Another Scam asking for Gift Cards
There is yet another scam making the rounds, asking once again for gift cards in Fr. Mosimann’s name. Please delete any emails or messages you get asking for gift cards and their codes to be sent electronically.
From Our Pastor
Dear Folks,
A few things. 🙂
BLA 1: Thanks for your generous response. A few folks said, with smiles, that I had too much fun giving that appeal. And I admit to using some of the same jokes every year! Moreover, I do believe firmly in the importance of all the charitable works supported.
BLA 2: Thanks to the folks who help so much, from the lay speakers at Mass, the ushers, arriving an hour early for Mass, to the count team that sorted the envelopes and had them sent to the diocese within 36 hours! We will let you know when we have the calculated results of this appeal.
Lent 1: So many good penances. This year I came up with a new one, “not buying anything, unless absolutely necessary (i.e. food etc).” I am going to have someone be my conscience and approve any purchase I make!
Lent 2: See the graphic to the right? It came from the Focus Missionary website. I like how it lays out the minimum fasting abstinence requirements in simple form.
Lent 3: Our Flocknotes Series with Bishop Barron “Following Christ”. This is a great resource that I encourage you to watch with your family, or small group setting. Receive the free weekly video by registering on our website stmaryfred.org – join the 2020 Lenten Group in English or Spanish.
Skiing 1: Lots of folks have asked, so…. ‘yes the ski trip was great. Snow was lousy, but the 50 degree sunny skies we beautiful, the priestly fraternity was energizing, and the food was amazing!’
pax et bonum,
Fr. John Mosimann
Ash Wednesday is February 26
Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday, February 26. As a reminder, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence for all Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. Fasting means you may have one full meal and two smaller meals that together don’t add up to a full meal, and abstinence means refraining from eating meat. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence.
Ashes will be distributed at all Masses. We will have two 6pm Masses, one at the church, and one at Holy Cross Academy. The Mass schedule is as follows:
6:30am English at St Mary
9am English at St Mary
12pm English at St Mary
4pm Latin at St Mary
6pm English at St Mary
6pm English at Holy Cross Academy (250 Stafford Lakes Parkway, Fredericksburg VA 22406)
8pm Bilingual at St Mary
Please note there will not be 6:30pm Confessions this Wednesday. 12:30pm Confessions will continue as usual.
From Our Pastor
Dear Folks,
This week, I am preaching most of the Masses about the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. This important annual appeal assists our diocese in paying for a variety of services provided by Catholic Charities and supports seminarian education, youth ministry and many ministries described in the bulletin insert included two weeks ago. Thank you to your fellow parishioners who spoke after each of those Masses.
I don’t know any pastor who “enjoys” making this annual appeal, but it is also something that I am proud of – our willingness to support the diocese. We give, as an expression of gratitude to Jesus for his abundant blessings. Thanksgiving is the right response of a grateful heart. Thank you for your attention to the Lenten Appeal, and your consistent generosity.
Ash Wednesday, a reminder that this year we are adding two Masses to try to alleviate the crushing crowds that attend the evening Masses! There will be a Mass in Latin at 4pm in the church, and an additional Mass at 6pm at our parish school, Holy Cross Academy! These are in addition to all of the Masses that we previously had, and a bilingual Mass will also be at 8pm to allow for less congestion in the parking lot. Please check the full schedule in the bulletin.
pax et bonum,
Fr. Mosimann