Around the Parish – March 1, 2026

One

Last Sunday, I mentioned that there is a moment in the Creed where I deliberately slow down.

“I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”

This week, I would like to focus on the first of those words: one.

At first glance, it seems obvious. Of course there is one Church. But when we look around, unity does not always seem so clear. Even within our own parish, we have different personalities, different preferences, different opinions, and different ways of seeing things. And yet, every Sunday, we stand together and profess that the Church is one.

This unity does not come from us.

It comes from Christ.

The Church is one because she has one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Our unity is not based on agreement about everything, nor is it based on getting along perfectly. It is based on belonging to Him.

This is important, especially during Lent.

Lent is a time when we turn back to Christ. And as we turn back to Him, we also turn back toward one another. Sin isolates. Sin divides. Sin convinces us that we stand alone. But grace restores unity. Grace reminds us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.

Unity does not mean uniformity. It does not mean we are all the same. It means we are all moving in the same direction.

Toward Christ.

When I slow down at that word one, it is a reminder to me that the Church does not belong to any one person. It does not belong to the priest. It does not belong to a group. It belongs to Christ. And each of us has been brought into that unity through Him.

This Lent, perhaps one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is this:

Am I building unity, or am I contributing to division?

Unity is built through charity. Through patience. Through forgiveness. Through prayer for one another.

Each time we profess those words, “I believe in one Church,” we are not simply stating a fact.

We are accepting a responsibility.

A responsibility to live as one.t becoming who we truly are in Christ.

Thoughts for your week ahead

Unity begins in small ways. It begins when we choose patience instead of frustration, understanding instead of judgment, and kindness instead of silence. We cannot control the actions of everyone around us, but we can control the spirit we bring into our homes, our parish, and our relationships. When we choose to live with charity, we reflect Christ to others. And often, the unity we long to see in the world begins with the quiet decision to live differently today.

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.