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Tag: Divine Mercy Encounter

Around the Parish – September 21, 2025

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

No Daily Mass This Week

This week I will be away on my annual priest retreat. Each year, priests are required to take dedicated time for prayer, reflection, and renewal so that we may serve you better. Please keep me in your prayers during this time, and know that I will be remembering you in mine. There will be no daily Masses celebrated here at the parish this week.

Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat

This November, consider joining the transformative Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat—a three-day retreat hosted at St. Joseph Church / Bread of Life Community Center in Erie. Beginning with Friday’s Day of Invitation, continuing through Saturday’s Day of Encounter—rich with Mass, Adoration, and prayer—and concluding with Sunday’s Day of Commission, participants are invited into a deeper walk with Christ through reflection, the sacraments, community, and worship.

The weekend runs from 10:00 AM Friday through 5:00 PM Sunday, with on-site overnight accommodations to foster shared spiritual growth. Open to those age 15 and older (with no upper age limit), the retreat welcomes people at every stage of their faith journey.

This is the retreat program that Father Larry spoke about during the parish mission.

For details or to register, visit DivineMercyEncounter.com

New Prayer Study with Deacon Edgar

On Thursday, October 9, Deacon Edgar Gonzalez will begin leading a 7-week prayer study titled When You Pray: A Clear Path to a Deeper Relationship with God. This engaging series will help participants grow in prayer through Scripture, tradition, and practical insights for everyday life.

Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 6:00–8:00 PM in the parish conference room. Please RSVP to the parish office by Tuesday, September 23. All are welcome—come and discover the joy of a deeper prayer life!

A few thoughts for your week:

Expecting things to change without putting any effort into it is like waiting for a ship at the airport. When God delays, He always does so for a greater purpose. Inner peace begins where expectations end.

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 – September 14, 2025

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

Sacred Saturday — Sept. 20

Next weekend, we are blessed to welcome Dr. Aaron and Mrs. Gretchen Kerr for our Sacred Saturday gathering. Together they will share their witness of faith and reflections on living as disciples of Jesus in the midst of family life, work, and community. Sacred Saturday begins with Mass at 9:00 AM, followed by breakfast and the presentation in Gallagher Hall.

This is a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship as a parish family. All are invited—bring a friend and join us for this morning of prayer, learning, and encouragement! Please RSVP to the parish office by Wednesday, September 17 so that we can plan accordingly for breakfast.

Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat

This November, join us for the transformative Divine Mercy Encounter, a three-day retreat hosted at St. Joseph Church / Bread of Life Community Center in Erie. From Friday’s Day of Invitation, through Saturday’s Day of Encounter—rich with Mass, Adoration, and prayer, to Sunday’s Day of Commission, participants are invited into a deeper walk with Christ through reflection, the sacraments, community, and worship. The weekend begins at 10 a.m. Friday and concludes at 5 p.m. Sunday, with overnight accommodations on-site to foster shared spiritual growth. Ideal for those aged 15 and older (with no upper age limit), retreatants of all stages of faith are welcome. For more information—or to register—visit DivineMercyEncounter.com

New Prayer Study with Deacon Edgar

Beginning Thursday, October 9, Deacon Edgar Gonzalez will lead a 7-week study titled When You Pray: A Clear Path to a Deeper Relationship with God. This engaging series will guide participants into a richer prayer life through Scripture, tradition, and practical insights for everyday living.

Sessions will be held Thursdays from 6:00–8:00 PM in the parish conference room. Please RSVP to the parish office by Tuesday, September 23. All are welcome!

A few thoughts for your week:

There are no perfect husbands and no perfect wives. But when we keep believing in each other and trusting in God’s grace, we find that there are many perfect moments in a marriage. When life brings situations we cannot change, the Lord challenges us to let Him change our hearts.

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 – November 5, 2023

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

Next weekend, I will be away at the Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat in Erie with a few of our parishioners. It’s not too late to register for this great weekend of prayer! If you are interested, please register ASAP and let me know so I can be on the lookout for your application. If money is an issue, please let me know. Please pray for us while we are on the retreat! While I am away, Father Ray will be covering for me. Make sure to thank him for being with us!

As you most likely now know, on Monday, October 23, I happened to trip down a half flight of stairs, subsequently breaking my foot. While I really have no major pain, if I am on my feet for too long, it does start to ache. So, while it heals, I will be in the boot for at least six weeks, during which the doctors will see if any more work needs to be done, so let’s pray I don’t need surgery!

This past week, we mailed home the lottery tree raffle tickets! Tickets are $2, or 6 for $10. If you are able to sell extra tickets, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible. Thank you again for your dedicated service to the parish!

Included in this weekend’s bulletin are order forms for poinsettias for our sanctuary for Christmas. Each 8 inch plant costs $20 and the order form must be returned to church by Sunday, November 19.

Also in the sanctuary this weekend is the Nursing Home Gift Tree for our local seniors. If you are able to help spread some Christmas Cheer, we ask that you take a tag from the tree, purchase the gift listed, and return the gift in a gift bag with the tag to church by Sunday, December 3.

