Around the Parish – December 28, 2025

O Most Holy Family, Pray for Us!

This The Feast of the Holy Family reminds us that God chose to enter the world not in isolation, but at the heart of a family. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lived a life that was at once ordinary and extraordinary: ordinary in the daily rhythms of work, prayer, meals, and relationships; extraordinary because God Himself was present in their home. This feast invites us to see our own families—whatever their shape, size, or story—as places where God desires to dwell. Holiness is not reserved for perfect people or perfect households; holiness is what happens when we invite Christ into the very real, imperfect moments of daily life.

In the Gospel, we see the Holy Family navigating joys and trials—traveling long distances, facing uncertainty, protecting each other, and remaining faithful in everything. Their example reminds us that family life is a vocation, one that calls for patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, and love that endures through difficulty. When we honor the Feast of the Holy Family, we are reminded that God blesses the ordinary routines of our homes and transforms them through grace. Even the hidden years of Jesus’ life—those quiet decades in Nazareth—were filled with purpose. So too are the hidden acts of love lived within our own households.

This weekend is an opportunity to pray for our families, especially those facing hardship, distance, or division. We entrust all our loved ones to the care of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, asking for healing where there is hurt, strength where there is struggle, and deeper unity where there is separation. The Holy Family stands with us as companions and intercessors. They know what it means to live faithfully in a world marked by uncertainty, and they show us how to let God’s love shape our relationships.

As we look toward the new year, may this feast encourage us to renew our commitment to building homes rooted in prayer, patience, and peace. Whether you live alone, with children, with aging parents, or in a blended family—God desires to meet you there. Invite Him into the ordinary moments: at the table, in conversation, during disagreements, in celebrations, and in silence. May our parish family, too, reflect the unity and tenderness of the Holy Family, becoming a place where all find belonging, encouragement, and the presence of Christ..

A few thoughts for your week:

As we honor the Holy Family, take a moment each day to invite Christ into the ordinary rhythms of your home and heart. Choose one small action to strengthen the bonds of family—a kind word, a moment of forgiveness, a shared prayer. Ask Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to walk with you in the places where life feels stretched or weary, and look for God’s quiet presence in the hidden moments that often go unnoticed. When you feel rushed, choose patience; when annoyed, choose charity; and when overwhelmed, choose gratitude. May this week draw you closer to the peace and unity God desires for every family.

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.