From Our Pastor

From Our Pastor

Dear Folks,
This week Father Folmar and I will be on retreat at the Jesuit retreat house in Faulkner Maryland. It is a requirement for all priests to go on a retreat to spend a week in prayer every year. Father Kelly went away earlier this year, and Father Colin is scheduled for October.
Dr. Ralph Martin wrote in his book The Fulfillment of All Desire. “Prayer is, at root, simply paying attention to God (p. 121).”
Such a wonderful image: paying attention to God. Imagine that, actually paying attention to Him. Also a reminder of why the church insists that her priests go apart and pay attention to Him!
Yet we so often overlook this. Haven’t we all been involved in one sided conversations that we long to escape? It is good that the Lord is patient with us. I sometime describe recollection (which is the necessary preparation of the soul for prayer) as letting the mind settle and quiet down. We must live Psalm 46:10… “be still and know that I am God.”
This ‘paying attention to God’ struck me as the opposite of the social media… where I must put out my great words, and all who “follow” me can reap my wisdom. Sometimes on social media we are saying to the world, ‘pay attention to me…. but I don’t want to hear what you have to say!’
But technology can also be a great assist. I will have a picture of the parish on my phone ‘lock screen.’ That way every time I look at it to see what the time is, I will be reminded to pray for the parish! Yes…. I basically use my cell phone as a watch.
There are countless ways throughout the day where we can take a moment and pay attention to God and countless ways we can remember one another…. Momentary aspirations, a quick thought sent heavenward, a look of love, whereby we pay attention to Him and one another.
I’ll be praying for you this week. Please pray for Father Folmar and me!
pax et bonum,
fr mosimann
From Our Pastor

From Our Pastor

Dear Folks,

Today is Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers: biological, adoptive, spiritual, godmothers. I assure you of my prayers and blessing. I offer this lovely quote from Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty:

“The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral——a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body.”

“The Angels have not been blessed with a such a grace. They cannot share in God’s Creative miracle to bring new Saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creatures. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation.”

“What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?”

Many folks have commented to me that on Easter Sunday they were moved by the beauty of the music throughout the Holy Week. Yet that amazing beauty is ephemeral. However, the beauty of soul loving God is created to endure forever! Thanks moms for all that you do to give us life and lead us to Life Himself. Today we thank you for your love, generosity and faithfulness. Even if we don’t express our love and gratitude daily, you are faithful and treasured. Be strengthened by the grace of God to carry on your vocation. 

Next week we will have our little May Crowning Ceremony at the beginning of Masses. All children of any age will be encouraged to bring forward a flower to be placed at the feet of the statue of Mary. If you would like to have your child participate in the procession, just bring a flower to Mass, and the children will be called back to the vestibule before Mass begins. Children who made (or will make) their first Holy Communion this year, are also encouraged to wear their Holy Communion clothes.

Again moms, we love you and thank God for you.

pax

fr mosimann
Concerts at St Mary Presents Washington’s Camerata On May 10!

Concerts at St Mary Presents Washington’s Camerata On May 10!

Washington’s Camerata

On Friday, May 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m., Concerts at Saint Mary will present the instrumental ensemble Washington’s Camerata.

Established in 2009, Washington’s Camerata is a period instrument ensemble dedicated to the music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  Founding flautists Kelly Kazik and Sarah McIver achieve innovative programming through the ensemble’s unique instrumentation to bring charming and rarely heard music back to life.

In addition to performances throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, Washington’s Camerata is currently in residence at the historic St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where the ensemble performs in conjunction with the popular chamber music series Beautiful Music in a Beautiful Space.  From 2009 to 2012 Washington’s Camerata had the unique privilege to serve as artists-in-residence for the Washington Parish at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oak Grove. Washington Parish was founded by the Washington, Monroe and Lee families.

The concert program, which will be presented by Washington’s Camerata, will be taking the audience on a musical tour of eighteenth-century Europe!  Admission to the concert is free and a free-will offering will be taken to support future Concerts at Saint Mary productions. Following the concert there will be a reception in the church’s Parish Life Center where there will be an opportunity to meet the artists and share fellowship with others.