29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today is World Mission Sunday!  This is a worldwide collection for the missionary church and it is our opportunity to assist at-need Catholic communities globally. Offerings are combined with offerings from other Catholics around the world and distributed to missions and dioceses. We are called to share from our abundance with those less fortunate who lack the basic essentials to know, love and praise God.

Thank you for your support of this important work.

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 pray those who have died recently including Michael Bagley, Larry Kitchen and Debbie Shanahan.

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.

Oktoberfest 2023

The Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 are hosting a live Oktoberfest band “The Golden Keys” on Saturday, October 28th from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at our Knights Hall on 93 Berczy Street.  Tickets are $20.00/pp and on sale this weekend. Questions? Please email Allan Johnson at johnsonallan60@gmail.com.

Annual Memorial Mass

On Thursday, November 2nd, All Souls Day we will pray for all of the faithful departed at the 7:00 p.m. Mass. Our Bereavement Committee has extended a personal invitation to all families who had a loved one buried from St. Mary’s Parish during the past year to attend this Mass. 

All parishioners are welcome to attend as we pray for family near and far who have died this past year. When you arrive, we will give you a lit candle which you will place on the steps near the altar. When Mass has ended you are welcome to take a candle home or to leave it in burning in the church.

After Mass everyone is invited to join us in the parish hall for simple refreshments and fellowship.

Pop-up Covid-19 and Flu Vaccine Clinic

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will hold a Covid-19 and Flu Clinic in our parish hall on Wednesday, November 1^st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Appointments can be booked at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling 1-833-943-3900. Walk-ins accepted while supplies last.

Wedding Anniversaries: Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

The married couples in our parish are a sign to us of God’s faithfulness and through their witness we are strengthened. If you celebrated a wedding anniversary in October we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on October 28^th and 29^th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.

All Adults 55+ -- Ministry with Maturing Adults

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, October 17^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).

Join us for Classic Movies at St. Mary’s Parish on the 4^th Thursday of every month in our parish hall. Our next movie is on October 26^that 2:00 p.m. and will be Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” (1959), a comic thriller of mistaken identity and cross-country chases starring Cary Grant.  Snacks are included and all are welcome!

Mark Your Calendars!   Wednesday, November 22nd at 12:30 p.m.     Soup and a Movie Wednesday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m.    Advent Lessons and Carols Wednesday, December 13th at 2:00 p.m Advent Reflection:  Living in Hope

Registration for Confirmation or First Sharing in Holy Communion

Families who participated in the September / October parent information meeting for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion received a package of material. 

The completed registration form including a legible photocopy of the young person’s baptismal certificate, the Parish Registration Form and the Sacramental Preparation envelope will be accepted AFTER Mass has ended on this weekend, October 21 / 22 and next weekend, October 28 / 29. 

Please note: Registration forms are only accepted after Sunday (Saturday) Mass.

If you have questions about the form or the preparation process please email Catherine Ecker, parish catechist at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth 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, November 10^th.

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, October 27.

LIFE TEEN –for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights at 4:00 p.m. Our next gathering is Sunday, October 29^th. 

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

Theology on Tap

At the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs).  On the following Sundays from 6-9:00 p.m.: Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Jan. 21, March 17, May 5 and & June 23.

Catholic Women’s League – PRAYER SHAWLS

Prayer Shawls are available for women, men and children who are seriously ill or grieving.

A Prayer Shawl can wrap, enfold, comfort and give solace to a person who is suffering.

Each shawl is crafted with prayers for the recipient.  Contact Diana at 705-722-7067 or email: dancatton@rogers.com