Around St. Mary's This Week (4 December 2022)

2022 CHRISTMAS MARKET SUCCESS!

A big thank you to all of those who participated and supported this year's Christmas Market. The vendors, patrons, Catholic Women’s League and The Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 who provided a complimentary hotdog and drink, all came together as a community and showed the love of Christ to all who came. Thank you to all who contributed to The Saint Vincent De Paul Society.  Thank you for starting this Advent season together in community, bringing the light of life to all who attended.

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 †Gary Donovan and all of our deceased family and friends.

YOUTH MINISTRY

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, December 11^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  Dinner provided. 

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

SHARELIFE

Your year-end gift will double in value! From now until the end of 2022, your contribution to our parish’s ShareLife campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $1 million. Our parishioners’ support of ShareLife is making a difference in the lives of those in need. Last year, ShareLife supporters like you enabled 21,000 people to receive affordable mental health care through family service agencies across the Archdiocese of Toronto, including our community. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

Celebrating Advent: A Season of Joyful Expectation

Prayer for the Second Week of Advent

Before your family meal, light two candles 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

SNOW SHOVELLING PROGRAM

An online tool is available in Barrie that will help connect volunteers with those needing snow removal assistance. Snow Angels Canada is an online platform where residents who require assistance with snow shoveling can post a request for service and volunteers in their area.  Although the City does not own or operate the online platform, City staff have worked with Snow Angels Canada to customize it for Barrie residents. The City encourages residents to sign up as volunteers at snowangelscanada.ca. to grow the program. To register your snow clearing request or as a volunteer to help your neighbours in need, please visit https://snowangelscanada.ca/.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS DANCE

You’re invited to join us this 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! Tickets are $20/family and available at the parish office.

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, December 6^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.

Writing Circle Alumni Group:  this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The monthly meeting will be held in person on Thursday December 8^th at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.

Taizé Prayer Service, Friday, December 9^th at 7:45 p.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, 650 Essa Road, Barrie. We invite you into reflection and meditation through prayer, song, Scripture and silence. This service is hosted by The Barrie Taizé Community—A partnership of Christian Churches. For more information, please email Susan Stott-Hood at sstotthood@gmail.com.

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.

Wed. Dec. 7^th               7:00 – 9:00 p.m.           Surnames A to G

 Wed. Dec. 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 this weekend, 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.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

St. Monica’s Catholic school is selling chocolates after all Masses this weekend and next (Dec. 3 /4 and Dec.10/11) to help raise funds for a playground.  Laura Secord Chocolates or World’s Finest Chocolate Covered Almonds will be available. Flavors include: Milk Chocolate, French Mint, Caramel & Sea Salt, Creamy Maple, Crispy Rice or Almonds for $3/bar. Any questions please feel free to call Jenny LeCollier (705) 796-8307 or jl.lecollier@gmail.com. Thanks for your support to St. Monica's playground!