We all want to make time for God, but sometimes we struggle to figure out a way to squeeze in the time amidst the busyness of life. It’s also simple human nature that we get in a rut or a routine and sometimes we need a “boost” to get moving. Lent is a new beginning and the Light of the World Retreat could provide that "boost" you might need!
Each of us has an innate desire to come to know God better. Luckily, God is not shy about revealing himself to us! Below, Rebecca shares her experience from the Light of the World Retreat and how God answered her prayer.
One of the most energizing programs offered through St. Mary's is the Light of the World Retreat. Geared toward Christians interested in renewing their faith, Light of the World truly rekindles Christ's flame inside each and every one of us. If you were to ask the over 90 St. Mary parishioners who have attended they will tell you that they have experienced a deeper more meaningful faith and a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In the coming weeks, we will share with you some of their personal testimonies and the impact the retreat has had on them. Click on the video below to listen to Jack's message.
Same great menu! Same great price! Advance tickets are just $8 for the Fish & Chips dinner which includes Fish & Chips, Coleslaw, Soft Drink plus Dessert and Coffee. Kids’ meal tickets are just $4. Kids can choose Pizza or Mac & Cheese plus a soft drink and dessert. Advance tickets are available now online at www.stmarysfishfry.com Beginning February 1st, tickets will be available for purchase after all Masses.
St. Mary’s will conclude our Legacy of Hope Campaign at the end of January. We are so very grateful for such a generous response from so many St. Mary’s parishioners. To date we have received $1,446,000 in gifts and pledges which is 144% of our parish goal of $989,782. Forty percent of all monies raised up to our goal will come back to St. Mary’s. We are now at the point where 60% will be returned to our parish for needs we have identified
The Social Justice Ministry will hold a Ministry Fair January 11th & 12th after all Masses. Please stop by the Parish Hall to learn more about the work and support this ministry provides for organizations such as IHN, Days for Girls, WARM, Dismas House, Visitation House, Jeremiah’s Inn and many others. Please visit our display tables for information as well as fun giveaways and tasty goodies! All are welcome!
Last Saturday after the 4:30 Mass we had our annual Blessing of the Outdoor Nativity. We hope you'll join us for this tradition that started 16 years ago. In the Fall of 2003, Fr. Dennis O'Brien came up with the idea for the outdoor nativity and coordinated purchasing the set and building the stable. Through generous donations from several parishioners, it didn't take long for our nativity set to be complete! Each statue was purchased by individuals or families in memory of a loved one.
We extend our thanks to Yli & Marilyn Vallejo for coordinating our third SIMBANG GABI Mass at St. Mary's last Saturday afternoon. This Filipino Christmas tradition celebrates the nine days of waiting for the coming of Christmas with the "Misa de Gallo"- Mass of the Rooster each morning at 4:00 am. Thank you to our Filipino parishioners and their friends who provided the music and prepared and cooked for the reception following the Mass. Below are a few photos.
The St. Mary's Children's Choir will be featured guests at the Northboro Area Community Chorus Concert next Sunday (December 8th) at Algonquin Regional High School at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Please come and show your support for our choir kids.
St. Mary's is forming a youth group for teens in High School. Anyone interested is invited to join Fr. Javier on Sunday, December 8th at 7:00 PM in the Media Center. All are welcome!
Begin your Thanksgiving Day by giving God thanks around the Table of the Eucharist and receive again the gift of God’s love and abundant blessings. Then your Thanksgiving dinner and the time you spend with family and friends will have even more meaning. Please bring a bag of non-perishable food with you to Mass on Thanksgiving and bring it forward to the altar during the offertory procession.
Our first-ever Breakfast with Santa will be held on Sunday, December 8th. Stop by for a delicious breakfast and visit with Santa! This event is $10 per child (includes activities) and $8 per adult. The cap per family is $50. Children under the age of 2 eat free!
Saint Mary School would like to invite the seniors of the parish to its annual luncheon on Friday, November 22nd from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Please join us for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Space is limited so please reserve early! RSVP to Jamie Horvath at 719-322-3532 or Ljjb14@hotmail.com by Monday, November 18th.
On the following dates, there will be training for Liturgical Ministers. The sessions are open to all who are interested in being a minister in the Church. • Eucharist Ministers-Wednesday, November 13 and Thursday, November 21. • Lectors-Thursday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 20. • Altar Servers-Tuesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 21. All the training will take place at 7:00 pm in the church.
Online Volunteer Registration is Open!!! For the St. Mary's Festival to be successful we need hundreds of volunteers to do a little bit of everything before, during, and after the Family Festival. We have over 700 volunteer slots to fill! Volunteer opportunities range from selling tickets to helping kids at the inflatables, and all kinds of things in between.
Have you been feeling hurt, angry, or demoralized about the sexual abuse crisis plaguing the Catholic Church? With these scandals in mind, our parish has decided to share with you a new book by Bishop Robert Barron. The book is titled Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis. A free copy of the book for everyone in the parish is available today. For Catholics questioning their faith, searching desperately for encouragement and hope, this book will offer reasons to stay and fight for the Body of Christ.
2019 St Mary’s Family Festival Grand Raffle Tickets can now be purchased! Tickets are $100 an only 800 Tickets will be sold. Enter for your chance to win: GRAND PRIZE: $ 15,000 SECOND PRIZE: $5,000 THIRD PRIZE: $1,000 Winner to be drawn at 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at the St Mary’s Family Festival
This past Sunday’s celebration of the Feast of Pentecost marked the culmination and conclusion of another Easter season. As we celebrated the birth of the Church we were reminded again that the gift of the Holy Spirit has also been given to us. As on that very first Pentecost the Holy Spirit continues to empower, guide and unite the disciples of Jesus Christ. In a world and nation so divided and polarized we look for and celebrate experiences where unity, friendship and love bring us together. These become for us true modern day signs of the Holy Spirit still present and active in our world.
We will celebrate the Feast of the Lord’s Ascension May 30th. The schedule of Masses for this holy day of obligation are 8:30am With St. Mary School, 12:00 Noon, 7:00 pm
Next weekend on Mother’s Day children of all ages and even adults will find traditional and unique ways to honor, celebrate and remember their mothers. With gifts and flowers, brunch or even breakfast in bed, we will express our love and gratitude.
