Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Congratulations on Parish Life Weekend. I take full credit for the beautiful weather last weekend! Kidding of course, all thanks and glory to God for all things! Stewardship reports that 250+ people signed-up to serve in various ministries, groups, and projects. This is a great sign of encouragement, as we continually invite folks to serve the Lord, most especially coming out of the pandemic when we have lost so many of our habits of service and generosity to neighbors! I know our lives are overwhelmingly busy, but the rewards are great when we step out in faith.

Let me thank, especially Tom & Pat Fish, Rich & Karen LaRoche, Lynda Retterer, Tuan Nguyen, Furman McCormick (Stewardship), Christina Anderson & Joe Walor (Parish Life), the great help from the St. Mary Youth Group, and the many, many folks who worked to make this happen. These things don’t get pulled off without a lot of work and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. Because I may have failed to mention the names of the so many of you, I will pray a Hail Mary before I finish typing this sentence, as a prayer of gratitude for all your generosity. Done.

Pope Benedict once said, “Volunteers want to be asked, they want to be told: ‘I need you’ – ‘You can do it!’ How good it feels to hear words like these! In their human simplicity, they unwittingly point us toward the God who has called each of us into being and given us a personal task, the God who needs us and awaits our response. Jesus called men and women, and gave them the courage needed to embark on a great undertaking, one to which, by themselves, they would never have dared to aspire. To allow oneself to be called, to make a decision and then to set out on a path – without the usual questions about whether it is useful or profitable – this attitude will naturally bring healing in its wake. The saints have shown us this path by their lives. It is a fascinating and thrilling path, a path of generosity and, nowadays, one which is much needed. To say “yes” to volunteering to help others is a decision which is liberating; it opens our hearts to the needs of others, to the requirements of justice, to the defense of life and the protection of creation. Volunteer work is really about the heart of the Christian image of God and man: love of God and love of neighbor.”

Brothers and Sisters, you are wanted, needed, appreciated and loved!

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

On Friday, October 22, 2021 at 8:00 p.m., Concerts at Saint Mary welcomes the trumpet/organ duo of Chuck Seipp and Randall Sheets, who will perform a program to open the 2021/2022 concert season.

Trumpeter Chuck Seipp and organist Randall Sheets are two performers at the top of their craft. As the Seipp/Sheets Duo, their programs feature a diverse array of classical, virtuoso, lyrical, humorous and patriotic works. The duo’s performances also include audience participation and video presentations, ranging from interactive videos, to patriotic imagery, to silent film. Both are high-profile musicians in their own right. Dr. Sheets is ceremonial organist for Arlington National Cemetery, and Dr. Seipp is a Shenandoah Conservatory professor and Sergeant Major (retired) from The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.” Their reputation for excellence as a duo has grown during the past four seasons, as they have performed more than 50 concerts in 20 states (including Piccolo Spoletto L’Organo, Washington National Cathedral, The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, and West Point Cadet Chapel) and produced three recordings. In addition to standard repertoire and arrangements of their own, the Seipp/Sheets Duo regularly commissions new arrangements and compositions.

The program performed by the fantastic duo will include many original arrangements for trumpet and organ of well-known works including Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury to name a few.  As with all Concert at Saint Mary events, the concert is free and open to the public.  Mark your calendars for an evening that promises to be enjoyable and entertaining.

Do you have any old files and paperwork taking up space at your home or office?  Plan to join us on Saturday, November 13 from 10am to 1pm for our Shred Event, to dispose of your confidential documents.

Recycling is an essential part of any commitment to sustainability, and we here at St. Mary are responding by offering this community-wide event, which will be open to all in the parish, small businesses, non-profits and area residents.  Deliver materials to the back parking lot behind our Parish Life Center where you will be assisted with unloading your vehicle.  There is a 5 box limit per vehicle, and we will continue to accept materials until the truck is full or 1pm, whichever occurs first.  There is no charge, but we are most grateful for any free-will donations.

We will accept all office-based paper materials, and small metal fasteners such as paper clips and staples. NO ring binders, books, newspapers, magazines, plastic or metal objects and electronics or electronic media such as CDs and DVDs.

If you have any questions, contact Elaine Stanislawski at estanislawski@stmaryfred.org, or call the parish office at 540-373-6491.