Around the Parish – February 9, 2025
24 Hours for the Lord: Eucharistic Adoration
Please consider signing up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration as part of our celebration of 24 Hours for the Lord on March 21-22, 2025. There are still many available time slots, and all are encouraged to take part in this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Sign-ups are available online through the parish website or in the main vestibule of the church.
Summer Ministries Schedule
The summer ministry schedule (May–August 2025) will be prepared in the coming weeks. Current Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors registered on Ministry Scheduler Pro will receive an email requesting their availability for these months. Additional volunteers are always welcome for these ministries. Anyone interested in serving as a Lector or Eucharistic Minister should contact the parish office as soon as possible so that training sessions can be scheduled.
Nursing Home Visitation: More Ministers Needed
There is also a need for additional Eucharistic Ministers to visit local nursing homes. This is a meaningful way to bring the presence of Christ to those who are unable to attend Mass. Participation in this ministry does not require serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Mass, and training will be provided at a later date. Those interested should contact the parish office.
Vigil Candles
Beginning immediately, the price of devotional candles in the church will be adjusted due to rising costs. The votive candles in front of the Mary and St. Joseph altars will increase from $3 to $5 per candle, and the tea light candles by the Sacred Heart statue will increase from $0.25 to $0.50. This adjustment is necessary to continue providing these sacramentals while covering the increased cost of supplies. Thank you for your understanding and continued devotion to this meaningful tradition of prayer and remembrance.
Rosary
Just a quick note that on Wednesdays after Daily Mass, the Rosary will be said in Church. We encourage everyone to come and join us in this special prayer. The Rosary will continue to be prayed at 4:30pm on Saturday, before our 5pm vigil mass. Volunteers are needed as the Saturday Rosary Leader. If you wish to lead the rosary, please contact the parish office at your earliest convenience.
Vacation Bible School 2025
Looking ahead, Vacation Bible School is scheduled for July 14–18, 2025. Registration will open on March 1, 2025. This year’s theme is “Egypt: Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace”. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:
No amount of guilt can change yesterday and no amount of anxiety can change the future. Let your faith empower you to be the kind of Christian that makes the sun shine brighter for all those you encounter. If you need a confidence booster, then remind yourself of all the difficult things you’ve endured and overcome.
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.