Around the Parish – July 27, 2025
Published on July 26, 2025
Parish Mission with Fr. Larry Richards – Sept. 8–11
We’re excited to announce that Fr. Larry Richards will lead a powerful four-night Parish Mission at Immaculate Heart of Mary from Monday, Sept. 8 to Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30–8:30 PM each night.
Fr. Larry is a nationally known speaker and priest of the Diocese of Erie, famous for his passionate, life-changing presentations. Each night will explore a different theme—from prayer and the Mass to forgiveness and healing.
This mission is free and open to all—Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Mark your calendars now and invite a friend!
More details at: ihmercer.org/mission
Spaghetti Dinner & Theme Basket Raffle – Help Us Reach 60 Baskets!
Plans are underway for our annual Spaghetti Dinner this October, and one of the highlights is our beloved Theme Basket Raffle. This year, we’re aiming for 60 baskets—our biggest goal yet! Sign-up sheets to contribute a themed basket are available at the doors of the church. Let’s make this year’s event our best ever!
Hermenegild Picnic
Join us for our annual Mass and picnic at St. Hermenegild Church on Thursday, August 7 at 6:00 PM. Bring a chair to sit and a dish to share—we look forward to seeing you there!
Br. Ezekiel Thomas to Profess First Vows – August 2 !
With great joy, we share that parishioner Joseph Dumais, son of Pat and Barb Dumais, will profess his First Vows as Br. Ezekiel with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal on Saturday, August 2.
Though he cannot receive personal gifts, we invite parishioners to contribute to a spiritual bouquet—a collection of notes, prayers, and words of encouragement from his home parish. Please drop off your cards or notes at the parish office.
Let us support Br. Ezekiel with our love and prayers as he continues his journey of religious life.
No Daily Mass – Tuesday and Wednesday
Please note that there will be no Mass this Tuesday and Wednesday. Thank you for your understanding.
A few thoughts for your week:
Priority list for the heart: be present, be kind, be joyful, be thankful. Focus on improving yourself, not proving yourself.
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.
