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Kneeling After Mass
There is a long standing Parish custom of kneeling after
Mass. This custom stems from pastor, Fr. Michael Shea (1955-1965), who
asked people to pray for the most abandoned souls in Purgatory.
The custom calls for parishioners to kneel and say three Hail Marys'
after Mass for the most abandoned souls in Purgatory. Parents should
instruct their children that this is a time to say a Hail Mary for the
dead, for our own and those whom we don't even know.
Bringing Up the Gifts at Offertory Time
The Vatican II change has the procession of Bread and Wine
for the Sacrifice as well as the monetary gifts of the people brought to
the priest so that the Mass may continue. This symbolic procession teaches
us that although our priest is essential to the Eucharist, so too are the
offering of the people.
At St. Mary of the Hills, the Eucharistic Ministers ask people to
perform this task, and often they ask the families of the person(s) for
whom the mass is offered.
There are times when this does not happen, i.e. the Eucharistic
Minister did not select anyone, the family asked declined to participate,
the persons had not arrived by the time the Mass began.
So, in the absence of gift bears, anyone is invited to bring the gifts
forward. In fact, someone needs to perform this task.
Persons wishing to perform this task are invited to make their request
known to the priest or the Eucharistic Minister and every effort will be
made to oblige you.
Memorial Fund
In 1987, as the Parish began in earnest to plan for a new church, a
Memorial Fund was established to accept donations in memory of deceased
parishioners and family members. Over the years, parish families have
requested donations to this fund at the time of death. Sometimes the gifts
were few and small and sometimes the gifts were many. We thank these
families, we remember their dead, and we encourage others to continue the
practice.
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