Starting January 25, 2021 you can now schedule Mass Intentions within our parish easily on-line using the link https://web4ucorp.com/massintentions/shepherdmv
The $10 stipend can be brought to the office (55 School St., Oak Bluffs), mailed in (Good Shepherd Parish, PO Box 1058, Vineyard Haven MA 02568), or left in the offertory basket at Church marked as Mass Intention.
Click on the “Request a Mass Intention.”
Scroll through the calendar for desired date, location and Mass time. Click on “Request” to select an available Mass.
Fill in the intention information: Name of person (or special intention); category is whether the person is living or deceased. Do you need a physical mass card? If so, please put the person’s name and mailing address that will receive the card and it will be mailed by the office. Click “Submit” when finished. You will get a reminder before each Mass intention you have requested.
Q: What does it mean to have a Mass “offered” for someone? excerpts from Fr. Richard Saunders answer to this question on “Catholic Exchange:”
When a priest offers Holy Mass, he has three intentions: First, to offer the Mass reverently and validly in accord with the norms of the Church. Second, to offer the Mass in union with the whole Church and for the good of the whole Church. Third, to offer the Mass for a particular intention, such as the repose of the soul of someone who has died.
Therefore, the effects of the Mass bring certain benefits or fruits. The general fruits of the Mass are the effects upon the whole Church — to the living faithful as well as the poor souls in purgatory. For this reason, in the Canon of the Mass (the Eucharistic Prayer), a special mention is made for both the living and the dead.
An individual may ask a priest to offer a Mass for several reasons: for example, 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. One must never forget the infinite graces that flow from the Sacrifice of the Mass which benefit one’s soul. The special ministerial fruits of the Mass are applied to the particular intention of the Mass, i.e., “for whom the Mass is offered.” A stipend is given to the priest for offering the Mass, which thereby in justice creates an obligation which must be satisfied.
We find not only the origins of this practice dating to the early Church but we also clearly recognize its importance. When we face the death of someone, even a person who is not Catholic, to have a Mass offered for the repose of his soul and to offer our prayers are more beneficial and comforting than any other sympathy card or bouquet of flowers. To have a Mass offered on the occasion of a birthday, anniversary or special need is appropriate, beneficial and appreciated.