Tag: All Souls

Around the Parish – October 20, 2024

Written by on October 19, 2024. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

Next Sunday is the big day! I invite you to join us for our First Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Theme Basket Raffle at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. We’re excited to welcome everyone for a delicious meal, warm fellowship, and a chance to win from our fantastic selection of 28 themed baskets!

Dinner tickets will be available at the door: $15 for adults, $8 for children aged 5 and over, under, 5 is free, gluten-free option for $15 as well. We’ll be serving dinner from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. Basket raffle tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10, with the drawing held at the end of the dinner. Bring your friends and family for an afternoon of food and fun! Your participation supports our parish community, and we can’t wait to see you there.

Thanks to Mrs. Oliver and her dedicated team, our Faith Formation families are invited to enjoy a day at the Corn Maze! If you’d like to join, please call Mrs. Oliver TODAY—Sunday, October 20—as we won’t be able to accommodate additional reservations after today. We’ll be heading to the Corn Maze on Sunday, November 3, right after the 11:00 AM Mass, with a pizza lunch in Gallagher Hall before we go. To reserve your spot, please contact Mrs. Linda Oliver at (724) 968-8197. Parents, please remember that you’ll need to provide transportation for your children and remain with them throughout the event.

Last weekend’s bulletin included two flyers, one for #iGiveCatholic and another for All Souls Day. You can always find more information about #iGiveCatholic on our website at ihmercer.org/igivecatholic. Donations for our work in Gallagher Hall can be sent to the office by check in the provided envelopes or simply marked “#iGiveCatholic” in the memo line. After December 3, the big online giving day, we’ll send a letter to all donors about how you’d like to personalize our memorial plaque.

As we did last year for All Souls and throughout November, everyone is welcome to bring framed pictures of loved ones who have passed. Please make sure the frames are labeled with your contact information, and deliver them to the sacristy before November 1. Plan to pick them up from the sacristy on November 30 or December 1.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Ultimately it is not the things that we acquire in life that matter; rather it is the hearts we touch and strengthen that measure our success in life and family living. Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire.

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.

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Around the Parish – October 29, 2023

Written by on October 28, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

Normally we have adoration in our parish on First Friday, but due to another commitment in the Diocese, I am unable to hold this holy hour this month. We will resume our monthly holy hour on Friday, December 1.

A blast was had at the corn maze last Sunday. Pictures of the fun can be seen in our bulletin this weekend.

A reminder that this Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses for All Saints Day will be at 8:00am and 6:00pm. Please make sure you attend mass for this Holy Day.

On Thursday, we celebrate All Souls Day. On this special day we remember and pray for all the deceased. This special day is reserved for all the holy souls in purgatory as they are made clean before they enter into the joys of Heaven. Our masses for All Souls Day will be at 8:00am and 6:00pm. At 6:00pm, we will in a special way pray for the deceased from this past year. Please join us in praying for our beloved dead.

Next Sunday, daylight savings time ends, so the clocks fall back one hour on Sunday November 5 at 2:00 am. Make sure that you note the time change or else you might make it to mass an hour early!

I want to take the opportunity to really encourage our parish community, especially our high school age students and our young adults to consider participating in the Divine Mercy Encounter retreat on November 10-12. This retreat was and is an important part of my spiritual journey and one that is worth spending the weekend at. All ages 15 and up are invited and encouraged to attend. It is a wonderful weekend to experience the love of God and have a time to socialize with other people in the faith. At this moment of crazy in the world and in our lives, I think now is the perfect moment to step away and take some time with God to reconnect to what is most important. Join me this special weekend away at Saint Joseph Church in Erie. More information is found in this weekend’s bulletin.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Don’t stop because you are tired; stop when you can be proud of your accomplishments. Cherish yesterday, plan for tomorrow, but live in today. The road to success is always under construction.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 22, 2023

Written by on October 21, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

Join us next Saturday after our 5 pm vigil mass for a delightful pumpkin carving extravaganza! Please RSVP to ensure we have enough pizza and pumpkins for everyone, and if you can, bring a little something to share. Our evening will culminate with a heartwarming screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” Your presence will make this gathering all the more special. We can’t wait to see you there!

As we approach the celebration of All Souls Day this year, we extend a heartfelt invitation to all to contribute a picture of your dearly departed loved ones to grace our sanctuary. You may drop off these cherished mementos following the Sunday Masses over the next two weeks or at any convenient time during the week in the sacristy after mass. To ensure all pictures fit, kindly limit the size to 5×7. Don’t forget to label your photo with your name and contact information to ensure its safe return. These portraits will remain in our sanctuary until the weekend of November 5.

