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Around the Parish – April 14, 2024

I want to express my most sincere gratitude for everyone who has booth pledged and supported the Catholic Services Appeal. As you know, our parish assessment for this year is $49,845. This tithe from our parish to the diocese permits the Churches of Erie Diocese to continue to fulfill the Lord’s Command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19) Every dollar collected over our assessment will remain in our parish. The monies that will remain in our parish will be used to repair the deteriorating window wells of the basement at the Office Building. Please do prayerfully consider supporting this obligation.

On this Monday, April 15 at 6:00pm, there will be a Blooms and Bargains Bazaar Meeting in the Parish Conference Room. Anyone that is able and interested in helping is asked to attend this meeting.

On this Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30pm, we will have our next VBS planning meeting. All who are interested in helping with our VBS in July are asked to attend.

Next Sunday, April 21, the Mercer Knights of Columbus will be hosting their Pancake Breakfast in Gallagher Hall from after the 8:00am mass until 1:00pm. Please come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast. All proceeds benefit our parish. I thank my brother knights for their continued support of our parish.

On Saturday, April 27, we will have a parish spring cleanup day. Many hands will make light work, so any help that you might be able to give on that day will be greatly appreciated. We will begin at 9:00 am and spend the morning around the parish campus to clean up our grounds.

On Saturday, May 4, we have our Blooms and Bargains Bazaar. All donations can be dropped off at Gallagher Hall, but please contact the parish office to schedule a drop off time. The parish is unable to provide pickup of items.

In just four weeks on Sunday, May 5, our Sunday Mass schedule is set to return to 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Don’t forget, and share with our family that join us for the summer months.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Your day will generally go the way the corners of your mouth turn. Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears. The rosary is a chain that links heaven and earth. One end of it is in your hand; the other in the hand of our Blessed Mother.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – April 7, 2024

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. In celebration of this special conclusion of the Octave of Easter, we will have Adoration and the Sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy from 2:30pm until 3:30pm. I encourage everyone to join us during this special Holy Hour of prayer. Divine Mercy Sunday, established by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000, honors the devotion to God’s boundless mercy as revealed to Saint Faustina. The praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet plays a central role, emphasizing repentance and trust in God’s mercy for all humanity.

There will be no daily masses this week, as I will be away all week. There will be mass at Beloved Disciple and St. Columbkille, so I encourage everyone to join their churches for mass this week for Daily Mass.

On this Monday, April 15, (this is listed differently in the paper bulletin. April 15 is the correct date) there will be a Blooms and Bargains Bazaar Meeting at 6pm in the Parish Conference Room. Anyone that is able and interested in helping is asked to attend this meeting.

On Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30pm, we will have our next VBS planning meeting. All who are interested in helping with our VBS in July are asked to attend.

On Saturday, April 27, we will have a parish spring cleanup day. Many hands will make light work, so any help that you might be able to give on that day will be greatly appreciated. We will begin at 9:00 am and spend the morning around the parish campus to clean up our grounds.

In just about a month on Sunday, May 5, our Sunday Mass schedule is set to return to 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Don’t forget, and share with our family that join us for the summer months.

On Saturday, May 4, we have our Blooms and Bargains Bazaar. All donations can be dropped off at Gallagher Hall, but please contact the parish office to schedule a drop off time. The parish is unable to provide pickup of items.

Here is a thought for the week ahead:

The secret to happiness is also the secret to a long and fulfilling life: Let every situation be what it is, instead of what you think it should be, and then make the best of it. Let God’s Grace empower you to grow through the difficulties you go through.  

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – March 31, 2024

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Christ is Alive! What a joy it is to be able to have this wonderful word back in our liturgy. With the return of ‘Alleluia’, we also recognize the return of the beautiful flowers and decorations in our church. This is a sign of the coming beauty of Spring. Let’s just pray that the weather continues to cooperate. I am sure ready for warmer days!

Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. Normally we have adoration and confessions on First Friday, but this month we will have adoration from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm with the Sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 7. I encourage everyone to join us during this special Holy Hour of prayer. Divine Mercy Sunday, established by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000, honors the devotion to God’s boundless mercy as revealed to Saint Faustina. The praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet plays a central role, emphasizing repentance and trust in God’s mercy for all humanity.

On Saturday, April 27, we will have a parish spring cleanup day. Many hands will make light work, so any help that you might be able to give on that day will be greatly appreciated. We will begin at 9:00 am and spend the morning around the parish campus to clean up our grounds.

In just about a month on Sunday, May 5, our Sunday Mass schedule is set to return to 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Don’t forget, and share with our family that join us for the summer months.

On the following Saturday, we have our Blooms and Bargains Bazaar. All donations can be dropped off at Gallagher Hall, but please contact the parish office to schedule a drop off time. The parish is unable to provide pickup of items.

