Tag: November

Around the Parish – November 26, 2023

Written by on November 25, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

I pray that each person’s Thanksgiving was brimming with joy, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. Personally (as usual), I indulged a bit more than intended in a delightful feast. The occasion provided a beautiful opportunity to cherish moments with my mom, brother, his fiancée, and her family.

For the Season of Advent, we will hold a holy hour with Eucharistic Adoration and confessions every Friday from 6:00pm—7:00pm with one exception. On Friday, December 8, the church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of God. That day is a holy day of obligation, and therefore we will have an evening mass at 6:00pm. Following that mass, we will have adoration and confessions from 7:00pm—8:00pm. Please do take the opportunity to avail yourself of the grace of the sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Advent.

Posted in church is a flyer of confession times in our deanery for the season of Advent. Our parish penance service is scheduled for Sunday, December 10 at 5:00pm. This is the same day as the Cookie Walk and Soup Sale.

All gifts for the Nursing Home Gift Tree are due back to church next Sunday, December 3. All gifts are asked to be returned in a gift bag and have their tag attached to the bag. Thank you again for your support of our ministry to our neighbors! I know from personal experience with family members in nursing homes how much they appreciate us thinking of them!

#iGiveCatholic is this 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. More information can be found in this weekend’s bulletin as well as on our website at:

https://ihmercer.org/igivecatholic

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: 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. Don’t compare your progress with that of others. Everyone needs their own time and speed to travel their own distance. Each day comes bearing gifts. Untie the ribbon.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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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

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Around the Parish – November 19, 2023

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

With Thanksgiving being this Thursday, our mass schedule will be a bit different this week. We will only have daily masses on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. On Monday, November 20, I will be meeting with the orthopedic surgeon about my foot. I ask of your prayers that I do not need surgery! On Wednesday of this week, I will be headed home to travel with my mom for Thanksgiving at my brothers, so there will be no mass here on Thursday and Friday so that I can celebrate with my family.

For all of our families that might be traveling for the holiday, know of my prayers for you. May you be protected with traveling mercies so that we may all reach our destinations safely and return to our homes again.

Next weekend is Christ the King Sunday which signals to us that Advent is right around the corner. Starting next Sunday, we will list the Christmas Mass Schedule. With Christmas being on a Monday, we are required to attend both mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 23/24) AND for Christmas (Dec 24/25) Mass on Sunday, December 24 in the morning does NOT count for Christmas, and Christmas Eve masses do not count for Sunday Mass.

The Nursing Home Gift Tree is still in our church 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. More information can be found in this weekend’s bulletin as well as on our website at:

https://ihmercer.org/igivecatholic

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Great opportunities to help others seldom come; small ones surround us every day. If we magnified our successes as much as we magnified our disappointments, we’d all be much happier.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – November 12, 2023

Written by on November 11, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

This weekend, we give thanks to God for all of our veterans. Their yes to serve country brings about our freedoms and liberties that we hold dear. As always, thank you to all who serve, and may God bless you and keep you safe.

A reminder that poinsettia order forms are due by Sunday, November 19. Thank you for making our church beautiful!

A massive thank you goes out to everyone who made donations for our Thanksgiving distributions from the Sharing Shed. Starting this weekend, we are asking for help to prepare for the Christmas distribution. Your continued generosity helps many families in our area both on a bi-weekly basis with necessities, as well as at this time of year when it becomes even more difficult to prepare for two major holidays back to back. Any help that you might be able to provide for our friends in need is greatly appreciated.

The Nursing Home Gift Tree is in our church 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.

https://ihmercer.org/igivecatholic

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible! An ounce of behavior is worth a pound of words. You often meet your fate on the road you take to avoid it.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – November 5, 2023

Written by on November 4, 2023. 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.

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 – September 10, 2023

Written by on September 9, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

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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