Trust is at the heart of this weekend's readings. Isaiah, Paul, and Peter each experience a profound encounter with God that brings them to humility. Isaiah, standing before the Lord’s glory, cries out, “Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips!” (Is 6:5). Paul, reflecting on his past, confesses, “I am the least of the apostles… because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Cor 15:9). Peter, overwhelmed by the miraculous catch of fish, falls before Jesus and says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Lk 5:8). Despite their feelings of unworthiness, God does not turn them away. Instead, He cleanses Isaiah’s lips with a burning ember, preparing him for mission. Paul acknowledges, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10), recognizing that his transformation is entirely due to Christ’s mercy. And Jesus reassures Peter, telling him not to be afraid and calling him to a new purpose: “From now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5:10). This pattern reminds us of an important truth: God does not call the perfect—He perfects the called. Like these three men, we may feel unworthy or inadequate when God invites us to deeper faith, to serve in new ways, or to take a step beyond our comfort zones. Yet Jesus asks us to trust Him, just as Peter did when he let down his nets despite his doubts. As we reflect on our own calling, let us remember that God is not seeking perfection, but willingness. If we can say, “Here I am, send me” (Is 6:8), He will accomplish far more through us than we could ever imagine.


I have received several questions about Mass intentions, particularly regarding gaps in scheduled intentions around Christmas. I’d like to clarify our policy, explain a recent change, and address some concerns.

Since November 2023, our revised Mass Intention Policy has prioritized first-anniversary Masses for immediate family members of the deceased. Previously, some families were unable to schedule a Mass for a recently deceased loved one because dates had already been booked. Now, aside from first-anniversary Masses, all other intentions are scheduled on a month-to-month basis, ensuring fair access and preventing long-term scheduling gaps. The policy also clarifies that Masses can be offered for the living, families, or special causes such as vocations and world peace. Additionally, the parish reserves the right to assign unfilled Mass intentions to parish priests, retired priests, or Catholic missions.

The holiday season presented challenges, as early bulletin deadlines meant some intentions were not finalized at the time of printing. Additionally, the revised policy was not always applied consistently, an issue that has now been addressed. These factors led to an imbalance, with many Masses booked far in advance for later months, leaving fewer available in December and January. Moving forward, we are committed to ensuring Mass intentions are scheduled equitably and effectively.
The November 2023 Policy introduced a Monthly Memorial Mass to accommodate multiple Mass intentions in a single celebration. However, parishioner feedback revealed a strong preference for Masses to be celebrated in their local church rather than rotating between locations. In response, we have replaced the Monthly Memorial Mass with a Monthly Parishioner’s Mass at each church. This allows more parishioners to have access to Mass intentions.

A benefit of the monthly Parishioner’s Mass is that it provides a small but meaningful way to support the needs of each church. When multiple Mass intentions are combined in a single celebration, the priest is only allowed to receive one $10 stipend. However, any additional funds collected beyond that may be used by the parish to purchase much-needed liturgical items such as linens, vessels, and candles. This ensures that, in addition to offering prayers for loved ones, parishioners are also helping to sustain the sacred spaces where these Masses are celebrated.


A common question I receive is why some Masses seem to be celebrated without a specific intention. While it may appear that way in the bulletin, every Mass always has at least two intentions. First, the priest always offers Mass for the universal intention of the Church, uniting the entire Body of Christ in prayer. Secondly, if no specific parishioner intention has been scheduled, the priest offers the Mass for a personal intention, such as for the needs of the parish, the sick, or for peace in the world.

One way to avoid Masses being left without a scheduled intention is to request Masses without restrictions on the date, time, or location. This allows the parish to fill in any gaps, ensuring that each Mass is offered for a meaningful purpose. Additionally, having a pool of unrestricted Mass intentions enables us to provide Masses for priests outside of the parish. Recently, a chaplain who is not assigned to a parish inquired whether we had any extra Mass intentions available. Unfortunately, because most of our requests were tied to specific dates, we could not accommodate his request. Having unrestricted Masses gives us the flexibility to provide intentions to priests who would otherwise be unable to offer them.


I am truly grateful for the deep faith and devotion of our parishioners, especially when it comes to the celebration of the Eucharist. Your desire to ensure that every Mass is offered prayerfully and meaningfully is inspiring. I hope I was able to provide clarity regarding our Mass Intention Policy and the recent changes we have made. If you have any additional questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is always my goal to serve our parish family as best as possible, and your feedback helps us continue to grow together in faith.