Around the Parish – July 6, 2025

Happy Fourth of July Weekend

As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, let us give thanks for the blessings of freedom and for those who have sacrificed to protect it. May we always strive to build a nation rooted in peace, justice, and charity. God bless America!

Spaghetti Dinner & Theme Basket Raffle

Plans are underway for our annual Spaghetti Dinner this October! One of the highlights is our Theme Basket Raffle, and this year we’re aiming for 60 baskets—more than ever before! Sign-up sheets to contribute a themed basket will be available at the doors of the church starting next weekend. Help us reach our goal!

Parish Directory – Portrait Sign-Ups

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for portraits for our new parish directory! A limited number of appointment slots remain. While there are no in-person sign-ups this weekend, you can still register online—and in-person sign-ups will return next weekend. Don’t wait! Spots are filling up quickly.

Sacred Saturday – Final Call!

Next Saturday, July 12, we welcome Ed Condon of The Pillar Catholic News for our next Sacred Saturday. We’ll begin with Mass at 9:00 AM, followed by breakfast and Ed’s presentation in Gallagher Hall. If you haven’t signed up yet, today is your last chance to join us for this inspiring morning of faith and fellowship!

Final Call for 300 Club Tickets!

We’re down to the wire—this is your last chance to get your 300 Club tickets! Don’t miss out on your chance to win cash prizes while supporting our parish. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, contact the parish office as soon as possible. Thank you for your generous support!

Vacation Bible School – Almost Here!

Excitement is building as we prepare for another amazing week of Vacation Bible School! The energy, creativity, and faith our volunteers bring each year is truly inspiring—and this summer is shaping up to be one of the best yet. A heartfelt thank you to all those who have been hard at work planning, decorating, and organizing behind the scenes. We can’t wait to welcome our young disciples for a fun, faith-filled week of learning about Jesus, growing in community, and making memories that will last a lifetime!

A few thoughts for your week:

Spread love everywhere you go; let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. Happiness often sneaks in through a door you don’t remember leaving opened. Instead of worrying about what you can’t control, shift your energy to what you can create.

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.