While on your way to the grocery store, if you can spare a moment, we kindly request your support for our Sharing Shed Thanksgiving distribution. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated based on the first letter of your last name: A-D – Stuffing Mix, E-H – Canned Vegetables, I-M – Instant Potatoes, N-Q – Cranberry Sauce, R-U – Macaroni & Cheese, V-Z – Sweet Potatoes. Your generosity will brighten the holiday season for those in need within our community.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Cling to your faith and press on, for it’s in the storms of life that you’ll discover the strength of your anchor. With unwavering trust in God’s promises, your perseverance will carry you through, and you’ll emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 15, 2023

Written by on October 14, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

We are coming up on the Holy Day of Obligation of All Saints Day. Our Mass schedule for All Saints will be Wednesday, November 1 @ 8am and 6pm. Masses for All Souls Day will be Thursday, November 2 @ 8am and 6pm. At the 6pm mass, we will have our annual memorial of all the deceased of our parish in the past year. Included in the bulletin is a list of all our beloved deceased. If you wish to include anyone from outside the parish in our list, please email the parish office including the name of the deceased and the date of their death.

With this celebration of All Saints and All Souls days, we recognize these special celebrations that are surrounded with much mystery and mysticism. A way that we as humans have come to understand these celebrations can be seen in the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico involves the creation of an ofrenda or “altar of the dead” to honor deceased loved ones. This elaborately decorated altar features photographs of the departed as a central focus. Candles and marigold flowers illuminate the ofrenda and guide spirits back to the living world. Incense purifies the environment, and sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar) serve as colorful decorations. Favorite foods and drinks, including the special Pan de Muerto bread, are provided for the spirits. Personal items, religious symbols, and papel picado (decorative paper) may also adorn the altar. The ofrenda is a heartfelt way to remember and honor the deceased, creating a connection with them during this unique and culturally rich holiday.

This year, for the celebration of All Souls Day, we wish to invite everyone to bring in a picture of their deceased loved ones to be placed in the sanctuary. We ask that you drop off a picture of your loved one either following the Sunday Masses these next two weeks, or any time during the week in the sacristy following mass. We ask that your picture is no larger than 5×7 so that we can adequately fit everyone’s pictures. Please make sure to put your name and contact information on the back of the picture so as to make sure the safe return of the portrait. These pictures will remain in our sanctuary through the weekend of November 5.

On November 5, we will have a special Family Faith Formation day where Antonio and Nelly Sosa-Ramirez along with their family will be presenting the understanding and history of Dia de los Muertos and how we can celebrate this very Catholic and very spiritually rich holiday in our families and our community. Please plan on attending this special day!

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Remember, breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Sometimes, things fall apart so that other things can fall into place. Sometimes you have to fight through your worst days in order to earn the best days of your life. Don’t give up!

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 1, 2023

Written by on September 30, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

In the northern hemisphere, the arrival of fall heralds a profound transformation in the natural world. As the vibrant colors of summer give way to the warm and earthy hues of autumn, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of life and the inevitable passage of time. It is during this season that we are particularly attuned to the signs of death and decay that surround us. The once-lush foliage now falls to the ground, decaying and returning to the earth from which it came. The days grow shorter, and the chill in the air serves as a harbinger of the approaching winter.

In the Catholic Faith, this recognition of death and decay in the natural world is closely tied to the observance of All Saints Day on November 1st. All Saints Day is a time when Catholics honor and celebrate the lives of the saints, the holy men and women who have gone before us and serve as examples of faith and virtue. It is a day to remember those who have lived lives of great holiness and have now found eternal rest in the presence of God.

The connection between the changing seasons and All Saints Day lies in the symbolism of death and rebirth. Just as the fallen leaves will eventually give way to new growth in the spring, so too do the lives of the saints inspire us to strive for spiritual renewal and transformation. In the midst of the autumnal decay, we are reminded that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new and eternal life. This season of reflection and remembrance encourages us to emulate the saints’ virtues, seeking to lead lives of faith, compassion, and service to others. In doing so, we hope to one day join the ranks of the saints in the heavenly kingdom, where the eternal spring of God’s love and grace knows no end.

In the Catholic Church, we hold the lives of the saints in high regard, so much so that we sometimes keep relics of saints. Relics hold a significant place in the Catholic Church as tangible connections to the lives of saints and the divine. These physical remains or objects associated with saints, such as bone fragments, clothing, or personal belongings, serve as powerful reminders of the faith’s rich history and the lives of those who have exemplified devotion.

In the next few weeks in our bulletin, we will be talking more about Saints and Relics as we prepare for the celebration of All Saints and All Souls. We will talk about the specific relics present here in our church for veneration, and the lives of those particular saints.

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: 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. Stop beating yourself up. You are a work in progress, which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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All Saints and All Souls Days

Written by on October 20, 2022. Posted in News, Parish News.

We are coming up on the Holy Day of Obligation of All Saints Day. Our Mass schedule for All Saints will be

Monday, October 31 @ 6pm and

Tuesday, November 1 @ 8am.

Masses for All Souls Day will be

Wednesday, November 2 @ 8am and 6pm.

At the 6pm mass, we will have our annual memorial of all the deceased of our parish in the past year. Next weekend we will include a list of all our beloved deceased in the bulletin. If you wish to include anyone from outside the parish in our list, please email the parish office including the name of the deceased and the date of their death.

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