Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Please pray.

That’s it. That is really my message this week.

But can I ask each of you to pray 30 minutes this week? Church law allows popes and bishops to declare days of fasting/penance for specific intentions. Likewise, pastors can for their parish.

I am asking you to pray for our parish school, Holy Cross Academy. Our staff, and teachers, students, and families have been working all summer to try to find the best way to safely educate our parish children amidst all of the anxiety and fear of the pandemic. This week we enter the homestretch before our opening on August 26th. Could you pray for us?

I believe in the power of prayer. Prayer is the lifeblood of the faith and the soul of every good work in our parish. That is why I am asking every parishioner to pray for this week. Will you give 30 minutes for a rosary or adoration or scripture or all of these? You may pray in your home, on your walk, in church, or wherever you can truly set aside the time to give undivided attention to Jesus. Thank you.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. John Mosimann

Mass for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be offered on Saturday August 15 at 7am and 9am in English and at 10:30am in Latin Novus Ordo.

 

Dear Folks,

Next Saturday is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because it falls on a Saturday this year, the day is not a Holy Day of Obligation. And because of the CoronaApocolypse, no Masses are obligatory right now. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t love Our Lady and shouldn’t want to celebrate this feast in some way!

I often take these opportunities to write about what the obligation means, but I’ll skip that lecture this week. The practical result is that fewer people are coming to Mass, especially on this sort of “Holy Day of Opportunity.” However, that will not stop me from offering extra Masses. By our actions (offering more Masses) St. Mary’s will show that yes, this Feast Day matters. It is not the obligation that makes days holy, it is the mystery we celebrate.

Saturday morning there will be Masses offered at 7 am & 9 am (both English), and 10:30 am in Latin (Novus Ordo).

Have a Blessed Feast of the Assumption! May our desire for heaven ever increase as we see Our Lady taken body and soul to paradise.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. John Mosimann

Next weekend our second collection supports the annual Mission Cooperative Plan Appeal for our diocese.  The Mission assigned to our parish this year is the  Diocese of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.   This appeal helps our brothers and sisters who do not have access to basic pastoral services that support and grow their faith, like Mass, the sacraments, religious education as well as basic needs — food, shelter and healthcare. Through your support, the Mission Appeal helps missions around the world form vibrant faith communities and strengthens the global Church, and your generosity is most appreciated.  All donations should be made payable to St. Mary and placed in an envelope marked Mission Appeal.

 

You may also donate online at https://arlingtonmissions.org/donate/donate-to-other-missions/ (Fund: MCP and indicate Diocese of St. Thomas under Comments).