Four big things: Property purchase, Farewell Fr. Kelly, Thanksgiving Fr. Townsend, and a Summer Seminarian!

1: Property. This winter, the opportunity presented itself to purchase that last property in our city block. Yes! Did you know that the parish owns all of the homes in the block where the church and parish offices are located? Houses are used for Catholic Charities, the rectory, the convent, the youth house, storage, and now a center for Adult Education!

We were approached by the family that owned the home after the matriarch of the family moved out. Consultation began quickly and earnestly with
the parish council, finance committee, real-estate professionals, and the diocese. All were in agreement that we should promptly make an offer to the family to purchase the home, and we closed on the property at the end of March!

The St. Joseph House for Adult Education, got its first use in hosting a meeting of the Virginia Catholic Conference last week. Since we had three bishops here, we were able to ask Bishop Burbidge to bless our newest facility! These are the pictures included here in the bulletin.

We have some work to do with fences, which require a permit from the town of Fredericksburg. As soon as we can get that in order, I would love to have an open house one Sunday so that you will be able to see the lovely facility.

A huge shout out of gratitude to Beau Skinner, Joe and Arlene Wilkinson, Dawn and Brien Miller and all the folks who worked so hard to decorate, paint, and furnish the home for parish use! Please read the bulletin note with the pictures for more details.

2. Farewell. Also, next weekend will be Father Kelly’s last here at St. Mary before moving to Leesburg. In addition to helping the parish there, he will begin full time studies for a degree in counseling! Next weekend Fr. K. will be offering the 8:30am and 12:30pm Sunday Masses, a light reception will be held after these Masses so that you may thank him for his ministry.

3. Thanksgiving. Last weekend a one-time St. Mary’s parishioner was ordained to the holy priesthood for our diocese. Father Joseph Townsend was working at Geico after college when he heard the Lord inviting him to seminary. His family has since moved to Front Royal, but we still keep him as one of our own! He asked if he might come back and offer a Mass of Thanksgiving here since we were his home parish for so long! Thus, next Saturday Fr. Townsend will offer the 5pm Mass and on Sunday, the 10:30am Mass here, and all are invited.

4. Welcome to Paul Fischer who will be our summer seminarian this year. More info in next weeks bulletin, and a Hail Mary for all who made it to the end of this long pastor’s note!

pax,

Father John Mosimann

Dear Folks,

Summer is here. Summer in my childhood reminds me of lots of things: beaches, days adventuring in the woods, picnics, and roller coasters.

I read a column recently where a pastor was quoted as saying, “For so many, faith is a rollercoaster.” He went on to encourage folks to root themselves in religious practice and devotion, specifically the gift of the Holy Spirit which is piety. I like this thought.

Life is the roller coaster. I think of faith more as the safety bar which holds us firm and secure when life is doing backflips and tossing us in every direction. I was never afraid of roller coasters, because of child-like trust, and confidence in the engineering of these rides. Not to mention that Dad taught us to scream on roller coasters as a way of letting go of tension!

Your firm adherence to the practice of your faith is the bedrock that can and must keep you firm in the wild turns of life. Like roller coasters, a great part of the
joy in life is the exhilarating twists and turns and high speed adventures!

This week the Bishop has announced the return of the Sunday Mass attendance obligation beginning on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27th. Please read the announcement here in the bulletin.

Summers often mean fewer people come to Mass. But there is no vacation from your vocation to be sons and daughters of the King.

It will be hard for many folks to reestablish the habit of attending Mass every Sunday. But I never got on a roller coaster without buckling down the safety bar. Let the Mass and your devotions be the safety bar that holds you tight on the roller coaster and be ready for the ride of your life!

pax,

Father John Mosimann

 

 

DECLARACIÓN DE LOS OBISPOS DE LA PROVINCIA DE BALTIMORE Y DE LA ARQUIDIÓCESIS DE WASHINGTON
Levantamiento de la dispensa general de la obligación de asistir a Misa

Los Obispos Católicos de la Provincia de Baltimore y de la Arquidiócesis de Washington deseamos expresarle a Dios Todopoderoso nuestra profunda gratitud por los avances que se han logrado en nuestro país para frenar la pandemia de coronavirus. El número medio de nuevos casos de COVID-19 sigue en disminución gracias a la observancia de los protocolos de seguridad y al aumento de la disponibilidad de vacunas. En este momento, muchos lugares de nuestra región están disfrutando del regreso a una cierta sensación de normalidad.

Por lo tanto, hemos decidido levantar la dispensa de la obligación de asistir a la Misa dominical y en días de precepto en la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore, la Arquidiócesis de Washington y las Diócesis de Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston y Wilmington y restablecer esa obligación a partir del sábado 26 y el domingo 27 de junio de 2021. En tal sentido, animamos a los fieles a volver a participar plenamente en persona de la Eucaristía dominical, fuente y cumbre de nuestra fe católica (cf. Código de Derecho Canónico, cánones 1246-1247 y Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 2180).

Esta obligación no se aplica a los enfermos, ni a los que tienen razones para creer que han estado expuestos recientemente al coronavirus o a otra enfermedad grave o contagiosa; ni a aquellos que están confinados en su casa, en un hospital o en un centro de enfermería; ni a quienes tienen problemas graves de salud subyacentes. Si surgen dudas sobre la obligación de asistir a Misa, les agradeceremos consultar con el párroco de su parroquia (canon 1245 y Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 2181).

Los protocolos de seguridad y las demás directivas litúrgicas de cada diócesis permanecen en vigor hasta que sean modificados o revocados por el respectivo Obispo diocesano.

Continuemos unidos orando unos por otros y por el fin de la pandemia a nivel mundial.

Expedida el 2 de junio de 2021

S. Em. Cardenal Wilton D. Gregory

Arzobispo de la Arquidiócesis de Washington

Rvdmo. Mons. William E. Lori

Arzobispo de la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore

Rev. Mons. Michael F. Burbidge

Obispo de la Diócesis de Arlington

Rev. Mons. Barry C. Knestout

Obispo de la Diócesis de Richmond

Rev. Mons. Mark E. Brennan

Obispo de la Diócesis de Wheeling-Charleston

Rev. Mons. William Francis Malooly

Administrador Apostólico de la Diócesis de Wilmington

Contacto con los medios de comunicación Christian Kendzierski
ck@archbalt.org
410-547-5378 (oficina)

917-882-1358 (celular)