Here is a thought for the week ahead:

“O Jesus, I understand that Your mercy is beyond all imagining, and therefore I ask You to make my heart so big that there will be room in it for the needs of all the souls living on the face of the earth, so that each soul will be reflected in You, O Jesus.”  – Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska  

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – March 24, 2024

Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday. This celebration begins our entrance into Holy Week. This next week is the highlight of our entire existence as Christians. This week, we celebrate the Mysteries of our Faith, beginning with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem with loud shouts of Hosanna! These same voices by Friday will be the voices calling for the crucifixion of Jesus. So much will happen in a week. I truly encourage you to enter deeply into the celebrations and the prayer that surrounds Holy Week.

This week, our parish schedule will be a bit different, as it is every year. I thank Father Ray Gramata for his help this weekend and next while I am at SCI Mercer celebrating mass. Father Ray will be the celebrant at this Sunday and next 11a mass. This Monday, while there is no mass here in our parish, I will be in Erie at the celebration of the Chrism mass. This special mass is where the Holy Oils we use in our sacraments are blessed and consecrated. If you have never participated in this special liturgy before, I encourage you to join us online via the Cathedral’s Facebook Page, or make the journey to the Cathedral in Erie. (I will do my best to share it via our Facebook page.)

On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have our normal 8a masses in our parish. On Thursday, the only mass we are permitted to celebrate is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7pm. This special mass is the beginning of the Holy Triduum, and is one continual celebration that starts with the celebration of this Holy Day and ends with the celebration of the Easter Vigil, which must start after sunset on Saturday night. Our celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday will be at 12:15pm. No celebration of the Holy Eucharist is permitted throughout the world on Good Friday. You will notice that we do not conclude with the sign of the cross on Holy Thursday, nor will we make the sign of the cross on Good Friday at the beginning or end of the liturgies; this is because it is one continual celebration showing forth the mysteries that occur from the celebration of the Last Supper through the celebration of the Great Resurrection of Our Lord. Our Easter Sunday Mass Schedule will be at 8am and 11am.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit. Keep watering your dreams, hopes, and goals. Motivation gets you going; habit keeps you going. Don’t measure your progress using someone else’s ruler. Some things have to end so that better things can begin. Faith can move mountains; doubt and fear can create them.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – March 17, 2024

This past Sunday, March 10, I had the opportunity to see the movie “Cabrini.” While I found the movie as a wonderful image of a woman who was strong in her convictions, and I found the movie an inspiring story, I only have one critique, and it may be a large one. This opinion that I have on the movie is one that is shared by numerous Catholics, and it is the fact that there was very little mentioned in the movie about Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s conviction to the Catholic Faith. Anyone that reads any of her own writings, or any of the biographies on this spectacular saint show that she was a woman of deep faith. Her conviction to the Holy Eucharist and to the life in the Church is what kept her focused on her good works. Her good works, in and of themselves, are not what makes this holy woman so important in the life of the church and the life of our nation. Her conviction to Jesus Christ, to sharing His Good News with the world is what was her driving force.

With all of this said, I still encourage everyone to take an opportunity to see this movie. Saint Cabrini was a woman with great conviction to service, perseverance, and education. Most importantly, she is a woman of faith. May this great saint continue to intercede for our church and for all of our needs. (As a side note, there is a relic of Saint Cabrini in our church next to the tabernacle.) Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

With this image of so great a woman and Saint in the forefront of our mind, I am excited to announce the newest outreach ministry available in our church. We are a people of life, and as a people of life, we must support all in need. In our community, there is a great need for assistance of mothers. In our parish, we will be working in a new way with all mothers in need through a program started by the Sisters of Life and the USCCB called “Walking with Moms in Need.” Mrs. Barb Dumais has stepped up in our parish community, as well as our deanery, to lead this wonderful outreach ministry. Barb will be speaking at the end of the masses this weekend to introduce herself in her new capacity as the Director of Outreach Ministry and invite all interested in helping in this new ministry to an organizational meeting. Our first meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 20 at 7pm in the parish conference room. Please email or call Barb to let her know if you are interested and/or if you are able to attend our meeting.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

The best apology is a changed behavior. Sometimes, we create our own heartache due to unrealistic expectations. The best lesson we can learn regarding relationships is this: don’t expect others to act or react as you would. You are not them and they are not you.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – March 10, 2024

This Friday is our Saint Patrick Day Bingo and Bake Sale! All baked goods donations can be dropped off in Gallagher Hall beginning on Thursday, March 14. All baked goods are asked to be delivered by noon on Friday, March 15. Doors open at 6pm, Early Bird starts at 7pm, and Regular games at 7:30 pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, as well as all of the great baked goods that our parish family made!

