Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Great news! On the very day I’m writing this, we received permission from the county to occupy the new spaces in our Holy Cross Academy expansion! I think I will enjoy this Labor Day more than any in recent memory, as I rest from the constant work that goes into construction projects!

One family reported to me, “While in the chapel this evening with my children, I overheard one say to another… ‘Doesn’t the new chapel make you want to be more holy?’ ‘Yes!’” Mission accomplished.

It is my hope that the added spaces and resources we’ve provided for our parish children inspire in all a deeper desire to be Saints, Scholars, and Leaders. Remember: when we work and study, we are using our God-given gifts. And God does not give gifts without a purpose.

Work has inherent dignity—something often forgotten in our modern world. God Himself labored and earned His food by the sweat of His brow when Jesus worked among us. Have you ever wondered what His neighbors— His customers—might now be saying in heaven? “Yes, Jesus built my desk!”

Please join us at the parish picnic, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the new cafeteria, see the memorial brick wall, and win prizes in a scavenger hunt throughout the new spaces! See the bulletin for details.

Another parishioner, upon seeing the memorial brick wall, called it a “wonderful representation of the history of Catholic education in Fredericksburg. ” She even sent a photo to her parents of the brick commemorating their contribution to the 1997 construction of the school!

This Labor Day, I pray that you find peace in your labors—that you not be enslaved by the demands of the modern workweek, and that your work always be prioritized behind your faith and family. Our worth is not determined by job titles, but by love.

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

Dear Folks,

With the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption, I invite you to consider three things:

— Have you noticed that this feast has an octave of sorts?

The eighth day after the Assumption is the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Imagine the scene: Mary arrives in heaven to great celebration, then settles into her heavenly home to prepare for her coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth a week later!

— Do you ever wonder how Mary can pay attention to all of her children? I think anxieties like this may stem from a lack of imagination. Scripture says, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, what has not entered the human heart, what God has ready for those who love Him. ” (1 Cor 2:9)

Our imaginations about what is fitting or possible must not—and cannot—limit the Lord’s plans! These feasts invite us to stretch our imagination heavenward.

— Sometimes people pull back from the practice of the faith with the phrase, “I’m spiritual, not religious.”

But this misunderstands what religion truly is: the rendering to God what is His due—thanksgiving and worship. Thanksgiving, because everything we have and are is a gift from Him. Worship, because to worship God is to acknowledge His excellence and perfection, and to render Him the honor due as the Author of all things.

To refuse Him thanks and worship is to refuse to respond rightly as a creature to the Creator. We cannot fashion the universe according to our own design; that kind of mysticism makes no demands on us.

But the Gospel does make demands—on how we live, act, and love. So live in wonder and awe at the mysteries He has revealed.

pax,

Father John Mosimann

Dear Folks,

I declare this Jeff Cavins W eek! You may know him from The Bible in a Y ear podcast, the Bible Timeline, his own podcast, or shows on EWTN—you get the idea!

Five years ago, I emailed him to ask, “Do you need another priest for an upcoming Holy Land pilgrimage sometime?” Well, a visit to the Holy Land isn’t an option right now, but I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining Jeff and his wife Emily for a trip to Egypt (base trip) and Jordan (optional extension) in January 2026. By the time you read this, Jeff will have announced the trip—and it’s likely to fill up quickly.

However, the travel agents have promised to hold a few spots for folks from my parish who might want to join

Here is a shortened link to the registration if you’re interested: https://tinyurl.com/3ry7tdcr

You can also email me for a copy of the itinerary. I believe the website should have the flyer posted by the time you’re reading this.

I haven’t given up on the Greece/T urkey “Footsteps of St. Paul” trip either! A few parishioners have told me they’re holding out for that one. If you’re interested, email me and I’ll add you to the notification list.

Finally, I want to share this adapted thought from Jeff ’s podcast episode titled “Scoot Down the Pew, Please?”

We all love our seats. Creatures of habit, lovers of ritual, we find comfort in stability—and for good reasons!

Many folks arrive early just to claim the end seats on pews. And woe to the usher who has to say, “Scoot down the pew, please. ”

As Jeff tells it, this very human moment of eye contact, hesitation, and subtle annoyance can be transformed. The paradigm shifts when a young mother, holding a car seat and guiding her three-year-old, approaches and gently asks:“Can we join you?” That gracious request changed the entire moment. Jeff and his wife gladly moved into the middle of the pew and made room for someone who did join them.

And that’s really the question: “Can we join you, Jesus?” Isn’t that the point?

Jesus is inviting us all:

• T o join His family

• T o join His Church

• T o join Him at the wedding feast of the Lamb

• T o join Him on the Cross

• T o join our crosses to His

• So when someone asks for your precious end seat on a pew…Maybe you let them join you.

pax (et Bonum!),

Father John Mosimann