Tag: Eucharist

Around the Parish – June 16, 2024

Written by on June 15, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Thank you to everyone who participated in or 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion. The three days were filled with so many graces and blessings. A special thank you goes out to Deacon Michael Scanga who led us in our contemplation of the Eucharist and our relationship with Christ. We eagerly look forward to his priesthood ordination in May of 2025.

A special prayer and blessing goes out to all the Fathers of our parish community. Just like Saint Joseph, all fathers are called to be a witness to God in the way they lead and pray for their families.

In preparation for our Vacation Bible School, we will be taking up a special second collection at all the weekend masses. The monies collected will be used to help defray the costs associated with our VBS. Remember, we do not charge any of the families that participate so that there is no reason to not participate! All are welcome, and you do not need to be a member of our church to join! Please help us spread the word in these last few days before we begin on July 8!

As you will see in this bulletin, there are no masses this week coming up, as all the priests will be away for our annual Emmaus Convocation. All priests of the Diocese will be spending a week in Latrobe, PA at Saint Vincent Archabbey for a week or prayer and fraternity. Please pray for us as we pray for you! I look forward to seeing you all next weekend.

Included in the bulletin this weekend, as well as mailed out to all the homes of our students, a flyer is included for Catholic Youth Summer Olympics. Spearheaded by Father Power, pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Sharon, for the four Thursdays in July, games will be held for our high school students to compete in. I want to encourage all of our high school youth to consider participating! Make a team for IHM and make the parish proud! I look forward to being present at these events, and hope to see our students there.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Time has a wonderful way of showing us who and what is truly important. Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you. Our worst days have an ending and our best days have a beginning. Happy are those who take life day by day and are grateful for the little things. Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. We can’t cure the world of sorrow, but we can choose to be a source of joy for others.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – June 9, 2024

Written by on June 8, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

As announced last weekend, we are delighted to celebrate our parish feast day throughout this weekend, honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please note that the readings for this special Mass have been carefully selected for the occasion and will not be available in the hymnals. Let us come together in prayer and community to deepen our devotion and celebrate the grace and love bestowed upon us through the honoring of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Thank you to everyone for the Anniversary well wishes and congratulations. I am grateful for your continued support of me and our parish community. I am truly honored and humbled to have been a priest for six years now. It feels like just yesterday I was in seminary, dreaming of what it would be like to be a priest some day. I am truly grateful to God for allowing me to be your priest these past two years. I look forward to many years to come! (And hopefully the Bishop agrees. I’d love to stay here forever!)

A special congratulations to my Brother Knights this weekend as we also celebrate their 65^th Anniversary. I am grateful for their presence in our parish, our community, and our families. As a knight, I know of the dedication and support intimately that they give to the church. Please make sure to thank the knights for all they do for our church and beyond. Also, if any man is interested in joining the Knights, please contact Mr. Rich Lipinski, the Grand Knight of the Mercer Knights of Columbus. (13rlipinsk@gmail.com) We are always hoping to have more brothers join!

As you know, our 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion begins this Sunday following our 10a mass. Over the next three days, Adoration will be in church each day following mass, and will conclude with Benediction each night beginning at 7pm with Evening Prayer and a Homily by Deacon Michael Scanga. Many priests from all over the Diocese of Erie will be visiting our parish for this special time. Please do greet them and welcome them to our parish! The flyer of times is available in our bulletin this weekend. Please make sure to take a copy home!

Next weekend, we will be taking up a second collection for our Vacation Bible School. We run our VBS solely on donations as we do not charge any of the participants so that there is no barrier for the families to participate. In your charity, please help us to spread the news about our VBS for children to participate. Thank you for your continued generosity.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Friendships are flowers in the garden of life: you need to water them and care for them if you want them to grow. Be a person who solves problems, not one who creates them. Be stronger than your strongest excuse.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – June 2, 2024

Written by on June 1, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

This weekend, our church celebrates the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or as more commonly known, Corpus Christi Sunday. In a special way, we give thanks to God on this Corpus Christi Sunday for the gift of His Body and Blood as our food and medicine here on this earth. By this great gift, we are given the remedy out of this life of sin and a way back into His Love. By this sacrament, we participate in His eternal sacrifice upon the cross, bringing our unworthiness to the foot of the Holy Cross from which we receive every grace and heavenly blessing.

