Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

* Plan to support the work of the Catholic Church in the annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal: If we reflect on the mission that Jesus has given us, and the words of Pope Francis, the Church is uniquely placed by God to be his agent of mercy and change, to heal our world. Prayerfully think of how you will respond to this call. Commitment Sunday will be February 6-7 at all Masses. Your generosity is what makes our Church’s response possible. “Go forth as heralds of God’s mercy!”

* Host sign-ups will open next weekend for our Lenten/Easter Small Groups Series, “The Face of Mercy.”  Information may be found on page 7 today and our website, www.stmaryfred.org, begining next weekend.

* Come to our School Open Houses February 7. Visit Saint Mary Preschool in the Parish Life Center from 9:30– Noon and Holy Cross Academy 1–3pm (250 Stafford Lakes Pkwy, behind Geico)

* Mark your calendars for February 17 and join Saint Mary in Richmond for Catholics in the Capitol as we meet with our Legislators and attend the Bishops’ Evening Prayer and reception at Sacred Heart Cathedral (see p. 11). We need to know if you plan to come by Monday, January 25.

* We’re doing something special for the Year of Mercy: Parish Lent Mercy Penance Service, Wednesday, February 24. Plan to come, details to follow soon.

* All are invited to attend our annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity prayer service with Bishop Loverde at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Arlington, Tuesday, January 19 at 7pm. Please join us!

* March For Life: This year’s March will be held on Friday, January 22, to commemorate the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Please see page 13 for transportation details. Please plan to join your parish family in this peaceful protest against abortion.

* It’s time for each and every registered family to consider how they plan to support the work of the Catholic Church in the annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal: If we reflect on the mission that Jesus has given us, and the words of Pope Francis, the Church is uniquely placed y God to be his agent of mercy and change, to heal our world. Prayerfully think of how you will respond to this call. Commitment Sunday will be February 6-7 at all Masses. Your generosity is what makes our Church’s response possible. “Go forth as heralds of God’s mercy!”

Coming Soon:

* Mark your calendars for February 17 and join Saint Mary if you can in Richmond for Catholics in the Capitol as we meet with our legislators and attend the Bishops’ Vespers service at Sacred Heart Cathedral (see p. 9). We need to know if you plan to come by January 25. Thanks.

* We’re doing something special for the Year of Mercy: Parish Mercy Penance Service, Wednesday, February 24. Please plan to come, details to follow soon.

* RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY: Today, the Knights of Columbus Rappahannock Assembly will proudly sponsor the 240th Anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s drafting of the Act of Religious Freedom for Virginia. A parade will begin at 1:30pm at the VRE Station in Fredericksburg, followed by a ceremony at 2pm at the religious Freedom Monument on Washington Avenue. All are Welcome!

* All Christians are invited to our monthly Taize Ecumenical Prayer Service that will take place on Monday evening, January 11 at 8:15pm in the Church.

* Virginia Stands for Life Rally—Join the Virginia Catholic Conference and its partners at 11 am on Wednesday, January 13 on Capitol Square to demonstrate to General Assembly members our commitment to protecting the unborn.

* All are invited to attend our annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity prayer service with Bishop Loverde at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Arlington, Tuesday, January 19 at 7pm. Please join us!

* March For Life: This year’s March will be held on Friday, January 22, to commemorate the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Please see page 13 for transportation details. Please plan to join your parish family in this peaceful  protest against abortion.

* The second collection this weekend is for the Parish Building fund.

* Conversation and Coffee: Today, volunteers from our Music, Usher, Manna and Cold Night Shelter ministries will be available in the Parish Life Center after the 10:30am Mass offering information about their good works and how they serve our parish and community. Please join us.

* Religious Education Family Week: Family Week is the first week of classes in 2016, January 4-7. Parents join your children for class and make the occasion a memorable family activity! It will be based on our parish theme for this year: “People of Thankfulness Sowing Seeds of Mercy.”

* On January 5, we begin Bishop Barron’s 6-week series with Fr. Don on The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters. The Study Guide for the program costs $20. Please contact the parish office with your RSVP.

* Religious Freedom Day: On January 10 the Knights of Columbus Rappahannock Assembly will proudly sponsor the 240th Anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s drafting of the Act of Religious Freedom for Virginia. A parade will begin at 1:30pm at the VRE Station in Fredericksburg, followed by a ceremony at 2pm at the religious Freedom Monument on Washington Avenue. All are Welcome!

* March For Life: This year’s March will be held on Friday, January 22, to commemorate the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Please see page 13 for transportation details. Please plan to join your parish family in this peaceful protest against abortion.

* The second collection next weekend is for the Parish Building fund.