Immaculate Heart of Mary

Archbishop Bernard Hebda invites the faithful to join in watching Pope Francis' extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) Friday, March 27, at noon Central (6 p.m. Rome time). With this comes the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence under certain conditions.

Archbishop Hebda explains in this video how the plenary indulgence works and how we (especially those who need to stay home right now) may receive it. If you have a family member, neighbor or friend who may not use social media/technology, please share the video with them in whatever way possible (hold the phone up to the computer speaker, etc.). It is a beautiful gift, especially during these troubling and uncertain days.  See here for more information on the Coronavirus Plenary Indulgences and how to receive the indulgence by category of persons.  Here is link explaining how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet referenced as a step to gain a plenary indulgence. 

Dear Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishioners and Guests,

Greetings with the firmness of Faith which is given to us in Christ Jesus. Let us continue to lean into Him who has promised to be with us even until the end of the age.

Archbishop Hebda has made the difficult decision to suspend all public Masses in our Archdiocese. This was a hard choice to make and I invite all to read Archbishop Hebda’s letter explaining the decision.

Following Archbishop Hebda’s announcement, all of our daily and weekend Masses will not be public.

This announcement pains us all (including Archbishop Hebda)! And there is good reason for it. We are being separated from the reception of the blessed sacrament. This is no small matter! But it is important to remember that the Lord has not separated himself from us! Mass will still be celebrated and His holy and real presence will remain. Even if we cannot receive the Lord sacramentally, that does not mean that we cannot unite ourselves with Him and his sacrifice and receive him spiritually.

One way of doing this, is to watch and pray our Masses daily. We will be posting our Masses by 12 pm each day during the week including Sunday. You will notice that the celebration itself will be homilyless- but we will be posting the written homily underneath the video each day.

I will still be offering Mass each day for the intentions that have been assigned to them. I will transfer one of the Sunday Mass intentions to Saturday as we don't have any assigned for that day currently.  I willI will also be adding an additional intention to each of the masses for the end of the coronavirus and for all those affected by the coronavirus, which includes the following: those who are ill, those who have died, those who mourn, those who take care of those who are ill, those who have lost jobs or are otherwise negatively affected financially or personally, those who are home from their jobs, those who are home with their children, children who are home from school, medical staff, those who are isolated from family and friends, those who are filled with fear or anxiety, those who are at risk for infection, and anyone else affected in any way. If you are wondering whether these Masses are being offered specifically for you… they are!

Another way of making a spiritual communion is simply by praying over the Mass readings of the day and then making a prayer in these or your own words:

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

I would also like to remind you that your parish is still here! If there is a way that we can be of greater service to you, we are all ears! Please feel free to e-mail me at jbauer@ihm-cc.org or call the parish office at 952-935-1432. In addition, if anyone is in need of anointing of the sick or viaticum, please please do not hesitate to call!

I remain spiritually united with each of you during this difficult time. In fact, we all remain spiritually united with one another as the Body of Christ! You are not alone! Please be reassured of my prayer for each of you united in Jesus’ broken, thriving, and sacred heart. Let us continue to pray for one another!

Peace and every good,

Fr. John

Adhering to recommendations from the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Archdiocese, IHM will be suspending Mass, Communal Reconciliation, and all events, activities, programs and gatherings until further notice. These decisions have been made with the safety and well being of our volunteers, parishioners, visitors and staff members in mind, based on the information available at the present time. We must all do what we can to limit our exposure to protect the most vulnerable among us. The following decisions have been made taking the current situation into account.
 
Weekday & Weekend Masses and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  - Cancelled
**Due to the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19/coronavirus cases in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Archbishop Bernard Hebda has determined it is necessary to suspend Mass until further notice. All Catholics are asked to observe the Lord’s Day by making a “spiritual communion” while watching Mass online, on TV, or radio (broadcast 11:00 a.m. on KSTCTV/45 and 9:00 a.m. on Relevant Radio 1330am). You can also pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and other devotions.
Stations of the Cross: Cancelled.
Baptisms will be performed as scheduled. The font has been drained, therefore fresh water will be drawn and blessed immediately before the baptism.
Funeral Masses may be scheduled for a small gathering; however, funeral lunches have been suspended indefinitely.
Religious Education: Cancelled. Lessons/Materials will be emailed to families for home study. 
Confirmation & RCIA: Postponed until further notice.
Men’s Club Fish Dinner: Friday, March 20th Cancelled.
Communal Penance Service, Tuesday, March 24: Cancelled.
Fr. John will hear private confessions Tuesday, March 24 from 5-9 in church.
Lenten Anointing Mass, Friday, March 27 - Cancelled.
Anointing Day, April 1, come to the parish office anytime that day between 11am and 4pm and Fr. John will anoint you, no need for an appointment. If you are unable to come and would like to be anointed, please call Fr. John at 952-935-1432.
Easter Basket Project: Staff will be filling baskets April 8th. Donations are being accepted to offset the cost of this project.
Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 5th - Cancelled. Candy donated will be used to fill baskets for the Mary's Place Easter Basket Project.
 
Please consider e-giving to ensure the financial stability of our parish during this unprecedented situation. Information is available under the giving tab above and authorization forms are available on the Welcome Desk or in the parish office.

Archbishop Hebda's Mass Suspension Notificaiton

Pray the Litany in Time of Need at 11:05am each day. Tune in to Relevant Radio, 1330AM or www.relevantradio.com, where the litany will be broadcast each day at 11:05am.
Archdiocesan Litany in a Time of Need

Click here for Spiritual & Mental Health Resources

Please use this link to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as a resource for prayers including Stations of the Cross