On this Corpus Christi weekend, we also recognize a new gift that we have been given by God: the gift of a newly recognized Saint in Heaven. This saint is Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. Although his Canonization Mass has not yet been celebrated, the Holy Father has recognized another miracle attributed to Carlo’s intercession, paving the way for his sainthood. Let us give thanks to God for this holy young man who was so dedicated to the Holy Eucharist; let us proclaim this great saint to the ends of the earth for his desire to proclaim Jesus in the Eucharist to all!

A common practice for Corpus Christi Sunday is to celebrate with Eucharistic Processions. Last year, if you remember, we held the deanery Eucharistic Procession. This year, Saint Joseph Church in Sharon is hosting the deanery Eucharistic Procession. Rev. Mr. Michael Scanga will be giving a reflection at the conclusion of the procession. Deacon Michael will then be with us for our Forty Hours Celebration the next weekend. All are invited to participate in the procession beginning at 2pm at Saint Joseph Church. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration sign-ups remain available in the main vestibule of church as well as on our parish website. At least one person is needed for each hour the Eucharist is exposed for Adoration. I ask that you consider signing up for an hour or two of Adoration during the three days of prayer. More information is available on our website.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

The happiest people are those who make the effort to make other happy. Remember, your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – May 26, 2024

Written by on May 25, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

This weekend, we celebrate the profound Mystery of the Holy Trinity, encompassing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While we strive to comprehend God in His Three Persons, He remains an unfathomable mystery. Despite our growing understanding, there is always more to discover. Although studying the Trinity may seem daunting or even futile, we are called to a life of continuous conversion and exploration of our faith. I encourage you to deepen your relationship with God through daily prayer and study.

This Weekend, we are officially kicking off our Walking with Moms in Need ministry! Thanks to massive donations and contributions already, we have tons of clothing items available for our moms in need! With that being said, we are not in need of clothing, but rather with items such as diapers, wipes, and toiletry items, both for mom and baby. With all of the amazing donations, we are now desperately in need of clothing racks, baby hangers, and shelving for our storage room. If you feel called to donate any of these items, please contact Barb Dumais, our Director of Outreach Ministry. More information can be found on the Outreach Ministry webpage.

Outreach Ministry

Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration sign-ups remain available in the main vestibule of church as well as on our website. I ask that you consider signing up for an hour or two of Eucharistic Adoration during the three days of prayer. More information is available on our website.

Registration forms for our VBS are available at the doors of church as well as on our parish website. Please register as soon as possible so that we can prepare!

VBS Registration

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Don’t put people down, unless it is on your prayer list. Let’s turn our cant’s into cans and our dreams into a plan. Remember, a negative attitude never gives us a positive life or healthy relationships. Trust that when God’s answer seems to be no, there is a better yes just around the corner.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – May 19, 2024

Written by on May 18, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost. Pentecost Sunday marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, emboldening them to proclaim the Gospel with conviction. Just as Jesus instructed his followers to be instruments of peace, Pentecost underscores the responsibility of believers to share the message of salvation and reconciliation. On this day, let us remember our duty to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit that God has given us to promote peace through faith, prayer, and righteous living.

As mentioned in last week’s bulletin, I am away this weekend for my brother’s wedding in Erie. I thank Father Ray for covering the parish for me this weekend. Please make sure to thank him for being here with us in my absence. I truly cannot thank him enough for his continued support of me and our parish!

Next Weekend, we will be officially kicking off our Walking with Moms in Need ministry! Thanks to massive donations and contributions already, we have tons of clothing items available for our moms in need! With that being said, we are not in need of clothing, but rather with items such as diapers, wipes, and toiletry items, both for mom and baby. With all of the amazing donations, we are now desperately in need of clothing racks, baby hangers, and shelving for our storage room. If you feel called to donate any of these items, please contact Barb Dumais, our Director of Outreach Ministry. More information can be found on the Outreach Ministry webpage.

Outreach Ministry

Forty Hours Eucharistic Adoration sign-ups are available in the main vestibule of church. I ask that you consider signing up for an hour or two of Eucharistic Adoration during the three days of prayer. More information is available on our website.

Registration forms for our VBS are available at the doors of church as well as on our parish website. Please register as soon as possible so that we can prepare!

VBS Registration

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Two thoughts will be the death knell to any goal: “That’s how we’ve always done it,” and “That will never work.” Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable; give space for the work of the Holy Spirit. Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your head, but by the dreams in your heart.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – May 12, 2024

Written by on May 11, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms in our parish! Today, we honor the love, strength, and sacrifice you pour into your families each day. Your nurturing spirit reflects the boundless love of our Heavenly Father. May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and the countless ways you shape our lives with your love. God bless you abundantly on this special day!

Thank you to all our volunteers for their help with our Blooms and Bargains Bazaar on Saturday, May 4. Thanks to all of your donations and support, we were able to raise $3,081.29.

Even though the 300 Club has begun, it’s not too late to get your ticket! Help us with the final push to sell our remaining 67 tickets!

This week for daily mass on Wednesday—Friday, and next weekend for Pentecost Sunday, we welcome Father Ray for all masses as I will be away. Next Saturday is my brother’s wedding, and so I will be in Erie for preparations as well as the weekend. Thank you for always welcoming Father Ray and making him feel at home when I am away!

In July, we will be hosting Vacation Bible School on Mon. July 8 through Fri. July 12. More information is available on our website. Registration forms are available at the doors of Church as well as on our website.

Congratulations to all our graduates as they embark on this new chapter of their lives! Your journey is guided by faith, reflecting the enduring love of our Heavenly Father. As you embrace the challenges ahead, remember that God’s strength is within you. We are proud of your achievements and pray that His blessings continue to illuminate your path. Congratulations, graduates, and may you continue to shine as beacons of His grace!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your head, but by the dreams in your heart. Don’t let people pull you into their storm; pull them into your peace. The real mark of a Christian is the ability to remain pleasant when others are not.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – May 5, 2024

Written by on May 4, 2024. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

This Saturday, May 4, we celebrated First Holy Communion for three students in our parish, Marianna Sosa-Ramirez, Ryker Gailey, and Luca Seppi. Congratulations to these three students, as well as a massive thank you to Mrs. Linda Oliver who helped prepare these students to receive this most important sacrament.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Blooms and Bargains Bazaar this weekend. As always, I am truly grateful for all of your continued support for our parish family.

Mark your calendars for our Forty Hours celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday June 9, Monday June 10, and Tuesday June 11. Sign ups for our adoration are now available in the main vestibule of church on the window separating the vestibule and nave of church, as well as on our website. We are in need of volunteers to sign up for Eucharistic Adoration on each of the three days. Times are listed on the sign up sheets as well as on our website. Newly ordained Deacon Michael Scanga, transitional deacon for the Diocese of Erie will be with us to preach on the Eucharist. https://ihmercer.org/40-hours

In July, we will be hosting Vacation Bible School on Mon. July 8 through Fri. July 12. More information is available on our website. Registration will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

If you find that you are not a registered member of our parish family, or maybe you haven’t been getting all of our latest updates, make sure that you register through the parish office, as well as signing up for our FlockNote, which allows the parish staff as well as our different ministries to send messages and updates directly to your cell phone or email. More information can always be found on our website https://ihmercer.org/flocknote

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Wear your trials as armor, not shackles. Your mistakes do not define you, your love does. Focus on where you want to go, not on what you fear. Life is short: there is no time to leave important words unsaid.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

Around the Parish – April 28, 2024

Written by on April 27, 2024. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

This weekend is our last Faith Formation session for the 2023-24 school year. I want to thank all of our volunteers and teachers. Without their continued dedication and support, we would not be able to continue Faith Formation in our parish. Please thank them with me! This year, we were graced with the presence of Jonelle Haynie, Nelly Sosa, Matt & Hannah Hazi, Amy Oehlbeck, Linda Oliver, Rachael DeFiore, Katelyn Gable, Cindy Wilpula, and Greg Cummings.

