Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

After preaching and celebrating Mass, I had a parishioner come up to me to say, “Father, that homily was for me!  I was struggling with the very things that you talked about today, and God knew I was overwhelmed.  Thank you!”  She was overjoyed to see God speak to her so directly.

I bring this up to ask you, “Do you see God working in your life in this way?”  I really hope so.  I too have had that experience of walking out of Mass and saying that the priest was preaching directly to me and only to me!  This is a sign of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit is the one who is reaching out to our souls directly.   If God can use the longish, and sometimes circuitous preaching of this pastor to speak directly to you, then that is more proof that “nothing is impossible with God.”  There is something so wonderful and delightful in recognizing these gifts from God personally loving each soul directly.

All of the solemnity that we try to celebrate the liturgy with is directed to our knowing the sublime glory of God.  All of our preaching is an effort that you might know and love Jesus Christ.  Even doctrine, yes doctrine, is so that you can know the Truth.  Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus.  Let us remain faithful to Him and all that He has revealed.  And be reminded of the direct, specific, and indeed infinite love of God for each and every one of His children.

Sometimes I almost want to cry when folks say that they get nothing out of Mass.  There is no greater gift than God Himself giving His Flesh for you in a one-flesh union and embrace of Holy Communion.  Could you possibly know God any more intimately and personally?  No way.  Now we just have to become what we are and recognize what we celebrate.

Pax et Bonum,

fr mosimann

Dear Folks,

This week we welcome Fr. Sean Koehr to St Mary as our new parochial vicar.  Below is a little biography of Fr. Koehr, and please be sure to say hi after Mass and welcome him to our parish!

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

Fr. Sean Koehr (pronounced ‘Care’) who was ordained to the priesthood this past June 8^th. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where he was training to become a naval officer in the NROTC scholarship program. He dropped out of the NROTC program in order to attend the seminary. After his college graduation in 2012, he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. And studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.

His friendship with Father James Searby, Catholic chaplain at George Mason University in Fairfax, had the most influence on his decision to enter the seminary. Seeing Father Searby’s joy and generosity in living his vocation has helped Koehr get to know Christ and allowed him want to give his life to God as a priest.

He shared that he wanted to become a priest so he can fight for the church by bringing the truth and the sacraments to the diocese and the world.

He enjoys laughing with people, traveling, listening to music, and talking with family and friends.

His favorite quote is by St. Josemaria Escriva: “Don’t let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love. With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart.”

His advice to a young man thinking about the seminary is to put yourself in front of Jesus and He will do most of the work. “Know that whatever vocation you are called to, you are first called to be a saint,” he said. “Strive to be a saint first, and whatever particular vocation you have will not only be clear, but you will also want it more than anything else.”

We are looking forward to getting to know Fr. Koehr and are very grateful that our Lord has sent him to St. Mary’s to serve.