Tag: Adoration

Around the Parish – May 21, 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on May 20, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

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!

Click here for more information on Forty Hours

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.

Click here to register for VBS

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

Click here for more information about the Eucharistic Procession

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.

Click here for more info on the 300 Club

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Around the Parish – May 14, 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on May 13, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

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.

Click here for more information about the Eucharistic Procession

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!

Click here for more information on Forty Hours

Click here to register for VBS

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!

Click here for more info on the 300 Club

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Corpus Christi Procession 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on May 5, 2023. Posted in News, Parish News, Diocese News. 2 Comments on 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

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40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on May 5, 2023. Posted in News, Parish News.

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:

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Around the Parish – April 30, 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on April 29, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

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

Click here for more info on the 300 Club

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Around the Parish – April 23, 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on April 22, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

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!

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

Click here for more info on the 300 Club

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Around the Parish – February 19, 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on February 18, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent this week. Our Mass Schedule for Ash Wednesday is 8am and 6pm. Lenten regulations and reminders about fasting and abstinence are in this weekend’s bulletin. A reminder that beginning this week Adoration will be on Fridays from 6-7pm with Stations and Benediction beginning at 7pm.

From left to right: Melanie, Joseph, and Greg

I am very excited to announce that we have a new Faith Formation Director. Mr. Greg Cummings has agreed and is now the Faith Formation Director for our parish. Officially, his work will begin with the fall semester, but he has already begun work to prepare for the fall.

Greg is a native of Grove City, where he currently lives with his wife Melanie and his son Joseph. He was raised as a Protestant, but entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass in 2013 where he was baptized, confirmed, and received his first Holy Communion. He has a B.A. in philosophy and English literature from Grove City College and is currently finishing his Master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. In his free time, Greg enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with his family. If you run into Greg, please make sure to thank him for his yes to God and to our parish. Please make him feel at home!

The Catholic Services Appeal Commitment Sunday is upon us. Along with funding all of the different departments and services that the Diocese of Erie is able to provide for us, any overages that we collect will be used in our parish to help continue our mission. This collection is essentially a tax that we must pay the diocese. Even if we do not meet our goal, we will still have to pay this sum of money. This year, any overages will be used to repair the window wells and the outdoor stairs in the Parish Office building. These window wells and stairs are collapsing and need immediate attention. I truly appreciate your continued support in our parish.

Here’s a few thoughts for your week: It takes the same amount of energy to worry as it does to be positive and faith filled. Use your energy to be faith filled and positive things will happen. Don’t stumble over something that is already behind you. Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – Sunday, February 5, 2023

Written by yt_nzegnnf9 on February 4, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

In the coming weeks, we will have a Lenten Schedule posted in our bulletin as well as in our church of all the events and dates of Lenten activities happening in our parish, or events that our Diocese has asked us to post in the parish. One item to keep on your radar for Lent is a special scriptural study entitled “A Virtual Pilgrimage to Israel.” For three Thursdays, we will gather as we walk through the life of Christ in the land that He actually lived in through pictures and videos of my two trips to Israel. We will gather on Thursdays, March 16, 23, and 30 at 6pm in the Parish Office Conference Room. I highly encourage you to come and join us for a Lenten spiritual refreshment.

Another activity/change to our normal schedule will be for our weekly adoration. During the Fridays of Lent (excluding Good Friday), we will have adoration from 6-7pm. We will not be having adoration on Wednesdays during Lent. Also during that time on Fridays, I will be hearing confessions from 6-7pm. At 7pm we will have Stations of the Cross, concluding with Benediction at the end of stations. This is another great weekly meditation to help us enter into the spirit of Lent.

On Palm Sunday, Immaculate Heart will be once again be raffling off 2 Easter Lottery Baskets and 7 additional baskets. We are asking for donations of lottery tickets for the two lottery baskets. All scratch off tickets can be placed in the collection basket, brought in to the parish office Monday—Thursday 9a-3p, or mailed to the parish office.

On another note of maintenance to our physical plant: one of the toilets in the ladies restroom in Gallagher Hall will need to be replaced. On Tuesday, January 31, we noticed that the toilet was leaking and is cracked. With that crack, we have been leaking a lot of water, causing our water bill to be extremely high. We have been looking for the leak in our building, and have (we hope) found the culprit. Thank you for your continued support on these surprise matters that need to be addressed. As you know, home-ownership comes with many ups and downs, and tons of work.

Here’s a few thoughts for your week: Never give up on anyone; miracles happen every day. It is not hard to make a decision once you know what your Christian values are. The biggest mistake we can make is being afraid to make one. With God’s help,
turn your can’ts into cans and your dreams into plans.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy