Around the Parish – October 4, 2026
October at IHM
October is here, and there is quite a bit happening around the parish over the next few weeks. I wanted to use this week’s column to highlight a few things and make sure they do not get lost in the shuffle.
Respect Life Month
This weekend we celebrate Respect Life Sunday, which begins our observance of Respect Life Month.
The dignity of human life is not simply an idea that we believe; it is something we are called to live. Here at IHM, we see that in very practical ways through ministries such as Walking with Moms in Need and the Caring Closet, which help us accompany mothers and families who need support.
Throughout this month, I hope we will continue to pray for a greater respect for every human life and also ask how each of us can help make that respect visible through compassion, generosity, and service.
Adoration Sign-Ups Begin
Sign-up sheets are available this weekend for our new monthly period of Eucharistic Adoration.
Beginning Friday, October 16, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed following the 8:00 AM Mass and remain exposed until 7:00 PM. This will continue on the third Friday of each month.
Our goal is simple: to make sure that someone is always present with the Lord throughout those eleven hours.
Please consider giving the Lord one hour. There are 168 hours in a week; one hour spent quietly before the Blessed Sacrament can have a remarkable effect on the other 167.
OCIA Has Begun
Our first OCIA gathering was this Saturday, October 3.
If you or someone you know has been thinking about becoming Catholic and missed the first meeting, it is not too late. Please reach out to the parish office. We would be very happy to help you begin.
And remember: sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply invite someone.
Pancake Breakfast
Mark your calendar for the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 18, from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM in Gallagher Hall.
Come hungry and enjoy breakfast and some time together as a parish family.
Divine Mercy Encounter
Registration is also open for the next Divine Mercy Encounter, November 13–15 at St. Joseph Parish in Erie.
DME is open to anyone in 10th grade, age 15 or older, through the end of life. It is truly a retreat for people of all ages, not just for young people.
The weekend is a wonderful opportunity to step away from the normal busyness of life, encounter the mercy of God, and spend intentional time with the Lord and with others.
If you have never attended, I encourage you to prayerfully consider making the weekend.
Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:
Not every good thing needs to be done immediately. Sometimes patience is part of the answer. A few sincere words of encouragement can change someone’s entire day. Do not be so busy looking ahead that you miss something beautiful right in front of you. Gratitude makes ordinary things feel like gifts. And remember: kindness is rarely wasted, even when you never see what comes from 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.