Parking Lots and Buildings Closed Until Tuesday at Noon

UPDATE: The flooding into the parking lot has ended and the water has evaporated, so the parking lot is now reopened. NOTICE: Due to flooding from the school sprinkler system onto the parking lot, and subsequent freezing of the parking lot, all parking lots and buildings are closed until Tuesday at noon. The 6:30 am and 8 am Masses will …

Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds

Bishop Stika is giving permission to resume distribution of Holy Communion from the chalice. We hope to begin doing so at Saint Mary’s by November, provided we have enough trained and commissioned extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to do so consistently at each Dominical Mass (i.e. Saturday evening and Sunday). The “Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion …

The Octave of the Assumption

August 15th marks the beginning of the traditional Assumption Octave, the final day of which (August 22nd) is our parish feast day. There will be one additional Mass tomorrow, in addition to the usual 6:30 am and 8 am Masses. The Solemnity of the Assumption is usually a holy day of obligation, except* when it falls on a Saturday or …

Msgr. Bob Hofstetter, St. Mary’s Pastor, 1974-1981

Monsignor Robert Hofstetter, pastor of Saint Mary Parish from 1974 to 1981, passed away last Thursday at age 94. Father Bob was a priest 68 years. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. During his time at saint Mary’s, Father Bob introduced his own “ray of sunshine” when he transformed the walls …

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! The 1983 Code of Canon Law—building on what Paul VI called “the grave and urgent problem” of reminding Catholics about “the significance and importance of the divine precept of penitence”—states that “abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the episcopal conference, …

Easter Sunday MODIFIED Mass Schedule

Easter Day Masses follow a modified Sunday schedule: 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 2 pm (Spanish), and 6 pm. N.B.: there will be no Confessions before any of the Masses here on Easter Sunday. Sunday Confessions will resume on Divine Mercy Sunday for those who arrive thirty minutes before Mass.

The Triduum and Easter Sunday

(Note: Mass schedule during Holy Week follows the usual Mass schedule.  Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and concludes Thursday afternoon.) The high point of the Catholic liturgical year is the Sacred Passover Triduum, which lasts from Thursday evening to the Mass of the Resurrection on Saturday evening. Though spread out over several days, the Triduum is counted as one, …

Laetare Sunday, Rose Vestments and You!

Each year on Laetare Sunday we rejoice as we begin the fourth week of Lent. But why is Laetare Sunday so different from the other Sundays of Lent? And why on earth do the clergy wear pinkish–officially “rose”–vestments? This article answers your questions: pillarcatholic.com. Also, don’t forget to read last month’s full length interview with retiring Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, who …

Friday Consecration of Russia and Ukraine

Pope Francis invites all the faithful to join him in a special prayer to consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25. Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Mary, Mother of God and our mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. As our mother, you love us …

Employment Opportunity

St. Mary’s School, Oak Ridge, is seeking exceptional candidates for their art teacher position for the 2022-2023 academic year. The work of the art teacher is closely linked to the fulfillment of the mission and belief of St. Mary’s School. Teaching in a Catholic school is not just a job; it is a vocation. Our teachers are called to be professionally proficient …

Urgent Prayer for Peace

The story of our parish unfolds along our walking trail. From our Memorial Bridge, dedicated during the 75th anniversary of our parish to the memory of all the departed teachers who served in our school since 1950, to Saint Mary Church, built by parishioners in 1962, we are surrounded by the memories of parishioners, both living and departed. Between the …