When we offer a Mass for a deceased loved one, we are asking God to apply the graces of the Mass to that person’s soul, so that their time of purification (purgatory) can be brought quickly to completion and they can enter into the fullness of Heaven. This is a truly loving and faith-filled thing to do. These offerings are not arithmetic; they are animated by faith and love, and as long as our faith, love and hope are alive, our offerings are a legitimate and fruitful expression of them, something that gives glory to God and that benefits the whole Church.

If you would like to have a Mass said for a particular intention, you must stop by the Parish Office. Masses can be said for a deceased person or as a special intention for the living. Masses can be “announced” or “unannounced.”

An announced Mass is a Mass celebrated on a particular day at a particular time. It is called “announced” because the intention is made public in the parish bulletin and usually mentioned by the priest celebrant.

Announced Masses are available for all daily Masses (7:30am in the Chapel) or for the weekend Masses (Saturday at 4:00pm and Sundays at 8:00am, 9:30am and 11:30am). The announced Mass is a good option if the family of a deceased lives in the parish, if the person requesting the Mass would like to attend the Mass, or if the living person for whom a Mass is offered may like to attend the Mass.

An unannounced Mass is said privately at the seminary or by a Catholic Mission.

The quarterly openings for Mass intentions are in January (for Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, same year); April (for Jan. 1 - Mar. 31, next year); July (for Apr. 1 - Jun. 30, next year); October (for Jul. 1 - Sept. 30, next year).  Mass intentions are taken during our regular business hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 8:30am-4:30pm (closed 12 noon -1pm)
• Friday: 8:30am-2:30pm (The office closes at 1:30pm June 1 thru Labor Day)
• Saturday: 10:00am-1:00pm
• Sunday from 9:00am-1:00pm

It is hoped that this is a fair and equitable system to accommodate the needs of our parish family.

The donation for a Mass is $10. Cash or checks are accepted.  Checks should be made payable to Saint John Fisher.

An alternative memorial is a $10 offering for the Sanctuary Candle.  The candle burns in the sanctuary of the Church, acknowledging the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist.  You may reserve a week of your choice, and your intention or memorial will be published in the parish bulletin.  See the parish office staff to reserve a Sanctuary Candle.