Mass Intentions

Dear Parishioners,

As we enter the month of November, we keep in prayer all those who have gone before us.  One of the corporal works of mercy is to bury the dead, while the corresponding spiritual work of mercy is to pray for the living and the dead.  An ancient manner in which these prayers are made is through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  This practice is continued today with Masses offered for the intentions of the living or for the repose of the souls of the deceased.  In offering these intentions, the faithful actively participate in the benefits of the Eucharist, uniting their prayers with the infinite value of Christ's sacrifice.  Mass intentions are a meaningful part of the Catholic Mass.  The purpose of Mass intentions is multifaceted: they provide spiritual support and intercession for individuals, whether living or deceased, and offer a means of expressing communal care and concern. It is a beautiful reminder of the Church's communion in prayer and the power of the Eucharistic celebration to touch all aspects of life. Mass intentions also emphasize the Church's understanding of the Communion of Saints, which recognizes the spiritual solidarity and intercessory power among the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven.  By dedicating Mass for a particular intention, the faithful draw closer to the Eucharistic mystery and participate in the universal prayer of the Church. It's akin to adding a specific note to a symphony of grace, enriching the collective prayer of the faithful with personal supplications and intentions.

We are incredibly blessed in our parishes to have so many Mass intentions offered for various needs and causes.  As a priest, it has been a humble and marvelous reminder of the outpouring of grace Christ offers from Calvary at every Mass. I am reminded of St. Monica, who, when near death, told her son St. Augustine and his brother, “Bury my body wherever you will; let not care of it cause you any concern. One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.”  As Christians, we recognize the salvific grace of Christ’s body and blood poured out for sinners and the redemption of the world.  This infinite grace is offered for the intentions of each Mass.  It is a refreshment that provides immediate aid to those in need throughout the world and to the purgative fires of purgatory.  Currently, in our parishes, we are blessed to have over 350 masses to be offered throughout the year.  This means we have about one year’s worth of masses to offer!  Masses are celebrated on a first-come, first-served basis.  We are currently having Masses offered for intentions that were requested back in August of 2024.  When I first arrived, we had over 400 masses to be offered!  If someone is interested in a specific day, they may request their intention be offered on that day.  If another request has taken that day, the latest Mass request will be celebrated as close to the date as possible.  I highly recommend asking for a specific day rather than ASAP, if you would like the mass to be celebrated sooner.  There are mass intention envelopes at the back of St. Joseph Church for anyone to take and make their request.  Each Mass Intention has a $10 stipend.  The stipend helps care for the priest, who celebrates that Mass.

A good reflection to consider this week might be on the power and significance of Mass intentions, have you considered how personal prayer can become a part of the communal offering of the Mass?

In Christ,

Fr. Luke Fleck