27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
In Appreciation 
We would like to thank our parishioners and our parish team for your continued support to our Ministry. It is through your generosity that we are able to continue to serve our struggling families in the St. Mary's catchment area. Our annual collection this September totaled $22,286.00. Tax receipts for white envelopes will be provided by mail or through your email address in the new year. Your donations from the green envelopes will be included in your parish tax receipt. On behalf of our Ministry and the people we serve, thank you for your prayers and continued support. Also, many thanks to those who attended The Symposium held at St. Mary’s. Our Society was the recipient of over $500.00 in donations.
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 Darleen Simpson.
Host Homes Needed -- October 8-11
The National Evangelization Team (NET Team) will be in Barrie from October 8th to 11th and require 3 host homes that will host 2 women each for three nights. Host homes need to provide a place for the women to sleep (a bed or a couch) and the bedding. Breakfast foods and a supper. If you can help with this - can you call the office 705-728-2985 and leave a message with Susan.
St. Mary’s Men’s Group
We are a group of men who meet twice a month to discuss our faith journeys and to learn about the Catholic Faith.
We meet on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s room. For more information about our group, please contact Fr. Scott in the parish office.
Oktoberfest – Saturday, October 19th, 2024
Mark your calendars! Saturday, October 19th in our Parish Hall from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Hosted by Knights of Columbus, includes German style meal, live music by “Alpine Express”, and 50/50 raffle. Cash bar. Tickets $35/pp available after all masses this weekend and October 5/6 (cash or debit). Proceeds toward Coats for Kids and other local causes. For more information contact:oktoberfestbarrie@outlook.com.
Share Your Blessings This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, but right now families are struggling to put enough food on the table. ShareLife has returned with the Food Security Grants – dedicating $750,000 to help those in need of a warm meal. Will you share your blessings by making a contribution to our parish's ShareLife Campaign? Please give at sharelife.org/donate or with a ShareLife envelope.
Hospital Visitation: If you or a family member are admitted to RVH please let them know you are Catholic and call the parish office. If you wish to receive Holy Communion please let the parish office know and one of our pastoral visitors will come to see you.
Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Children (October to December)
We will celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word with Children on October 13, 27, November 10, 24, and Dec 8 and 22 during the 12 noon Mass. All children between the ages of 4 and 8 are invited to participate. The children and leaders are sent after the Opening Prayer and they return during the Preparation of the Gifts.
If you are interested in becoming a leader or have questions please contact David at 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, October 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the parish. Additional dates: Nov.12, Dec. 3, Jan.21, 2025, Feb.18, April 8, May 6, and June 3.
Annual Thanksgiving Food Bank Drive
Bags will be distributed by the Knights of Columbus after all Masses THIS weekend. Please return the bags when you attend Mass on Thanksgiving Weekend. Food items, cash, gift card or cheque donations are welcome. All food collected will be directed to the Barrie Food Bank who are in need of baby formula, children’s lunch snacks, cereal, beef jerky, Ensure protein shakes, feminine products, diapers (sizes 4-6). Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, 1626 for overseeing this important event.
Vitamin F: Our Father!
Preparing for the Jubilee Year in 2025
Tuesday October 8th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
In advance of the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has asked for a preparatory year to take place in 2024 with a focus on the need for prayer, especially reflection on the Lord’s Prayer. We shall continue our preparation, by reflecting and focusing on the third and fourth petition in the Lord’s Prayer: Your will be done and Give us this day our daily bread. All are welcome to attend this time of catechesis, conversation and prayer. We will begin at 7:00 p.m., have simple refreshments available and conclude by 8:30 p.m.
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 October 8, 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. All are welcome! Catherine Ecker. cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115
Alumni Writing Group: this is a gathering for those who have already completed the Life Story Writing program. The monthly meeting will be held on Thursday October 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Room.
Preparing for Confirmation
The preparation for Confirmation formally begins in October with an Information Meeting. All young people who are baptized Catholic an d were born in 2012 or earlier are invit ed to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. At the Information Meeting details regarding the preparation process are shared. The final information meeting for Confirmation will be at 7:30 p.m. on Monday October 7th. The parent and young person seeking Confirmation are to attend.
Questions regarding the preparation process for Confirmation please contact the parish catechist: Catherine at 705 728 2985 ext. 115 (cecker@archtoronto.org) or David Murdoch (dmurdoch@archtoronto.org)
Preparing for First Sharing in Holy Communion
If you did not attend the Information Meeting held in September and you wish to prepare your child for first Holy Communion you are asked to email the parish catechist, Catherine Ecker at 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, November 29th.
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 18th.
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 20th
All Saints Family Dance! Join us for St. Mary's "All Saints" Family Dance on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per family. Come dressed as your favourite saint, or be a saint-in-the-making, and there will be a DJ, prizes and refreshments for the whole family! Tickets can be purchased after the Masses or from the parish office.
We The North Retreat for Teens - inviting all teens to partake in a "We the North" overnight retreat on November 15-16, 2024 with parishes from the northern region of the Archdiocese of Toronto. The retreat will take place at Guardian Angels parish in Orillia, and the cost is $40 per youth. For more information, please email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com
Spiritus North- The Archdiocese of Toronto has begun a northern chapter called "Spiritus North" for young adults ages 18-35. St. Mary's will host their kick-off night, with a time of adoration, fellowship, and information shared about a Jubilee Pilgrimage in 2025 with the team from the Office of Catholic Youth (OCY) led by our new director, Father Paul Magyar. If you are between 18 and 35, join us on Thursday, October 10th, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Church!
Questions? Please reach out to Shannon Barks at email stmarysyouthministrybarrie@gmail.com or call Shannon at 705-229-7426.
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, October 8th is “Mildred Pierce” starring Joan Crawford in this film noir classic about a dedicated mother who gets tangled in murder and intrigue because of her spoiled daughter. Mark your calendar for our next movie on Tuesday, October 29th – we will be showing Hitchcock’s Vertigo!
