Most, if not everyone has heard or read the term, "Mass Intention." It firstly refers to the priest's intention to celebrate the Mass according to the rubrics (or ways) the Church provides for how to say (or really PRAY) the Mass. The second "intention" is to apply the grace of that Mass toward a specific need or for particular people who are either living or deceased. These "special Intentions" are offered to God as prayers of intercession or thanksgiving. It is important to note that while a priest may only accept one stipend per Mass (which is an optional monetary gift given to the priest which our diocese suggests be $10), he may have other intentions not attached to a monetary offering. When this happens through requested intentions where an offering is given, the second stipend is sent to the Diocesan Clergy Welfare Fund, which supports our sick, infimed and retired priests.
I tell you all this, not only for information sake, but also for the practical purpose of letting you know that in our parish, where we have so many requested Masses for deceased and living people, some of which are desired on dates of anniversaries of death, anniveraries of birthdays of deceased people as well as special days for those who are living, we are now going to try to honor all Mass Intention requests for certain dates on the calendar for special remembrances or celebrations which may mean more than one "Mass Intention" that will be published in the bulletin and mentioned at that particular Mass. I want to try to honor specific date requests for the purposes I just mentioned which will also free the calendar for Mass Intentions for those who have recently died. Also, you do have the option if we already have two special requests for a particular day to have a Mass offered on that day by a priest (usually of our diocese) who is in ministries in which they do not have Mass Intentions requested of them on a regular basis (like Msgr. Scott Friend our vocations director who is not assigned to a parish), or smaller parishes where they don't receive many Mass Intention requests.
Also know that our secretary, Marian LaVelle has been given directions on accepting Mass Intentions from me, and therefore, it's me that you need to speak to if you are not satisfied with whatever has been offered by Marian to fulfill your request. Among the many reasons that I believe this parish is one of, if not the best in the diocese, is that our parisioners appreciate the power of the Mass and its graces for them and both living and deceased parishioners, family and/or friends for whom a Mass Intention has been requested. Drop by the office or call to have your Mass Intention requests accepted and hopefully offered soon (for recently deceased) or for anniversary or other needs.
I tell you all this, not only for information sake, but also for the practical purpose of letting you know that in our parish, where we have so many requested Masses for deceased and living people, some of which are desired on dates of anniversaries of death, anniveraries of birthdays of deceased people as well as special days for those who are living, we are now going to try to honor all Mass Intention requests for certain dates on the calendar for special remembrances or celebrations which may mean more than one "Mass Intention" that will be published in the bulletin and mentioned at that particular Mass. I want to try to honor specific date requests for the purposes I just mentioned which will also free the calendar for Mass Intentions for those who have recently died. Also, you do have the option if we already have two special requests for a particular day to have a Mass offered on that day by a priest (usually of our diocese) who is in ministries in which they do not have Mass Intentions requested of them on a regular basis (like Msgr. Scott Friend our vocations director who is not assigned to a parish), or smaller parishes where they don't receive many Mass Intention requests.
Also know that our secretary, Marian LaVelle has been given directions on accepting Mass Intentions from me, and therefore, it's me that you need to speak to if you are not satisfied with whatever has been offered by Marian to fulfill your request. Among the many reasons that I believe this parish is one of, if not the best in the diocese, is that our parisioners appreciate the power of the Mass and its graces for them and both living and deceased parishioners, family and/or friends for whom a Mass Intention has been requested. Drop by the office or call to have your Mass Intention requests accepted and hopefully offered soon (for recently deceased) or for anniversary or other needs.