Around the Parish – April 13, 2025
Published on April 12, 2025
As we prepare our hearts for the holiest days of the Church year, I want to highlight a few important events and opportunities in our parish and around our diocese:
Easter Basket Blessing – Holy Saturday
Don’t forget our beautiful tradition of the Easter (Pascha) Basket Blessing, which will take place in the church on Holy Saturday at 12:00 PM (noon). This ancient custom is rich in meaning and a wonderful way to prepare for the joy of Easter. More information can be found in this weekend’s bulletin.
Fr. Larry Richards’ Passion Talk – April 16
It’s not too late to join us for a special Lenten evening with Fr. Larry Richards, who will present his powerful “Passion Talk” on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 PM at St. Luke Church in Erie. Confessions will be available afterward. A group from IHM will caravan together, leaving at 5:30 PM. All are welcome! If you’d like to join the group, please contact Barb Dumais at (724) 907-7790. This is a wonderful opportunity to spiritually prepare for the Triduum and Easter.
Palm Sunday Bake Sale — Thank You!
Many thanks to everyone who generously donated and supported our Palm Sunday Bake Sale. Your kindness helps us continue the mission and ministries of our parish.
VBS Planning Meeting – April 30
We are beginning to prepare for this summer’s Vacation Bible School! If you’re interested in helping out in any way, please join us for our first planning meeting on Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room. All are welcome!
Bus Trip to the Meadows Casino – April 24
Don’t forget to sign up for our bus trip to the Meadows Casino on Thursday, April 24! It’s sure to be a fun outing with friends and fellow parishioners. More details are available in this weekend’s bulletin.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land – 2026
There’s still time to register for our 2026 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land! Come walk in the footsteps of Jesus and experience the scriptures come alive. To learn more or reserve your spot, visit:
Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:
In life we have two choices, grow or repeat. Courage doesn’t mean that you are not afraid; It means that you don’t let fear stop you. Don’t decide you can’t before you discover you can.
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.
