Mass Intentions & Altar Flowers

Mass intentions can be scheduled one year in advance due to Canon Law. For example on March 1, 2024, Mass intentions will be accepted through March 1, 2025. See full guidelines for Masses below. The suggested Mass stipend is $10.

Guidelines for Mass Intentions

1. Universal Church discipline as contained in canons 945 – 958 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law strictly regulates the offerings made for the celebration of Mass.
2. The Mass Intention Book will only be opened one year in advance from the date the request is being made. For example, if one comes to the parish office to request a Mass intention on August 17, 2023, the Mass Intention Book will only be opened through August 17, 2024. 
3. A Mass intention may be requested for: an individual who is deceased; a living person who is sick or suffering; a living person who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special moment in their life; in thanksgiving to God (including the Lord Jesus or the Holy Spirit); in thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint; or for a prayer intention (so long as the intention does not contradict Church teaching).
4. A Mass intention may not be requested for a prayer intention that contradicts Catholic moral doctrine.
5. Lengthy intention listings cannot be published in the bulletin and must be edited for the sake of brevity. Since the purpose of publishing the intention in the bulletin is to notify the parish of the intention, we suggest the omission of middle initials, titles, etc. Each intention is limited to either three names or one group. Please be sure to indicate if the person for whom the Mass is requested is living or dead.
6. A maximum of six (6) intentions per year from any one individual may be scheduled at the parish with no more than two (2) scheduled for a weekend Mass. 
7. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis in the order in which the request is received at the Parish Office.
8. A $10 stipend, as determined by diocesan policy, is suggested for each Mass request. Canon Law requires that all stipends taken for Mass intentions be said for the intention as designated.
9. Please note that Mass intentions may be requested for Sundays, most holidays, and weekdays throughout the year. Mass intentions cannot be scheduled for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, or All Souls Day (November 2). One Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation must be scheduled for the intentions of our parishioners known as pro populo (for the people) as required by canon law. Scheduling of multiple ‘stipend’ intentions for one Mass is prohibited by canon law. 
10. Mass intentions will be granted as close to the requested date and time as possible. If it is not possible to comply with the primary request, the next closest date and time will be scheduled.
11. The schedule of Mass intentions is subject to change according to the Mass schedule and there is no promise that they will be said on the scheduled day due to priest illness, schedule change, diocesan obligation, etc. Attempts will be made to contact the concerned parties ahead of time, but that is not always possible.
12. Masses can be booked in person in our parish office, by calling at (517) 349-1763, or via email at cboomer@st-martha.org.

Two altar flower arrangements are available each week for $80 per arrangement.

As of 1/5/24, many openings are available throughout 2024.