Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Who do you say that I am? The words our Lord asked His beloved apostles. This is our parish theme for the 2025-2026 year.

First, consider Jesus asking this of His Apostles in Matthew 16. The answer that He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” is a gift to Peter. If you don’t wrestle with understanding God made man, then you are likely reducing His authority, omnipotence, and omniscience!

Second, ask this question of the Church: Who do you say that the Church is? It is the bride of Christ. The Church is only one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic, because Jesus is first.

Third, ask this of the pope, “who is this American Leo XIV?” I failed at being a prophet, erroneously saying we wouldn’t have an American pope in my lifetime! He is the visible head of the Church, a Chicagoan, and White Sox fan!

Fourth, ask it of each other: “who is Fr. Mosimann? … who is my spouse? …who is my neighbor? …who are you?” It is by grace and conforming our lives to Jesus Christ, that we can become ever more transparent icons of Jesus! Each of us should decrease, so that He can increase!

Finally, ask it of the least, the vulnerable, and the poor: “whatsoever you do to the least, you do unto Jesus.”

Mother Theresa rode this thought to the pearly gates!

The poster for the theme this year (on the cover today) is meant to be a little bit of a puzzle, and a riddle. Can you find Jesus in the Church, the saints, the pope, your pastor, the young and the elderly, and in your own home?

In the coming weeks we will explore the work of ministry at St. Mary and how you might seek to find ways to become who you are, children of God who make present and visible His love.

pax (et bonum),

Father John Mosimann

Dear Folks,

Great news! On the very day I’m writing this, we received permission from the county to occupy the new spaces in our Holy Cross Academy expansion! I think I will enjoy this Labor Day more than any in recent memory, as I rest from the constant work that goes into construction projects!

One family reported to me, “While in the chapel this evening with my children, I overheard one say to another… ‘Doesn’t the new chapel make you want to be more holy?’ ‘Yes!’” Mission accomplished.

It is my hope that the added spaces and resources we’ve provided for our parish children inspire in all a deeper desire to be Saints, Scholars, and Leaders. Remember: when we work and study, we are using our God-given gifts. And God does not give gifts without a purpose.

Work has inherent dignity—something often forgotten in our modern world. God Himself labored and earned His food by the sweat of His brow when Jesus worked among us. Have you ever wondered what His neighbors— His customers—might now be saying in heaven? “Yes, Jesus built my desk!”

Please join us at the parish picnic, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the new cafeteria, see the memorial brick wall, and win prizes in a scavenger hunt throughout the new spaces! See the bulletin for details.

Another parishioner, upon seeing the memorial brick wall, called it a “wonderful representation of the history of Catholic education in Fredericksburg. ” She even sent a photo to her parents of the brick commemorating their contribution to the 1997 construction of the school!

This Labor Day, I pray that you find peace in your labors—that you not be enslaved by the demands of the modern workweek, and that your work always be prioritized behind your faith and family. Our worth is not determined by job titles, but by love.

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

Dear Folks,

With the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption, I invite you to consider three things:

— Have you noticed that this feast has an octave of sorts?

The eighth day after the Assumption is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Imagine the scene: Mary arrives in heaven to great celebration, then settles into her heavenly home to prepare for her coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth a week later!

— Do you ever wonder how Mary can pay attention to all of her children? I think anxieties like this may stem from a lack of imagination. Scripture says, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, what has not entered the human heart, what God has ready for those who love Him. ” (1 Cor 2:9)

Our imaginations about what is fitting or possible must not—and cannot—limit the Lord’s plans! These feasts invite us to stretch our imagination heavenward.

— Sometimes people pull back from the practice of the faith with the phrase, “I’m spiritual, not religious.”

But this misunderstands what religion truly is: the rendering to God what is His due—thanksgiving and worship. Thanksgiving, because everything we have and are is a gift from Him. Worship, because to worship God is to acknowledge His excellence and perfection, and to render Him the honor due as the Author of all things.

To refuse Him thanks and worship is to refuse to respond rightly as a creature to the Creator. We cannot fashion the universe according to our own design; that kind of mysticism makes no demands on us.

But the Gospel does make demands—on how we live, act, and love. So live in wonder and awe at the mysteries He has revealed.

pax,

Father John Mosimann