Mass Intentions
Mass Cards and Intentions
A Mass intention is a special way to offer prayers during the celebration of the Mass for a particular person or need. Many people request a Mass to be offered for the repose of the soul of a loved one who has died, while others may request a Mass in thanksgiving, for healing, or for another special intention.
Mass intentions are scheduled one per Mass. Each intention is recorded in our Mass book and published in the parish bulletin where the intentions for each Mass are listed. The intention will also be announced during the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass.
We still have open dates for Mass intentions this year. Please call or visit the parish office to schedule your intention. Mass cards, which can be sent to loved ones to acknowledge that a Mass is being offered for them, are also available in the parish office.
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When a priest celebrates Mass each day, he offers each Sacrifice of the Mass for a particular person, or intention. By doing so special graces from God are applied upon that person or intention. The act of offering prayers for the dead at Mass goes back to AD 235. Canon Law also confirms this practice and states, “In accord with the approved practice of the Church, any priest celebrating, or concelebrating is permitted to receive an offering to apply the Mass for a specific intention” (Can. 945 §1).
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Anyone may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons. For example, Masses can be offered in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday), or as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died.
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Canon Law states “The Christian faithful who give an offering to apply the Mass for their intention contribute to the good of the Church and by that offering share its concern to support its ministers and works” (945 §2). This refers to a longstanding practice in the Church of offering a specified amount of money to the Church for a particular intention offered by the priest. This is not the act of selling something sacred for money (simony), but it is for the purpose of supplying items for Mass and for the support of the priest. In Dioceses of the United States, the standard offering for a Mass stipend is $10.
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If the specific date you requested is already reserved, you may choose another available date for your Mass intention. You may also request an unannounced Mass, which will be offered by a priest for your intention but will not appear in the parish bulletin or be announced during Mass. Unannounced Masses are often celebrated by our priests during their private Masses.
This option still allows your intention to be remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass even if your preferred date is not available.
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We are currently accepting Mass intentions for 2026. There are still dates with Mass intentions available! We will announce when the Mass book for 2027 opens. Because many parishioners wish to remember loved ones on meaningful dates we encourage you to submit your request as soon as the new Mass book opens.
If your preferred date is not available, our parish staff will be happy to help you select another available date or arrange for an unannounced Mass to be offered for your intention.
Other offerings at Saint Laurence
Votive Candles
Votive candles are available at Saint Laurence Church near the altar rail and may be lit for any prayer intention. Lighting a candle is a simple and meaningful way to offer a prayer for yourself, a loved one, or a special need. The suggested donation is $1 per candle.
Bread and
Wine Offering
The bread and wine used at Mass each week may be offered for a special intention, such as in honor or memory of a loved one. This offering is a meaningful way to include your prayer intentions in the celebration of the Eucharist and will be listed in the bulletin. To arrange a bread and wine offering, please call or visit the parish office. The suggested donation is $10.
Saint Joseph Altar Candles
Altar Candles are available at Saint Joseph’s side altar and may be lit for any special prayer intention. Many parishioners ask that these candles be lit as a sign of prayer while asking for the intercession of the Saint Joseph. To arrange the Saint Joseph Altar candle offering, please call or visit the parish office. The suggested donation is $10.
Blessed Virgin Mary Altar Candles
Altar Candles are available at the side altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary and may be lit for any special prayer intention. Many parishioners ask these candles be lit as a sign of prayer while asking for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To arrange the Blessed Virgin Mary Altar candle offering, please call or visit the parish office. The suggested donation is $10.
Memorial Donation
Honor the life and faith of someone dear to you by making a donation to Saint Laurence in their memory. A memorial gift is a meaningful way to remember a loved one while supporting the mission and ministries of our parish. Your offering becomes a prayerful tribute, helping the Church continue its work of worship, service, and care for our community. Through this act of generosity, the memory of your loved one lives on in faith and gratitude. Call or visit the office to make a donation. You can also make a donation online using this link.
Perpetual Mass Intentions
Sacred Heart Enrollments are a wonderful way to have those you love remembered every first Friday of the month. Enrollments can be an expression of compassion or sympathy for the living or the deceased. There is no need to enroll someone more than once since it is a perpetual enrollment. While the enrollees share in the monthly offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Mass is not said for any individual enrollee only but collectively.