One of the greatest acts of charity is to pray for the living and the dead. The greatest and most powerful prayer we have is the Mass since the fruits of the Mass are the very fruits of Jesus' redemption. For that reason, all are encouraged to have Mass offered for loved ones who have died, or even for the living who have some need. This is an ancient Catholic practice, and all are encouraged to take it up.
There are many requests for scheduling Mass intentions in our Parish. When I arrived at Good Shepherd as your Pastor, one of the first things I learned was how many Mass Intentions were scheduled in a year’s time. Mass Intentions were scheduled up to 1 year to 1.5 years in the future. Canon law permits us that we should only take as many Mass intentions as we have Masses in a year. If we receive more than can be offered, the intention may be sent to other priests, retired or the mission’s office or another parish that does not have many intentions, so the Masses may be offered in a timely manner. Another important pastoral concern is that if someone dies in our parish, we cannot have Masses offered for them if all the intentions are filled.
After a year of review and thorough discussion involving the parish staff, councils and commissions, a New Mass Intention Policy will begin effective October 1st for our parish. This new policy will serve all parishioners in our parish, especially those of the recently deceased. We will continue to take all Mass intentions on a first come first serve basis. All Mass intentions will be offered. There are other ways to remember loved ones as well, the Memorial Book, Sanctuary Lamp or Endowment Fund, which are listed in the Policy below.
Fr. Timothy Nadeau, Pastor
Mass Intention Policy
Immediate Family Mass Intentions: When a loved one passes from this life, the immediate family [one member or person designated by the family] will be able to request three [3] Masses in the parish; one specifically on or near the first anniversary date if available, and two [2] other dates within the year [if those dates are available].
All possible attention will be given to accommodating the date and location of the Mass intention requests but cannot be guaranteed at the time of request.
Other Mass Intentions from Family and Friends: All other Mass intention requests [of the recently deceased] will be accepted and scheduled as soon as possible in the order which they are received. Requests for a specific date and church, if available, will be accommodated for that calendar year. The only announcement of the Mass will appear in the bulletin when scheduled.
Extra Masses Each Year: When the number of Mass intentions surpass the total number of Masses available in Good Shepherd Parish each year, these Mass intentions may be sent to other priests/parishes, retired priests or to the Diocesan Missions Office to be offered in a timely manner. These Mass intentions will be published in the bulletin as having been sent to the missions, retired priests, or other priests not in the parish.
Other Mass Intention Requests: Recurring Mass intention requests for the souls of our [previously] deceased loved ones will be accepted; the parish will do its best to honor the particular date and/or church building requested. These Mass intentions will be scheduled in the order they have been received.
Special Mass Intention Requests: Mass intentions for living persons and for favors obtained will be accepted and scheduled in the order they have been received with no guarantee of a date or church building. Notifications of special Mass intentions will appear in the bulletin; living persons will have an asterisk [*] next to their name.
Other Memorial Options: Sanctuary Lamps, Memorial Book gifts and Good Shepherd Endowment Fund gifts may also be made to honor the memory of our deceased brothers and sisters. The Memorial Book intention, Mass stipends and weekly Sanctuary Lamps are $10. The endowment gift may be $10 or any amount. Cards will be available which may be given to the family of the deceased.
Requesting Method: Mass intention requests and offerings will not be accepted by phone. They may be delivered by hand, mail or through a note/letter, along with payment, placed with the offertory envelope at Mass.