Next Saturday, May 4, is Blooms & Bargains Bazaar. We need volunteers to help setup & organize items on Thurs., May 2 & Fri., May 3 at 10 AM & Sale Day Sat., May 4. Sign up sheets are at the church entrances .

NEXT Sunday, May 5, our Sunday Mass schedule is set to return to 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Don’t forget, and share with our family that join us for the summer months.

Consider joining us on Saturday mornings the next few weeks for coffee and conversation as we journey through preparation for Marian Consecration. This special form of prayer is a practice where individuals dedicate themselves entirely to Mary, the mother of Jesus. This consecration involves a period of preparation, typically lasting 33 days, during which participants engage in prayer, reflection, and study. The consecration culminates on a Marian feast day, in particular the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, patronal feast day of our parish, when individuals make a formal act of consecration, entrusting themselves entirely to Mary’s care and intercession. This practice is rooted in the belief that Mary is a powerful intercessor and mediator with her Son, Jesus, and that by consecrating oneself to her, individuals can grow closer to Christ and deepen their faith. Sign up forms are located at the doors of church.

In our bulletin this week, there are two advertisements for things coming up this summer. Please make sure to mark your calendars now for our Forty Hours celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday June 9, Monday June 10, and Tuesday June 11. Newly ordained Deacon Michael Scanga, transitional deacon for the Diocese of Erie will be with us to preach on the Eucharist.

In July, we will be hosting Vacation Bible School on Mon. July 8 through Fri. July 12. More information is available on our website. Registration will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

We need to learn how to select our thoughts and attitudes the same way that we select our clothes each morning. You know you are in love when you cannot fall asleep because the reality is better than your dreams. When you’ve done something wrong, admit it. No one ever chocked to death by swallowing his/her pride.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

0 Shares

A Blessed and Holy Thanksgiving to you!

Written by on November 23, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

My beloved Brothers and Sisters,

As we gather together in the warmth of our faith community, I am filled with immense gratitude and joy for the opportunity to extend a heartfelt Thanksgiving message to each and every one of you. In this season of gratitude, I am reminded of the importance of coming together as a parish family to reflect on the blessings that surround us and to express our deepest thanks for the abundance of God’s love and grace.

Thanksgiving, at its core, is a celebration of gratitude, a time to recognize and appreciate the countless blessings that enrich our lives. It is a moment to pause and reflect on the gifts we have received, both big and small, and to express our gratitude to God for His unwavering love and providence.

In the Catholic tradition, the concept of Thanksgiving is intricately tied to the sacrament of the Eucharist. The word “Eucharist” itself is derived from the Greek word “eucharistia,” which means thanksgiving. The Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion, is a central and sacred sacrament that holds profound significance in our faith journey. It is a moment of communion with God and with one another, a source of spiritual nourishment, and a powerful expression of gratitude.

The Eucharist is not merely a ritual; it is a profound encounter with the living God. When we participate in the Eucharistic celebration, we are invited to partake in the sacred mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. It is a moment when the ordinary elements of bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, symbolizing the real presence of Jesus among us.

In the act of receiving the Eucharist, we are called to remember and give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf. Jesus, out of His boundless love for us, offered Himself on the cross, and through the Eucharist, we enter into the Paschal mystery, commemorating His death and celebrating His resurrection. The Eucharist is, in essence, the embodiment of thanksgiving, a divine feast where we encounter the profound reality of God’s love and mercy.

