Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sunday of the Word of God --January 21, 2024

In September 2019, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter instituting the Sunday of the Word of God.  “The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God. In the General Instruction to the Roman Missal (GIRM) we read: “The Church invites us to listen reverently to the Word of God as it is proclaimed. (par. 29) and “In the readings the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the bible are opened to them.” (par.57) The celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity.”  (Apostolic Letter, Instituting Sunday of the Word of God, par.3).

Before coming to Mass (Sunday and weekday) we are encouraged to read the Scripture at home so we are ready to listen as the Word of God is proclaimed. 

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: Joseph Marchand, Patricia Hughes, Gerald Boulay, Martin Foster, Art Betteridge and Lieve McPhee.

Visiting the Hospital: 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.

Bible Study

We are planning to offer Bible Study commencing Thursday, February 8^th in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. and in the evening at 7:00 p.m.  Participants would attend one session. The location will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Berczy Street. 

Sign up for either session is available after Mass.  Further information including cost to follow.

St. Mary’s Classic Movies – Every Month

Join us for Classic Movies in the parish on the 4^th Thursday of every month in our parish hall.

Our next movie is this Thursday, January 25^th at 2:00 p.m.

We will be showing the sophisticated comedy-drama All About Eve (1950) starring Bette Davis and Anne Baxter, a Best Picture winner about an aging actress who comes to learn that the younger protegee in her midst is taking over her life.

Snacks are included and all are welcome!

A Presentation on Human Trafficking

Tuesday, February 13^th   7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Join us for this important topic and presentation by the OPP Human Trafficking Unit. All are welcome to this parish event.

Service for Christian Unity

Thursday, January 25^th (The Feast of the conversion of St. Paul) at 2:00 p.m. hosted by Trinity Anglican Church, 24 Collier Street, Barrie.

The theme is “You Shall Love the Lord your God….and your neighbour as yourself...”  This years’ prayer service was written by the people of Burkina Faso located in West Africa and explores the theme loving God and neighbour in the midst of a security crisis.  All are welcome.  Please mark your calendars.  Refreshments to follow.

Enrolment for Confirmation: Reminder to Candidates!

All young people who have formally registered in the preparation process for Confirmation will bring their letter to Father Larry to the Enrolment. The letter will be presented during one of the Saturday evening or Sunday morning Masses on January 20/21, 2024. You only celebrate in enrolment once.

On the day of Enrolment, as a tangible sign of our membership in the Body of Christ and commitment to living as disciples each candidate is asked to bring new socks, gloves or hot paws. (Please not mitts) The items will be shared with those who are unhoused.

Confirmation Preparation for Adults

If you are an adult, baptized in the Catholic Church and would like to be Confirmed please contact Catherine Ecker (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115) for details regarding preparation. Confirmation will be celebrated close to the feast of Pentecost.

Preparing for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation

Parent Child Meeting # 1

All families who have formally registered in the preparation process will participate in a parent child catechetical meeting on: Tues. Jan. 23^rd or Mon. Jan. 29^th from 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.  Please note only the child preparing for the sacrament is to attend.  To balance the number of people at the meeting please make every effort to attend the assigned meeting:

January 23^rd Surnames A through L

January 29^th- Surnames M through Z

Young Adult Ministry

Are you a young adult looking for Catholic community in the Barrie area? Our Young Adult Ministry offers faith and fellowship through men's and women's small groups, Theology on Tap, and other social activities.

Theology on Tap - At the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs) on the following Sundays from 6:00-9:00 p.m.:  TONIGHT Jan. 21, Mar. 17, May 5 and June 23, 2024.

Bowling:  Saturday, Jan. 27th. Contact Joe and Elyse Schweighofer to RSVP and for further details at 249-989-1689 or 249-989-0609.

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, January 23 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).

All are invited to the Birthday Party! 

Please join us on Wednesday, January 24 at 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy the company of fellow parishioners, meet some new people and celebrate the gift of a new year.

There will be refreshments, games, cake and ice cream and door prizes. All are welcome.

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, February 9^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, January 26^th.

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, January 28^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  Dinner provided.