Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear folks,

Sometimes I get asked “what is the latest I can arrive for Mass and fulfill my obligation?” I understand the human urge to cut the corner, to take the short cut, but should we be doing this in regards to our weekly worship of God? No Way! I know priests that have given long homilies on the sinfulness of arriving late for Mass or leaving early. I also know what a family life is like, and that sometimes the family walking in late is not doing so because of sloth. Sometimes it is because children decide to walk the dog, or visit the bathroom, or hide in the basement at the very time when parents are trying to shepherd them to the mini-van to go to Mass.

Tardiness is not always directly willed, and I will always try to be understanding of late arrivals. (Yes, and know that I am most guilty of this! Mass often is late because I am waiting for altar servers to vest, or trying to find a lector, or talking to a grieving widow, or sometimes I am just plain late). If I ask your understanding as a parish family, I can give it as well.

However, making a habit of leaving immediately after receiving communion is another issue entirely. Even on the occasions when Mass runs longer, that is not sufficient cause to leave before the end of Mass. I don’t want to enter into a debate about the sinfulness of leaving early or willfully arriving late. Everyone knows that missing Mass without serious cause is a grave sin. To look at this issue in terms of ‘when is the latest I can arrive?’ or ‘when is the earliest I can leave?’ is the wrong way to look at this. It is a recipe for spiritual disaster to measure our love for God by what is the minimum permissible.

I give you this quote from St. John Chrysostom: When we perform an act of kindness we should rejoice and not be sad about it…If you do away with miserliness and counting the cost, with hesitation and grumbling, what will be the result? Something great and wonderful! What a marvelous reward there will be: Your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will rise up quickly. Who would not aspire to light and healing.

What costs are you counting? Extra time in the parking lot? First in line at IHOP? Jesus gives you life at the cost of his own life. Is it really too much cost to stay for the entire Mass?

Respectfully in Christ,

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I think I’ll just share a picture my ski trip. That is me in the orange jacket, of course! Also pictured are priest friends from North Carolina and Illinois. I have been organizing an annual ‘sacred ski trip’ for priests for 20 years (24 if you include the ones I organized in seminary)! We have had anywhere from 4 to 10 priests on this trip and treasure the friendship, prayer,
fraternity, and theological discussions that take place. So where am I as you read this? Hopefully enjoying a ‘bluebird day’ much like the one in this photo.

See you next weekend. I trust you’ll pray that I ski safely. I promise I’m praying for you.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

Last week we were privileged to host our new Bishop for a meeting with priests of the deanery, dinner, Mass and a reception for those who wanted to meet and greet. (What is a deanery? Explained below). I was very much impressed by his joy and genuine desire to listen to his priests and the people of God. The bulletin this week has a number of pictures from the events!

And just for the curious: What is a dean and a deanery? The diocese of Arlington is divided into seven deaneries. This is done so that a Dean can be appointed to better promote pastoral care of each subsection of  the diocese. Our deanery runs from Stafford down to Kilmarnock and comprises 7 parishes plus mission churches. St. Mary is the largest parish in the deanery by a wide margin. Fr. DeRosa (pastor of Our St.
Anthony in Colonial Beach) is our Dean.

What does this mean? Well the Deans are often consulted by the Bishop on matters of clergy assignments/building projects… etc. I assure you that Fr. DeRosa has been another voice for the needs of this portion of the diocese, and even Fredericksburg in particular.

Thanks for you love and support!

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann