St. Richard Catholic Church

08/10/2026

Todd used to join us for Mass when we were still going to St. James after Covid. Eternal Rest Grant unto Todd, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

07/27/2026

Several U.S. Catholic bishops have recently strengthened diocesan funeral guidelines to ensure stricter fidelity to the Church’s Order of Christian Funerals.

The move comes in response to growing departures from traditional norms — especially regarding the handling of cremated remains, the timing and content of words of remembrance, and the proper place for visitation.

One of the most detailed responses comes from Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois. In a recent pastoral letter and video message, he outlined new policies now in effect:

✅ Visitation will no longer be permitted in the church on the day of the Funeral Mass. The Vigil belongs the night before.

✅ Eulogies are not allowed during any of the official funeral rites. Only brief “words of remembrance” focused on the deceased’s faith may be offered — and these must be submitted for approval in advance and read only by a priest or deacon.

✅ Cremated remains must be kept intact and interred as soon as possible (ordinarily within 30 days). Scattering ashes, dividing them among relatives, keeping them at home, or placing them in jewelry is strictly prohibited.

Bishop Paprocki emphasized that these norms are not meant to burden families, but to protect the dignity of the funeral rites and the Church’s belief in the resurrection of the body.

Other dioceses across the United States are implementing similar clarifications as irregular practices continue to increase.

The Church’s funeral liturgy is not primarily about celebrating a person’s life on earth. It is a prayer for the deceased, an act of hope in the resurrection, and a proclamation of faith in eternal life.

How important is it to you that Catholic funerals remain clearly focused on Christ and the hope of heaven?

07/12/2026

We will be taking up money to send to Venezuela after the devastating earthquakes they had. Lynn Burrow will be taking up the money through the end of July. Any donation will help. Fr. Nelson did not ask us to do this. We want to help our neighbors in this way. Thank you.

06/22/2026

✝️ THE FIRST 30 SECONDS OF MASS, AND WHY THEY MATTER
_______________
Most people miss it.

They are still adjusting their clothes.
Still scanning the pew.
Still checking their phone.
Still finishing a conversation.

And yet…

In the first 30 seconds of Mass, something decisive happens.

Not emotionally.
Not dramatically.

Spiritually.

✝️ A THRESHOLD IS CROSSED

The moment the priest makes the Sign of the Cross,

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”,

Time shifts.

You are no longer just gathered.

You are assembled in the Name.

And in Scripture, whenever something is done in the Name of God, heaven responds.

The Mass does not “ease in.”

It begins with authority.

With invocation.

With surrender.

In that first sign, you are marked again with the Cross that claimed you at baptism.

You are reminded who you belong to.

And heaven takes note.

✝️ YOU ARE PLACED BEFORE GOD

Before a single reading.
Before a single hymn swells.

You are placed consciously before the living God.

The greeting follows:

“The Lord be with you.”

This is not a polite introduction.

It is a declaration.

The Lord is here.
Not symbolically.
Not metaphorically.
But sacramentally present among His people.

And you answer:

“And with your spirit.”

You are not responding to a personality.

You are acknowledging the Spirit given at ordination, the grace that enables the priest to stand in persona Christi.

All of that…
in less than 30 seconds.

✝️ WHAT YOU DECIDE IN THAT MOMENT

Here is the hidden part.

In the first 30 seconds, your heart decides:

Will I be present, or merely attend?
Will I offer, or observe?
Will I listen, or drift?

Grace begins moving immediately.

But cooperation is not automatic.

If you enter distracted, casual, unprepared,
the rest of the Mass will feel distant.

If you enter attentive, surrendered, awake,
everything that follows penetrates deeper.

The beginning sets the interior posture.

And posture shapes encounter.

✝️ THIS IS NOT A WARM-UP

The Mass is not a concert that builds momentum.

It is an ascent.

The first step matters.

If you rush the threshold, you dull the mystery.

If you consciously cross it, you enter differently.

That is why the Church begins boldly: With the Cross. With the Name. With invocation.

No small talk. No introduction. No delay.

God is called upon immediately.

And you are summoned into worship.

🙏 SO,

Next Sunday, guard the first 30 seconds.

Arrive before them.

Silence yourself before them.

When the Sign of the Cross begins, mean it.

Because in those first moments, you are not just starting a ritual,

You are stepping into eternity.

And eternity does not wait for late attention.

God bless you. 🙏
Source: Catholics Online Class

04/12/2026

More Divine Mercy Sunday pictures.

04/11/2026

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Gemma Galgani, one of the Church's mystics who received the stigmata of Christ

Saint Gemma Galgani enjoyed the grace of the constant sight of her guardian angel.

Take a moment today to learn more about this remarkable saint and deepen your faith:
https://americaneedsfatima.org/articles/saint-gemma-galgani

St. Gemma, pray for us. 🙏

04/02/2026

❤️💒✝️🙏

Pray to our Priest on this, the anniversary of the institution of the Sacraments of Holy Orders and the Eucharist. Without our Priests there would be no Eucharist. Thank you Father Nelson for all you do for our parish.