Around the Parish – March 8, 2026
Published on March 7, 2026
Holy
Over these Sundays of Lent, we have been reflecting on the words in the Creed where I deliberately slow down:
“I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”
This week, we consider the word holy.
This word can be confusing, because when we look at the Church, we see people. And people are not perfect. We see weaknesses. We see failures. We see sin. And yet, every Sunday, we stand and profess that the Church is holy.
How can this be?
The Church is holy not because her members are perfect.
The Church is holy because her Lord is holy.
The Church is holy because she is the Body of Christ. She is holy because Christ continues to live and act through her. She is holy because He has given her the sacraments, which heal us, strengthen us, and make us holy.
Holiness is not something we create. It is something we receive.
And Lent is the season when we are reminded of that most clearly.
Lent calls us to conversion. It calls us to look honestly at our lives and to recognize where we have fallen short. Not so that we become discouraged, but so that we can be renewed. So that we can be restored. So that we can become who we were created to be.
The holiness of the Church does not come from the perfection of her people. It comes from the mercy of Christ.
Each time someone goes to confession, the holiness of the Church is made visible.
Each time someone forgives another person, the holiness of the Church is made visible.
Each time someone chooses prayer, chooses charity, chooses faith, the holiness of the Church is made visible.
When I slow down at that word holy, it is a reminder that holiness is not just something we admire in others. It is something we are called to live.
Holiness is not reserved for saints in stained glass windows.
It is the calling of every baptized person.
It is your calling.
And Lent is the time to begin again.
Thoughts for your week ahead
Holiness begins in the ordinary moments of life. It begins when we choose to do what is right even when it is difficult. It grows when we turn back to God after we have fallen. Never be discouraged by your weaknesses. Instead, let them remind you of your need for God’s grace. The Lord does not call us because we are already holy. He calls us so that we may become holy, one day at a time.
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.
