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Tag: Vocations

Around the Parish – December 8, 2024

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

This Sunday, our parish is hosting the annual Cookie Walk and Soup Sale in Gallagher Hall from 9:00 AM to 12:20 PM. It’s a wonderful opportunity to stock up on homemade cookies and delicious soups for the season. As part of the event, we’ll also be raffling off two lottery Christmas trees, with extra tickets available for purchase during the sale. Be sure to stop by and join in the festive fun!

I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who participated in #iGiveCatholic this year. While we are unable to share the final totals due to the bulletin deadlines, please know how much I appreciate your generosity and support. Your kindness is a true blessing to our parish community.

As we continue through this season of Advent, please remember that this Monday, December 9, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a Holy Day of Obligation, and Masses will be offered at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Let us come together to honor our Blessed Mother on her special day.

In preparation for Christmas, Oplatki Christmas Wafers are available by the St. Joseph statue. These wafers are a beautiful tradition of sharing Christ’s love at the family table. The suggested donation is $4 for a pack of four wafers, and they are available while supplies last.

Looking ahead to next Sunday, we will hold our Parish Penance Service at 5:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare your heart for the coming of Christ, with five priests available to hear confessions. If you’re unable to attend, Adoration and Confessions will also be available on the next two Fridays of Advent. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to encounter God’s mercy and love.

We still have 19 gifts missing from the Nursing Home Gift Tree: 15 from QLS, 3 from Avalon, and 1 from Greystone. If you have one of these tags, please return it as soon as possible. If purchasing the gift is no longer possible, please bring the tag back so we can ensure every resident receives their gift. Your assistance in completing this effort is greatly appreciated.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Let’s remember that happiness keeps us sweet; trials keep us strong; sorrows keep us human; failures keep us humble; and God’s grace keeps us going. Let God’s promises shine on your problems. Keep going. You might almost be where you want to go, and not even know 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.

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Around the Parish – December 1, 2024

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

Today marks the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year and a sacred time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. I encourage you to embrace the spirit of Advent by deepening your relationship with the Lord. One of the best ways to do this is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our parish Advent Penance Services are listed in the bulletin. Additionally, on the three Fridays of Advent, we will have Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions from 6:00–7:00 PM. I hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to prepare your heart for the joy of Christmas.

This Tuesday, December 3, is Giving Tuesday and the conclusion of #iGiveCatholic. If you haven’t yet donated, I kindly ask you to consider giving a dollar or two before the campaign ends at midnight. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue to serve our parish and community. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed! Updated totals can be found on our giving page: erie.igivecatholic.org/organizations/immaculate-heart-of-mary-parish-mercer.

A quick note regarding the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Since December 8 falls on a Sunday this year, the celebration is transferred to Monday, December 9. Masses for this Holy Day of Obligation will be at 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Monday. Please join us as we honor our Blessed Mother under the title of her Immaculate Conception, patroness of our parish and our nation.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to contribute to our Cookie Walk and Soup Sale! If you’re donating cookies or soup, please bring your items to Gallagher Hall on Friday or Saturday morning after 9:00 AM. Your generosity helps make this event a beloved parish tradition and supports our ministry efforts.

Oplatki Christmas Wafers are available by the St. Joseph Statue. The suggested donation is $4 for pack of 4 wafers.

Finally, a reminder that Poinsettia Order Forms are due today. If you need another form, they are available at the church entrances. We will be placing the order tomorrow and cannot accept additional requests after today.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect; you just have to care. Happy people focus on what they have. Unhappy people focus on what is missing. Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. A successful family is not a rich family but rather because they support one another.

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 24, 2024

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

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Family Faith Formation session with Fr. Scott Jabo last Sunday. Together, we reflected on the vital importance of vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Each of us has a unique calling within the Church, and it is our duty to discern and embrace God’s plan for our lives. Vocations arise from our families and are nurtured by encouragement and prayer. Priests and religious do not simply appear; they are formed within our communities. Let us continue to pray fervently that more young men and women from our parish may hear and respond to God’s call to these special roles.

