Stations Of The Cross
Thursday, February 23 – CWL
Thursday, March 1 – Knights of Columbus
Thursday, March 8 – St. Vincent de Paul
Thursday, March 15 – Cursillo
Thursday, March 22 – Pro-life
Thursday, March 29 – Development and Peace
Good Friday – Youth
March 16 – Pilgrimage to Martyr’s Shrine, Midland – Youth,
Thinkfast – Youth
March 24 – Day of Grace and Reconciliation
March 25 – Solidarity Sunday – Development and Peace Collection
Food for Children Collection – Dr. Simone

Craig is a young man who has an inspiring message for youth, parents and the community…he has a way of motivating everyone he meets to ‘Be the Change’ as volunteers in their community and abroad.
Armouries on Friday March 2nd – Lindsay, Ontario auction, dinner, speaker Meet & Greet Craig – Book

Signing Opportunity Tickets: $100
Call: Joanne Hough 705-324-4491

Not only is there better protection but the pigeons are gone too.

The bathroom in pastor’s suite has been finished. This was needed because of leaking pipes. Other than one plumber’s visit and materials, this was all done by the labour and skills of our volunteer St. Joseph’s Workers.

Sections of the pastor’s office were badly damaged by the leaks and the workers are repairing them over the next few weeks.

As well you will see painting and small repairs being done at the Church.

You are certainly welcome to attend any or all of them but you should realize that sometimes in the winter months a facility will cancel a Mass on very short notice because of outbreaks of flu or other illnesses.

We are always looking for help to assist at these Masses to help Nursing Home residents be brought down from their rooms to the Mass itself.

If you are interested in helping please contact the Rectory.

This camp provides a wilderness camping experience for children from the Peterborough, Lindsay, Bowmanville, Port Hope and Cobourg areas.

The camp also provides a leadership experience for high school students from the same locales as volunteer counsellors. Over the years a number of youth from St. Mary’s have been campers and counsellors.

For further information call camp director Fr. Bill Moloney at 705-745-3229.

All cheques should be made payable to Camp Northern Lights.

Thanks for all your support.

a) 15 dollars of every Mass donation.
b) The entire 20 dollars of duplicate Masses celebrated by a priest on a single day (as for example, when I do the weekday Mass and two nursing home Masses).
c) 25 % of the Christmas and Easter collection.
d) The excess of the Priests Benefit Fund Collection taken up in the summer.
e) Donations – such as the diocesan CWL, Knights of Columbus councils, individuals and bequests.

The invested total at the end of 2011 was $3,176,456. There has been an increase of $1,683,605 in the last four years. As all of you all well aware, interest rates are very low so the interest from the Priests Retirement Fund currently would pay for approximately11 retired priests. Each retired priest gets approximately $12,500 a year plus their health care (Greenshields) payments, extra help with nursing home costs and health expenses or rental help, etc. The final amount depends on the degree of need. Unless there are health issues, a Peterborough diocesan priest can retire after 40 years of service but is normally asked to continue until approximately 75 years of age.

It is our hope to gradually get the retirement fund up to the level where we can stop the annual collection and lower the percentage of the Christmas and Easter collection.

Thank you for your support for these retired Shepherds of the Faithful. After their years of service wherein they received very low pay, they rely on your care and generosity for frugal and dignified support in their retirement years.

On behalf of Fr. Charlie, Fr. Theo, and Fr. Tom, we are very grateful.

We will keep you and your families in our prayers.

God Bless!

Only a week later we join in proclaiming the Feast of Mary the Mother of God on January 1, a Holy Day of Obligation. This feast has a special significance for us here at St. Mary’s in our parish dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mother.
This time is when I try to say an all too brief thank you to the very, very many volunteers who work in so many ways, in organizations, committees and groups, within the liturgy and in outreach for our parish. Thank you most sincerely for all your selfless labour and willing service. There are hundreds who contribute their time and talent and it is deeply appreciated.
May you know all the blessings of the Christ child this season and always.

Fr. Tom Lynch for the Pastoral Team

A committee has been formed to raise money for this project.

Donation forms are in the bulletin if you would like to donate.

For information please contact John O’Reilly at 324-6491 or Deeno Pearsell at 320-8813 or the Parish Office at 324-4828.

You will receive a Charitable Income Tax Return.

We have a souvenir wooden brick if you would like one that states that you are a DONOR.

Any amount is acceptable to donate; no one is excluded.

We buy them in bulk and get a 6% discount on most of the cards for Food Basics/Loblaws, etc, Lamatia’s, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, Home Hardware, Boston Pizza, M&M……….

You buy them and use them just like a regular gift card AND AUTOMATICALLY OUR PARISH MAKES 6% FROM EVERY PURCHASE.

In a way it’s like tithing but you never miss it since the companies (who are happy to do it) contribute to the Restoration Fund.

This keeps supporting our local businesses, too.

If it doesn’t seem like much then keep an eye on the total at the bottom of this paragraph.

It adds up and it will add up even faster if you take part.

Have you started using the cards yet? If not, why not talk to the parish representatives at the sales table and see if they can explain it even more clearly and help you get started.

Brick by brick and row by row, card by card, we build up the fabric of the church.