Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Happy Mother’s Day! This is a day of heartfelt gratitude to our mothers for the love and nurturing they have given us. Long before the secular world gave mothers their day, the Church celebrated May as a month dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God. What a beautiful unity of purpose—to honor our mothers, both heavenly and earthly!

I want to encourage you to take this month and pray the Rosary every day. Hear me out. Sometimes folks say, “I can’t do that, ” or “I don’t understand how to have devotion to her.”

Do you begin the Rosary by stating your intentions out loud? This is a concrete act of unloading what is in your heart and placing it in the hands of Our Lady. It’s especially powerful when families pray together. Yes, children may want to pray for lizards and dinosaurs—but let them! Everyone should know that we can unburden our hearts to our Mother.

And what will Our Lady give you in return? She will unburden her heart to you as well. She will share with you the mysteries of her life with Our Lord.  You will learn of her anxiety at losing Him in the temple; you will stand with her at the foot of the Cross; and you will share her joy when she’s crowned Queen of Heaven.

Next weekend, we will have our little May Crowning Ceremony at the beginning of all Masses. Everyone— especially children—are encouraged to bring forward a flower to be placed at the feet of the statue of Mary. To participate in the procession, simply bring a flower to Mass and gather in the vestibule before Mass begins. Children who made their First Holy Communion this year are also encouraged to wear their Communion clothes.

Writing this reminded me how I could always call my mom and ask her to pray for anything. It was a great relief to my soul to know that mom had my back. I did this recently for a parishioner who lost his wife suddenly and unexpectedly—I called my dad, who has borne the same sword of sorrow when mom passed away in his arms. Dad immediately set to praying for them.

Unload your hearts to Jesus and Mary. You will never be disappointed.

Once again, thanks to all moms. We love you.

Pax,

Father John Mosimann

 

With profound gratitude to Almighty God, I join the universal Church in thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV. As the Bishop of Rome and Successor of Saint Peter, our Holy Father is for the entire world the visible principle of Christian unity. I encourage everyone in our families, parishes and schools to offer prayers, sacrifices, and works of charity for Pope Leo XIV and his intentions.

As Bishop of Arlington, I invite all the faithful to join me for a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV, which will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More on Monday, May 12 at 12:05PM. This Mass of Thanksgiving will also be available via livestream, for those unable to attend in person. Through this celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we can support our Holy Father in a special way, asking Almighty God to grant that he may always bear witness to the truth, joy, and beauty of the Gospel with courage, steadfastness, and wisdom.

United in prayer for Pope Leo XIV, may we ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen him daily with divine grace in order that he may bring the light of faith and the unchanging and life-giving word of God to the challenges of our times. Likewise, may our Holy Father be for the Church and the world a sign of hope and an instrument of the peace and merciful love of Jesus Christ.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for our Holy Father and guide us all in fidelity to her Son, our Savior.

We will celebrate a Mass in Thanksgiving for the election of Pope Leo XIV tonight at 7pm in the church.

Habemus Papam!  With great joy we pray for Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Cardinal Prevost, born in Chicago!