#iGiveCatholic this year will be on 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.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Don’t change so people will like you; be yourself and the right people will love the real you. The past is like an anchor that holds you back. You must be able to let go of who you were in order to become the person God wants you to be.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 29, 2023

Written by on . 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 – September 10, 2023

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

Another year has gone by, and yet, every year we are always surprised with how fast time goes by. Tomorrow we remember again the attack on America. The remembrance of 9/11 is a solemn occasion that also carries a message of hope and resilience. On that tragic day, our world was shaken to its core, and we witnessed the worst of humanity’s cruelty. However, we also saw the best of humanity emerge in the form of countless acts of courage, compassion, and heroism. Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary citizens selflessly rushed to help those in need, showing the indomitable spirit of unity in the face of adversity. In the years that have passed, the scars from that day remain, but so does our commitment to never forget the lives lost and the lessons learned. The remembrance of 9/11 reminds us that even in our darkest hours, we can come together as a nation, support one another, and rebuild stronger than before. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a pledge to honor the memory of those we lost by continuing to strive for a more peaceful and just world.

On November 10, 11, and 12, The Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat Program will be hosting DME #106. In November of 2008, I participated in TEC 51, which is what DME is the spiritual successor of. This amazing weekend retreat lasts three days at Saint Joseph Church in Erie where participants encounter our Lord through His Invitation, Encounter, and Commissioning. Each day has a different focus: Friday is the Day of Invitation, focusing on how God is inviting us into relationship. Saturday is the Day of Encounter, where we encounter God through the sacraments, Adoration, and others. Sunday is the Day of Commission, where we as a community are empowered to evangelize and share our faith. The weekend includes talks, exposure to different types of prayer, Mass, community, and much more. The weekend runs from 10am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday, and retreat participants stay onsite for the weekend.

I look forward to this special weekend this November as I will be the main priest running the weekend with my home parish pastor, Father James McCormick. I encourage everyone to consider participating in this retreat! For more information visit    https://divinemercyencounter.com

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Archabbot Wimmer, the first abbot of Saint Vincent Monastery in Latrobe, PA had a motto of “Forward, always forward, everywhere forward!” This is an excellent motto for the spiritual life. Always look forward to the future with Christ, for He is already there, preparing for us the joys of Heaven.

        Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat

Written by on . Posted in News, Diocese News.

DME is a three day retreat program. Each day has a different focus: Friday is the Day of Invitation, focusing on how God is inviting us into relationship. Saturday is the Day of Encounter, where we encounter God through the sacraments, Adoration, and others. Sunday is the Day of Commission, where we as a community are empowered to evangelize and share our faith.

The weekend includes talks, exposure to different types of prayer, Mass, community, and much more. The weekend runs from 10am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday, and retreat participants stay onsite for the weekend.

For more information, feel free to speak with Father Andy about the retreat!

Where are Divine Mercy Encounter retreat weekends held?
DME retreat weekends are held at Saint Joseph Church / Bread of Life Community at 147 West 24th Street, Erie, PA 16502. Retreat participants are expected to stay at the social center for the entire weekend. 

Is there a cost for the DME weekends?
The cost to make the DME weekend is $45. We ask for a $20 deposit to hold your spot on a particular weekend. Please contact the Parish Office if you cannot afford this cost. 

What should I bring with me on a DME weekend?
On the DME weekend, you will be staying over at the parish social center. In addition to the items you’d normally bring on a trip (clothes, pajamas, towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, any medication, etc.) you will also want to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Inflatable mattresses are permitted, although we ask that you bring a single-sized mattress to allow for room in the sleeping area. Cots are available upon request. We also ask that you bring one dress-clothes outfit for a special event on Saturday. 

Am I going to have to share personal stuff that I don’t want to talk about on DME weekends?
There is plenty of time on the weekend for sharing – if you feel comfortable – but you do not have to talk about anything that you don’t want to. No one is going to expect you to answer questions about yourself or your life. You can go as far as you want.

Who will be at a Divine Mercy Encounter Weekend?
The makeup of each Divine Mercy Encounter weekend varies a little, but usually around 30 people make the weekend and around 20 people work the weekend. There are usually around 15 high school aged participants, 5 – 10 college / young adult participants, and up to 8 adult participants making the weekend. At your table will also be two people around your age who have made a Divine Mercy Encounter before who will be there as your table resources to help out. The other people working the retreat include the musician, directors, and spiritual directors.

Will I be able to shower on Divine Mercy Encounter Weekends?
Yes, there are showers available and everyone has a chance to take showers.

Where am I going to be sleeping?
You will be sleeping on the floor of the location where you are making your DME. Participants are encouraged to bring a twin inflatable mattress or floor pad, a sleeping bag, or (when necessary) a cot. Some cots are available for those who need them.

Who can make a DME weekend?
Anyone can participate as long as they are a sophomore in high school and 15 years of age or older.

When is the next retreat?
The NEXT DME Retreat Weekend is scheduled for November 11, 12, & 13, 2022. Register soon!!

TO APPLY TO MAKE THE WEEKEND VISIT:

https://www.divinemercyencounter.com/retreat-application

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