Around the Parish – June 7, 2026

Corpus Christi Sunday

This weekend the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, commonly known as Corpus Christi. It is a day when we give special thanks to God for the incredible gift of the Holy Eucharist.

At every Mass, bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. This is not merely a symbol or a reminder of something that happened long ago. The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ among us. Through this great sacrament, Our Lord fulfills His promise to remain with His Church always, nourishing us with His very life and drawing us into deeper communion with Him and with one another.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Every ministry of the Church, every act of charity, every prayer, and every mission finds its strength and purpose in the altar. It is here that heaven touches earth. It is here that Christ offers Himself to the Father for our salvation and gives Himself to us as food for the journey.

Corpus Christi is also an opportunity for us to reflect on our own devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Do we prepare ourselves well to receive Holy Communion? Do we spend time with Jesus in prayer before the tabernacle? Do we recognize the tremendous gift that is offered to us each time we attend Mass? The more we grow in love for the Eucharist, the more we grow in love for Christ Himself.

As we celebrate this beautiful feast, let us renew our gratitude for the gift of the Holy Eucharist and ask the Lord to deepen our faith in His Real Presence. May every Mass we attend draw us closer to Him and strengthen us to live as His disciples in the world.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is quickly approaching, and we need your help! At the moment, registration numbers are quite low, but we know there are many children in our parish who would enjoy this wonderful week of faith, fun, and fellowship. VBS is open to children entering first grade and above. Registration forms are available at the entrances of the church and online at ihmercer.org/vbs. Please register as soon as possible so we can adequately prepare for all who plan to attend.

Here’s a thought for your week ahead:

If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll spend your whole life waiting. Worry is interest paid on a debt you may never owe. The grass is greener where you water it. Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. A year from now you’ll wish you had started 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.