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Tag: Communion

Around the Parish – August 2, 2026

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

St. Hermenegild Mass & Picnic

Join us for our annual St. Hermenegild Mass on Thursday, August 13, at 6:00 PM at St. Hermenegild Church, 28 Church Road, Mercer. This special celebration gives us an opportunity to gather in prayer, honor the legacy of this historic church, and celebrate the faith that continues to unite our parish community.

A parish picnic will follow the Mass. Please bring a covered dish to share and a lawn chair. All parishioners, families, and friends are warmly invited to join us!

Men’s and Women’s Groups

We invite the adults of our parish to join us for two new opportunities for fellowship, faith, and community. The Women’s Group will meet on Thursday, August 6, at 7:00 PM, and the Men’s Group will meet on Thursday, August 20, at 7:00 PM. Both gatherings will be held in the parish conference room and are open to all adults age 18 and older.

Come meet other parishioners, share ideas, and help shape these new groups. To RSVP, contact the parish office at (724) 662-2999.

Faith Formation Registration

Faith Formation families should have received their registration packets in the mail. If you did not receive a packet, please contact the parish office. Completed registration materials are due by Thursday, August 20.

Homebound Ministry

As we prepare to begin our renewed Homebound Ministry, we invite parishioners who are unable to attend Mass because of illness, age, or other circumstances to contact Deacon Edgar Gonzalez. Those who wish to participate will be added to a monthly visitation rotation.

Each visit will offer an opportunity for conversation, companionship, prayer, and the reception of Holy Communion. Visits will be made by trained parish volunteers. Although an official starting date has not yet been established, we hope to begin this ministry in the near future.

If you or someone in your household would like to receive monthly visits, please contact Deacon Edgar at (724) 662-2999, option 6, or emailing Deacon Edgar.

Theme Basket Raffle

We are seeking donated theme baskets for the Spaghetti Dinner raffle! Baskets should be valued at $50 or more, include an itemized list, and be delivered to the parish office by August 23.

Please do not include alcoholic beverages. Before requesting a donation from a local business, contact the parish office to help us avoid duplicate requests.

Thank you for supporting this important parish fundraiser!

Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer

Deacon Edgar Gonzalez will lead Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer, an eight-week study designed to help participants grow in prayer and deepen their relationship with God.

The group will meet Wednesdays, August 19 through October 7, at 6:30 PM in the parish conference room. Cost is $20 per person.

To register, call the parish office at (724) 662-2999 or email the office.

Here’s a thought for your week ahead:

As we move through these summer days, it is easy for our schedules to fill with travel, gatherings, and activities. In the midst of it all, remember to make room for the Lord. Even a few quiet moments of prayer each day can help us recognize his presence and receive the peace we need. This week, look for one simple way to grow closer to God and one opportunity to show his love to someone else. Small acts of faithfulness can bear more fruit than we realize.

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 – July 26, 2026

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Homebound Ministry

As we prepare to begin our renewed Homebound Ministry, we invite parishioners who are unable to attend Mass because of illness, age, or other circumstances to contact Deacon Edgar Gonzalez. Those who wish to participate will be added to a monthly visitation rotation.

Each visit will offer an opportunity for conversation, companionship, prayer, and the reception of Holy Communion. Visits will be made by trained parish volunteers. Although an official starting date has not yet been established, we hope to begin this ministry in the near future.

If you or someone in your household would like to receive monthly visits, please contact Deacon Edgar at (724) 662-2999, option 6, or emailing egonzalez@ihmercer.org.

Theme Basket Raffle

Our Theme Basket Raffle is always one of the highlights of the annual Spaghetti Dinner. It is also a wonderful way for parishioners, local businesses, and friends of the parish to help make this important event a success. We are grateful to everyone who donates a completed basket, gathers items, contacts potential donors, or helps organize and promote the raffle.

Each completed basket should have a total value of at least $50 and must be accompanied by an itemized list of its contents. Baskets should be delivered to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Office no later than August 23. Receiving them by this date will give us sufficient time to organize the baskets, prepare the displays, and promote the raffle.

