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Tag: Adoration

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


Around the Parish – February 4, 2024

Embark on Your Lenten Journey

As we approach the season of Lent, we invite you to join us in a meaningful and reflective journey, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 14. While not a holy day of obligation, the day marks the commencement of Lent with Masses at 8am and 6pm. It presents a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and start our Lenten observance.

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

Mark your calendars for 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 a remarkable opportunity to enrich your Lenten experience and strengthen your relationship with God.

Easter Raffle Preparation Begins: Collect Your 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.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

The moment you are ready to quit is usually the moment just before a miracle happens. Don’t give up! Your smile is your logo; your personality your is your business card; the way you make others feel is your trademark. In every disagreement in marriage, remember this one important truth: your spouse is your partner, not your enemy.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy


Around the Parish – December 3, 2023

Thank you to everyone who donated for the #iGiveCatholic campaign. I hope to include to totals received in the coming weeks. At the time of writing this bulletin, we do not have the total count of all monies received. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and support!

This Friday is a Holy Day of Obligation as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this Holy Day of Obligation, our mass schedule is 8:00am and 6:00pm. Following the 6:00pm mass, we will have a holy hour of Eucharistic Adoration and confessions available.

Next Sunday is the Cookie Walk and Soup Sale. If you have cookies or soup to drop off, we ask that you drop them off Friday, 8 am to 6 pm or Saturday, 9 am to 12 noon. Thank you all again for your amazing baking and cooking skills. Our parish most definitely has the best bakers in the entire diocese!

Also next Sunday at the conclusion of the 11:00am mass, we will have our drawings for the lottery trees and our grand prizes for the 300 club. Winner need not be present for the lottery trees, and the winners of the grand prizes will receive their check in the mail later that week. Best of luck to everyone!

The Deanery Advent Penance services begin next Sunday with a penance service at Beloved Disciple at 2:00pm and our parish penance service at 5:00pm. Please make sure to avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation sometime this Advent. Adoration and Confessions will be offered every Friday during Advent from 6-7pm with the exception of this Friday as mentioned above.

In this weekend’s bulletin you can find the listing of masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas. Being that Christmas is on a Monday, to fulfill the Sunday Obligation and Christmas Obligation, one must attend Mass for Sunday by either going to Mass Saturday night or Sunday Morning, and one must attend Mass for Christmas by either going Sunday night or Monday morning. Sunday morning mass on December 24 does not count for Christmas, and going on Christmas Eve does not count for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is a very brave thing to do – even if you stumble a little on your way out the door. Don’t compare your progress with that of others. Everyone needs their own time and speed to travel their own distance. Each day comes bearing gifts. Untie the ribbon.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy




Around the Parish – November 26, 2023

I pray that each person’s Thanksgiving was brimming with joy, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. Personally (as usual), I indulged a bit more than intended in a delightful feast. The occasion provided a beautiful opportunity to cherish moments with my mom, brother, his fiancée, and her family.

For the Season of Advent, we will hold a holy hour with Eucharistic Adoration and confessions every Friday from 6:00pm—7:00pm with one exception. On Friday, December 8, the church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of God. That day is a holy day of obligation, and therefore we will have an evening mass at 6:00pm. Following that mass, we will have adoration and confessions from 7:00pm—8:00pm. Please do take the opportunity to avail yourself of the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Advent.

Posted in church is a flyer of confession times in our deanery for the season of Advent. Our parish penance service is scheduled for Sunday, December 10 at 5:00pm. This is the same day as the Cookie Walk and Soup Sale.

All gifts for the Nursing Home Gift Tree are due back to church next Sunday, December 3. All gifts are asked to be returned in a gift bag and have their tag attached to the bag. Thank you again for your support of our ministry to our neighbors! I know from personal experience with family members in nursing homes how much they appreciate us thinking of them!

#iGiveCatholic is this Tuesday, November 28. A project that we are looking to do is update and upgrade the chairs and tables in our parish conference room. Each new chair costs $50, and we are looking into purchasing at least 50 chairs. Any help you might be able to give to this project would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds from this fundraiser stay completely in our parish. More information can be found in this weekend’s bulletin as well as on our website at:

https://ihmercer.org/igivecatholic

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is a very brave thing to do – even if you stumble a little on your way out the door. Don’t compare your progress with that of others. Everyone needs their own time and speed to travel their own distance. Each day comes bearing gifts. Untie the ribbon.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy



40 Hours & Corpus Christi Procession Schedule

Beginning this Sunday, June 11, we start our 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion and Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession. The schedule of Events for the next three days is listed below:

Sunday, June 11, 2023

  8:00 AM — Parish Sunday Mass
10:00 AM — Parish Sunday Mass
11:00 AM — Eucharistic Adoration Begins
  2:15 PM — Corpus Christi Procession Begins from IHM Church to K of C Hall
  2:30 PM — Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament at K of C Hall
  2:45 PM — Procession back to IHM Church
  3:00 PM — Divine Mercy Chaplet in IHM Church
  3:30 PM — Benediction
  3:45 PM — Adoration continues in IHM Church
  7:00 PM — 40 Hours Vespers and Homily from Fr. Joseph Petrone in IHM Church
  7:30 PM — Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Monday, June 12, 2023

  8:00 AM — Parish Daily Mass
  8:30 AM — Eucharistic Adoration resumes following morning Mass
  7:00 PM — 40 Hours Vespers and Homily from Fr. Joseph Petrone in IHM Church
  7:30 PM — Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

  8:00 AM — Parish Daily Mass
  8:30 AM — Eucharistic Adoration resumes following morning Mass
  7:00 PM — 40 Hours Vespers and Homily from Fr. Joseph Petrone in IHM Church
  7:30 PM — Eucharistic Procession in IHM Church
  7:45 PM — Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament

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 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.

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