Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

You may notice that I always sign my bulletin note or emails with Pax at the end. It is a little odd and a little humbling to see other folks pick up and use this greeting in emails as has happened in parishes where I have served. Also, last week it was the header above my bulletin note. So where does it come from?

The phrase “Pax et Bonum!” was used by St. Francis of Assisi as his common greeting to those he met during the course of the day. It can be translated as “Peace and Goodness.” This is a rich theological phrase whose depths are not just reduced to “peace, bro.” God is the Summum Bonum—the supreme good. Or in the words of Our Lord, “No one is good but God alone” (Mk 10:18). Such a greeting is really wishing abundant blessings upon the person encountered.

The depths of this phrase struck me in 2000 when I was leading a group of pilgrims to World Youth day in Rome. I had never had a devotion to St. Francis prior to this trip. The St. Francis that was presented to me growing up in the 70’s seemed to be a wimpy projection of a number of secular values of that era. However, when I  talked in the same cobbled streets where St. Francis walked in Assisi, heard his words, and prayed at his tomb, I encountered a very different saint. This man loved God with  is whole heart, mind, and soul holding nothing back. Because he had forsaken riches to serve the Lord, he was able to wondrously recognize the providence of God in all of his created works. Hence we know him as the lover of animals.

So when I sign my email with Pax, I do this as an abbreviated nod of the head to St. Francis. Sometimes I will use other language variants of Pax (Latin) such as Paix (French), Pace (Italian), Pax (Spanish), and Shalom (Hebrew).

Pax (et Bonum!),

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

I share with you the sad news that David Mathers, our Director of Sacred Music, will be resigning in February 2017 in order to take the same position at St. Bernadette’s. David has very generously served this parish for more than nine years and seen great growth in the music ministry. This change will provide him a much shorter commute to work and an opportunity to continue to collaborate with Fr. Rooney.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Taizé prayer gathering in the church and it was a unique opportunity for me to sit back in the pews and simply listen, pray and reflect on his service to the parish. The quality of the music made immediately clear the love and preparation that he and all of the musicians and choir put into their service to the parish. Thank you David.

We are able to announce this in an early timeframe, because of the unique nature of this transition. David will be with us through the fall, Christmas, and Choir pilgrimage. He will help me in forming a search committee to find a new music director. If it proves mutually beneficial to both Saint Mary and St. Bernadette’s, the transition to a new music director could happen at a date earlier than February. This would not preclude his participation in the Choir pilgrimage. I have had to hire music directors three times in the past, and being able to do so while maintaining the continuity here will be a great assistance.

When the appropriate time comes, you will of course be given opportunity to express your gratitude to David with a farewell reception. One of the smiles that came to my face was considering the final season farewell tours of Cal Ripken and other professional athletes. Ample warning of this transition affords us ample time to plan and express our gratitude.

Again, thank you David for your service. Your love of the Liturgy, Christ, and His Church shines through everything you do. I join the parish in praying for God’s blessing on your next chapter in serving the Lord.

pax et bonum

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

This is a picture of me offering  Mass in the tomb where Jesus  rose from the dead. Maybe my  favorite picture ever.

How did I get the shot? Well, he area where I was standing is about 3 feet by 7 feet. 7 priests were crammed into this area. I had asked one of the priests to snap a picture when Mass began, but didn’t want him to be distracted because he was concelebrating. So he holds the camera up (about 12 inches from my ear) and blindly takes pictures right after the  consecration. Yikes! I hear the camera clicking in my ear and think, “not now! Please Father!” With the very low light and his proximity to  me it was a miracle that the picture came out so well! Because of this, I have to have a little mercy on you when you take pictures at Mass… but not if you come up right behind me! 😉

I know that many folks here have made pilgrimages to the Holy Land. I believe that everyone should try to get there one day, if possible, because of how it will deepen your faith. To see where Jesus walked, prayed, was born and rose from the dead—these scriptures cease to be ‘stories’ and come alive.

I know that Fr. Hudgins has been advertising a trip in October in our bulletin, but I had also planned to accompany Fr. Jerry Wooton of St. Patrick’s on a trip this October (different dates). There is still room on this trip, if you are interested.

This trip to the Holy Land is October 3–15, 2016 and will include stops in Galilee, Nazareth, Cana, Bethlehem,  Jerusalem, and more in Israel, and stops in Jordan at the Baptism of our Lord, Petra, and Amman. Email me (frmosimann@stmaryfred.org) for more information, itinerary, and registration. Base cost is $3100 pp/do (with the caveat that flight costs could fluctuate).

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

Last Sunday Bishop Loverde installed me in the office of pastor of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. A number of folks told me that it was the first time they had ever seen this rite, which is not surprising since it happens once every dozen years or so and is only at one Mass.

One of the points that the Bishop made echoed words of St. John Vianney that I learned on pilgrimage to the saint’s parish in Ars, France: “The priesthood is the love of the Sacred Heart.” That quote has often resonated through my prayers and contemplation of what it means to be a pastor. It means to let Jesus love you through me. Sometimes, we human instruments get in the way—forgive us. But frequently we see miracles of grace when we love generously. Pray for your priests, that we may become more fully what we are.

Additionally, Bishop Loverde exhorted me to pray for you. The other spiritual fruit of my pilgrimage to Ars was the conviction that God wants me to pray even more for you. One of my habits, when asked for prayers, is to immediately pray a Hail Mary for your intention and ask our Lady to remind me to pray for you. On this pilgrimage, Our Lady seemed to say, “Give me more time to remind you of who to pray for.”

Thanks for your warm and generous welcome. May the Lord bring to completion the good work he has begun in us.

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. Mosimann