Around the Parish – February 8, 2026

Lent is Upon Us

With Ash Wednesday falling on February 18, Lent is fast approaching. Included in this weekend’s bulletin you will find our 2026 Lenten Schedule, outlining many opportunities for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these offerings as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

Palms for Ash Wednesday

As Ash Wednesday draws near, we invite you to return your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday. Each year these palms are burned to create the ashes that are placed on our foreheads as a sign of repentance and renewal. Containers are located at the doors of the church for your convenience.

Easter Lilly Orders

Also included in this weekend’s bulletin is the Easter Lily order form. These lilies help beautify our church for Easter Sunday and may be given in memory or honor of loved ones. Please return your completed forms to the parish office by the date listed. Thank you for your generosity.

Catholic Services Appeal

This weekend is Commitment Sunday for the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA). Funds raised through the CSA support vital ministries throughout the Diocese of Erie. I ask you to prayerfully consider making a commitment to this important appeal, which helps strengthen the Church far beyond our own parish.

Candlemas Candles

This past Monday we celebrated the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, reminding us of Christ as the Light of the World. On this feast day, candles used in our liturgies throughout the year are blessed. Blessed candles are available for purchase near the statue of St. Joseph in church.

St. Patrick Day Bingo & Bake Sale

Please mark your calendars for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Bingo and Bake Sale on Friday, March 20, 2026. Doors open at 5:00 PM, with the first game beginning at 6:00 PM. We are also bringing back our spring bake sale and are gratefully accepting baked goods for this event. Sign-up sheets are available at the church entrances. Baked goods should be returned by Friday, March 20 at 12:00 NOON.

A few thoughts for your week:

Lent begins next week, and now is a great time to do a little planning. A few small decisions made ahead of time can make a big difference.

• Decide one simple thing you’ll give up and one simple thing you’ll add. (Adding prayer or kindness often matters more than giving up chocolate.)
• Set a realistic goal—something you can actually keep for forty days.
• Pick a regular time for prayer, even if it’s just five minutes. Consistency beats perfection.
• Look for one person you can encourage this week with a call, text, or note.
• Bring back your old palms and think about what you’d like to leave behind this Lent.

Remember: Lent isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about taking intentional steps toward God and toward one another. Start small. Stay faithful. Let God do the rest.

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.