St Mary's Catholic Church

Religious Education (CCD) begins Sunday, September 8th, 2019 after the 8:30 am Mass
http://stmarystoccoa.org/confraternity-of-christian-doctrine-ccd
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GREAT EVENT...
GOOD TIME HAD BY 'KIDS'.......
thanks Jessica & Courtney.

!!!!!!!!Easter Egg Hunt!!!!!!!!!

After the Easter Sunday Mass, April 21st....Donations of plastic eggs, candy and/or small prizes are being accepted. Please leave them in the Narthex no later than Friday, April 19th...Questions??? call Jessica.
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Saturday, March 16th, 2019       St. Patrick’s Day Dinner after 5:00 pm Vigil Mass. Parish Hall.
.....Do Not Miss this Event!!!!
WOW...WOW...WOW....
Great turnout last night!!!!
..........Thx everyone........
ck out the photos:
https://stmarystoccoa.org/photoalbums/2019-st-patricks-day-supper

...........SHROVE TUESDAY...........
 March 5th, 2019 @ 6:00 pm
Knights of Columbus Pancake Dinner, Social Hall, FREE: NO CHARGE; leave you wallet home!
  (why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?)
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2019/2/pancakes.pdf
A good time was had by ALL.
check out the photos: 
https://stmarystoccoa.org/photoalbums/2019-pancake-supper-tuesday-before-lent
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Sunday, Feb 17th, 2019...
thanks to ALL came to the 2019 Chili Cook-Off benefiting the Bldg Fund. We raised $617.00!!! anda BIGTHANKS to the Ladies of SM for sponsoring....
check out the photos....

https://stmarystoccoa.org/photoalbums/2019-chili-cook-off-benitfitting-the-bldg-fund

SAVE THE DATES-
February 17, 2019 4:00pm-
Chili Cook–off
Benefiting the Building Fund. 
click here for details:
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2019/2/chili%20cook%20off.pdf

Saturday, March 16th, 2019       St. Patrick’s Day Dinner after mass. Details coming SOON! 
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The Ladies of St Mary's will host a informal 'meet & greet' for Fr Thad Rudd in the Parish Hall after the Sunday morning Mass on:

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 13TH

      light refreshments will be served

Sunday, Dec 16th, 2018 is Gaudete Sunday (JOY). The Parish will be having their 'Gaudete Sunday' (Christmas Celebration) in the Parish Hall. All Are invited!!!!!!! for info, tap below:
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2018/12/Gaudete%20Sunday.pdf
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Wednesday, Dec 12th is the Ladies of St Mary's Christmas Party at Betty's house. All of the woman in the Parish are welome. For info:
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2018/12/Ladies%20.pdf
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CCD IS CANCELLED SUNDAY, DEC 9TH DUE TO ANTICIPATED WEATHER CONDITIONS.
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Saturday, December 8th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. Communiuon Service w/Deacon Olick @ 8:30 qm.
 

           2018 
Advent/Christmas Services

https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2018/12/Advent%20flyer.pdf

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THE PARADE WAS RAINED OUT

St Mary's Parish is once again sponsoring a children's float in the upcoming 2018 Toccoa Christmas Parade on: 
Saturday, December 1, 2018                                  @ 4pm. 
We need kids to ride the float and help decorating it. Copy/paste in your browser:
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2018/11/parade%20flyer.pdf
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Wednesday, Nov 14th, 2018 @ 6:30pm

Please bring your non-perishable items and canned goods.  The items will be going to Toccoa Soup Kitchen.
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Lasagna Dinner after Saturday Vigil Mass, Nov 10th, 2018 @ 7:30 pm...proceeds to benifit our building fund. Please come and enjoy the fellowship...info??? click here:Lasagna Dinner   ____________________

!!!!!!!! great deal on Xmas cards!!!!!!!!

The Knights of Columbus
Starting on Sunday Oct. 7, 2018 the K of C Council will have Religious Christmas Cards on sale in the Narthex for any body in the Parish that wants to purchase them. This sale will run until all cards are sold.

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Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Sunday, after morning Mass. Details to the left column.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2018 @ 7:45 pm; The Ladies of St Mary's are sponsoring a St Patrick's'' Day Dinner in the Parish Hall; click for details:

https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/
2018/3/St%20Pats%20Dinner.docx
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Parish Chili 'Cook-Off' Sunday, January 28th, 2018 @ 4 pm. Details are to the left under the 'Events' tab.
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Lenten Services are posted to the left under 'Parish News'. Just 'click' documents address.
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Parish Grounds Clean up Day Saturday, November 18th, 2017                 9am-1pm
(Update) Thanks to ALL who participated and worked hard. 

