Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear St. Mary,

After almost a year and a half of wrestling and discerning with the Lord, I have come to the recognition that God is calling me to leave my position as Director of Youth Ministry. I am not leaving because of issues or anything of that sort. Actually, ministry is great and I really love our staff and priests, especially Fr. Mosimann. So, why am I leaving? Well, God has made it clear to me that I have done as much as I can here at St. Mary and it is time to hand this program over to someone who will take it to the next level. It is an incredibly humbling thing to hear God say, “You have done all you can.” I didn’t necessarily accept this at first, but as I entered into discernment I recognized this was the right thing. I am glad to see that, through the Lord’s grace, I have done everything in my power to make this Youth Ministry program a great one. I am even more excited to know that God has someone else in mind to make it even greater.

Even though I had not gone to a single job interview, I approached Fr. Mosimann in January and told him about my discernment. Father was sad to hear the news, but was amazingly supportive. “I’ll have you as long as I can” was his response. I am very grateful for Fr. Mosimann’s willingness to work with me and my family’s needs for the last several months as I searched for a new job. Many are curious as to where I am going next. I have accepted a job as a government contractor with a company in Dahlgren, VA. The plan is to start there in early June.

The last 10 years have been an incredible journey for me and for our Youth Ministry program. We have gone from a tiny 10-person youth group to a massive program with multiple youth groupings, serving hundreds of students year round. It has been an amazing decade! I have really loved my time here. I have had the privilege and honor to be part of some of your families’ most memorable and difficult moments. I have laughed and cried with you. There are just no words to convey how grateful I am for my time here.

My family and I are staying in the area, so we will continue to attend St. Mary.

In the last several months, I’ve been working behind the scenes reaching out to folks whom I think may meet the needs of our youth ministry program. We will post the job description with application instructions on the Diocesan site as well as other Youth Ministry job boards. We hope to have someone in place by the end of June/beginning of July. Our Youth Program is pretty special and extensive, so we are looking for a very specific person to direct it. We are blessed to have Tatiana Beltran, the Assistant Director of Youth Ministry to help facilitate this transition.

Thanks again, St. Mary for an amazing 10 years! Looking forward to ten more as a member of this great parish.

Leo Chavarria

Rehearsals will be on Monday April 29, Tuesday April 30, and Monday May 6.
First Holy Communion Liturgies will be on two Saturdays (May 4 and May 11) and on Sunday May 5

Holy Cross Academy Students
Rehearsal: Tuesday, April 30 at 6pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 04 at 10am

Monday 6:30 Students
Rehearsal: Monday, April 29 at 6pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 04 at 12:30pm

Students who sign-up to receive First Holy Communion at a Sunday Mass: Sunday, May 5, at 2 Sunday Masses (10:30am and 2:30pm)

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 4:45 Students and Home Taught Students Rehearsal: Monday, May 6 at 5pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 11 at 10am

Tuesday and Wednesday 6:30 Students and Tuesday 6 (HCA) Students
Rehearsal: Monday, May 6 at 6pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 11 at 12:30pm

All Seniors are invited to join us at 12pm on Tuesday April 20 in the PLC for our Senior Luncheon!  Bingo after lunch!

Dear Folks,
A Blessed Easter & Divine Mercy Sunday to you! In the risen Christ, all things are possible.  He dies the worst death – tortured as a criminal against the state and religion.  He answers with power of love that breaks the bonds of death.  Happy Easter!
Divine Mercy Sunday is a great reminder that in rising from the dead, Christ come back not to say, “See, I told you so!” but rather he says, “Please come home!”  This year there were many folks reconciled to the church.  Let up pray that this welcoming home be our mission throughout the year becoming a force that is willing and able.
A heartfelt thanks and prayers for all who helped to make this Easter a glorious celebration of our faith.   Let me begin with the Music: WOW!!  David Uschold, Malinda Jones, all of the musicians, cantors, and choirs all crushed it! It was breathtaking to hear the Expo Center filled with the glorious praise of God in song!
Congratulations to our newly baptized and confirmed Catholics!  Their enthusiasm gives us a spiritual vitamin shot. Thanks to Mary Beth Cameron, Eileen Lanzarone, and the RCIA team!
Furthermore, Chris Lanzarone led the effort to set up the Holy Week liturgies and the expo center Masses!  He got a few scant hours of sleep all week to be there for everything and to cover details that we all just think happen automatically.  Joe & Arlene Wilkenson, Rich & Karen LaRoche, Julie Finnegan, and William Crandall all put in many hours to make our Expo Center Masses to happen.
All of the lectors, ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion were there on Holy Saturday to practice!  Angela Murphy and the flower folks were beautifying and creating all of those amazing arrangements! Flowers, everywhere?  Yep, due to the hard work of many volunteers.
And our ushers, led by Tom Fish.  I think Tom was at all of the Easter Sunday Mass.  His efforts keyed a great and smooth celebration of the Easter Mysteries.
Obviously we could go on for ever here, please know that I have offered many prayers of thanksgiving for your many efforts.  Our parish comes alive when you respond to Christ’s invitation to share in his life and service.  May God grant you the heavenly reward that you desire and deserve.
pax,
fr mosimann