As we approach #iGiveCatholic on Giving Tuesday, December 3, I want to express my deep gratitude for your unwavering support. Thanks to your generosity, we are now just $4,818 away from our $20,000 goal. If you have not yet contributed, please consider making a donation. Each gift moves us closer to our goal and qualifies for special incentives on Giving Tuesday. There is also a leaderboard on the #iGiveCatholic website for the Diocese of Erie. Seeing Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at the top would showcase the dedication and generosity of our community throughout the 13 counties of the Diocese. Thank you again for your continued support—together, we can achieve remarkable things!

The women of the Walking with Purpose Bible Study invite you to join them in praying the rosary on Friday, December 6, at 5pm in the church, preceding our adoration and confessions. Please mark your calendars and join us.

This weekend’s bulletin includes the schedule of Advent Reconciliation times offered throughout our deanery, alongside regular parish schedules for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we prepare for Christmas, I encourage everyone to seize the grace-filled opportunity to receive this sacrament. Whether it has been a month, a year, or even a decade since your last confession, please come. Do not let fear or hesitation hold you back—Christ welcomes you with open arms, offering forgiveness, healing, and peace. This sacrament can bring profound peace as we journey together toward the Coming of Jesus Christ.

This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we pause to give thanks to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Please note our adjusted schedule: Mass will be celebrated Monday through Thursday at 8am. There will be no Mass on Friday, November 29, as I will be celebrating with family. Additionally, our parish office will be closed this week and will reopen for in-person business on Tuesday, December 3. Wishing everyone a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

There are three C’s in life: choice, chance, and change. You must make the choice to take the chance if you want anything in life to change for the better.

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 17, 2024

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

I’m excited to share some great news with you! This weekend, we have the joy of welcoming the Very Reverend Father Scott Jabo, V.F., Rector of Saint Mark Seminary and Vocations Director for the Diocese of Erie. His visit couldn’t come at a better time, as November is a month when we, as a Church, focus our prayers on both our beloved dead and on priests and vocations. It’s a perfect opportunity to renew our commitment to lifting up those who are discerning a life of service to Christ and His people. So, it feels especially providential that Father Jabo will be with us, celebrating and preaching at the 8am and 11am Masses, and joining us for Family Faith Formation to speak on Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. I encourage everyone to join in our gathering between the masses to discuss vocations—it’s a conversation we truly need right now.

Don’t forget that sign-up sheets for our upcoming Cookie Walk and Soup Sale are available at the church entrances! I love how these traditions bring us together over good food and fellowship. Your help is what makes these events special, so please consider signing up to be a part of it.

We’re also continuing our tradition and a favorite of the community—the Lottery Trees Raffle! We’d love to fill those trees with lottery tickets, so if you have any tickets to donate, you can mail them in or drop them in the collection basket. Your generosity always makes such a difference, and I’m grateful for how you continue to support our parish.

We have all the totals from our Spaghetti Dinner and Theme Basket Raffle. For the Theme Basket Raffle, we made $3,776.50. For the Spaghetti Dinner, we made $2,611.81. In total, we have an income from the whole event of $6,388.31. Thank you to everyone who helped make this special event a success! We look forward to our Spaghetti Dinner next year!

Finally, we have a special invitation from the women of the Walking with Purpose Bible Study. They’ll be leading the rosary on Friday, December 6 at 5pm in the church before our adoration and confessions. Please mark your calendars and plan on joining.

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

Growth requires effort: we must not merely wish to change but actively strive to become more Christ-like. Be patient; small steps lead to change. Strive to do good to please God, not others. God’s grace is our greatest help—but we must remember to ask for it. Self-centered attitudes blind us; through God’s grace and our effort, we can see more like Christ.

