Third Sunday of Easter

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 pray those who have died recently including: John Graham, Eileen Curran, Agnes Lachance and Juliano Cassandro.

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

Sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who have had the opportunity to contribute to our ShareLife campaign to date. The 2nd ShareLife Sunday is next weekend, April 30th. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

Thank you for “living the Gospel” through our parish ShareLife campaign.

The 2nd ShareLife Sunday is April 30th

Our goal this year is $125,000.00

Please give generously!

Meal Ministry for the Homeless

As part of our cooperative spirit with the downtown churches in Barrie, we are holding a meeting on Thursday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m. in our parish hall to discuss meal preparation for the homeless.

You’re invited to attend this important meeting to learn how you can help prepare meals for those less fortunate in the community!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

The Archdiocese of Toronto recognizes and appreciates the many people who share their time and gifts to serve others. Our parish volunteers are at the heart of the Archdiocesan call to stewardship and are instrumental in all that we do. We thank each of you for sharing your time and unique gifts with others.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone”.

WELCOME MARCO BUSIC

On May 6 we will welcome a seminarian for the summer, Marco Busic. Marco is completing his third year of theology and entering his final year before his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. He will be with us until the end of July. We look forward to welcoming him and including him in all areas of parish life.

EASTER FOOD DRIVE SUCCESS!

Sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who supported this year’s Easter Food Drive for the Barrie Food Bank. A total of 2587 lbs. of food was donated, along with $5,098.00 in cash and cheques and $950.00 in gift cards. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 members who helped to organize the food drive. Non-perishable Food Donations can still be dropped off at 42 Anne Street South, Unit 2 on Mon., Wed. and Fri. 1-4:30 p.m., and Thurs. 1-7p.m. or items can be dropped off at local grocery stores including Zehrs, Loblaws, NoFrills, Costco, Metro, Freshco, Food Basics and the Wholesale Club.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call The Barrie Food Bank at: 705-725-1818.

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 2nd 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).

Barrie Public Library is Coming St. Mary’s Parish - Join us on Wednesday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m. for an informative and interesting presentation on recent books, good reads and resources available from Barrie Public Library.

No preregistration required! All are welcome, simple refreshments will be provided!

Join us on Thursday, April 27th for a Classic Movie.

We will gather at 2:00 p.m. and simple refreshments will be provided. All are welcome!

New Date! Common Frauds and Scams:  Wednesday, May 24th 26th 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.

PARISH RELIGIOUS ARTICLE STORE

Open every Sunday between the morning Masses. Hours of operation are: (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.)

We invite you to visit our parish store. We offer a wide collection of religious articles, gifts, books and greeting cards.

For further information please call Pat Dunn at 705-718-1853.

Sharing in Holy Communion: A Sign of our Communion with God and Union with Others

Beginning on April 22 /23 the third Sunday of Easter a number of our young people will begin to share in Holy Communion. They and their parents have been preparing for months. It is valuable for us to review the directives on sharing in Holy Communion.

Our sharing in Holy Communion is a profoundly public personal act. We process forward to share in Holy Communion. It is most definitely a holy union with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. There is nothing private about the Communion procession.

In 2011, the Canadian Bishops instructed that our common sign of reverence before sharing in Holy Communion be a bow of the head. The ritual does not expect anyone to genuflect, kneel or make the sign of the cross before or after receiving Holy Communion.

At the time of Holy Communion when the person in front of you has received Holy Communion and you are in the front of the procession, you bow your head, the Minister of the Body of Christ will say, “The Body of Christ”, you reply, “Amen”. It is important to note that the only appropriate response is Amen. The Church expects that Amen is said in a voice that can be heard by the Minister of Holy Communion. After saying Amen the Minister of Communion places the host in your hand. You put the host in your mouth and return to your place.

The Communion procession is a time of communal prayer. We sing the Communion hymn as an outward sign of our unity. We sit or kneel for silent prayer when the priest sits down after Communion.

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) for grades J.K.-4. and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Our next gathering is Friday, May 5th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

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. Our next gathering is Friday, May 12th.

LIFETEEN – is for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is next Sunday, May 7th at the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

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