Who Do You Say That I Am?

September 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Mary’s,

With the opening of the adoration chapel, our stewardship committee was drawn to Psalm 16, especially the last verse. Some translations say “fullness” and others “abounding” joy in His presence:

Psalm 16:11.

You will show me the path to life,

fullness of joy in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

You are invited, by the Lord, to the fullness of joy in His presence. Joy is the soul’s delight in a known and loved good, reaching its fullness and perfection in knowing and loving God. Any created good that we love, is a foretaste of knowing and loving God who is, uncreated Good-ness.

I use this equation sometimes: Pleasure < Happiness < Joy. Both pleasure and happiness can be fleeting and fragile; while joy is more stable and lasting. Joy is more than either pleasure or happiness, because it is firmly rooted in the faculties of the soul; knowing and loving what is good, true, and beautiful. Joy can remain where pleasure and happiness have disappeared. It is not a denial of these crosses, but rather embracing them! I can simultaneously say, “I am not happy about this, but I know that God is with me, my life is meaningful, and this suffering and sadness will not defeat the plan of God.” To know and affirm this is to live in the truth of God. This will give you the joy that the world cannot steal.

I encourage you to approach this ministry book with an open, generous and inquisitive heart, ready to hear where Jesus is inviting you to “come and see.” As you ser

Pax et Bonum,

Very Reverend John P. Mosimann V.F.

Pastor

If you would like to meet a member of the Stewardship Committee to help you discern where you can best use your gifts at St Mary, please contact stewardship@stmaryfred.org