The Ascension of the Lord

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 Carole Ouimette and Peter McCloskey.

Visiting the Hospital

If you or a family member are admitted to RVH and would appreciate a visit from someone at St. Mary’s please call or email the parish office. 

Please note: the hospital no longer provides us with a list of Catholics who are hospitalized; therefore, you must notify the parish.

ShareLife and World Communications Day

On this World Communications Day, your support of ShareLife is improving the lives of Deaf people in our community.

More than 60% of families with a Deaf child do not know or use a signing language. Silent Voice, a ShareLife agency, is able to provide an array of accessible programs and services, responding to the needs of Deaf adults, youth, children, infants, and their families in American Sign Language (ASL). This is because of you. The help and support you give brings hope and changes many lives.

To-date we have raised $64,114.00 toward our goal of $125,000.00. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at www.sharelife.org/donate

PENETECOST REFLECTION

Barrie Council 1626 Knight of Columbus invites Parishioners of St. Mary’s to attend a Pentecost reflection on Saturday, May 27 from 2:00-4:30 in the St. Joseph room.

The afternoon will include a brief history of Pentecost and more importantly, Fr. Scott Young will lead us in discussions regarding what this solemn feast means to us as Catholics in a relativistic world that appears to be moving towards increased intolerance. There is no cost and light refreshments will be provided.

The Feast of Pentecost:  May 27/28^th, 2023 - Wear Red!

Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter season.  We celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the beginning of the Church.  This day is often described as the ‘birthday of the Church’.  All parishioners are invited to add to our celebration of Pentecost by wearing red to church.  There are many different shades of red – the vibrant colour and the different shades will be a visual reminder to us of the diversity of our God given gifts and talent. 

As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost you are invited to pray this prayer throughout the week.

Make Us Witnesses

Good and gracious God, you who promised us the power of the Holy Spirit to make us witnesses throughout the world, renew that power in us. Make us eloquent when we speak of your Kingdom, and convincing in our deeds. Trusting in you to fulfill your promises and looking forward to your reign, we ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

© 2012 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Kathy Coffey. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on September 5, 2012.

Celebrating Confirmation

At 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23^rd and Thursday, May 25^th we will celebrate Confirmation with our young people. Candidates and sponsors are reminded to arrive for 6:40 p.m.  All families have been sent the date for their Confirmation. If you have any questions please contact Catherine Ecker at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or Email cecker@archtoronto.org.  You are asked to pray for the young people, their sponsors and families.

Pop-up Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will hold a Covid-19 Clinic in our parish hall on Monday, June 5^th,

9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Appointments can be booked at https://covid-19,ontario.ca/book-vaccine or by calling 1-833-943-3900. Walk-ins accepted while supplies last. 

Youth Ministry

On Friday, June 2^nd beginning at 6:00 p.m. all young people from JK to Grade 8 (M.E.R.C.Y. Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth and EDGE) are invited to an “End of the Year Party” with games prizes and much more!  Come celebrate a fantastic year in youth ministry! We look forward to seeing you there!

LIFETEEN – is for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship.  Our next gathering is a Bonfire on Friday, May 26^th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at another location.   

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

Hospitality Sunday

Our next hospitality Sunday is next weekend, May 27/28^th with St. Joseph’s High School Parent Council hosting after the 5:00 p.m. Mass and St. Marguerite’d’Youville School hosting after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses.

If you can contribute with treats and squares, please drop them in to the parish kitchen before Mass and also, if you can help on a Sunday please call 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 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, May 23^rd 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)

Common Frauds and Scams: Wednesday, May 24^th at 2:00 p.m.  - Join us for an important information session facilitated by Barrie Police Service on how to protect yourself and family!  The session will also include important information on preventing senior abuse. All are welcome, no pre-registration required! We will gather for 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.

If you are looking for some wonderful entertainment join us at 2:00 p.m. in the parish hall for a Classic Movie on Thursday, May 25^th. 

All are welcome and simple refreshments will be provided.

Looking Ahead: June is Seniors’ Month

All adults in the second half of life are invited to join us on Wednesday, June 21^st to celebrate and give thanks for the gift of years. Details to follow. 

PAPAL BLESSINGS

An Apostolic Parchment Papal Blessing may be granted for the following occasions: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Marriage Anniversaries (10, 25, 40, 50, and 60 years), Catholic individuals or families (with the name and surname of the spouses united in a religious marriage), Birthdays (18, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100) Priestly Ordination, Religious Profession, Secular Consecration and Ordinations of Permanent Deacons.  A Papal Blessing scroll is available directly from the Office of Papal Charities at the Vatican website at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/elem_apost/index.htm.  Available in eight different languages. The granting of a Papal Blessing is absolutely free and the payment requested is only a contribution towards the cost of the parchment and to defray the expenses of wrapping and postage.  All money paid for the blessing is used for the Holy Father's works of charity.