Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Blessed Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!

Ordinary Time returns tomorrow on the Church calendar, which means we’ll begin winding down our Christmas decorations and celebrations.

I usually ask the sacristan to take the shepherds away, send the kings home (by another route, of course!), and leave just the Holy Family in the manger scene for the first week of Ordinary Time. Isn’t that when much of real life happens—when the parties calm down, and the visitors go home?

We sometimes speak of the “hidden life” of Jesus: all those years between the joyful celebrations of His birth and the beginning of His public ministry. Approximately thirty years of growth and quiet, daily living. What would it have been like to know Our Lord during those years?

Speaking of hidden things…

Some folks have asked, “They have taken Our Lord from the nativity—where have they laid Him?”

Unfortunately, I don’t know. Someone who thinks they’re clever—or edgy—stole the baby Jesus from the nativity scene by the Parish Life Center. Sadly, this isn’t new. It’s just one more person who has, in effect, joined “Team Herod.” Our Lord—and innocent children—have long been the targets of hatred and attack.

We had a large chain securing the statue of Jesus to discourage the or desecration, but that visual deterrent wasn’t enough this year. Next year, we may add cameras or AirTags—it’s time for the defense of Our Lord to move into the high-tech age!

Please say a prayer for the sad soul who stole the baby Jesus. Our Lord instructs us to pray for our enemies, and anyone who would steal a baby Jesus likely carries a wound or burden—something unresolved with Jesus Himself.

He made Himself vulnerable to show us that love triumphs over death.

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

Due to the staffing reduction of our priests from 5 to 4, we will no longer be having a 12pm Mass on Tuesdays or Thursday.

Happy New Year!

Resolutions? I hope you made some—and haven’t already given up on them! May your resolutions be strong enough to become new habits.

When it comes to goals, remember: they shouldn’t be so unrealistic that you can’t accomplish them. The devil wants us to fall into discouragement over our failures and setbacks; the Lord wants us to encourage one another!

Consider these words from 1 essalonians 5:9–11:

“For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.”

Also—adults who still need to be conrmed—this is your best chance!

I hate to admit it, but sometimes folks feel like the barrier to receiving the sacraments is impossibly high. (See the above Scripture for a little encouragement! 😉

So, if you’re looking for the shortest path to the Sacrament of Confirmation, this is your lucky day! We’re offering a short class taught by our “Apprentice in Training to Be a Deacon.”

Yes, I made up that title.

Sometimes I also call him “The Very Mister Mike Evans”… but that probably just confuses you more TL;DR: If you’re an adult who needs to be conrmed, check the bulletin for the announcement about the class beginning January 15th.

Happy New Year, blessed Feast of the Epiphany, and welcome to 2026, with a healthy dose of Fr. Mosimann levity and seriousness!

pax et bonum (Peace and All Goodness),

Father John Mosimann

Reminder, there will no longer be a 12pm Mass on Tuesdays or Thursdays due to the reduction in priests assigned to St Mary.