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Category: from our pastor

From Our Pastor ~ July 30, 2017

From Our Pastor ~ July 30, 2017

Dear Folks,

Think about this quote from St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina:

“Temptations, discouragement and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the devil makes noise, it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord with the human soul. That which comes from Satan begins with calmness and ends in storm, indifference and apathy.”

I agree that I have seen this in souls. Sometimes I try remind folks that it is only by God’s grace that we can be frustrated and disgusted by sin. If we did not have his help, we would wallow and delight in the muck. The very turmoil of the soul coming to Jesus for confession, shows that they are still, with God’s help, doing battle against sin. Be encouraged that no matter how much you may be frustrated and in turmoil, the Lord is with you.

And if you don’t find any turmoil and struggle against sin, ask yourself, “have I become indifferent and apathetic to ‘being perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect?'” Because the indifference is the hardest to overcome. It is the diabolic indifference of: ‘my life is fine. I don’t need Jesus.’

I for one, need him always and everywhere.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

From Our Pastor ~ July 23, 2017

From Our Pastor ~ July 23, 2017

Dear Folks,

I give you this line from a weekday Mass recently. (Yes there are Masses every day! And I think that every Catholic should go to one ‘extra’ or ‘unforced’ Mass every week in addition to Sunday…. but that may be the subject for another bulletin note):
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8)

Do Right…. ok we get this… moving on…
Love Goodness. This really struck me this week. Why do we sometimes act so bitter about loving goodness? Why do we so often look at sinners and think, “Buuuuuuuut they are having so much fuuuuuuuunnnn?” Yes, sin looks shiny, sleek, trim, fresh, novel, and new. And we all love such things. But this wears off, and we have to move on to the next newest fad. And God waits with a smile.

Fix your mind and heart on goodness. Love it. Treasure it. Compliment it in your children. Find creative ways to love goodness, and to stop looking so longingly at sin. To look longingly on sin only embitters our hearts. And watch the mockery of goodness, it is a first step to despising what is true good and beautiful. To look on, to treasure goodness, to be vigilant in the movements of your soul, this is what Micah says is required.

And walk humbly with your God. You met a big sinner? There but for the grace of God goes Fr. Mosimann. When we walk humbly, God is lifting us up… And is it only his grace that sustains any of us in our daily walk with Him. His grace preserves us from mountains of sin. His grace forgives the mountains of sin we dive into.

Do right, love goodness, walk humbly, and you will have joy beyond understanding.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

From Our Pastor ~ July 16, 2016

From Our Pastor ~ July 16, 2016

Dear Folks,

In the name of summertime pursuits, what about fishing? It has been years since I fished at all, and my skills as a fisherman are sketchy. Once I was deep-sea fishing with my brothers. They both caught 25+ fish, standing shoulder to shoulder with me. I caught none. This led to some good natured ribbing about my being a ‘fisher of men,’ but not of fish!

Anyway, it led me to think of how the enemy of our souls is clever, calculating, and patient in the traps that he sets for us.

Calculating: like a good fisherman, Satan knows what bait to use for each and every fish that he is trying to catch, our weaknesses and disordered desires.

Clever: Of course the hook is hidden in the bait. But there is always a hook to ensnare, trap and enslave us.

Patient: he sets the bait before us, and waits. Souls aren’t taking the bait?…. just wait, they will come.

Did you ever wonder what goes on in fish brain?… likely not much more than “looks good… yum… yum… ouch… oh no!” I pray that much more thought and wisdom be engaged in our struggles to resist spiritual bait.

On the other hand, the Lord does not deceive in inviting us into His boat (the boat being an ancient image of the Church). He reveals to us our deepest desires for Love, and tells us of the cost (the Cross), but carries it for and with us. And we fill up His boat by willingly jumping in at His invitation.
I guess that is the kind of fish I need and have, ones willing to jump in the boat!

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

From Our Pastor ~ July 9, 2017

From Our Pastor ~ July 9, 2017

Dear Folks,

Every one of you has so many amazing stories about the Lord working in your life.

Today, I’d consider two ways we might get better about sharing those stories.

1. Fr. Colin’s talks this Sunday and the next two on Evangelizing Catholics. How can we improve and energize our efforts to share the good news? Come and have a cup of coffee after the 8:30am Mass, or ’not have a cup of coffee before the 10:30am Mass (remember the fast)! We set this mini-series of talks deliberately between the Masses to facilitate and maximize the ease of your attendance.

2. “From the Pew”stories: do you have a story of how the Lord has worked in your life? Share it with your brothers and sisters in the parish! You can do so anonymously, and it need not even be a dramatic miracle. Or course we do welcome dramatic miracles too! If you send me your witness / testimonials / story by email, we could make this “from the Pew” a regular feature of the bulletin. How has the Lord worked in your life? Email me at frmosimann@stmaryfred.org

To that end I have enclosed an an encounter that someone sent me recently, and I am still waiting for the email form the person who told me about a healing she experienced!

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann