REQUESTING A MASS INTENTION

Requesting a Mass Intention is a spiritual and supportive way to honor and remember loved ones, both living and deceased. We offer two methods of requesting Mass Intentions: Self-Service Online or Manually with Office Assistance.

SELF-SERVICE AND ONLINE

We are now utilizing a self-service online system that will allow the faithful to see what Mass times are available, to reserve Masses in real time, and to make offerings online. The efficiency of this system will allow for a much quicker response time to requests. Please review step-by-step instructions below.

MASS INTENTIONS UPDATE

We deeply value the importance of Mass Intentions as a spiritual offering. Due to the limited number of Spanish-language Masses, we kindly request that the 2:15 pm and 7:00 pm Masses be reserved for our Spanish-speaking parishioners only.

To ensure a fair and equitable process for all, Mass Intentions are opened in three-month increments:

  • January – March 2025: Requests opened on December 10, 2024
  • April – June 2025: Requests open on March 18, 2025
  • July – September 2025: Requests open on June 17, 2025
  • October – December 2025: Requests open on September 16, 2025
  • January – March 2026: Requests open on December 9, 2025

General Rule: Mass Intentions will open on the 3rd Tuesday of the preceding month for the upcoming three-month period. Exceptions will occur in December, when they open on the 2nd Tuesday.

OFFICE ASSISTED

If you do not wish to use the self-service online system, you may call the office to arrange a Mass Intention. Please call our Parish Office at 919-468-6100. Parish Office Hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30pm and Friday 8:00am to 12pm. Please review the instructions below so we may better serve you. If you intend to use a credit card to provide a donation, it is preferred that you use the online portal. We appreciate your understanding.

OFFERINGS

A donation is not required to secure a Mass Intention. The parish gratefully accepts any donation offered, or none; the typical offering is $10.00 per intention.  You may also add the processing fee ($0.55 per intention) saving the parish the bank charge, or you may type in a gift amount. If you would like to make an offering via credit or debit card, we prefer that you use the online scheduler linked above.  If you prefer to make a donation by cash or check, please call the Parish Office at 919-468-6100 and a staff member will gladly assist you.  If you cannot make an offering at this time, please call the office for assistance in scheduling your intention; we will be happy to help you.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE

A staff member will gladly assist you should you need additional help; feel free to call 919-468-6100 or email the office at office@stmcary.org. Our receptionist on staff will be able to assist, Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 4:30 pm and Friday 8:00 to 12pm. You can email inquiries to office@stmcary.org if you have questions after business hours; someone will respond when business resumes.

LIMITATIONS

In an effort to serve as many faithful in a fair and equitable way, we kindly ask that you prayerfully follow these guidelines in requesting Mass Intentions: limit requests to 12 per household annually, limit requests to no more than 3 per quarter (3-month period) per household, and not consecutive with respect to day/time.
Additionally, due to the limited number of Spanish language Masses, we kindly request that the 2:15 pm and 7:00 pm Masses, are reserved for our Spanish speaking parishioners only.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MASS INTENTIONS ONLINE (MIO) PORTAL

REQUESTING A MASS INTENTION WITH OFFICE ASSISTANCE

If you do not wish to use the online portal, you may call or email the office for assistance. Any offerings made by check of cash must also be processed manually through the office. In order to protect your information, we prefer that offerings made via credit/debit card use the online portal; we prefer to not take credit/debit card information be taken over the phone.  To help you most efficiently when calling the office for assistance with Mass Intentions, please follow the guidelines below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I MAKE A PRAYER REQUEST INSTEAD OF A MASS INTENTION?

Yes, please email the name(s) to pastoralcare@stmcary.org.

HOW DO I MAKE AN OFFERING?

In order to protect your information, we prefer that you use a debit/credit card to donate online rather than call and provide that information on the phone.  If you wish to use a check or cash, you will need to call the Parish Office at 919-468-6100 to arrange the mass intention.

CAN I GET A REFUND?

Donations made for Mass Intentions cannot be refunded. However, any offering can easily be transferred or rescheduled to a different date of your choosing, or we can “credit” you for future use. (Unused donations after one year of initial submission would not carry over to the following fiscal period.)

HOW DO I INDICATE THAT MY MASS INTENTION IS A 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OR 1ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY?

First, select the occasion. Next, in the “Notes” section simply type “10th Anniversary” or “1st Anniversary”.

WHERE DO I ADD THE NAME PRONUNCIATION?

Please use the "Notes" section to provide guidance on pronunciation of any names as needed.

DO I HAVE TO MAKE A DONATION?

No, an offering is not obligatory.

DO I HAVE TO LEAVE A NOTE?

No, you may leave it blank.

HOW MANY MASS INTENTIONS DO YOU ACCEPT PER MASS?

We only accept intentions from one requestor per Mass.  In your intention, please list 1-3 individuals and/or groups.  For example: “Souls in Purgatory” or “Maria, Juan, and Evan Pilar” or “All godparents of children in the St. Michael Parish.”

CAN I MAKE AN ADDITIONAL DONATION IN THE SAME TRANSACTION?

Yes, you help the parish save the bank charge and add the processing fee ($0.55 per intention) and/or you may type in a gift amount.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF INTENTIONS I CAN MAKE?

Yes, to be equitable to all parishioners and those requesting intentions, there is a limit to
  • (3) requests per transaction
  • (12) requests per family/household, per year
  • (3) requests per family/household per quarter
  • Please note: requests should not be consecutive by day/week/Mass time