Around St. Mary's This Week (5 December 2021)...

PRAYING FOR THE SICK

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 Don Levesque and Ignatius MacDonald.

PRAYER FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

Before your family meal, light two purple candles on your Advent wreath. If you do not have an Advent wreath you may light one or two candles before you pray.

Leader: Father in heaven, set our hearts ablaze to follow in the steps of John the Baptist.

May we bring light and love to all we meet, that the darkness of sin and fear may be overcome.

In Christ's name we ask this.

All: Amen.

SNOW SHOVELLING PROGRAM

A new online tool has arrived 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 can reach out to help. 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. As the platform has just launched in Barrie, the City is currently encouraging 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/

CELEBRATING ADVENT: NEW DATE!

Join us for Advent Lessons and Carols on Wednesday December 15th at 2:00 p.m.

In the midst of Advent, 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.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND THE CHURCH: WALKING TOGETHER TOWARD HEALING & RECONCILIATION

A group of Indigenous residential school survivors, Elders, knowledge keepers and young people have accepted the invitation of Canada’s Catholic Bishops to meet with the Holy Father from December 17-20, 2021 at the Vatican. The delegation will include small group meetings with Pope Francis as well as a larger final audience with all participants. We invite you to pray for all participants in the delegation, which will help provide a foundation for a future Papal Visit to Canada as part of the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation. To learn more, visit www.cccb.ca.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

Thank you for putting People and the Planet First. A major focus of Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s People and Planet First campaign is advocating for a law that compels Canadian companies to respect the human and environmental rights of local populations in their overseas operations. On behalf of all those who struggle to preserve their land, lives, livelihoods and lifestyles, Development and Peace — Caritas Canada thanks you for your commitment and mobilization. To continue supporting the petition and to keep up the campaign momentum, visit https://devp.org/en.

2021 LUX VITAE SUCCESS!

A big thank you to all of those who participated and supported this year's Christmas Market entitled Lux Vitae – “light of life”. The vendors, patrons 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 we successfully raised over $1,300. Thank you for starting this Advent season together in community, bringing the light of life to all who attended.

YOUTH MINISTRY

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 5 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, December 10th. Registration required.

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. 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 next gathering is Friday, December 17th.

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 12th 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.

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

The Ministry with Maturing Adults seeks to support the lifelong faith development of women and men throughout all phases of the pre-retirement and retirement years. Programs are open to everyone.

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. For details regarding dates/registration please call: VON at 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The next session will be on Tuesday, December 7th 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)

WRITING CIRCLE ALUMNI GROUP: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 9th in person from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. To assist with preparation please confirm your attendance by emailing Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115. Please remember to wear a mask.

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 one of the other meetings. You do not need to notify the parish office that you are attending a different meeting.

Wed. Dec. 8th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.          Surnames A to M

Wed. Dec. 15th 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.         Surnames N to Z

PREPARING FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

PARENT CATECHETICAL MEETING # 1

All families who have registered in the preparation process for first Holy Communion are reminded to attend one of the two parent catechetical meetings. Parents will receive a family book and catechesis focused on preparing to celebrate reconciliation (confession). We ask that only parents attend – one parent may attend. The parent meeting will be held in the church on Tuesday, December 7th from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. This is the second and final parent meeting.