All donations for our rummage sale “Blooms and Bargains Bazaar” can be dropped off beginning Monday, March 18 in Gallagher Hall. Please contact the parish office before drop off. The parish is unable to provide pickup for items.

In the upcoming week within our deanery, the Lenten Penance Services will be taking place. I’d like to recommend that everyone seize the chance to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation before Easter arrives. It’s crucial for all of us to engage in this sacrament regularly. I advocate for monthly  reception, like a monthly check-in for the soul. I am a big believer that this routine can significantly contribute to our spiritual well-being and growth. In addition to our Penance Services, the Sacrament of Reconciliation remains available every Friday during Lent from 6-7, every Saturday from 4-5, and always available by appointment.

Experience the rich tradition of the Pascha Basket in our Easter celebrations. On Holy Saturday, prepare a basket with Easter Bread symbolizing Christ’s body, dyed eggs for new life, meats, cheeses, and a candle for the light of Christ. Bring it to the church for a special blessing on Holy Saturday. Join us in the communal joy of Easter, sharing the blessed foods with family and friends. Embrace this ancient tradition as a symbol of resurrection and fellowship. Explore the full tradition in our special full-page ad. Let’s celebrate the joy of Easter together!

Join the 300 Club excitement! We still have a limited number of tickets available for purchase. Your support is crucial in reaching our goal to raise the necessary funds for our parish. Let’s work together to sell out all 300 tickets and make a significant impact!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow. We can’t force someone to hear a message they are not ready to receive, but never underestimate the power of planting a seed.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – March 3, 2024

A special thank you to everyone that contributed to the second collections and donations to Father Max and his Dominican confreres. Because of your continued generosity, we raised a total of $1,296.00. Thank you again for both your generosity and your participation in our parish mission.

It might seem impossible, but next week, Daylight Savings Time begins. Make sure you spring ahead next Sunday morning at 2am! Otherwise, you will be late to mass!

Spring is just around the corner, and therefore, Easter is as well! We are still in need of lottery tickets for the Easter Basket Raffle. If you are able to donate, please send in your unscratched tickets to the office as soon as possible.

As spring unfolds its vibrant colors, it’s the perfect season to embark on a refreshing cleaning journey! As you bid farewell to the remnants of winter and embrace a lighter atmosphere, consider contributing to the upcoming Bargains & Blooms Bazaar. We invite you to generously donate gently-used pre-loved items that you no longer need. Help us create a collection of treasures by offering items such as quality furniture, gently-used clothing, and other cherished belongings. Your generous contributions will not only declutter your space but also find new homes and bring joy to others. Let’s make this spring a time of sharing and rejuvenation

Get ready for a Shamrockin’ Celebration! In just about a week and a half, our eagerly awaited Saint Patrick’s Day Bingo and Bake Sale will unfold, and we’re counting on your enthusiasm to make it a spectacular event once again! Last year’s turnout and participation were amazing, with everyone raving about the fantastic time they had. Let’s keep the tradition alive and make this year’s celebration even more memorable! We are reaching out to the heart of our community – YOU! Volunteers are needed to ensure the success of this joyful gathering. Your help can make a significant difference in creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and camaraderie. And calling all master bakers! Our parish is home to the BEST bakers, and we know you’re eager to showcase your talents! We are still in need of delicious baked goods to sweeten the festivities. Whether it’s your famous Irish soda bread or a delightful green-themed treat, we invite you to contribute and share the joy of your culinary creations. Let’s join hands and create lasting memories at our Saint Patrick’s Day Bingo and Bake Sale. Your support and participation will undoubtedly make this event a shining success! See you there, and may the luck of the Irish be with us all!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

A wasted day is one where we only thought about how someone else could change; a good day is one when we become part of the solution. Faith is our greatest gift; sharing it with others is our greatest responsibility.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – February 25, 2024

I extend my sincere thanks to each of you for making our Parish Lenten Mission an exceptional three-day experience. Your enthusiastic participation, commitment to growth, and shared moments of prayer created an atmosphere filled with learning and unity. Together, we embraced the true spirit of Lent, fostering a sense of renewal and deepening our connections within the parish. Your presence made these days truly special, and I am grateful for the collective journey we undertook.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Father Maximilian Maria Jaskowak for his inspirational leadership during our Parish Lenten Mission. Father Maximilian’s profound insights, engaging sermons, and unwavering commitment to guiding us on our spiritual journey were instrumental in making these three days truly transformative. His wisdom and compassionate presence enriched our collective experience, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. We are blessed to have had him as our guide, and we extend our sincere appreciation for his dedication to nurturing our faith community.

As we gear up for the upcoming Blooms and Bargains Bazaar, here’s a friendly reminder to keep us in mind during your spring cleaning endeavors. As you sift through your closets and tidy up your living spaces, consider setting aside any gently used items and potted plants that could find new homes at our event. Your contributions will not only help you declutter but will also add to the success of our community sale.

