Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Happy Easter! Christ is risen, just as He said! Behold, I make all things new!

Easter is the great feast of Christ making all things new through His suffering, death, and resurrection! There is an amazing second century homily for Holy Saturday, that I hope all Catholics have read, at least once! It so beautifully describes the silence of Holy Saturday, which today gives way to the glorious triumph of the resurrection. I share with you these words from the end of said homily:

“I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.

But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.

The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”

Want to read the rest? Here is a shortened link to the Vatican website tinyurl.com/4yc5jkzj

Everything is found in this feast, where Christ triumphs over death, sin, disease, and fear. I wish you a blessed day with your family!

Peace and love,

Father John Mosimann

A Blessed Palm Sunday to you!

Please note carefully that almost all of our Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday celebrations will be at the Expo Center. The new official name is the Fredericksburg Convention Center, but it is the same place we have been for many Easters.

Why are we doing almost all of the Triduum there, and wouldn’t it be better to be in the church? Absolutely! Yes, I would prefer to be in the church too, but we just will not fit in that space for the big celebrations. I am proud of the work that staff does to prepare the Expo Center, and while it is a still a convention center, it is beautifully set up so that we can reverently worship the Lord.

Also, Bishop Burbidge will be joining us this Easter and will be the celebrant of the 10:15 am Mass! I know he is excited to come and celebrate this Holy Mass with our parish family!

Finally, a thought about preparing for Easter. Do you remember how when, after sinning, Adam hid from God?

“When they heard the sound of the LORD God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:18.

Sadly, when God comes looking for us we sometimes attempt to hide because we are worried that we aren’t good enough, or we are imposters. Faced with having to look the Lord in the eyes, we can either resent or repent. Jesus came to walk among us and invite us to really see him. Please don’t look away or hide!

We do have a sacrament where you can look the Lord in the face and give an account of your sins. Confessions: available Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, at 11:30 am and 6:30 pm each day. Warning, because of procrastination, lines will be much longer on Wednesday… they always are. So have mercy on your parish priests and come ASAP!

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann