Around the Parish – April 12, 2026

Divine Mercy Sunday

This Sunday we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a beautiful reminder of the inexhaustible love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Flowing from the heart of Easter, this feast invites us to trust more deeply in the Lord’s mercy and to extend that same mercy to others. I warmly invite you to join us in the church at 3:00 PM for Adoration as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet together at the Hour of Mercy. Following the Chaplet, we will continue in prayer with praise and worship music. This is a powerful moment of grace in the life of the Church. Consider bringing a family member or friend with you as we turn together to the Lord who never tires of loving and forgiving us.

Sacred Saturday – April 25, 2026

Our next Sacred Saturday is just around the corner! Join us on Saturday, April 25, beginning with Mass at 9:00 AM, followed by breakfast and a time of reflection and discussion. These mornings are a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship. Please be sure to register so we can adequately prepare for breakfast.

Spaghetti Dinner – September 27, 2026

It may seem early to think about fall, but good planning helps make our events a success. This year’s Spaghetti Dinner will take place on Sunday, September 27. We have moved it a bit earlier on the calendar to better accommodate other events in the area. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Basket Raffle Planning Meeting

Our Basket Raffle is an important part of the Spaghetti Dinner, and we are grateful for all who help make it possible. A planning meeting will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the parish conference room. If you are able to assist in any way, please plan to attend. Your help makes a great difference!

Summer Mass Schedule Begins May 3

A reminder that our Sunday Mass schedule will shift to our summer time beginning Sunday, May 3. The 11:00 AM Mass will move to 10:00 AM. All other Mass times remain the same. Please make note of this change as we move into the summer months.

Thank You to the Knights

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for hosting our Saint Patrick’s Day Bingo. Their generosity, organization, and spirit of service made the evening both enjoyable and successful for our parish community. Thanks also to all who participated and supported the accompanying bake sale. Together, we raised $1,921.65, and we are truly grateful for the continued support of our parish events.

New Priest Assigned to Mercer Area

I am grateful to announce that Bishop Persico has appointed Fr. William Barron as Sacramental Assistant to the following parishes in Mercer County:

• Beloved Disciple, Grove City
• Good Shepherd, West Middlesex
• Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mercer
• Notre Dame, Hermitage
• Our Lady of Fatima, Farrell
• St. Bartholomew, Sharpsville
• St. Columbkille, Stoneboro
• St. Michael, Greenville

In this assignment he will support the pastors of the area by helping to provide sacramental assistance and other priestly ministry as needed. This role is intended to strengthen the ministry of the local church by ensuring that priests have support when they are ill, away, or in need of assistance. It is not intended to create additional Mass times or to change parish leadership.

He will reside in the rectory of Good Shepherd Parish, and his duties will be coordinated by the local Dean, Father Andrew Boyd. This appointment became effective on April 6, 2026, and continues until July 31, 2027.

Please join me in welcoming Fr. Bill to Mercer County and to our parish!

Here’s a few thoughts for your week ahead:

Give your best energy to the people who matter most, and remember that a small act of kindness can change someone’s whole day.

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.