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Around the Parish – June 11, 2023

This weekend begins our 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration. In this weekend’s bulletin, there is a full schedule of events from Sunday, June 11 through Tuesday, June 13. There will be many visiting priests over the course of the next three days as this time of 40 Hours is an opportunity for the priests to take time to share in fraternity. Please help me welcome our priests and make them feel at home!

Thank you to all who have volunteered to spend time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. At a minimum, there needs to be one person adoring Our Lord before the Eucharist in the monstrance the entire time that the Eucharist is exposed. The church asks that we try to have at least two people present when the Eucharist is exposed. This does not mean that only two people are permitted to be present at any given hour. Feel free to make a visit at any time throughout the times that the Eucharist is exposed!

We are getting closer and closer to having all our 300 Club tickets sold! At the time of submitting this bulletin, we have only 65 tickets remaining to sell! Please help us make the final stretch to sell all the tickets!

Our team for Vacation Bible School is beginning the process of making all the preparations for a successful and fun-filled week in July for our grade schoolers! What we need now is students to participate! The dates for VBS is July 17-21 from 5:30-8pm. We are trying an evening time slot this year so as to help our volunteers and parents participate. Registration is necessary, and can be done online on our website, or paper copies are available in the main vestibule under the pictures of the former pastors. Volunteers are still needed, so please contact Mrs. Oliver or the parish office ASAP! We have a planning meeting scheduled for THIS WEDNESDAY, June 14 at 6pm in the Conference Room. All volunteers are invited to come to help plan the big event!

A big congratulations to all of our graduates from our parish and beyond. We are so very proud of you and look forward to where your future leads. Always know that you have a home at Immaculate Heart!

Here’s a thought for your week: Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. It’s never too late to start again, and it’s never too early to make anew.

        Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Around the Parish – June 4, 2023

Today, we celebrate a Mystery of our Faith: the Holy Trinity. Part of the reason we consider this a mystery is the fact that, even if we begin to try to comprehend this idea, we fail in making comparisons. Today we celebrate the fact that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our God is Three in One. Simple mathematics tells us that 3 cannot equal 1, yet that is exactly what we are saying when we talk about the Trinity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us an analogy wherein we can see the reasonableness of the Trinity by helping us to see the possibility of distinct persons who possess the same nature. CCC 2205 provides:

The Christian family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit.

CCC 2205

When we think of a family, we can see how a father, mother, and child can be distinct persons and yet possess the same nature (human), just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons who each possess the same nature (divine). The weakness, of course, is that in God each person possesses the one infinite and immutable divine nature, and is therefore, one being. Our analogous family consists of three beings. Again, no analogy is perfect.

Our team for Vacation Bible School is beginning the process of making all the preparations for a successful and fun-filled week in July for our grade schoolers! What we need now is students to participate! The dates for VBS is July 17-21 from 5:30-8pm. We are trying an evening time slot this year so as to help our volunteers and parents participate. Registration is necessary, and can be done online on our website, or paper copies are available in the main vestibule under the pictures of the former pastors. Volunteers are still needed, so please contact Mrs. Oliver or the parish office ASAP!

Next week is Corpus Christi Sunday, and the beginning of our Forty Hours celebration, as well as the deanery Eucharistic Procession. We are still in need of volunteers to sign up for adoration slots as of writing this bulletin column. We need at least two adorers each hour during the times that the Eucharist is exposed each day. If you are able to take an hour, sign up sheets are taped to the window in the main vestibule.

Last weekend at all the masses, I announced the work that needs to be completed on the rectory garage roof. The roof over the second floor and living room was replaced within the past 15-20 years, and is in fair condition. The garage roof, on the other hand, is original to the building from 1955. The current rubber has deteriorated so much that it is not doing its job. The estimated cost of the roof repair and replacement is between $26,000 and $30,000. Any help that you might be able to offer vis-a-vi donations or prayers would be greatly appreciated!

Here’s a thought for your week: Say something positive, and you’ll see something positive. Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.

        Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Around the Parish – May 28, 2023

This past Tuesday, May 23, big news came from the Vatican. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis announced that Monsignor Edward M. Lohse had been appointed as the fifth bishop of Kalamazoo, MI. Bishop-Elect Lohse has been a priest of the Diocese of Erie since his ordination to the presbyterate on April 21, 1989. Since his ordination, he has held many roles and responsibilities in the Diocese of Erie, as well as working for the Congregation of the Clergy in Rome from 2010-2015. Most recently, he has served as Vicar General for the Diocese of Erie. We wish him well, and promise him our continued prayers as he transitions into his new role as Shepherd of Kalamazoo. Ad multos annos!

A big congratulations to Henry Hazi, son of Matt and Hannah Hazi, upon the reception of his First Holy Communion at last weekend’s 10am Mass. This is a special moment for not only the Hazi family, but for our entire parish family. Let us continue to pray for each other, especially for our young people.

Here’s a thought for your week: Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive good things and good people will be drawn to you. With the eye of faith, look for the positive, even in negative events.

        Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Around the Parish – May 21, 2023

We have just about 120 tickets left for the 300 Club! Please make sure to purchase your ticket. Each ticket is $100 and enters you in for a chance to win weekly beginning July 12! Please help us spread the word, and encourage people from outside the parish to get a ticket too! You do not have to belong to the parish to purchase a ticket! All monies raised that are not raffled off stay in our parish to help alleviate the cost of maintenance repairs as well as pay for our normal bills. For more information, check our website or call the parish office. https://ihmercer.org/300-Club

A reminder that we will celebrate 40 Hours in just a few weeks time. Our preacher for our celebration will be Father Joseph Petrone. He will be preaching on the Hearts of the Holy Family. We are in need of volunteers to sign up for an hour of adoration during the entire time that the Eucharist is exposed. A minimum of two volunteers are needed for each hour that the Eucharist is exposed. In the back vestibule of church, and on our website, you can sign up to volunteer for an hour. Please help us spread the word!

VBS registration is open! Forms can be found in the back vestibule of church under the pictures of the former pastors as well as on our website. Registration is due back ASAP so that we can purchase T-Shirts for all participants! If you wish to volunteer, please contact the parish office as soon as possible so that we can schedule a meeting to begin preparations. For more information, please visit our website.

We will have a VBS planning meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6pm in the parish Conference Room. All who are willing to volunteer, please plan on coming to the meeting that night! Bring your creative ideas to help us make this the best VBS our parish has ever had!

Here’s a thought for your week: Be strong now because things will get better; it can’t storm forever. Good things come to those who are willing to hustle. Don’t just be busy; be productive.

        Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Around the Parish – May 14, 2023

A very happy and blessed Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and anyone to whom has shown us motherly love. Know of my prayers, love, and admiration for all of you!

Last weekend, I mentioned two events that our parish will host. In the recent past, Father Matt held a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi Sunday. Eucharistic Processions will be occurring all over the Diocese of Erie on this special Sunday. This year, our parish will host the Deanery Eucharistic Procession, which invites parishioners from all over our area to participate.

The second event will begin also on Corpus Christi Sunday and will continue through the following Tuesday, June 13. Each day, following the last mass of the day, the Eucharist will be exposed for adoration until 7pm each night. At 7pm, we will celebrate evening prayer, and within evening prayer, a special homily will be given. Our preacher for our celebration will be Father Joseph Petrone. He will be preaching on the Hearts of the Holy Family. We are in need of volunteers to sign up for an hour of adoration during the entire time that the Eucharist is exposed. A minimum of two volunteers are needed for each hour that the Eucharist is exposed. In the back vestibule of church, and on our website, you can sign up to volunteer for an hour. Please help us spread the word!

VBS registration is open! Forms can be found in the back vestibule of church under the pictures of the former pastors as well as on our website. Registration is due back ASAP so that we can purchase T-Shirts for all participants! If you wish to volunteer, please contact the parish office as soon as possible so that we can schedule a meeting to begin preparations.

Thank you goes out to all the amazing volunteers who came to help with the first Plant and Garden Sale. The sale raised $1,424 for our parish. Between the sale and other generous donations, we were able to raise enough money to cover the cost of the replacement refrigerator for Gallagher Hall.

