Around the Parish – April 27, 2025
Published on April 26, 2025
Divine Mercy Sunday Celebrations
Alleluia! As we continue to celebrate the joy of Easter, today the Church throughout the world observes Divine Mercy Sunday, a powerful reminder of Christ’s unfathomable mercy poured out for all. I invite you to join us this afternoon at 3:00 PM for a special hour of Adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet here in the church. Come spend time with the Lord in the Hour of Mercy and open your heart to His love and peace.
Prayers for Pope Francis
It is with great sorrow that we acknowledge the death of Pope Francis, our Holy Father and faithful shepherd. In this sacred Easter season, we hold fast to the hope of the Resurrection even as we mourn the loss of a humble and courageous leader. Please keep Pope Francis in your prayers, and may eternal light shine upon him. We also pray for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect the next successor of St. Peter.
St. Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us!
We had anticipated celebrating the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis this Divine Mercy Sunday. However, with the passing of the Holy Father, his canonization has been postponed until a new pontiff is elected. While we wait, we continue to look to Carlo as a model of youthful holiness and Eucharistic love. May his witness inspire us to pursue sainthood in our daily lives.
Congratulations to our First Communicants!
This Sunday is also one of great celebration for our parish as we rejoice with our First Communion students! May they always treasure the gift of the Holy Eucharist, and may their joy in receiving Jesus for the first time inspire us all to renew our own devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Congratulations to each of them and to their families!
Summer Mass Schedule
Please remember, the First Sunday of May begins our Summer Mass Schedule, where our 11:00 AM Mass will move to 10:00 AM. Help us spread the word to friends and family so no one misses the change!
Sacred Saturday: Faith, Family, Formation
Looking ahead, our very first Sacred Saturday is coming up on May 10! The morning will begin with Mass and continue with a light breakfast and a special talk. I hope many of you will be able to attend this new opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship. More details can be found elsewhere in the bulletin.
Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting
And finally, a reminder that this Wednesday at 6:30 PM is our next Vacation Bible School planning meeting. All who are willing to lend a hand—whether during the week of VBS or in the weeks of preparation—are encouraged to attend. We will gather in the parish conference room.
Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:
Great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful. Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. Never allow a person to tell you no, who doesn’t have the power to say yes. Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.
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.
