Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

“I am busy playing replays of the Capitals Stanley Cup run!.” (Finally a winner in town).

“I was busy with Snapchat, what did you say?”

“I parked on Stafford Avenue so I can escape.”

“I only sign up for Costco samples.”

“When the going gets tough, I forget the rest.”

“My Fortnite squad needs me.”

“I tried to join the Movie Ministry.”

“I have to run a napping marathon.”

“I helped last year… and need to recover.”

“If I exceed my goals, I’ll only have to work harder in the future.”

with a smile,
Fr. Mosimann

Join us after every Mass this weekend at our Ministry Fair for Parish Life Weekend!  Parish Life Weekend is an opportunity to meet with a representative from the many different ministries our parish has to offer and discuss ways you could get involved.  There’s plenty of opportunities to become an active member in the life of your local church here at St Mary, whether you don’t have much free time or are looking to fill up some empty dates on your calendar.  So stop by after Mass and see if you feel called to any particular group, whether it’s volunteering at the Cold Weather Shelter, helping out in our Youth Ministry, or just signing up for an hour of Adoration!  God is calling you to something, come on by and see if it’s here at one of our ministries!

Attached below is our Ministry Catalogue that has been mailed to all the families in the parish.  Feel free to pass it on to anyone you know who may be looking to get involved!

Dear Folks,
This week I listened to a podcast that caught my ear and put a smile on my face.  It was Jeff Cavins, a Scripture Scholar who often leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land.  The podcast was called “Scoot down the pew please?”  In short, it led me to preach a daily Mass homily on sitting in the pew.
We all love our seats.  Creatures of Habit, lovers of ritual, comfort in stability.  Lots of good reasons.  Folks arrive early to get the end seats on pews.  And woe to the usher who has to say, “Scoot down the pew please.”  As Jeff tells the story, he builds up the very human moment of eye contact and frustration and annoyance that can come with such a simple request.
But the paradigm shifts when a young mother, with child in carseat and 3 year old approaches and says, “Can we join you?” That gracious request changed the moment entirely.  He and his wife moved into the middle of the pew and made room for someone did join them.
The question really is, “Can we join you Jesus?”  And isn’t that the point?  Jesus is inviting us all to be His family.
Join His family.
Join His church.
Join Him at the wedding feast of the lamb.
Join Him on the Cross.
Join your crosses to His.
And when someone asks you for your precious end seat on a pew?  Maybe you let them join you.
pax,
fr mosimann