Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Have you heard of the idea of six degrees of separation—the theory that all people are six or fewer social connections away from each other? Well, it seems our little line just got shorter, because we now have a pope who was born in America!

Fr. Cedric Wilson, an Augustinian priest who has served in the Diocese of Arlington longer than I’ve been a priest, knew Pope Leo back when they were in seminary together! That makes just two degrees of separation between me and the Pope!

I have many thoughts about Pope Leo XIV , but mostly I’m encouraged by his smile, his demeanor, and his words. When he stepped onto the balcony as our new pope, he smiled and waved, and I thought, “He looks like a pope. ” First impressions only go so far, of course, but it’s a good start towards the filial devotion we owe him, as the man chosen by Christ to be His vicar on earth.

His first homily reminded all who exercise any authority to “move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that He may be known and glorified, to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love Him.”

And did you catch him singing the Regina Caeli at Mass last Sunday? That put a big smile on my face, since we too sing the Marian antiphons here at Saint Mary’s. So, should the opportunity arise, you’ll be well prepared if you find yourself in Rome and the Pope starts singing the Salve Regina or Regina Caeli!

Finally, I loved seeing that picture of him at a Chicago White Sox W orld Series game! Sometimes I get too excited about sports, but it was a great reminder that holiness isn’t reserved for people whose lives look radically different from ours. Holiness is for everyone—whether we root for the same teams, sing the same songs, or read the same books. The Lord even calls saints who are baseball fans! And yes, Fr. Dansereau is rejoicing and hoping Pope Leo will solemnly declare baseball to be God’s favorite sport.

P.S. My condolences to the Cubs. They endured a 108-year drought between World Series victories, and now may be facing an even longer one after claiming on Twitter that the Pope is a Cubs fan. Ouch.

pax,

Father John Mosimann

Bishop Burbidge announced clergy assignments today, to take effect on June 26.  Sadly, St Mary will be losing Father Cozzi after 4 years of joyfully serving the people of Fredericksburg.  He will be transferred to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester, where he will have pastoral and administrative responsibility of a new campus site in Stephens City, VA.

Please continue to pray for Fr. Cozzi and his ministry.  Details on a going away will follow.

His replacement will be Deacon Joseph Connor, who will be ordained to the priesthood on June 7.  Please keep Deacon Connor in your prayers.

Deacon Tim Banach has been assigned to St James in Falls Church following his ordination to the priesthood, also on June 7.  Please keep Deacon Tim and all our clergy in your prayers.

The full list of clergy changes can be found here.

Join us this Friday at 8pm in the church for a special concert.  Trio Lucente (pianist Olga Gurevich, violinist Claudia Schaer, and cellist Jisoo Ok) share gems of the piano-violin-cello trio repertoire with listeners near and far, offering delightful programming coupled with superb artistry. A special spark inhabits their collaborative synergy: a shared interpretive vision, and an excellentsense of humor, inspiring the best and more in this delightful trio. They have played in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, and Symphony Space in NYC, and in concert halls around the world.

Dear Folks,

Happy Mother’s Day! This is a day of heartfelt gratitude to our mothers for the love and nurturing they have given us. Long before the secular world gave mothers their day, the Church celebrated May as a month dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God. What a beautiful unity of purpose—to honor our mothers, both heavenly and earthly!

I want to encourage you to take this month and pray the Rosary every day. Hear me out. Sometimes folks say, “I can’t do that, ” or “I don’t understand how to have devotion to her.”

Do you begin the Rosary by stating your intentions out loud? This is a concrete act of unloading what is in your heart and placing it in the hands of Our Lady. It’s especially powerful when families pray together. Yes, children may want to pray for lizards and dinosaurs—but let them! Everyone should know that we can unburden our hearts to our Mother.

And what will Our Lady give you in return? She will unburden her heart to you as well. She will share with you the mysteries of her life with Our Lord.  You will learn of her anxiety at losing Him in the temple; you will stand with her at the foot of the Cross; and you will share her joy when she’s crowned Queen of Heaven.

Next weekend, we will have our little May Crowning Ceremony at the beginning of all Masses. Everyone— especially children—are encouraged to bring forward a flower to be placed at the feet of the statue of Mary. To participate in the procession, simply bring a flower to Mass and gather in the vestibule before Mass begins. Children who made their First Holy Communion this year are also encouraged to wear their Communion clothes.

Writing this reminded me how I could always call my mom and ask her to pray for anything. It was a great relief to my soul to know that mom had my back. I did this recently for a parishioner who lost his wife suddenly and unexpectedly—I called my dad, who has borne the same sword of sorrow when mom passed away in his arms. Dad immediately set to praying for them.

Unload your hearts to Jesus and Mary. You will never be disappointed.

Once again, thanks to all moms. We love you.

Pax,

Father John Mosimann