Join us for the Saint Patrick’s Day Bingo and Bake Sale on Friday, March 15! We’re seeking volunteers and bakers to make this event a hit. If you love baking or can spare some time, your help will add sweetness to our celebration. Contribute to the festive spirit and community bonding by being a part of this memorable day. Signup on the sheets at the entrances to Church. Let’s create a delicious and unforgettable Saint Patrick’s Day together!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Never let the things you want cause you to neglect the things you have. We need patience; all things are difficult before they become easy. Parish volunteers don’t necessarily have the time; they just have their heart in the right place.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

Around the Parish – February 18, 2024

Fr. Maximilian Maria Jaskowak O.P., a native of Beloved Disciple Parish in Grove City
Fr. Maximilian Maria Jaskowak O.P.

Join us this Monday, February 19, as we begin our  Parish Lenten Mission led by Fr. Maximilian Maria Jaskowak O.P., a native of Beloved Disciple Parish in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Fr. Max, ordained in May of 2022, holds a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, a Masters of Divinity, and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC. He completed his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in the spring of 2023 and is currently a faculty member at the School of Theology at Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD, specializing in moral theology with courses in Medical Ethics, Catholic Social Ethics, Marriage, Sexuality, and Celibacy.

Father Max and I spent three years together while studying Philosophy at Gannon University and Saint Mark Seminary. I am very excited to have Father Max be with us as we begin our Lent this year.

Each night, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available. Father Max and I will be hearing confessions in both of the confessionals. I will be in my regular confessional and Father Max will be in the confessional by the organ. As we begin the Season of Lent, I want to encourage everyone to take the opportunity to receive this important sacrament. During the mission, which can be thought of like a mini retreat, we will have the opportunity to hear from Father Max on the Eucharist each night during Adoration.

On Wednesday night, we will celebrate a special mass together under the patronage of Saint Joseph with special blessings with the Oil of Saint Joseph. Let us pray together as we begin the Lenten Journey to the Cross that we might come closer to Jesus’ presence I the Holy Eucharist.

A flyer for these three nights, as well as the Lenten Calendar for 2024 can be found in this weekend’s bulletin. Please make sure to take a copy home to reference throughout these weeks of preparation for Easter!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

For others, be the attitude you want to be around. It is good to be blessed; it is better to be a blessing to others. May every sunrise bring you hope; may every sunset bring you peace.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


Around the Parish – February 11, 2024

This Wednesday, we begin our Lenten Journey. If you haven’t considered what you might give up for Lent, or rather an even better idea, what you might do extra for Lent, there are just a few short days left to decide! Lent is an opportunity to grow in our spiritual life.

A comment that I have heard too many times is “I go to Mass on Sunday’s so that’s enough for me!” I 1000% disagree with that comment! Our spiritual lives are so important that we cannot neglect them! We have an opportunity these next few weeks before Easter to truly refine and refresh our souls. In these coming days, there are so many opportunities to grow in the ways of God. I encourage everyone to find at least one thing that you can do to grow in communion with God!

Fridays of Lent: A Spiritual Oasis

Every Friday during Lent, immerse yourself in a spiritual oasis. The evenings will include Adoration and Confessions starting at 6pm, followed by Stations of the Cross at 7pm. This is a powerful way to deepen your connection with your faith and enhance your spiritual life during this season of penance and reflection.

Join Us for Our Parish Lenten Mission

Make sure to join us next Monday, February 19, as we kick off our Parish Lenten Mission led by Fr. Maximilian Maria Jaskowak, a native son of Beloved Disciple Parish. Look for more details in this weekend’s bulletin. Take a copy home and extend the invitation to others. This mission is an opportunity to enrich our Lenten experience and strengthen our relationship with God.

Easter Raffle Lottery Tickets

As we anticipate the joy of Easter, we are already gearing up for our Easter Raffle. In the coming weeks, we will be mailing out raffle tickets. In the meantime, we need your help collecting lottery scratch-off tickets. Drop them in the collection basket during Mass or deliver them to the parish office by mail or in person. Your generosity has always been appreciated, and we thank you in advance for your continued support.

Spring Cleaning: Prepping for Blooms & Bargains Bazaar

In the coming weeks, I know we will all be getting that itch to clean out and clean up our homes. As you prepare for a Spring Cleaning, I ask that you consider donating any of your unwanted items to the Immaculate Heart Blooms & Bargains Bazaar. The Bazaar is the combined Rummage and Plant Sales. We are looking for any items that we can sell to raise funds for IHM and the work we do to help the community! More information is in this weekend’s bulletin.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Be thankful for the closed doors, detours, and road blocks; they’ve protected us from people and places that were not meant to be a part of our lives. In difficult times, a family does not need to be perfect; it just needs to be united.   Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy