us to stay awake to the needs of others by seeing with our eyes and hearts.

Give us courage to reach out in hope to the lonely in our schools, parishes and communities. Amen

Celebrating Advent

Join us for Advent Lessons and Carols on Wednesday, November 30^th at 2:00 p.m.

At the beginning of the Advent season you are invited to pause from preparations for Christmas to hear God’s Word.  Following this time of prayer and reflection there will be time for fellowship and simple refreshments. All are welcome.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS DANCE

Please join us on Friday, December 9^th at 6:00 p.m. for a Family Dance in our parish hall.  DJ, snacks and prizes for the whole family! $20/family and can be purchased in advance at the parish office.

Being Lifted Up! Wednesday, December 14^th

An Advent Reflection

1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

As we move closer to the feast of Christmas, give yourself a gift and gather for a time of prayer, reflection, and conversation. The facilitator will be Laurie van den Hurk. Laurie has spent more than 30 years in community outreach, spiritual development and group facilitation with people of all ages and widely diverse circumstances, including 10 years in Tanzania. Laurie is a trained Spiritual director.  All are welcome to attend this session.  Simple refreshments will be provided. Cost: free will offering.

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 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, November 29^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.

Thursday December 1^st from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Bid Euchre, Cards and Games! 

All are welcome to attend. Simple refreshments will be provided.

SOCK AND GLOVE DRIVE

The Breakfast to Go Program is asking for donations of socks and gloves for participants that they serve weekly.  Both men’s and ladies would be appreciated.  A table will be available in the parish hall TODAY, Saturday, November 26^th after the Lux Vitae Christmas market.  Thank you for your support.

Please call Eileen if you have any questions at 705-791-6249.

Preparing for Confirmation!

Catechetical Meeting # 1: Parent, Candidate & Sponsor

All families who have registered in the preparation process for Confirmation are reminded to attend the parent candidate sponsor meeting.  The meeting will begin with Mass at 7:00 p.m. and conclude by 9:00 p.m. It is understood that the candidate, sponsor and parent will attend the meeting.  The candidates are grouped alphabetically. If you cannot attend the assigned meeting date, please attend the other meeting. You do not need to notify the parish office that you are attending a different meeting.

Wednesday, December 7^th   7:00 – 9:00 p.m.   Surnames A to G

Wednesday, December 14^th   7:00 – 9:00 p.m.   Surnames H to Z

Preparing for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation

All families who have formally registered their child in the preparation process are reminded to participate in the Enrolment ceremony at one of the Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on December 3 /4 or December 10 /11.  Please remember to bring the ‘lamb’ with you to enrolment.  Please continue to check your emails for updates and reminders. If you any questions / concerns regarding preparation for the sacraments please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115

YOUTH MINISTRY

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

Our next gathering is Fri., Dec. 9^th!

EDGE is a youth ministry program for youth grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

Our next gathering is Friday, December 9^th!

LIFE TEEN – for high school teens.

Our next gathering is Sun., December 11^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

For more information please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon Barks at 705-229-7426.