Please do not include alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, or liquor. Gift cards and vouchers for restaurants or businesses that serve alcohol are permitted.

Before making a formal donation request to a business, organization, or individual, please notify the parish office. This will help us avoid approaching the same donor more than once and ensure that everyone who contributes is properly recognized and thanked.

Thank you for sharing your generosity and creativity with our parish. Your participation helps make the Theme Basket Raffle a joyful and successful part of our Spaghetti Dinner!

Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer

Would you like to deepen your relationship with God and become more confident in prayer? Deacon Edgar Gonzalez will lead Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer, an eight-week study offering practical guidance for developing a richer and more faithful prayer life.

Whether prayer comes naturally to you or you sometimes struggle to know how to begin, this study will help you learn to speak with God, listen for his voice, and recognize his presence in your daily life. The group will meet on Wednesdays from August 12 through September 30 at 6:30 PM in the parish conference room. The cost is $20 per person.

To register, please contact the parish office at (724) 662-2999 or email office@ihmercer.org. Anyone who desires to grow closer to the Lord through prayer is warmly encouraged to participate.

Here’s a thought for your week ahead:

This week, pay attention to the people whom God places before you. A telephone call, a brief visit, a sincere conversation, or a quiet prayer may seem like a small gesture, but it can become a powerful sign of Christ’s love. We do not need to accomplish something extraordinary to serve the Lord. We need only to notice, to care, and to make ourselves available.

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 – August 31, 2025

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

New Ministers Schedule

Our new ministers schedule has been published this past week. We ask all of our ministers to please check the schedule online by visiting Ministry Scheduler Pro. Thank you for your continued service to our parish community!

Get Your Parish Cookbook!

Orders are now open for our 70th Anniversary Parish Cookbook! This special keepsake contains 266 recipes collected from our parish family and celebrates the rich history and fellowship of our community. Cookbooks are available for $20 each and will be ready for pickup in time to make a perfect Christmas gift. Checks should be made payable to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish with “Cookbook” written on the memo line. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind parish treasure!

Parish Mission–September 8–11

Mark your calendars—our Parish Mission is almost here! From September 8–11, we will welcome Father Larry Richards from Erie, PA, a nationally known preacher, author, and retreat leader, who will speak to our community over four unforgettable evenings. Each night will focus on a different theme of faith, offering both challenge and encouragement for all who attend. We are seeking 10 volunteers each evening to assist with the mission, as well as baked goods for a reception on the final night. This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith, invite friends and neighbors, and come together as a parish family. Please pray for the success of this mission and plan to join us—you won’t want to miss it!

Theme Basket Raffle

The due date for our Theme Basket Raffle is approaching quickly! Please have all baskets delivered to the parish office by September 15. This earlier deadline gives us more time to advertise the baskets before our annual Spaghetti Dinner. If you would like to sponsor a basket, sign-up sheets are available at the church doors. More details, including ticket information, can be found in this weekend’s bulletin.

A few thoughts for your week:

Gratitude and attitude are choices we make every day, not challenges to overcome. You don’t need everyone to understand your journey; what matters is having the courage to keep moving forward on it. Optimism is a magnet for happiness, and when you stay positive, good people and good opportunities will be drawn to you. No matter what life may bring your way, the outcome depends on what you choose to make of it.

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 – August 24, 2025

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Parish Cookbook Orders Now Open!

Our 70th Anniversary Parish Cookbook is complete—and it’s a feast for the eyes and the table! We’ve collected 266 delicious recipes from parishioners and friends, capturing the flavors and traditions of our community.

Cookbooks are $20 each and will be ready for pickup in time for Christmas—perfect for gift-giving! To place your order, use the order form in this weekend’s bulletin or call the parish office. Checks should be made payable to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish with “Cookbook” written in the memo line.

Don’t miss this special keepsake celebrating the recipes, memories, and fellowship of our parish family!

