ST. MARY CHURCH

PARISH NEWS

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This weekend we take up our collection to support the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa. The people of Africa are joyous and faith-filled—but as the Church in Africa grows, the pastoral needs of the people also increase. Clergy formation, communications programs to bring the Gospel to remote territories, youth ministries that engage the next generation of disciples—these and all the Church’s needs are wide-ranging. The collection for the Solidarity Fund is an opportunity for our parish to stand with the people of Africa. Our contributions help them face these challenges and build lasting foundations of missionary discipleship. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this appeal today. To learn more, visit www.usccb.org/africa. iGiveCatholic also accepts funds for this appeal if you prefer to donate online. There will be a second collection directly after the first collection. Thank you for your generosity!

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Interested in Catholicism?
Our next OCIA classes will begin October 14th and run through the Easter Season. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, need to complete your sacraments as an adult, or just want to understand the faith better, we welcome you. This is also a great opportunity for Catholics to invite friends and family to learn more about the Catholic Church without the obligation to become Catholic. One of our most recent Catholic converts was a paving contractor who was invited to the classes. He invited his wife to the classes. They then decided to become Catholic and had both of their children baptized Catholic. Many stories like these come from a simple invitation for someone to consider Catholicism. Classes will meet on Wednesdays from 6:45pm-8:15pm at St. Mary, Marion. If someone is interested or cannot make that time, please invite them anyway as we may be able to make something else work. Please contact the office to sign up.

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2027 Mass Intentions
Scheduling Mass Intentions for 2027 will open on Monday, October 5th. Thank you to those who in your charity have Masses offered for loved ones. Because we receive many requests, we must limit parishioners to schedule up to 5 Mass Intentions per calendar year, including a maximum of two weekend Masses. The stipend is $10 per Mass, payable by cash or check to St. Mary Church. If you would like to have more Masses offered, please consider requesting a Mass Intention through the Diocese of Columbus Missions Office. Mission priests depend on Mass stipends for their mission, so that is a great help for them while at the same time helping your loved ones. For that, please go to columbuscatholic.org/missions-mass/
Office. 
You may also schedule the Sanctuary Candle, Communion Hosts & Sacramental Wine in memory of loved ones or for a special intention. 
Donations are:
Mass Intention……. $10.00
Sanctuary Candle…. $10.00
Communion Host…. $25.00
Sacramental Wine… $15.00
Please contact the parish office to schedule your mass intentions, sanctuary candles, and/or Communion Hosts & Sacramental Wine requests at 740-382-2118 or email office@marionstmary.org.

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Blessing of the Animals: In honor of the 800^th Anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, we will be doing a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 4^th at 3:30 p.m. All animals are welcome!! Please gather in the north lot, weather permitting.

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There is still time to purchase your Fight Hunger bag from the Marion Waldo Rd Kroger location for $2.50 and they will donate $1.00 from every bag purchased to our local St. Vincent de Paul location. Thank you for helping to support the needy in our community.

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Singers Needed! The choirs of St. Mary Church are recruiting singers. We are seeking people of all ages and levels of experience who like to sing and are enthusiastic to learn beautiful music to offer in praise of God. There are openings for beginners and further opportunities for more advanced singers. Please contact Christopher Hodkinson at music@marionstmary.org for more details if this is of interest to you or your children.

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LIFE CHAIN is a time for prayerful self-analysis, repentance, and serious commitment to helping end abortion in our nation.
Stand with thousands of pro-lifers throughout the USA!  You'll be a light in a darkened world as you help put an end to abortion through prayer!
             Bring your whole family!  Rain or shine!
             Water, lawn chairs, umbrellas and strollers are welcome!
             Stand 25-30 feet apart. 
For more information, please contact 
MARION CITIZENS FOR LIFE AT 740-262-1359
LIFE CHAIN is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing for one hour praying for our nation and for an end to abortion.  It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception.

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