Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

3 things this week connected with Lent coming soon.

1. Parish Lenten Mission

Back by popular demand is Fr. Jack Riley, the director of the diocesan retreat house and previous retreat master for or Lenten series. I hope you can join us, mark your calendars for our retreat Mon/Tues/Wed Feb 23, 24, & 25. Details in the bulletin.

2. Catholic Schools Week 2.0.

With concrete masquerading as ice and rendering many side streets impassable for a week, we had to push back many of our Catholic Schools week celebrations into this past week. I am often edified by the sacrifices that parents make to be able to provide a Catholic education for their children. And I am doubly edified by the support from all of the parishioners in the pews for our parish school, Holy Cross Academy! The generosity of the entire parish makes possible our works in Catholic education!

3. BLA!

Finally, this weekend we have our lay speakers for the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal as the appeal is kicking into gear. This year the emphasis is on parish participation, with the hope that all practicing families might be able to give something, according to thier capacity.

So many diocesan ministries are supported through funding generated by this annual appeal. The bulletin details some of these works, and speakers at Mass will encourage you to read the BLA materials and do what you are able!

pax,

Father John Mosimann

We will be having Religious Education classes on our normal schedule starting again tonight.

Dear Folks,

Snow, ice, sleet, and more ice! And maybe more this weekend too?

As I type this, our parish parking lot is an ice rink. I have to give a shoutout to Fr. Dansereau—he’s been out there shoveling and breaking up the ice with an iron digging bar!All but one of the priests joined him in the effort (and that one has a finicky back… so he gets mercy!).

Thanks to all who helped pull off the “bonus Saturday evening Mass at HCA” with just a few hours’ notice, and who got the word out. Attendance last Saturday evening rivaled Christmas Eve—both at the church and the school!

Let me take a moment to give a refresher on the moral obligation of Mass attendance:

First, here is the official text from the Catechism, “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.”

Second, notice that it all flows from Sunday Mass being the “foundation and confirmation” of all we do. If we truly believe and live this, then everything else falls into place. When we can’t attend Mass due to a serious reason, we miss it—we long for it.

Third, does a snowstorm qualify for “unless excused for a serious reason.” I’m actually grateful that the Church doesn’t try to define every situation, because local circumstances vary. Put simply: if it is dangerous for you to travel to Mass, then neither God nor I, your pastor, want you to endanger your life. That qualifies as a serious reason. However, if you somehow manage to get out to Starbucks or the movie theater… well, sorry: unexcused absence.

Fourth: “illness and care of infants” are specifically mentioned! These are clearly high on the list of legitimate reasons to miss Mass.

Fifth, it also says: “or dispensed by their own pastor.” That’s right—I can legitimately lift the Sunday obligation for you. So my opinion on what constitutes a serious reason actually carries canonical weight!

Sixth, imagine you can’t visit your mom or dad on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. What do you do? You call to say you’re sorry, and to tell them you love them. So what about the Lord’s Day (Sunday)? If you can’t be there in person, do you do the same with God?

If you can’t make it to Mass due to a serious reason, talk to Him: watch the Mass livestream, pray the Rosary, read the Sunday readings —or do all of these! Just let Jesus know: “I’m thinking of You, I miss You, and I love You.”

pax,

Father John Mosimann

The parking lot has been plowed, but there are still icy and slushy areas that refreeze at night.  Please use caution in the church parking lot this weekend, and wear appropriate shoes for the parking lot conditions.