Around the Parish – May 18, 2025

Habemus Papam

What a historic and joyful day May 8 was for the Church! With the election of Pope Leo XIV, we rejoice in the first Augustinian Pope and the first Holy Father born in the United States, hailing from Chicago, IL. Though he never served as a bishop in the U.S., Pope Leo held major leadership roles within the Augustinian order and later served as a bishop in Peru, where he was known for his pastoral care and advocacy for the poor. Most recently, he worked in the Dicastery for Bishops at the Vatican, helping guide the appointment of bishops across the globe. Let us give thanks to God and pray for our new Holy Father as he begins this sacred ministry of service to the universal Church.

70 Years of Immaculate Heart Parish

Don’t forget to participate in two exciting projects that will become cherished keepsakes for our parish family! We are creating a Parish Cookbook filled with your favorite recipes and a Parish Photo Directory to help us get to know one another better. Full details and submission information for both can be found on our website.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School sign-ups are now open! Children can be registered online or using the paper forms located at the entrances of the church. This is a free event, and we look forward to welcoming all of our young people to a fun and faith-filled week!       https://ihmercer.org/vbs

300 Club Raffle

Don’t forget to get your 300 Club raffle ticket! This fun and vital fundraiser supports our parish needs. More details are in this weekend’s bulletin insert.

40 Hours Adoration

40 Hours Adoration is quickly approaching! Join us from Sunday, June 8 through Tuesday, June 10 for this beautiful time of prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. Our guest preacher will be Father Ian McElrath, a native son of St. Joseph Parish in Sharon and a classmate of mine. Sign-up sheets for adoration hours are located in the main vestibule. Please consider committing to an hour with the Lord.  Sign-ups for adoration hours are in the main vestibule and on our website.

Mission Appeal

Our Annual Mission Appeal will take place the weekend of May 31 and June 1. We are pleased to welcome Father Bosco Padamattummal from the Diocese of Kottapuram, who will share with us the important missionary work being done in his diocese. Please join me in giving him a warm Mercer welcome!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

You don’t need to have all the answers—just the courage to take the next faithful step. Love is not just something we feel—it’s something we do. Who might need to hear the words, “You are not alone” this week?

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.