Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

* The second collection this weekend is the Diocesan Retired Priests’ Collection. This collection aids in caring for our retired priests who have served our diocese so faithfully over the years. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

* A special Evening Prayer (Vespers) for Pentecost will be celebrated tonight, May 15, following the 7:01pm Sunday Mass. Join us for a beautiful solemn Vespers led by our youth choir as we close the Easter Season and return to Ordinary Time.

* Fredericksburg’s annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is hosted this year by Christ Lutheran Church, Monday, May 16 at 7pm (two blocks from Saint Mary on Augustine Street). Please join our city’s prayer.

* We will have so mulch fun on Tuesday, May 17, starting at 5:30pm behind the Parish Life Center as we have our spring mulch event, followed by pizza and age-appropriate beverages! Looking for a family service night? This is perfect. Bring your tools (wheelbarrows, especially). Thanks so mulch!

* Join us as we celebrate the arts at Saint Mary with our next free Organ Concert Friday, May 20 at 8pm in the Church, with master organist Benjamin LaPrairie from the Basilica in Washington DC. Reception follows.

* Mark your calendars: Our PARISH PICNIC at Holy Cross Academy is Sunday, June 12 in the afternoon.

* Click here for Mass, Confession and Devotions Schedules

* A special Evening Prayer (Vespers) for Pentecost will be celebrated next weekend following the 7:01pm Sunday Mass, May 15. Join us for a beautiful solemn Vespers led by our youth choir as we close the Easter Season and return to Ordinary Time.

* Fredericksburg’s annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is hosted this year by Christ Lutheran Church, Monday, May 16 at 7pm (two blocks from Saint Mary on Augustine Street). Please join our city’s prayer.

* Join us next week for the Taizé Prayer Service on Monday, May 9 at 8:15pm. For over nine years we have met each month to pray for Christian unity in our community and the world. All Christians are invited!

* We will have so mulch fun on Tuesday, May 17, starting at 5:30pm behind the Parish Life Center as we have our spring mulch event, followed by pizza and age-appropriate beverages! Looking for a family service night? This is perfect. Bring your tools (wheelbarrows, especially). Thanks so mulch!

* Join us Saturday, May 14, from 12:30–3pm and learn about building healthy self-esteem. Open to teenagers and all interested adults, ministry leaders, all involved in leading our youth. RSVP needed, please see p. 8.

* The “Believe Group” is a new Health Ministry discussion group for those facing a cancer diagnosis and for those sharing this experience with a loved one. Our first meeting will be Sunday, May 15 from 9:30-11:30am in the Courtyard Meeting Room, see page 8 for details.

* Mark your calendars: Our PARISH PICNIC at Holy Cross Academy is Sunday, June 12 in the afternoon.

* Click here for Mass, Confession and Devotions Schedules

* Second Collection this weekend is the Annual Special Parish Needs Collection. Last year this collection assisted the parish in building a beautiful new deck on the back entrance of the Parish Life Center, adjacent to the children’s playground. If you haven’t seen it, check it out! Last year’s collection raised the first half and this year’s collection will assist us in raising the balance for this beautiful deck.

* May 5, join us for an Interreligious Prayer Service where we hope to re-establish relationships in our community—7pm in the downtown Market Square, behind the museum. We will hear from Muslim, Jewish and Christian Leaders and will gather to pray in one another’s presence.

* Join us next week for the Taizé Prayer Service on Monday, March 9 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!

* Join us Saturday, May 14, from 12:30–3pm in the Parish Life Center and learn about building healthy self-esteem. The program is open to teenagers, parents, grandparents and all interested adults. We also invite ministry leaders, involved in leading our youth, to join us. To reserve your spot in this free seminar, call the church office at 540-373-6491 or email stmary@stmaryfred.org.

* The “Believe Group” is a new Health Ministry peer-to-peer discussion group for those facing a cancer diagnosis and the for those sharing this experience with a loved one. Our first meeting will be Sunday, May 15 from 9:30-11:30am in the Courtyard Meeting Room, see page 15 for more details.

* Click here for Mass, Confession and Devotions Schedules

* Saint Mary Parish Night Out 2016:  Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing to the Andrew Thielen Big Band, Friday, April 29 at the UMW Jepson Center, Cash Bar 6-11pm, 7pm Dinner & Dancing. $75 person. Last year tickets sold out! Reserve yours now— see page 7 for details—its time to step it up, Fred!

* The second collection this weekend is for the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Help “strengthen the Church at home” with your generous donation. To learn more about the home missions appeal, please visit www.usccb.org/home-missions.

* On May 5, join us for an Interreligious Prayer Service where we hope to re-establish relationships in our community—Noon at St. George’s Episcopal Church. We will hear from Muslim, Jewish and Christian Leaders and will gather to pray in one another’s presence.

* Mark your calendars: Our PARISH PICNIC will happen at Holy Cross Academy on Sunday, June 12 in the afternoon.

* Click here for Mass, Confession and Devotions Schedules