Passion (Palm) Sunday

Prayers 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:  Allen Quinlan.

Preparing for and Celebrating the Easter Triduum - April 6 – 9, 2023

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 April 6^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 April 7^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:  

All are invited to this live reenactment led by our Youth at 7:00 p.m. on Good Friday.

Holy Saturday April 8^th

Midday Prayer 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 April 8^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 complete the initiation of two candidates and then with thanksgiving participate in feasting at the Eucharistic table.  No 5:00 p.m. Mass on April 8^th.

Easter Sunday April 9^th

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.

Northern Regional Welcome Mass

St. Mary’s Parish is honoured to host a Northern Regional Welcome Mass for our new Archbishop Francis Leo on Monday, April 17^th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. 

All are welcome to attend this historical event in the life of the Archdiocese.

Pontifical Collection for The Holy Land

The Good Friday Collection is requested by the Holy See to help maintain the Christian sites in the Holy Land, so important to the faith of Christians everywhere, and also to support the faithful who struggle to survive under political and economic oppression and persecution.  For those who prefer to contribute online please visit: www.commissariat.ca/supporting-us. 

Let us give generously to respond to the needs of the Church in the land of Jesus.

Annual Easter Food Drive

Bags will be distributed by the Knights of Columbus after all Masses this weekend. 

Please return the bags when you attend Mass on Holy Thursday at 8:00 p.m. 

Food items, cash, gift cards or cheque donations are welcome. 

All food collected will be directed to the Barrie Food.

Thank you to the Knight of Columbus, Council 1626.

Divine Mercy Sunday – April 16^th

All are invited to a holy hour on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16^th from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, and was established by St. John Paul II centered on the revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska.  There is a Divine Mercy Novena that begins on Good Friday. Pamphlets are available in the church. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed on Rosary beads with a different set of prayers. During the holy hour, there will be Adoration, confessions and the sung Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. There are special graces that our Lord promised for those who pray on Divine Mercy Sunday and can only be received for oneself, through reception of Holy Communion in a state of grace. A plenary indulgence, however, can be offered for oneself, or for souls suffering in purgatory.  

St. Faustina, pray for us!

Ministry with Maturing Adults: For All Adults 55+

All are welcome to attend the various sessions offered for those in the second half of life. 

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. There is no Meditation on April 4^th. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11^th 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)

Bid Euchre, Cards and Games – all are welcome to participate.  Lessons will be provided for those new to Bid Euchre! 

Join us in the parish hall on April 20^th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Simple refreshments are provided.

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for grades J.K.-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 14th.

EDGE is for grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. EDGE is a safe, fund place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith. Our next gathering is Friday, April 21^st. 

Seasons of Hope Bereavement Group to Begin

This program is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. The program rooted in Catholic tradition, conveys God’s consolation through scripture, prayer, reflection, and sharing our faith.  A Christ- centered group is for you if any of the following are true:

• You are trying to figure out the meaning of your grief
• You want to get on with life, but have been unable to
• You find comfort in the teaching of Christ
• You are open to new ways of coping with your grief
• You are looking for friends in Christ to share your journey of sorrow.

The group meets at 7:30 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 19 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.

CPR Course

Our parish is offering a CPR course on Saturday, April 22nd in St Joseph’s Room - 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Registration at 8:30 a.m. Limited to 12 participants.

Contact Karen Boyle kboyle@bell.net or 705-321-0898. Health & Education CWL.