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 10, 2024

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

We’re excited to share that, thanks to your generosity through #iGiveCatholic, we’ve already paid for ten windows and the new stage curtain for Gallagher Hall! However, we still need your help to cover the remaining costs. Eight windows still need funding, and we have $10,988.10 left to raise to meet our matching goal of $20,000. Every dollar you give brings us closer to doubling your impact through this generous matching gift. Thank you for supporting Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and helping us reach our goal to revitalize Gallagher Hall for our parish and community! For more information on how to participate in donating to our #iGiveCatholic campaign, head over to our website at https://ihmercer.org/igivecatholic or call the parish office. Thanks again to everyone who has donated to this campaign, and please continue to pray for the success of our #iGiveCatholic appeal to help with keeping our church beautiful!

In the sanctuary this weekend remains the Nursing Home Gift Tree for our local seniors. If you can help spread some Christmas cheer, please take a tag from the tree, purchase the gift listed, and return it in a gift bag, unwrapped, with the tag attached to the bag. Kindly bring your gift back to the church by Sunday, November 24. Thank you to all who have already taken a tag—your generosity is deeply appreciated!

Reminder: Sign-up sheets are available at the church entrances for our upcoming Cookie Walk and Soup Sale! We kindly urge anyone interested in helping with this beloved annual event to sign up as soon as possible. Your participation makes a real difference, and we need as many hands as we can get!

Additionally, we will once again feature the popular Lottery Tree Raffle. With your support, we can fill our trees with lottery tickets! If you’re able, please donate a few unscratched tickets by mailing them to the office or placing them in the collection basket. Thank you for your continued generosity and for supporting Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and our many community initiatives!

You’re warmly invited to join us next Sunday, November 17, for our Family Faith Formation Day with Fr. Scott Jabo, the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Erie! Fr. Scott will be with us to discuss vocations to the priesthood and religious life, offering insights and inspiration for all ages. He will also be the celebrant for the 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM Masses. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn more about the gift of vocations and to gather as a parish family. We look forward to seeing you there!

Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:

There is a huge difference between hearing and listening. No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else. Better to be the one who smiled rather than the one who didn’t smile back.

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 – September 3, 2023

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

The air is abuzz with anticipation as we gear up for the upcoming Second Annual Simply Sweets Fundraiser. Keep an eye on your mailboxes this week, for soon you’ll receive the forms that mark the commencement of this delectable endeavor. Join hands with us in support, ensuring those forms with payment find their way back to our parish office by October 9, 2023. Together, we can weave sweetness into our community initiatives. Thanks again to Mrs. Peck and her dedicated team for their outstanding contributions, crafting delectable treats that have become the cornerstone of this fundraiser’s success.

Today, following the 11 am mass, we extend an open invitation to all our students. Gather your cherished book bags and step into our sanctuary. Here, we’ll share a special book bag blessing, infusing the tools of knowledge with the spirit of learning given to us from God. Let this ritual guide you through the pages of wisdom that await.

Heartfelt gratitude flows to all who’ve embraced the convenience of Flocknote. If you’re yet to join this interconnected web, worry not. Registration details are still in this weekend’s bulletin and church entrances.

Our thoughts turn to the recent unveiling of the Diocese of Erie’s pastoral plan for Erie County. While our parish, county, and deanery remain unaffected, let’s embrace our fellow believers undergoing change. As we unite in prayer, let this serve as a reminder that change is inevitable. Yet, through proactive planning, we unlock potential for a brighter tomorrow. To explore these proposed changes, visit the Diocese’s website, and will be available on our parish website as well.

Pray for our students as well as their vocations. In a particular way, please pray for Parishioner Joseph Dumais who entered the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York City this past week. It is a special joy for a parish to claim a man as he studies and discerns religious life and priesthood. Please continue to remember him in your prayers in a particular way as you pray for more vocations to come forth from our parish community.

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Don’t ruin a good day by thinking about the possibility of a bad day in the future. Just enjoy the present moment. Scars tell where we have been. They do not have to dictate where we are going. No matter who gives up on you, don’t you ever give up on yourself or God.

        Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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