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Toccoa City Parade along Doyle St
     Saturday, Dec 2nd @ 4pm
St Mary's is entering a childrens' float. All children of the Parish are welcome to help decorate and ride the float along the parade route. We will decorate the float
    Saturday, Nov 25th @ 1:30 pm
in the church parking lot. Please come and help.
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2019 Christmas (week) Mass schedule: 
(Click below)
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2019/12/2019%20-%20Christmas%20Schedule%20-%20New%20Year%202020%20-%20page%201%201.pdf
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Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. Please join us on Wednesday, Nov. 20th at 6:00 pm for the Children's Thanksgiving Mass. You can also help by bringing items for the Hope Center, such as combs, shampoo, soap, washcloths, razors, shaving creams, socks, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes for the homeless. There will be boxes in the narthex for your items.
If you never attended this children's Mass, you must this year. It is a joy to see the future of our church up front celebrating Thanksgiving through the Holy Eucharist.
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A message to our Vietnemese Community, from Fr Henry Pham:

Xin thông báo đến quý Ông Bà, anh Chị Em Để chuẩn bị tâm hồn mừng Lễ Chúa Kitô – Vua Vũ Trụ, Lễ các Thánh Tử Đạo Việt Nam, Lễ Thanksging và đặc biệt chuẩn bị tâm hồn bước vào Mùa Vọng. Giáo Đoàn Lavang ở Hartwell sẽ có buổi Tĩnh Tâm do Cha Isidore Nguyễn Bá Kỳ chia sẻ tại - Nhà Thờ Sacred Heart 1009 Benson St. Hartwell, GA 30643 - Chúa Nhật ngày 17 tháng 11 năm 2019 - vào lúc: 5:00 PM Sau giờ chia sẻ sẽ có quý Cha Việt Nam Giải Tội cho mọi người. Xin quý Ông Bà, anh Chị Em cố gắng thu xếp đến tham dự, và cũng xin mọi người thông báo đến quý Ông Bà và những anh chị em ở xa, nếu có thể cùng đến tham dự. Xin Thiên Chúa qua lời chuyển cầu của Các Thánh Tử Đạo VIệt Nam, ban muôn lành hồn xác Và những ơn cần thiết cho mỗi người chúng ta.

re: 2019 Advent Retreat

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Thanks Deacon Mike Hayward (St John Neuman) for coming to Toccoa and
providing this training for us.

From Deacon Greg.....

Saint Mary's will offer a VIRTUS training class on Saturday, September 28th, 2019 @ 10:00 am in the parish hall.  All parish volunteers are required to take the VIRTUS training program.  The VIRTUS certification is good for three years.  This is for the safety and protection of children and vulnerable persons. VIRTUS is one of the many ways that the Archdiocese of Atlanta is dedicated to providing a safe environment of all.
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 Fr Vincent Sullivan will be celebrating Mass at St Mary's Saturday, August 31st, 2019 @ 5:00 pm and Sunday, September 1, 2019 @ 8:30 am.Fr Henry Pham will co-celebrate. A reception w/coffee/donuts will be held in the Parish Hall after the Sunday Mass. Please join us as we say 'hello' to Fr V. 

(Sept 1, 2019) Thanks Fr V Sullivan for visiting St Mary's for the Vigil Mass and Sunday morn Mass. It was very nice to see you and WE wish you well. We pray you receive the Archdiocesan assignment you long for. And thank-you Fr H Pham for being such a gracious host to your predecessor pastor! And a special thanks to the Knights for their well prepared breakfast and social time to visit with both Fr Henry and Fr Vincent...

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Knights of Columbus / Job Well Done

Toccoa Life Pregnancy Resource Center directors William and Amanda Brothers recently received a $1,000 check from the Joseph M. Malik Council 9975 of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s organization associated with St Mary’s Catholic Church in Toccoa, Georgia. The funds donated to the center came as part of the council’s participation in the Knights of Columbus Pro-Life Campaign in the Toccoa area. The $1,000 will be used to support Toccoa Life’s pro-life effort in providing assistance and training to pregnant women and young mothers. Pictured are Richard Chalk, Father Henry Pham and Mike Staley representing the K of C and St Mary’s. (Aug 4, 2019)

(also published in The Toccoa Record, Aug 1, 2019 pp5B)
https://ecatholic-sites.s3.amazonaws.com/13648/documents/2019/8/Scan-1.jpg
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    Thank-you Fr Rudd....Welcome Fr Pham

Last month we said 'good-bye' to Father Thad Rudd. I think we all enjoyed his six-month visit. But, on July 6th, 2019 we got to say 'WELCOME' to our new assigned 'Pastor' Father 'Henry' Thang M. Pham. Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, has announced the assignment via The Georgia Bulletin....

https://georgiabulletin.org/…/diocesan-administrator-annou…/ 

                   

I learned that Fr. Phams' title is 'Parish Administrator' similar to Bishop Konzen is a 'Diocesan Administrator'. Church clerical terminology because the archdioceses is without an archbishop. Titles will revert once an archbishop is announced.

Fr Pham has a very interesting 'bio'. Please read from the The Georgia Bulletin.

https://georgiabulletin.org/…/ordination-came-dire-escape-…/

WELCOME TO ST MARY'S FR. HENRY!!!!!!!!!!!
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CONGRATULATIONS ST MARY'S PARISH of TOCCOA, GA.........

perhaps one of the last, is not the last, official act of Archbishop Gregory was to grant Archdiocesean permission for the Parish to "initiate a Capitial Campaign to finance a new social hall and classroom addition to St Mary's"..........    

(https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2019/5/Archdiosean.pdf)
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Congratulations to Archbishop Wilton Gregory on his recent
appointment by Pope Francis to lead the Archdiosece of
Wasnington DC. His tenure begins May 21^st.
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The Ladies of St Mary’s have selected Betty Smith as the ‘2019 Woman of the Year’ representing St Mary’s Parish. The Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (AACCW) sponsors a ’woman of the year’ from every parish in the Atlanta Archdiocese. This entitles Betty to represent St Mary’s Parish at a Mass on Saturday, April 13^th for ’Recognition Day’ at the Basilica of The Sacred Heart in downtown Atlanta. The Mass is celebrated by Archbishop Wilton Gregory.
Betty was raised in the State of Connecticut. She married a military man who retired while stationed in Warner Robbins, Georgia. She and her husband moved to Toccoa, Georgia several years ago to be closer to her two sons.  
“Miss Betty” has maintained the grounds of the Stations of the Cross for over 5 years, after the Knights of Columbus completed the brick work.  You can see her at the Stations attacking weeds, trimming the bushes, spreading mulch and general maintenance of the area.  Occasionally she has helpers, but they follow her guidance! 
She rarely misses a parish event usually bringing delicious homemade rolls, Irish soda bread, and helping in the kitchen during the event.   Thank you, Miss Betty, for all you do for St. Mary’s. 

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             St Mary's is growing!...please help us get there!

            Multi-Purpose building with classrooms and Parish Hall.

UPDATE....UPDATE...UPDATE: As of 3/17/19 we are at $155,000.....WOW!

check out the building sketch and drawing

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Congratulations to CCD Co-Directors Ms Sharon & Ms Jessica,CCD Staff and kids.

The Ga Bulletin has an article in this weeks paper (Jan 10, 2019 pp 18) about the recent 'Thanksgiving Childrens' Mass and the food collection, which was donated to the Toccoa/Stephens Co Soup Kitchen.

Fantastic...well DONE!

https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2019/1/ga%20bulltin%20article.pdf

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we welcome Fr Thad Rudd, a retired priest fron the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
  Read about Fr Rudd from the bio below:

    https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2016/03/six-priests-celebrate-golden-silver-jubilees/

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Good-bye Fr O'Neal, thank-you for visiting us here at St Mary's. We pray for

for your safe journey home to St Augustine.

 
please welcome Fr. James O’Neal, a retired priest assigned to the Diocese of St Augustine, Fl., as he fills in for Fr. Sullivan for the month of December 2018. 

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___An Invitation:  
A celebration of Father Patrick McCormick’s 50 years in the priesthood will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Hartwell on Saturday, December 15th, 2018 after their 5:30 PM mass. All are welcome to attend the mass and reception afterwards! Fr. McCormick served here at      St Mary's from 1976-1986. please read his bio.


https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2018/12/Fr.%20McCorrick%20bio%20photo.pdf
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Did you see St Mary's in the Nov 15th, 2018 Toccoa Record newspaper? 

It was cold, dark, and soggy last night (Wednesday, 11/14/18) but St Mary’s was warm, lit up and ‘alive’ for the 6:30 pm Children’s Thanksgiving Mass.

Thank-you Fr. Sullivan for speaking to the children about the values of ‘Thanksgiving’; (even this child learned something!) LOL….

And thank-you to Ms. Sharon & Ms. Jessica for leading our children through their ‘Catholic Faith journey’. Having excellent teachers/instructors as Ms. Jenny; Ms. Ashley and Ms. Vivian is a ’joy’ for the Parish.

All this on the heels of a dinner last Saturday night sponsoring the building (fund) to provide our future generations all the necessary tools to learn about our Catholic faith helps put it ALL in a tangible perspective as to why the ‘building’ needs to move forward-without delay.

