St. Mary Catholic Church

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

Join us for Mass
Wednesday June 3
8AM Holy Cross Catholic School Chapel
Celebrating Father Dave's 20th Ordination Anniversary!

06/01/2026

Stay with us after the 10:30 Mass this weekend for adoration. What better way to celebrate Corpus Christi than to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

06/01/2026

FREE Community Lunch!
Today - Monday, June 1 | 12 PM – 2 PM
715 Jefferson Ave.
This month’s menu is all about casseroles — and not just one kind… FIVE different varieties! Because choosing only one casserole would’ve caused a community-wide debate.
Our amazing volunteers are busy cooking, stirring, layering, and probably taste-testing a little too much to make sure lunch is delicious for everyone.
Come hungry, bring a friend, and enjoy great food with even better company. Everyone welcome! See you soon!

06/01/2026

Y.E.S. Donations Needed: The 2026 Y.E.S. project is slated for June 4-6. All the work done is at no cost to those being helped. We are asking parishioners, businesses and organizations to contribute as you can. If you would like to donate supplies, we could use paper towels, windex, etc... Cases of water, sports drinks, or snacks can be dropped off at St John’s or St Mary’s with “For Y.E.S.” on it. A monetary donation is appreciated as well to help curve the cost of larger supplies. Please contact Renee @419.236.4006 or the office with any questions. Checks may be payable to St Mary Catholic Church, with YES on the memo, to 715 Jefferson Ave. Defiance, Ohio 43512, or place in the collection basket, or online giving. Thank you!

05/29/2026

Latest update from Father Dave.

05/29/2026

FREE Community Lunch!
Monday, June 1 | 12 PM – 2 PM
715 Jefferson Ave.
This month’s menu is all about casseroles — and not just one kind… FIVE different varieties! Because choosing only one casserole would’ve caused a community-wide debate.
Our amazing volunteers are busy cooking, stirring, layering, and probably taste-testing a little too much to make sure lunch is delicious for everyone.
Come hungry, bring a friend, and enjoy great food with even better company. Everyone welcome!

05/26/2026

The release of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence”, offers the Church and the world an important moment of reflection during a time of rapid technological change. While the Holy Father addresses the growing influence of artificial intelligence, this encyclical is, above all, a profound affirmation of the dignity of the human person. Pope Leo reminds us that every person possesses an intrinsic dignity that can never be replaced, measured, or diminished by technological advancement. In a culture increasingly shaped by efficiency, algorithms, and digital interaction, the Holy Father calls us to ensure that technology always remains at the service of the human person, never the other way around.

Standing firmly within the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, Magnifica Humanitas echoes the Church’s long-standing mission to accompany humanity through periods of great social transformation with wisdom, compassion, and hope. Pope Leo writes that his desire is to help people “rediscover their duty” to live these principles within family life, work, and society. As shared in my March 2025 Leading the Flock column, these technologies should be approached as tools that can support authentic human flourishing, while never replacing those capacities and relationships that are distinctly human in nature.

The Holy Father encourages the Church not to withdraw from conversations regarding technological advances, but instead to engage the modern world through the eyes of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, with attentive listening, respectful dialogue, and faithful witness to the truth of the Gospel. Pope Leo invites us all to discernment during this “change of era” where crucial questions impose themselves on our conscience: “Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as a people and as a human community?”

As we continue navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, we remain committed to safeguarding the God-given dignity of every human person and ensuring that our use of technology always reflects the truth that each person is created in the image and likeness of God. The dignity of the person must be the criterion of all progress.

The text of Pope Leo’s Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas; Magnificent Humanity, may be found here: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

Bishop Daniel E. Thomas’ Leading the Flock Column (March, 2025), AI: A Catholic Perspective, may be found here: https://toledodiocese.org/diocesan-news/ai-a-catholic-perspective