Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

* The second collection this weekend is for Porto Charities’ “Special Kids, Special Needs Collection” which supports intellectually and developmentally challenged youth within the diocese. Thank you for your generous support.

* Please return your Commitment Card! You are welcome to mail it in, bring it by the office, or drop it in the basket in the rear of the church. Everyone is asked to prayerfully make a commitment to living your faith by getting involved in the parish!

* This Sunday, October 2, is Respect Life Sunday. Saint Mary Parish will participate in the Annual Life Chain. Pick up signs in the Parish Life Center at 1:45pm and walk to Route 1, where we will form a chain along Route 1 from Route 3 to College Avenue. Please join us and take a stand for the unborn.

* The Saint Mary Choir’s Cabaret Night fundraiser, featuring lively music and silent auction is Saturday, October 15 at 7:30pm at Holy Cross Academy. Tickets are $50. Buy tickets after Mass, at the parish office or by calling Joyce O’Toole at 540-371-2365.

* Saint Mary Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is Thursday, October 20: RSVPs are due Monday, October 17. See invitation on page 8-9.

* Parish directories have arrived! Please stop by the parish office after 2pm Monday–Friday to pick up your copy. The 2016 Parish Directories are available to those individuals and families who participated in the program.

* This weekend is Stewardship Commitment Weekend. Please prayerfully consider how you can get involved with our parish community and share your talents and gifts with others. Please see pages 9-10 for the Commitment Card.

* The traditional blessing of animals for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi will take place on Saturday, October 1 at 10am in the parking lot at the statue of St. Francis in front of the Parish Office Building. Please park away from the building to allow space for our “rambunctious” pets. Please also come prepared to clean up after your pet in case of “accidents.” All animals should be contained or leashed.

* Next Sunday, October 2, is Respect Life Sunday. Saint Mary Parish will again participate in the Annual Life Chain. We will meet in the Parish Life Center at 2pm to pick up our signs and walk up to Route 1, where we will form a chain along Route 1 from Route 3 to College Avenue. lease join us and take a stand for the unborn.

* The Saint Mary Choir’s Cabaret Night fundraiser, featuring lively music and silent auction is Saturday, October 15 at 7:30pm at Holy Cross Academy. Tickets are $50. Buy tickets after Mass, at the parish office or by calling Joyce O’Toole at 540-371-2365.

* Saint Mary’s fall social, the Parish Ice Cream Social, Cakewalk and
Dance, is TODAY from 4-7pm. Come see everyone, enterthe cake
decorating contest, and put on your dancing shoes. Before the Social, join us for our annual 1-mile Fun Run/Walk at 3:15pm, starting at Walmart Garden Center and going to the school. Children 12 and under (and parents), join us! More information on Page 4.

* Don’t forget! Manna Food Drive for the Fredericksburg Food Bank
after all Masses this weekend. Bring food and donations forthose who are hungry.

* Please join us for our monthly Taizé Prayer Service this Monday, September 12 at 8:15pm. Now in our 9th year, we have met
each month to pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends!

* This year’s Parish Life Weekend is next weekend, September 17-18. Please plan to visit with our many parish ministries and learn more about how you can get involved in the life of our Parish.

* The Second Collection next weekend supports the Religious Education of our Parish. Forthe fiscal year ending June 30,
2016, parish expenses for our Religious Education Program were $42,220.73, and your generosity in supporting the faith
formation of our children is sincerely appreciated.

* Nar-Anon Support group is now meeting on Thursdays at St. Mary at 7pm in the Fr. Don Rooney Community Room. Help is offered by sharing experiences, strengths and hopes; please see the page 11 for more details about this program.