Around St. Mary's This Week...

Wedding Anniversaries

Living and Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

The expression a wedding lasts a day, a marriage lasts a lifetime highlights the importance of celebrating and living marriage vows day after day. 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 March we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on March 26^th and March 27^th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

“Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine.  Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love.  Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world.”

Journey to Easter!

A Time of Purification and Enlightenment

Thursday, March 31^st

The season of Lent is a time to prepare for baptism or to prepare to renew our baptismal promises.  You are invited to participate in the Thursday morning sessions. We will hear and reflect on the Gospels that will be proclaimed on Sunday.  We will meet online from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. All are welcome.  For more information and the link please email Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

The Word of God on the 5^th Sunday in Lent!

On April 3^rd at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses the readings for the Liturgy of the Word will be from Year A. 

For those who prepare for Sunday Mass by reading the Scripture before Mass the Living with Christ missal includes the readings from Year A.

4^th Sunday in Lent: Celebrating a Scrutiny

Today in Catholic parishes throughout the world the Church will celebrate a scrutiny with the elect.  A scrutiny is a prayer for purification and strength.  The scrutiny is a preparatory rite for the sacrament of baptism when the elect will reject sin and declare their belief in God.

The Church prays with and for those chosen for Baptism. At St. Mary’s Parish we have two elect who will celebrate Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion at the Easter Vigil. We pray for our elect Brooklynne and Kiara.

At Easter we will renew our baptismal promises rejecting sin and declaring our belief in God as creator. As we gather to celebrate the 4^th Sunday in Lent you are invited to reflect on where in your life you are blind to the presence of God.  We ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so we may see as Christ sees.

MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS

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. This group meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The next session will be on Tuesday March 29^th on Zoom.  If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer, have questions or would like the link please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115)

Stations of the Cross

We will pray communal Stations of the Cross on the following Friday’s at 7:00 p.m.:

April 1^st (after the 7:00 pm Mass) we will pray the Way of the Cross for Residential Schools.

Good Friday, April 15^th – All are welcome to participate.

Preparing for Confirmation: Important Reminder

Catechetical Meeting # 2: Candidate & Sponsor Meeting!

All candidates are to attend this meeting with their sponsor.  IF, the sponsor cannot attend the parent is to attend. The final opportunity to attend this essential meeting is Monday March 28^th at 7:30 p.m.

Today is ShareLife Sunday!

“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 of $13.8 million. Our goal can be met, but only if we each do our part.” – Cardinal Thomas Collins

Our parish goal is $110,000.

The next ShareLife Sunday’s are: May 1 and June 5

Please give generously or at www.sharelife.org

VIRTUAL RETREAT

“Hey Church, Deal Me In!” (April 4-9)

The doors of the Church are now wide open to all!  But we may be debating about returning. So, how would you like Fr. Robert Foliot, SJ, and especially the Holy Spirit, to help you make a 6-day virtual Retreat on your relationship with Church.

For more information, and to register, visit https://martyrs-shrine.com/

Just click the black border at the very, very top of the website.

YOUTH MINISTRY

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering TODAY - Sunday, March 27^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.