Theme Basket Raffle

The due date for our Theme Basket Raffle is approaching quickly! Please have all baskets delivered to the parish office by September 15. This earlier date will give us more time to advertise the baskets before our annual Spaghetti Dinner. If you would like to sponsor a basket, sign-up sheets are available at the doors of the church. More details can be found in this weekend’s bulletin.

A few thoughts for your week:

Learning to ignore certain things is one of the greatest paths to inner peace. Not every burden is meant to be carried, and not every battle is worth fighting. Let go of what weighs you down—old hurts, needless worries, and voices that steal your joy—and embrace what and who lifts you up. Surround yourself with people, places, and habits that draw you closer to God and fill your heart with peace.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

View the rest of the bulletin by clicking here

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 – August 17, 2025

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Parish Mission

This weekend, we will begin praying our Mission Prayer at the conclusion of the petitions at every Mass. We will continue this prayer each week until our Parish Mission. The prayer can be found on the cards in your pews—please return them to the pew after Mass so they are available for others. Extra copies are available at the church entrances for anyone who has not yet received one in the mail. Help us spread the word about our mission by sharing these prayer cards with family and friends!

Mass Schedule Changes

We are just three weeks away from returning to our School Year Mass schedule and offering Holy Communion under both species—the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood—at the 11:00 AM Mass.

Beginning the first Sunday of September, our Sunday Masses will be celebrated at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.

Theme Basket Raffle

The due date for our Theme Basket Raffle is approaching quickly! Please have all baskets delivered to the parish office by September 15. This earlier date will give us more time to advertise the baskets before our annual Spaghetti Dinner. If you would like to sponsor a basket, sign-up sheets are available at the doors of the church. More details can be found in this weekend’s bulletin.

A few thoughts for your week:

Live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending, and speak without offending. Rather than focusing only on a to-do list, consider creating a “to-be” list—striving each day to be helpful, happy, faith-filled, calm, honest, and kind.

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 – August 10, 2025

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Holy Day of Obligation – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Friday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. We will celebrate Mass at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Please make it a priority to attend one of these liturgies as we honor our Blessed Mother, who was assumed body and soul into heaven.

Following the 6:00 PM Mass, we will have Eucharistic Adoration from 7:00–8:00 PM. Come spend a quiet hour with Our Lord in thanksgiving for Mary’s intercession and example of faith.

Parish Mission – Pray & Prepare!

Our Parish Mission with Fr. Larry Richards is quickly approaching! Please continue praying our Mission Prayer each day, asking the Holy Spirit to open hearts and stir up renewal in our parish. This mission will be a powerful time of grace, healing, and personal transformation—and I promise you, you will not regret attending.

Whether you come every night or just one evening, I invite you to make this mission a priority. Bring a friend, a neighbor, or someone who’s been away from the Church. Let’s fill our church with people ready to encounter Christ in a deeper way!

Communion Under Both Species (11:00 AM Mass Only)

Starting the first Sunday of September, we will resume offering Holy Communion under both species—the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood—at the 11:00 AM Mass only. This decision reflects our desire to offer this important expression of the Eucharistic banquet in a way that is reverent, sustainable, and respectful of the resources we have.

We hope this opportunity at 11:00 AM will provide the faithful a meaningful option to receive from the chalice. For more information, including a brief explanation of this practice and how to receive reverently, please see the insert in this weekend’s bulletin.

A few thoughts for your week:

God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called. You don’t need to have it all together to say “yes” to Him. Just be open. Mary’s life was one long “yes” to God. As we celebrate her Assumption, may we learn to trust and surrender like she did. The Eucharist isn’t a reward for the perfect—it’s food for the journey. Come hungry for grace. Revival doesn’t start with an event. It starts in the heart. Let it begin with you. We don’t go to church because we’re good—we go because God is good. Even on your worst days, He still invites you in.