And as if watching these kids answering Fathers’ ‘test questions’ wasn’t enough, listening to the pre-k-first graders sing ‘This Little Light of Mine’ (a cappella) made me wish it was already built!

And a great response from parishioners towards the food drive; Thanks everyone. Check out the photos & program: https://stmarystoccoa.org/photoalbums
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Thank-you...Thank-you…thank-you…!!!
Nancy Barbour did a fantastic job last Saturday night furnishing a wonderfully prepared lasagna dinner with salad, bread and desserts. The Parish Hall and tables were elegantly dressed in the ‘feel’ of the fall season and Veterans Day. The lighting was dimmed providing the perfect ambience, with the soft sounds of Frank Sinatra in the background.
Fellowship, Food and Fun was had by ALL!
And thank-you to Cynthia Li, Jessica Burger and others for their kitchen help.
As you know, the proceeds went towards the building (fund). A total of $508.00 of was collected.   (check out the photos on St Mary’s website…                            https://stmarystoccoa.org/photoalbums

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Bishop Bernard E "Ned" Shlesinger visits St Mary's for Saturday, Nov 3rd and Sunday, Nov 4th, 2018 Masses. Thanks Bishop Ned for visiting us here in Toccoa, Ga. Both perfect fall chilly days filled with clean mountain air. Come back ANYTIME.

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June 7th...Happy Birthday to our Pastor,

Fr Vincent Sullivan!!!!!!!!!!
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June 1st & 2nd, The Atlanta Roman Catholic Archdiocese is hosting the 2018 Eucharistic Conference in Atlanta. To learn more about this event, please 
click the following site:   https://congress.archatl.com/
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Today, Wednesday 23rd, 2018 the St Mary's Offertory Counters conducted a short refresher course and reviewed some Archdiocesan procedures. Even Fr Sullivan attended. You don't see him in the photo's because he was the one taking the photo's! Thanks Fr V for coming. And THANKS to the Counters for all they do! 
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EASTER EGG HUNT, SUNDAY, APRIL 1st, 2018                (after Mass).               (click for details; we need your help!)
https://stmarystoccoa.org/documents/2018/3/bulletin%20insert%20Parish%20Council%20News.docx
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2018 Lenten Services   documents/2018/2/Lenten%20Service.docx
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.....this is a partial message from Fr V in Rome, Italy (2/16/18).... "I attach a pic of our group of about 34 senior priests from different parts of America on this very fine 3 month program in Rome. Here we're at the incredible Vatican Library. I'm learning lots every day as well as down-time for being just quiet and still; and lots of encouragement within the great history of Christianity...Please pass on this pic and my love to the parishioners there....Fr. Vincent". 

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The Archdiocese of Atlanta has a 'new'second Auxilary Bishop....
ST MARY'S of TOCCOA, GA., WELCOMES BISHOP-ELECT JOEL M. KONZEN!!!!!!!
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Did you read the Georgia Bulletin (January 25, 2018; pgs 10-14)? Our modest Msgr. Edward B Branch has two articles regarding the 'Msgr. Edward B Branch Young Adult Award'. Both articles are available below in the 'Ga Bulletin Articles' tab. Also, a third tab explaining the history of the 'Msgr Edward B. Branch Young Adult Award'.
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Thank you to everyone that attended the Chili Dinner/Cook-Off on Sunday, Jan 28th, 2018.  We had a great crowd, wonderful food and fantastic fellowship.  A special thank you to all our chili cooks for the delicious variety of chilis.  Ten parishioners made chili and they were all delicious!  Congratulations to Vivian Collier our Chili Cook-Off winner!  A special thank you to the members of the Ladies of St. Mary that set-up, cleaned-up, sold tickets, and brought goodies.  Also thank you to the many parishioners that brought desserts, beverages, and various items! A big thank you to Derrick for generously donating his winnings from the 50/50 Raffle back to the building fund! 

We are excited to announce that we raised $489 for the building fund! 
Check out the photos in the 'News/Events' tab above, then hit 'Photo Albums'.

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Our pastor,  Fr. Vincent Sullivan, is presently in Rome, Italy studying advanced courses with fellow priests from around the world. Fr. Sullivan will return in the month of May. In this interim, we have Monsignor Edward Branch, a retired Atlanta Archdiocesan priest...we hope you enjoy him as much as we do.
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The Atlanta Archdiocese 2016/2017 Financial Report is available:
https://archatl.com/offices/finance/annual-reports/annual-reports-archdiocese/ 
St Mary's 2016/2017 Financial Report is available:
https://archatl.com/location/saint-mary-toccoa/