Dear Members of St. Mary’s Parish,

It is a great and wonderful joy to be named the new youth minister for this parish. I look forward to the coming week and months to meeting and getting to know all of you.

Before we do, perhaps a few words about myself and where I come from and how I got here.

I was born and raised in Pickering, ON; a city famous mainly for its nuclear power plant and the fact you have to drive through it on the way to Toronto. I was by no means raised in a religious household. My mom took the summers off from mass and my dad was not even baptized until six months before his passing. No matter who we are or where we come from, God always finds a way to connect and as I grew older I found myself becoming closer to God, with the help of some great spiritual mentors.

Eventually I felt that God was calling me to become a priest. After completing a degree in History and Sociology at Trent University, I enrolled in theology courses at St. Augustine Seminary with the ultimate plan of entering Holy Orders.

But, as they say, the source of all God’s laughter is plans.

Fairly soon I met a girl and fell in love. After much prayer and reflection, I decided to leave the path to the priesthood and search out other avenues to participate in the only plan that matters, namely, God’s.

I have since gone to teacher’s college at Queen’s and finishing up a Master’s degree in theology at the University of Toronto.

I truly believe it is providence that has brought me here to Lindsay, to work for Father Tom, a spiritual mentor for over ten years, and to continue Brad’s great work, a friend and colleague for eight years.

Going forward, as excited and full of energy as I am, I know that I cannot do it alone. One person does not a youth ministry make. It takes an entire parish, youth and adults alike. I truly believe that together we can make youth ministry at St. Mary’s something to be proud of.

I look forward to meeting all of you. If you see me around the Church or on the street, please do not hesitate to introduce yourselves, say hello and even have a chat.

In Christ,

Brian James

We have a number of activities here. Ash Wednesday we will have 6 Masses so as to make the reception of the ashes and the beginning of Lent accessible to as many parishioners as possible. As you know we will have our Parish Renewal Mission preached by Fr. Dominic Borg, a Carmelite preacher from London, Ont., who will help us “On the Road to Easter”. He will preach on Feb. 20-21at the weekend Masses and on Feb 21, Sunday, Feb. 22, Monday and Feb. 23 Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.. Please make a real effort to attend all the sessions or as many as possible. It may take re-arranging of you schedules as this is for your children and young people as well. Rides can be arranged. Have you invited a friend or family member yet? Please re-double your prayers for a might outpouring of God’s grace!

As part of the Renewal Mission our Youth Ministry is having a Morning Watch which is an all night Eucharistic Adoration. It will begin after 6 pm. after the 5 pm Mass and finish at 8:30 am on Sunday. This is a great chance for young people who are invited to stay all night (Supervision is provided) and not-so-young people to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament and be the Prayer Warriors for the success of our Mission and the conversion of hearts. Please sign up to spend some time with our Eucharistic Lord. Please contact Brad – our youth coordinator.

Fr. Fitzpatrick will be giving a Lenten Series on Prayer staring February 27 each Saturday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 in the Chapel, ending on Saturday March 27. If you are interested in the many families of spiritualities within the Catholic Church, please feel welcome to attend.

At Fleming College the Fleming College Catholics group will be hosting Soul Food – Lenten Lunches at the College. With free soup and fresh bread followed Breaking Open the Word in Bible study, you are invited to make a journey through the examination of the Passion in Lent. Thursday Feb 18,25, March 11, 18, 25 from 12-1 pm in room 222.

Each Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. after the evening Mass various groups in the parish will lead the Stations of the Cross. This ancient and well known prayer is a chance to re-orient ourselves as to the way that we can walk with Christ in our daily lives. Accompany us in person or, if you cannot, please accompany us in your prayers.

You’ll see at the doors of the church handouts for Daily Meditations to consider throughout Lent. If we run out we’ll photocopy more. Other Lenten meditations can be accessed on websites like http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/ash_F17.htm

Please pray as well for a number of people who have been involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults who are looking to be received in to the church at Easter.

Canadian Food for Children will be collecting food at the doors of the church throughout Lent and this will be collected and sent to Dr. Andrew Simone’s warehouse in Toronto to be distributed.

Lastly, we have a number of Lenten activities being promoted by our Development and Peace. Dessert and movie St. Mary’s School Gym, February 28 at 2:00 p.m.. Bring your favourite dessert and watch an eye-opening expose of our modern food industry. It’s a must to see. Hosted by Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Free will offering.On the Fifth Sunday of Lent there will be the collection for Development and Peace or other charities as you may wish.

In all that we do let us keep in mind the ultimate goal of preparing for the Great Feast of Easter with the Risen Lord!

As always, In Christ,
Fr. Tom Lynch