Around the Parish – March 9, 2025

St. Patrick’s Day Bingo

Join us this Friday for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Bingo! Doors open at 4:00 PM, and the first game begins at 6:00 PM. It’s always a great evening of fun and fellowship—I look forward to seeing you there!

Rosary for Pope Francis

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been praying the Rosary for Pope Francis with us. We will continue gathering for this special intention daily at 5:00 PM (except Sundays) and on Saturdays at 4:30 PM. Your prayers are deeply appreciated!

Palm Sunday Bake Sale

Sign-up sheets are available at the church doors for our Palm Sunday Bake Sale. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this beloved tradition. Your contributions make a difference!

Catholic Services Appeal

Last Sunday marked Commitment Sunday for the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). This year, any funds raised above our goal will go toward replacing and repairing the church’s handicapped ramp—a much-needed project that has been in the works for the past three years.

This is not a simple fix; the current surface is deteriorating beyond repair. When we first explored this project, we anticipated costs around $60,000. However, after further evaluation, we now know the true cost will exceed $100,000. In total, we need to raise over $152,337—both to meet our diocesan goal and to fund this critical repair.

We cannot accomplish this without you! Every gift—large or small—makes a meaningful impact. Your generosity ensures that our parish remains accessible and welcoming to all. To give online or set up a recurring gift, please visit ihmercer.org/csa-2025. As we receive more details, we will keep you updated on the progress of this important project.

Lenten Reflection

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us reflect on the three pillars of the season: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Each plays a vital role in deepening our relationship with Christ. Our parish and community offer many opportunities to live out these spiritual practices—be sure to take advantage of them!

Remember, we never “graduate” from our faith or our journey of learning about God—He is always leading us to new discoveries and deeper trust in Him. May this Lent be a time of grace and growth for all of us.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

You will never have this day again: make it count. When you forgive you heal. When you let go, you grow. Don’t use your energy to worry, use it to believe. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. At work, be a morale booster.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

The Power and Tradition of Mass Intentions

The Mass is considered the greatest prayer of intercession in the Church. This is because it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father, making present the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection. Traditionally, a Priest may be requested to offer a Mass for a specific intention, even if the requester cannot be physically present.

Offering Masses for the Deceased:

Having a Mass offered for a deceased person is an ancient and commendable practice. A Mass is offered to pray for the departed, that they may find peace in heaven. Since each Mass holds infinite value, requesting one or several Masses is of tremendous benefit to the person prayed for, as well as their family, who can take comfort in knowing that their intention is united with the prayers of the Church.

The Mass: Center of Christian Life:

Every Mass is a precious gift from God. It is the center of the Church’s life, known as “the source and summit of the Christian life,” because in the celebration of the Mass, we are brought back to Jesus’ Last Supper, the first Mass. We consciously recall the love of God poured out for us through the life, death, and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ. At each Mass, all the intentions of God’s people, both living and deceased, are included. As Pope Paul VI noted in his motu proprio “Firma in Traditione,” the faithful, moved by an ecclesial and religious sense, join their own sacrifices to the Eucharistic sacrifice, participating more intensely and supporting the Church’s needs, especially its ministers.

Requesting a Mass Intention:

Anyone may request a Mass Intention for a living person, a deceased person, members of a family, or a special intention appropriate to the celebration of the Eucharist, such as World Peace, Vocations, or Respect for Life. The Church allows only one intention per Mass.

Offering a Mass Stipend:

The normal stipend offering for a Mass is $10. However, a Mass Offering can be more or less than the suggested amount, depending on the financial position of the person requesting the Mass. Envelopes for Mass intention requests are available at the entrances of the church. These envelopes can be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office. The requester may also ask for a card to be sent to notify someone that a Mass Intention has been requested (one card per intention). Please note that the name of the person(s) requesting the Mass is not announced.