Around the Parish – September 13, 2026

September 11 – 25 Years

This past Friday, our nation marked the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Even after twenty-five years, the images and memories of that day remain vivid for so many. We remember those who lost their lives, those who rushed into danger to save others, and the families who continue to carry the grief of that day. As people of faith, we also pray for peace in our nation and throughout the world. May we never forget the courage, sacrifice, and unity that emerged from such a terrible tragedy, and may we continue to work for a world in which hatred never has the final word.

Faith Formation Begins

This weekend, we are also very happy to welcome back all of our Faith Formation students and families as we begin another year together! Our theme this year comes from the words of Jesus: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Please keep our students, catechists, and families in your prayers as we help our young people grow in their relationship with Christ.

Let’s Pray Together

As we begin a new school year and settle back into our fall routines, I also want to encourage everyone to make time for daily prayer. One wonderful resource available to us is the Hallow app. Whether it is praying with Scripture, the Rosary, daily reflections, sleep meditations, or simply taking a few quiet minutes with the Lord, Hallow can be a great tool for building a more consistent prayer life. If you have not explored it yet, I encourage you to give it a try. Even ten minutes of intentional prayer each day can make a tremendous difference in our relationship with God.

Theme Basket Raffle

Our Theme Basket Raffle is also quickly approaching! We already have more than 50 baskets available to preview on our parish website, with more being added as they arrive. Take a look at ihmercer.org/basket-raffle to see some of the wonderful baskets that will be part of this year’s raffle.

Spaghetti Dinner Coming Soon!

Finally, mark your calendars for our annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, September 27, from 12:00–4:00 PM. This is always a wonderful parish event, but it takes many hands to make it successful. We are still looking for volunteers to help throughout the day. If you are able to lend a hand, please sign up on the volunteer sheets located at the doors of the church.

Here’s a Few Thoughts for Your Week Ahead

As you begin this new week, take a moment to ask yourself: Where is Christ inviting me to follow Him more closely? Maybe it is through a few extra minutes of prayer, reaching out to someone who needs encouragement, forgiving someone, or simply being more attentive to the people God places in your path. Holiness is often found not in dramatic moments, but in the small, faithful choices we make each day. This week, try to make one intentional choice each day that helps you grow closer to Christ, and helps someone else encounter Him through you.

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.