Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Ballot Initiatives and Parish Life Weekend. First, the unnecessary and extreme ballot initiatives that will be brought before all voters this fall. The bishop has instructed that his letter be read at all Masses this weekend. And it is reprinted in today’s bulletin. Please prayerful read and act.

In 30 years of preaching, I do not recall ever being asked to read a letter on ballot initiatives from the bishop at all Masses. Note that I am carefully saying, ballot initiatives, and not election. These votes are not about your favorite political party seizing the reigns of power, but they are about the most pressing and coercive intrusion of the law into the heart of the family: marriage and the protection of children.

On matters of faith and morals, the Church must not lose her voice. And we must not let others cower us into silence. In twenty years of being a pastor, most election cycles, I have receive threats attempting to silence the pro-life witness of the Church. I expect the same with more venom this year. I also know that some will be energized by the voice of the bishop and pastor to do the exact opposite. Our choices do matter. Our voices matter. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” – Psalm 95:8

In the last several years, most pro-life ballot initiatives have failed. Why? Because when the law changed pushing these onto state ballots, hearts did not change. This year’s ballot initiatives veil extreme positions behind pleasant language.

If you struggle accepting the moral teaching of the Lord, recall how Pope Francis was fond of saying that “the Church is a field hospital for sinners.” Recall the Lord dining with the outcasts and excommunicated of the day, and doing so in order to draw them home to Himself by a path of mercy, and forgiveness.

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”- Psalm 95:8

Next week is our Parish Life W eekend. Another case of ‘what can Jesus do with my talents?’ is parish is big, and is able to accomplish so much, because each parishioner who shares their talents finds them multiplied by the Lord and combined with the gifts of others, no one need bear to great a share.

pax,

Father John Mosimann

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has received a request that a Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Mr. Thomas Stephen Vander Woude, a husband and father, who offered his life to save his intellectually disadvantaged youngest son from drowning in a septic tank on the family’s farm in Nokesville, Virginia, be introduced in this Diocese.

Thomas Stephen Vander Woude (April 24, 1942 – September 8, 2008) was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  From his early years, he demonstrated notable qualities of prudence, fortitude, charity, humility, and a profound sense of responsibility toward others, especially within his family. Throughout his life, he remained deeply devoted to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, daily prayer, and the life of the Church. His reputation for holiness has spread particularly because of the extraordinary coherence between his daily Christian life and his final act of self-sacrificial love, which took place on September 8, 2008, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On that day, Thomas Vander Woude freely and unhesitatingly gave his life while attempting to save his youngest son, Joseph, who had fallen into a septic tank on the family farm.  Joseph survived; Thomas Vander Woude died in the act of rescuing him.

“We see in the life and death of Thomas Vander Woude a sincere response to the Christian call to sainthood,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said. “As heroic as were the circumstances of Thomas Vander Woude’s death, this husband and father showed in a profound way that sanctity is to be sought first and foremost through personal faithfulness in daily life and to a consistent and sincere yes to God in the circumstances of one’s vocation and responsibilities.”

As part of the process of Beatification and Canonization, by means of an Edict posted at the Chancery offices and churches throughout the Diocese, as well as in the Arlington Catholic Herald and on diocesan social media, the faithful of the Diocese are invited to make known any useful information they may have regarding the Cause, whether favorable or unfavorable. Such information, especially concerning potential favors received through Thomas Vander Woude’s intercession, should be in written form, signed and dated and sent to the Reverend Monsignor Paul F. deLadurantaye, Chancellor, Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 917, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

In his Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exultate of March 19, 2018, Pope Francis wrote, “I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families…Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence” (GE 7).

Thomas Vander Woude’s witness of Christian virtue and willingness to lay down his life for his son, together with the above-noted reputation for holiness, appear to be clear signs of the importance of the Cause to the Diocese of Arlington and the Church universal. His life reflects the universal call to holiness proclaimed by the Church. His death, an unmistakable act of sacrificial love, invites the faithful not only to admire his example but also to seek his intercession.

Dear Folks,

Adoration Chapel — so much confusion!

When is it open? When the church is open? Let’s keep that simple.

1st Distinction: Open Chapel vs Solemn Exposition:

Open: you may go into the chapel to pray, Jesus is in the tabernacle, and you can enjoy the quiet space to pray.

Solemn Exposition: these are the hours where Jesus is out of the tabernacle and in the Monstrance for you to gaze upon the host and adore Him. This is where the complicated schedule comes into play.

Why this distinction? Because when we have solemn exposition, we must always have someone in the chapel at all times. Hence we have a minimum of 2 people committed to cover each hour.

Can we have more of the solemn exposition than currently (Wednesday to Friday)? Funny you should ask. Yes, we can. We are beginning promotion of such sign-ups, to try to cover 48 more hours so that adoration can fill up the week! Are you interested in becoming a permanent adorer? Contact Serena at adoration@stmaryfred.org

Problem #1: That door. It is giving folks ts getting it to work properly and we are trying to resolve that. Thank you for your patience.

Anticipated Problem #2: Parking. You know that parking is difficult, above all on weekends. If you come for the adoration chapel on weekends, you MUST park in such a place as you do not block anyone, and cannot be blocked in. We will not interrupt weddings and Sunday masses to ask folks to move their cars. Folks who want to use the quiet prayer space on weekend, need to park in the front parking lot near the parish offices. Avoid the back portion of the lot. I know you navigate this (mostly) for coffee shop, and other things on weekends. However we will desperately need the cooperation and understanding of the whole parish.

pax,

Father John Mosimann