Palm Sunday (March 24, 2024)

Preparing for and Celebrating the Easter Triduum - March 28 – 30^th, 2024

The Easter Triduum is the highpoint of our Church year. The word Triduum means three. For a Catholic there is really nothing more important than gathering with the community to pray throughout these three days.

A liturgical day begins at sundown, so our first day is from sundown on Thursday to sundown on Friday. The second day is sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday and the third day is sundown on Saturday to sundown on Sunday. The Easter Triduum is really one liturgy that extends over the three days. We go home in-between to rest, pray and to ponder the mystery of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Holy Thursday March 28^th Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 8:00 p.m.

You are invited to bring non-perishable food items, gift cards for grocery stores or cash to the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.  The bags of food or monetary gifts will be brought forward during the Preparation of the Gifts. Everyone is invited to come ready to have their feet washed.

Good Friday March 29^th Celebration of the Lord’s Passion: 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

We will gather for the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.  We do not celebrate Mass on Good Friday. It is the same liturgy at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m.  Stations of the Cross will be led by our youth at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday March 30^th Midday Prayer, Anointing of the Elect and Blessing of Easter Baskets 12:00 p.m.

Gather with the parish family to pray Midday Prayer. When many of our European ancestors came to Canada they brought traditions that add to the holiness of Easter.  One of the most popular is bringing a decorated Easter basket to the Church on Holy Saturday. You may put some of the food that will be used at your Easter breakfast as well as special treats such as chocolate, wine, or a special bread or dessert. When you arrive put your Easter basket at the front of the worship space where they will be blessed.  All are invited to this brief time of prayer.

Easter Vigil March 30^th at 8:00 p.m.

St. Augustine called this vigil the “Mother of all Vigils”. We hear stories from Scripture, proclaim God’s praises and rejoice at the waters of new life.  We will celebrate initiation with our five elect and then with thanksgiving participate in feasting at the Eucharistic table.

Please note:  On Saturday, March 30^th, there are no confessions and there is no 9:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. Mass.

Easter Sunday March 31^st

We will celebrate Mass at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. 

At each liturgy we shall renew our baptismal promises.

We live in a world that seldom takes time off from work and daily demands so it is important to plan how we can keep the Easter Triduum holy. You are invited to take time each day, to prepare and to reflect on the liturgy.

Pontifical Collection for the church in the Holy Land on Good Friday, March 29^th, 2024

The annual Good Friday collection was first taken at Pope Paul VI’s request fifty years ago.  It is the only yearly request asked by the Holy See of dioceses and parishioners throughout the world to assist the Church in the Holy Land.  The monies collected support its pastoral, educational, and social works and help to maintain the Holy Places so important for the faith of Christians everywhere.  For the sake of our brothers and sisters enduring hardships, please give generously.  You may also contribute by interact e-transfer to terresainte@bellnet.ca or online at https://commissariat.ca/ – receipts will be issued.

On behalf of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, to whom the Holy See has entrusted this ministry for nearly 700 years, I sincerely thank you for your support. 

Fr. Robert Mokry, OFM, Commissary of the Holy Land in Canada.

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: Shirley Esson and Bill Taylor.

Hospital Visitation - If you or a family member are admitted to RVH please let them know you are Catholic and call the parish office to inform us. If you wish to receive Holy Communion please let the parish office know and one of our pastoral visitors will come to see you.

Women’s Lenten Prayer Group

All women interested in joining a Women’s Lenten Prayer Group are invited to come on Monday nights throughout Lent from 7-8:30 pm in the parish hall.  For more information, please contact the parish office.  All are welcome!

Celebrating the Joy of Easter and Deepening Our Grasp of the Sunday Liturgy

During the Easter season we will study Rita Ferrone’s book Pastoral Guide to Pope Francis’s Desiderio Desideravi (On the Liturgical Formation of the People of God). Pope Francis’s pastoral letter to the people of God invites us on a retreat providing us with prompts to deepen our understanding of the Liturgy.

Preregistration is necessary and each participant will need a copy of the book ($20.00). We will meet from 10 – 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays beginning April 11^th and concluding May 9^th.  To register please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org) 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Children

We will celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word with children on Sunday, April 7^th and April 21^st during the 12 noon Mass. All children between the ages of 4 and 8 are invited to participate. The children and leaders are sent after the Opening Prayer to celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word. They return during the Preparation of the Gifts. If you are interested in becoming a leader or have questions please contact David at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.

St. Mary’s Classic Movies

Our next movie is on Tuesday, March 26^th at 2:00 p.m. 

For Holy Week we will be watching the Academy Award winning film A Man For All Seasons (1966) about the last days of Saint Thomas More.

Snacks included and all are welcome!

Seasons of Hope Bereavement Group

Our Lord assured us that those who mourn are blessed and shall be comforted.  Seasons of Hope helps us come together to share in God’s love. Whether your loss is recent or long ago, Seasons of Hope is a nurturing link to the Church, our God and people of faith who understand what it means to grieve.  This program is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. Come and be comforted.

The group meets at 7:30 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 10^th, 2024 in St. Joseph’s Room.  Registration is required. For more details or to register please contact Catherine Ecker in the parish office at 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

All Adults 55+  Ministry with Maturing Adults

All are welcome to attend the various sessions 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 registration please call: VON at 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26^th on Zoom. All are welcome! 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)

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 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 next gathering is Friday, April 12^th.^. 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, April 26th.

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is TODAY Sunday, March 24^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.