As we gather around the altar during our Thanksgiving celebrations, let us reflect on the transformative power of the Eucharist in our lives. It is a sacred banquet that nourishes our souls, strengthens our faith, and unites us as a community. In the act of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, we are invited to bring our joys, sorrows, and gratitude to the altar, laying them at the feet of our Lord.

Thanksgiving, both in the secular and religious sense, encourages us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in our daily lives. The Eucharist, as the sacrament of thanksgiving, challenges us to go beyond mere words of appreciation and to embody a posture of gratitude in our actions, relationships, and service to others.

In the spirit of the Eucharist, let us consider the words of St. John Chrysostom, who beautifully expressed the transformative power of gratitude in the Christian life: “When we give thanks to God continually for the blessings we receive, we pray in unison with the angels, since we both thank Him with the angels and praise Him with them.”

This Thanksgiving, let our gratitude extend beyond the walls of our church and permeate every aspect of our lives. As a parish family, we are called to be beacons of God’s love, mercy, and thanksgiving in the world. Our collective gratitude should inspire acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion that reflect the selfless love of Christ.

In the spirit of thanksgiving, let us also remember those in our community who may be experiencing hardship or loneliness during this season. As a parish family, we have the opportunity to reach out with open hearts and hands, embodying the love and compassion exemplified by Christ in the Eucharist.

May this Thanksgiving be a time of deep reflection, genuine gratitude, and renewed commitment to living out the teachings of our faith. Let us come together as a parish family, united by the bonds of love and thanksgiving, and continue to be a source of light and hope in our community.

In conclusion, I extend my sincerest gratitude to each member of our beloved parish. Your presence, prayers, and contributions enrich the tapestry of our faith community, and I am profoundly thankful for the privilege of journeying together in faith.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joy-filled Thanksgiving. May the spirit of thanksgiving, inspired by the Eucharist, be a guiding force in our lives throughout the coming year.

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. Andy Boyd

0 Shares

Around the Parish – June 18, 2023

Written by on June 17, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Happy and blessed Father’s Day to all of our fathers in our parish community. Celebrate the gift of fatherhood this Father’s Day as we honor all fathers and father figures in our Catholic community. Today, we express our gratitude for their love, guidance, and sacrifices, following the example of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. Let us remember to keep all fathers in our prayers, asking God to bless them with strength, wisdom, and grace in their sacred role within the family. Happy Father’s Day to all our beloved dads!

This weekend, we joyfully celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which holds deep significance for our parish as it is named in honor of this sacred devotion. According to Liturgical Law, the celebration of the parish’s name day takes precedence over the regular Sunday in ordinary time. This special occasion allows us to focus our prayers and reflections on the Immaculate Heart, embracing the profound love and purity that Mary exemplified in her life. Let us come together as a faith community to honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary and seek her intercession for our parish and the world.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in the Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession and the 40 hours Eucharistic Devotions. Your presence and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament truly made these events a beautiful expression of our faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. May the graces received during these sacred moments continue to nourish our souls and strengthen our commitment to the Eucharist.

This week, all of the priests of the Diocese of Erie will be gathering at Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe for the annual Emmaus gathering. Please pray for us as we spend time together in prayer, fraternity, and formation. I look forward to seeing you all next week!

Attention all parents! We kindly urge you to register your students for our parish Vacation Bible School (VBS) as soon as possible. Currently, we have only two students registered, and we want to ensure a vibrant and enriching experience for all participants. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity for your children to grow in faith, make new friends, and have a memorable summer adventure. Register today and secure your child’s place in our exciting VBS program!

At writing this bulletin, we only have 40 tickets left for our 300 club!!! We are coming down to the wire, so if you haven’t gotten your ticket, don’t wait much longer!! You may have to wait till next year!!

Here’s a thought for your week: Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope. Always keep your face toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.

Click here for more info on the 300 Club

0 Shares