This week, Fr. Dan wanted to share his Weekly Message from March 25.

With a large parish such as ours, there are so many life events that may engage the larger community in prayer.  Remember!  Praying for one another is an important ministry that is part of the calling of everyone in the parish (one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy).  That is the reason that you will hear so many names when we pray for the sick.  As a person who has been in those prayers, I can attest that prayer makes a difference—never underestimate the power of prayer!!
 
When a member of our community dies, we pray for that person and the people left behind.  During Mass, the Eucharist which celebrates the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s Passion (which we focus on today), His death and His Resurrection is a particularly appropriate prayer for those who have died.  Thus we have developed over the centuries the practice of “Mass intentions.”  There are assigned Mass intentions for most of our Masses during the week and on Sunday (always reserving one Sunday Mass for the people of the parish).  While an offering for this has been the custom (at one time it was the only source of income for the priest), I have indicated that it is not required at this time at St. Mikes.
 
However, I do feel that when someone has arranged ahead of time for a Mass intention, that should be honored, as of principal importance.  Therefore, I am asking that names of those mentioned at Mass be limited to the arranged intention and the names of parishioners, or their immediate family (mother, father, sibling, or child), who have recently died.  The first year anniversary of a parishioner, at the request of family, may also be included at a particular Mass.  Other anniversaries, birthdays, etc. should be arranged through the Mass intention process.  This means we have to think ahead of time!  I ask that we all accept and honor those who have made such arrangements.
 
By the way, we have recently refreshed our prayer list for the sick.  The names from the Sick List are split among the five weekend liturgies.  Too often, names are put on the list, but then those names are not removed.  So, we recently set a three-week cycle.  However, if more prayer is needed, PLEASE let us know.  We want to pray, especially for immediate needs.