Our Parish at St. Mary

Welcome to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, a community-driven Catholic parish in Avon, Ohio. Under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are striving to build God’s Kingdom in our world today through lives of prayer and service.

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Fr. Cleaton’s Retirement ~ 7/1/23
Our Pastor, Fr. C. Thomas Cleaton has reached the required age for retirement and will be retiring effective July 1, 2023.  The Diocese will name a replacement as soon as a decision is made.  We shall celebrate Fr. Tom’s retirement on Sunday, July 2nd with noon Mass and a reception following.  

The Clergy Personnel Board assists the Bishop of Cleveland by making recommendations to the Bishop for clergy assignments. The Board is interested in feedback from the parishioners of St. Mary Parish and invites you to participate by responding to the survey link:
 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StMaryAvon
 
Please be assured that you remain in our prayers during the upcoming time of transition. This survey will be open until Monday, 3 April 2023.
 

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It is time for our annual Chatholic Charities Appeal for the Diocese of Cleveland. Visit our Catholic Charities page for more information on how you can help. Or scan the QR code below to find out more about this year's campaign. St. Mary's is blessed with amazing and generous parishioners and we hope you can find a way to give to this very worthy cause and benefit our community.

Important 2023 Lenten Events & Dates

Distribution of Ashes              Wednesday, February 22^nd
                                                   Mass 8:30 am (School Mass) & 7:30 pm
                                                   Noon – Ashes Only

Stations of the Cross              Every Friday evening starting February 24^th at 7:00 pm (EC Living Stations on March 10^th)

St. Mary’s Fish Fry                   Friday, March 24^th at 4:00 – 7:30 pm in the school gymnasium

St. Mary Lenten Soup              Friday, February 24^th  at 6:00 pm in the school cafeteria (no charge   & Bread Meal                           / donations accepted)
  
Nine Days of Novena              Sunday, February 26^th – Monday, March 6^th.
A novena is a devotion consisting of prayer for nine straight days, in which the faithful ask God for special graces.  As part of your Lenten observance, please try to attend as many of the days possible.  The schedule follows:
Sunday, 2/26 7:30 pm                                     Opening – Benediction & Novena prayers (no Mass)
Monday, 2/27 thru Friday, 3/3 7:30 pm           Mass & Novena prayers
Saturday 3/4 8:30 am                                       Mass & Novena prayers
Sunday, 3/5 7:30 pm                                        Benediction & Novena prayers (no Mass)
Monday, 3/6 7:30 pm                                       Closing – Mass & Novena prayers
NOTE:   There is no 8:30 am Mass on Tuesday 2/28, Wednesday 3/1 or Friday 3/3.         

Palm Sunday                                          Sunday, April 2^nd
Solemn Blessing of Palms & Procession (Palms distributed at all Masses)
Holy Thursday                                        Thursday, April 6^th at 7:30 pm
Solemn Mass of Our Lord’s Supper & Washing of Feet
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament              After Mass until 10:00 pm
Good Friday                                            Friday, April 7^th
Reading of the Passion                            3:00 pm
Stations of the Cross                                7:00 pm
NOTE:  There is no 8:30 am Mass on Good Friday.                                    
Holy Saturday                                          Saturday, April 8^th
Blessing of Easter Baskets                        2:00 pm
Easter Vigil                                                 8:45 pm
NOTE:   There is no 8:30 am Mass on Holy Saturday.
Easter Sunday                                          Sunday, April 9^th            
                                                                   8:00 am, 10:00 am & Noon
Confessions for Holy Week:
Monday:                                                    7:00 pm – 7:25 pm
Holy Thursday:                                        11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Good Friday:                                            after 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday:                                         11:00 am – 12:00 pm

NOTE:  The Annual Diocesan-wide Evening of Confession will be held on March 8^th at 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.                                                                                                             
 

St. Mary is pleased to announce that our Parish will be hosting “Nine Nights of Night Prayer” on March 17^th to March 25^th.

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SERVER UPDATE EFFECTIVE 3/4/23:

During Communion, the servers will stand beside the priest/deacon or EM with the chin paten.  The Chin/Communion Paten is used to catch a host or piece of a host that might otherwise fall to the ground.  It is another reminder of the real, true, and substancial presence of Christ in even the smallest particle of the host.

At the weekend Masses Offertory/Preparation of the Gifts:
The servers will go with the priest to the foot of the altar.  The priest will accept the bread plate, water and wine cruets and hand them to the servers who will proceed to the altar. 
 

MASS OBLIGATION:

Mass Obligation:  Together, the Bishops of Ohio have decided that the general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (including the Saturday/Vigil Mass) is to be reinstated (CIC, can. 1247). This was effective in each of the Dioceses of Ohio the weekend of June 5-6, 2021.
In addition, diocesan officials remind the faithful that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation remains in effect for those who are ill, have significant health risk factors or care for someone who is immune compromised or ill, as well as those who have significant fear or anxiety of contracting coronavirus in a large group of persons.  If you’re not feeling well, please remain at home.
 

Thank you in continuing to support St. Mary's as Father Tom and the dedicated staff work to spiritually support our parishioners.  St. Mary's is grateful for the wonderful and generous support from our parish family.  We ask for your continued prayers and financial support as we make it through this crisis together.
Parishioners who are not interested in using the direct deposit/ACH method below are encouraged to mail your envelopes to the Parish office.  Write your check and drop it in the mail to: St. Mary - Avon, 2640 Stoney Ridge Rd, Avon, OH 44011.  Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.  God Bless.