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 – August 3, 2025

Written by Very Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Boyd, V.F. on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Adoration Schedule

Beginning this month, Eucharistic Adoration at Immaculate Heart will be held on the Third Friday of each month from 6:00–7:00 PM. This regular time will give us a beautiful rhythm of prayer throughout the year. However, this month, due to the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Adoration will be held from 7:00–8:00 PM on Friday, August 15, following the evening Mass.

This hour later in the month gives our neighbors from other parishes the opportunity to join us—especially since Beloved Disciple and Saint Michael both offer First Friday Adoration, this Third Friday option provides another occasion for Eucharistic prayer in our area.

Holy Day of Obligation – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, August 15 is a Holy Day of Obligation, when we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heaven.

Masses will be offered at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM here at Immaculate Heart. As mentioned above, Adoration will follow the evening Mass, from 7:00–8:00 PM.

Let’s honor our Blessed Mother by beginning and ending the day in prayer.

Communion under Both Species

Beginning in September, with the change of Sunday Mass time from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, we will resume the distribution of Holy Communion under both forms—the Body and the Precious Blood of Christ—at the 11:00 AM Mass only.

While it is a great gift to receive the Eucharist under both species, please remember: Christ is fully present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—in either form. Receiving either the Sacred Host or the Precious Blood alone still constitutes full Communion. This change will allow us to offer the fullness of the liturgical sign where possible while remaining reverent and practical in our approach. !

Parish Mission – Pray & Prepare!

You should have received your Parish Mission Prayer Card this past week. I encourage you to pray this daily as we prepare our hearts for this grace-filled time.

Our Parish Mission with Fr. Larry Richards is set for Monday, September 8 through Thursday, September 11, from 6:30–8:30 PM each evening. Each night will focus on a different theme, and I promise you—it will be spirit-filled, powerful, and life-changing.

Please do everything you can to attend all four nights. This is a moment of renewal and transformation for our entire parish community. Invite your friends, family, neighbors—all are welcome!

A few thoughts for your week:

Happiness is not something readymade; it comes from your own actions. You will either step forward into growth or backwards into safety. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will create the fact. Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can come together.

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 – July 7, 2024

Written by on . Posted in News, Around the Parish.

The big week is finally here! This Monday, July 8 we welcome over 50 youths to our Vacation Bible School, “Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus was a Kid”. The team has worked hard these past weeks, and we are excited to welcome our youth to this fun filled adventure. Please continue to pray for our children and leaders as we journey back in time to learn more about our God and His love for us!

A question was raised by a few members of our church on when we should sit, kneel, and stand following communion. Back in October of 2021, the Diocese of Erie returned to the practice of kneeling during the Communion Rite (following the recitation/singing of the Lamb of God through the reception of communion). Upon returning to the pew, all are invited to either kneel or sit, depending on the individual’s preference. The question was raised, “do we have to kneel? And when do we sit?” The simple answer is, it’s entirely up to you after receiving communion. For clarity sake, a common practice is that the general permission to sit is with the closing of the tabernacle doors after the Holy Eucharist is placed inside the tabernacle and the priest genuflects/bows. As always, you are welcome to continue kneeling until the presider says “Let us pray,” for the prayer after communion, but you are welcome to sit whenever you wish.

(I think the questions was raised because some may have felt awkward wanting to sit and the priest either does not return to the chair or there is a lengthy time after communion until the priest sits. In other words, you don’t have to wait for the priest to sit if you wish to sit. It is entirely up to your judgement when you want to sit!)

We are always in need of more ministers at mass! If you feel called to minister by reading or being a Eucharistic Minister, or assisting as an usher, please let us know in the office! We are still in need of more ministers of Holy Communion to visit our local nursing homes. Currently, there are three weeks of the month that need a minister to visit either QLS or Avalon. If you feel that you are in need of a sign, this is your sign from God! We need YOU to make this community a family!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. Regardless of the circumstances, two things that we are always in control of are our attitude and our level of motivation. Go prayerfully in he direction of your dreams. Life is fragile, handle it with prayer.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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