24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The St. Vincent de Paul Annual Collection
The Society of St Vincent de Paul will be having its annual collection this weekend, September 14/15. It is through your donations we are able to provide food for our clients and their families. From January - August 2024, we served 2569 people. Our average monthly expense for food gift cards is $10,000.00. We are so appreciative of all past donations especially during this past summer when our bank balance was extremely low. We accept cash, cheques - payable to St. Mary's - Society of St Vincent de Paul and e-transfers. (ssvpoffice@gmail.com). Tax receipts are provided by mail or through your email address, if it has been submitted. Green envelope donations will be included with your parish tax receipt. If you are interested in giving of your time to our Ministry team, please call 705-722-0753 and leave a message.
On behalf of our Ministry and our clients, thank you for your prayers and continued support.
Praying for the Sick: 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: Jacqueline Anderson.
A Symposium to Educate our Community on Homelessness in Barrie
Monday, September 23, 2024
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Parish Hall
This symposium is for all people concerned about homelessness in our community, the lack of affordable housing, and the shelter system.
Come and hear speakers from the County of Simcoe, Barrie Homelessness and Housing Justice Network; Busby Centre, St. Mary’s Parish and St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Registration is not required! All are welcome!
Do you Want to Be an Altar Server?
Do you want to be an Altar server? Have you received your First Holy Communion? Are you in grade 4 and up? The final practice for this year for new Altar servers is on Thurs., Sept. 19 at 6:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in the church proper. Any questions please email David Murdoch: dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.
New Program - Just Sing!
You’re invited to a fun afternoon of song and fellowship as we come together to JUST SING, our way through the folk, pop, gospel and traditional music songbooks. Bring your voice whether you can sing or not! No sign up – just come and just sing! Cookies and tea included. Any questions please ask David dmurdoch@archtoronto.org. Join us on Tuesday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the parish. Additional dates: Oct.15, Nov.12, Jan.21, 2025, Feb.18, April 8, May 6, and June 3.
Stewardship Sunday - September 22nd, 2024
Our parishes are our spiritual homes where we come to worship God, encounter Christ in the Holy Eucharist, pray, and meet with one another as a parish community. Stewardship Sunday, an annual occurrence in the Archdiocese of Toronto, celebrates our parishes which contain stewards who seek to grow in holiness and become saints by serving God and one another.
We invite you to watch this homily by Archbishop Francis Leo and then prayerfully reflect on how you may be of service to others in your parish community…and beyond! See: https://shorturl.at/YRMgN
ShareLife: Answer the call to compassion 100,000 people are expected to turn to food charities for the first time in 2024. Through our parish’s support, ShareLife, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto and a generous anonymous donor are committing $750,000 to fund food banks and meal programs throughout the Archdiocese. Please help combat hunger at sharelife.org/donate or by using a ShareLife envelope. Thank you for your compassion.
Parish Breakfast
The Knight of Columbus Council 1626, will be hosting a parish breakfast in the hall after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses on September 29th, 2024. Pancakes, sausages, maple syrup and fruit salad will be served. Coffee, tea, and juice will also be provided. No reservations required, come on and come all and join us for a wonderful breakfast! Cost is $ 10 per person or $ 30 per family paid by debit or cash. Mark your calendars!
The Catholic Women’s League
The Catholic Women's League will be filling Christmas Shoeboxes for children in 3rd world countries again this year. This is open to all that wish to fill a shoebox. Boxes can be picked up the weekend of September 21/22, 2024 after all masses. Filled shoe boxes can be returned and placed in the hall on Sunday, October 20th, 2024.
Mass of Anointing – Wednesday, September 25th
The Anointing of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts the gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement and temptation and conveys peace and fortitude. The Anointing of the Sick is a prayer of healing including spiritual health and for the courage, strength and peace to bear the burden of illness. We will celebrate a Mass of Anointing on Wednesday, September 25th at 12:10 p.m. All those requesting the Sacrament of Anointing, young and elderly are welcome to attend. A reception of soup and sandwiches will follow in the parish hall.
The Barrie Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 7:25 a.m. at the South Shore Centre on Lakeshore Drive, Barrie. The guest speaker will be former NHL star Dave Burrows. Music will be provided by Shannon and John Barks, Dr. Jim Shaver will be honoured for his community contributions. Tickets $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Please contact Trevor Owen at trevor.owen@owendickey.com for tickets and further information .
All Adults 55+ Ministry with Maturing Adults
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 an ancient form of contemplative prayer is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. We meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday September 17, 2024 on Zoom. The Zoom link is on our parish website or contact Catherine Ecker If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer or have questions. Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115) All are welcome!
Cards / Bid Euchre and Games: all are welcome to participate. Lessons will be provided for those new to Bid Euchre! Join us in St. Joseph’s Room on Thursday September 19th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Simple refreshments are provided. All are welcome!
Classic Movies
You’re invited to come out on a Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. for a Classic Movie held in our parish hall. Snacks included (free will offering). All welcome – no sign ups. Our feature film on Tuesday, September 24th is “Holiday” starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn who are destined to fall in love in this charming comedy-drama. Any questions, please contact David at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.
Bible Study
You’re invited to register for a bible course studying the Gospel according to Mark, using the biblical text itself and the Church’s own guidelines for understanding the scriptures. Wednesday, October 2nd at 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This series will run every Wednesday until the end of January. Pre-registration is required. Call the parish office at (705) 728-2985 to register before September 21st.
Preparing for Confirmation
The preparation for Confirmation formally begins in October with an Information Meeting. All young people who are baptized Catholic and were born in 2012 or earlier are invited to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. At the Information Meeting details regarding the preparation process are shared. The information meeting for Confirmation will be offered twice at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday October 3rd and Monday October 7th. You attend one meeting, preregistration is NOT required. The parent and young person seeking Confirmation are to attend.
Preparing for First Sharing in Holy Communion
The preparation for first Holy Communion formally begins in September with an Information Meeting. All young people who are baptized Catholic and were born in 2017 or earlier are invited to prepare for first sharing in Holy Communion. The information meeting for first Holy Communion will be offered twice at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday September 24th and Monday September 30th. You attend one meeting, preregistration is NOT required. This meeting is for parents.
Questions regarding the preparation process for Confirmation or first sharing in Holy Communion please contact the parish catechist: Catherine at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 (cecker@archtoronto.org) or David Murdoch (dmurdoch@archtoronto.org)
Seasons of Hope - Bereavement Group
Seasons of Hope helps us come together to share in God’s love. Whether your loss is recent or long ago, Seasons of Hope is a nurturing link to the Church, our God and people of faith who understand what it means to grieve. This program is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. Come and be comforted. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. for six consecutive Wednesdays beginning September 25, 2024 in the parish library. Registration is required. For more details or to register please contact Catherine Ecker in the parish office at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 or email cecker@archtoronto.org
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, October 4th.
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, September 27th.
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 6th.
Questions or Helping with Youth Ministry? Please reach out to Shannon Barks at email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon at 705-229-7426. Training days will be held in Toronto on September 22/23rd.
