Mass Intentions

Guidelines for Mass Intentions

Due to the limited number of Masses and large number of parishioners at STA, the Mass Intention Book fills up very quickly each year! 

The following information and guidelines are meant to help parishioners request Mass intentions more efficiently and allow for every family to have the opportunity to request Mass intentions. 

Mass Intentions Book Opens

Each November 1 (All Saints Day), the Mass Intentions Book opens up for the coming calendar year. Therefore, no Masses can be scheduled before November 1.

Guidelines for Mass Intentions

All Masses celebrated daily and on Sundays are for ALL God’s People.
“Private Intention” cannot be listed as a Mass Intention.
A Mass Intention may honor:

• A deceased loved one
• 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 In thanksgiving for a prayer from a Blessed or a Saint
• For a prayer intention (IF the intention does not contradict Church teaching)

STA Policies for Mass Intentions

• Each parish family is allowed up to six (6) scheduled Masses (up to three (3) of these can be Sundays), in order to give the opportunity for all parishioners to schedule a Mass Intentions for their loved ones, and to accommodate recently deceased individuals
• One (1) Mass intention per month in the year for those that have lost a loved one is available to be scheduled
• ONLY one (1) Mass per day can be prayed for any individual intention
• Christmas Vigil and Christmas Day, Easter Vigil and Easter Masses, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Masses are always for the intentions of the Living and Deceased Members of the Parish. One Sunday Mass, per weekend, is offered for the intentions of the Parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas

Scheduling a Mass Intention

• To schedule Mass Intentions, please download the Mass Intention Request document and submit to the parish office.
• No Mass will be reserved without a paid stipend of $5.00

Donation

• Mass Intention Stipend: $5.00 per Mass Intention is stipulated by the Texas Catholic Bishops Conference
• Checks are to be made payable to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish
• No Mass will be reserved in the book without payment of $5.00 stipend

Extra Intentions

Should you wish the celebration of more than the STA allotted Masses, we will help you forward your requests to the diocese, a religious community, or organization that has more availability to fulfill your Mass intentions. The fruits of the Mass are the same whether we offer it in our own parish or in another parish. When we forward the Mass intentions to others, like retired priests or to priests in Mission Areas, you are directly supporting those priests and Missions!