Dear Folks,

What preparations did the Lord make for His coming? Only one thing: the perfect Immaculate Soul of His Mother. That’s it. They didn’t have a place to stay, they didn’t have a fancy hospital, or a perfectly prepared baby-room. Going to confession is the best possible preparation you can make to celebrate Christmas.

This year, we have again added many more opportunities for you to celebrate this great sacrament of the Lord’s mercy. I won’t repeat the whole schedule, because it is in the calendar that we have already been running in the bulletin. You are invited to return to the great sacrament of the Lord’s mercy. Catholics come home!

Last week we celebrated the Immaculate Conception, and we had even more dramatic traffic issues than on normal holy days. This is because the city project to repave Stafford Avenue got to our block! Oops, the timing wasn’t great, but blessed be the Lord! Thanks to those who were flexible and patient in exiting the one exit available from the parking lot. And to those who drove over sidewalks and curbs to get around traffic cones?? Pray 3 Hail Mary’s in reparation.

I will take this opportunity to remind you to be gracious to all of our neighbors, especially around the Holy Days. Don’t block driveways, observe all traffic and parking laws. I am proud that some of the neighbors felt comfortable enough to come to us and ask to park a car or even camper in our lots while the re-paving shut down the street in front of their houses! That is how neighbors help one another, and we have many wonderful neighbors!

Finally, please do your civic duty to help defeat the Virginia Abortion-Until-Birth Amendment. You are encouraged to read the bishop ’s letter.

Here is a shortened link tinyurl.com/ycx5tvn8

Additionally, here is a link by which you can directly sign the petition electronically at bit.ly/stop-abortion-st-mary

pax,

Father John Mosimann