Here’s a thought for your week: Never take someone’s feeling for granted because you never know how much courage it took for him or her to express them to you. Life is too short to be constantly worrying. Let go of the stress and realize you’re blessed.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


Thank you to our amazing crew who helped work the First Annual Plant and Garden Sale!

The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Around the Parish – May 7, 2023

Next Sunday is Mother’s Day, and so to honor our Blessed Mother, we will crown her during the weekend masses at the beginning of mass. Flower vases will be placed around the statue of Mary that  is placed in front of the altar. If you want to add any flowers before mass to these vases in honor of the Blessed Mother, feel free! All are invited to participate!

As mentioned at all the masses last weekend, this year we will host Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School is open for all children registered for Preschool through Eighth Grade for the 2023-24 school year. All high school students looking for volunteer/service hours can come as well to help out! The more the merrier! We have chosen to schedule our VBS in the evenings from 5:30-8p to accommodate parents and volunteers who have to work during the day. Many of those who wish to volunteer cannot take a week off work to help, and so we are trying an evening time to assist with others’ schedules. The theme for this year is Splash Canyon: God’s Promise on Life’s Wild Ride. Thank you to Mrs. Linda Oliver and her crew for organizing this opportunity for our parish and community! For more information, please visit our website at https://ihmercer.org/vbs.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help at the Plant and Garden Sale. More information will be given in the coming weeks about the success of the event.

Reminder for Parish Council that we have a meeting scheduled for this Thursday at 6pm in the parish office conference room.

We are still selling tickets for the 300 club! As of writing this article, we have sold 130 tickets, nearing the half-way mark! Please help us spread the word to sell the remaining tickets. More information on the 300 club can be found on the website at https://ihmercer.org/300-club.

Here’s a thought for your week: Family is that place where love begins and never ends. Family provides the anchor when life storms rage around us. Family extends beyond our biology, and into our relationships that fill our day.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Corpus Christi Procession 2023

The Corpus Christi procession is a centuries-old tradition of the Catholic faith to process the Real Presence of Jesus — the Eucharist — in public. The feast of Corpus Christi was established in Liege, Belgium, in 1247. Pope Urban IV extended it to the universal Church almost two decades later, and the Corpus Christi procession followed soon after.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish will host the 2023 Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, June 11. The schedule of events is as follows:

11:00 AM ……………….. Adoration begins at the end of the last Mass
2:15 PM ………………….. Procession begins from Church to Knights of Columbus Hall
2:30 PM ………………….. Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament at the Knights Hall
2:45 PM ………………….. Procession back to Church
3:00 PM ………………….. Divine Mercy Chaplet
3:30 PM ………………….. Benediction

40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion 2023

The Forty Hours Devotion is a special 3 Days of prayer made before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition. Traditionally, this would last into the night for an all-night vigil. The Forty Hours Devotion can be seen almost like a parish mini-retreat or mission in which the faithful are invited to come spend time with the Lord.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish will celebrate this special devotion Sunday June 11, Monday June 12, and Tuesday June 13.

Each night during the celebration of Evening Prayer before Benediction, a guest preacher offers a homily or reflection. This year, we welcome Fr. Joseph Petrone, Parochial Vicar of Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Meadville, PA. Father Joe will be preaching on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Chaste Heart of Joseph.

The schedule of the three days is as follows:

  • Sunday, June 11
    • Adoration following 10am Mass
    • Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession at 2:15pm
    • Evening Prayer and Benediction at 7pm
  • Monday, June 12
    • Adoration following 8am Mass
    • Evening Prayer and Benediction at 7pm
  • Tuesday, June 13
    • Adoration following 8am mass
    • Evening Prayer, Eucharistic Procession in Church, and Benediction at 7pm

Volunteers are needed to cover all of the hours that the Eucharist is exposed. Please consider taking an hour with Jesus during these three days of prayer! Volunteers can signup on our website by clicking the button below:

Around the Parish – April 30, 2023

Starting Sunday, May 7, we will begin our Summer Mass Schedule. After polling the parish, we overwhelmingly received feedback that the preferred time for Sunday Mass during the Summer months (May-August) should be 8am and 10am. Therefore, starting next Sunday we will have mass at 8am and 10am. Please help us spread the word so that the entire community knows!

As a reminder, adoration will resume in our parish on First Fridays from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Adoration is scheduled for this Friday, May 5.

It’s a Catholic tradition to honor Mary during the month of May by setting up May altars or by crowning her statue with flowers. The reason why we crown Mary is best summed up by Pope Paul VI who wrote that May is an occasion for a “moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world pay to the Queen of Heaven.” The crown symbol is attributed to Mary because she is the Mother of the Son of God, who is our Heavenly King.” Before the 5pm Mass on Saturday Nights, we pray the rosary. Please make an effort to be with us. We will offer our prayers for the sick of the parish, vocations to the priesthood and religious life and for peace and harmony in families and in the world.

Next Saturday, we will gather to clean our church properties from the winter. Many hands will make light work! I appreciate all your help! There are signup sheets at the doors as well as the different tasks that need to be accomplished on Saturday May 6.

On that same day is our plant sale. Any help that you might be able to give for this event as well would be greatly appreciated! Any question can be addressed to Junior Bissett at 724-662-4597. Here’s a quick update from the “plant manager:”

Just a reminder that the first annual plant and garden sale is on for THIS SATURDAY, MAY 6! All plant and garden items need to be dropped off at Gallagher Hall by noon on Friday. Gallagher Hall will be open Thursday all day and Friday morning. If you need to schedule another time before Friday to drop off you items/plants, please call the parish office! Here’s to prayers for a beautiful spring day next Saturday! God Bless!

Here’s a few thoughts for your week: Life is so much easier when we don’t hoard the past. Healing doesn’t mean hurtful things have not happened; it just means that the disappointment no longer controls our life. Accept what is; let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Around the Parish – April 23, 2023

Next Sunday we will announce the Summer Mass Schedule. The Summer Mass Schedule begins on the First Sunday of May through the last Sunday of August. On the first Sunday of September through the last Sunday of  April, our Mass schedule will remain 8:00 am and 11:00 am. These times are to accommodate Faith Formation on Sunday mornings. There are a certain amount of contact hours that are required by the Diocese of Erie. By having our masses at 8:00 am and 11:00 am, we are able to meet those minimum contact hours.

Now that Lent has concluded, we no longer have adoration and confessions every Friday. Due to scheduling and attendance, adoration will resume in our parish on First Fridays from 6:00pm-7:00pm. We will no longer have adoration every Wednesday.

In just about two weeks, we will gather on Saturday, May 6 at 9:00 am to clean our church properties from the winter. Many hands will make light work so that we can clean up from the leaves, the downed branches from the winds, and other spring cleaning things. I appreciate all your help!

On that same day is our plant sale. Any help that you might be able to give for this event as well would be greatly appreciated! Any question can be addressed to Junior Bissett at 724-662-4597. Here’s a quick update from the “plant manager:”

Plans are ‘growing’ for the upcoming plant and garden sale fundraiser to be held on May 6. It’s time to go through your garage or garden shed and find items that will attract gardeners to the sale. For instance, like that wind chime or birdhouse you never got around to hanging or that giant houseplant that’s overtaking your family room. Also, any plants – annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs – even trees can be donated. Workers are still needed so please sign up on sheets located at the church entrances or call the church office at 724-662-2999 if you have any ideas or questions.

Here’s a few thoughts for your week: Welcome each day with a warm smile and thank God for bringing  you new thoughts and strengths. Your attitude, faith, and perspective will determine the trajectory your life will take. The worst thing you can do in almost any situation is nothing. Pick a common task and accomplish it in an uncommon way.     Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


In May, our Sunday Mass schedule is set to return to 8 am and 10:30 am. Before we make that decision, we want to make sure that is the best time for summer. In the bulletin for the next few weeks, a form will be available to select your favored option for the Summer Sunday Schedule. We ask that you only return one form per family. You can place the form in the collection basket or mail it to the parish office.

For the months of May—August, our Mass schedule is set to change from 11 am to 10:30 am. We are asking all parishioners to circle their preferred option below and return to the parish office via the collection or mailing in your response.

Option 1: 8:00 am & 11:00 am

Option 2: 8:00 am & 10:30 am

Option 3: 8:00 am & 10:00 am


The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.