Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Poland and Lithuania Pilgrimage! This weeks bulletin includes a small notice for the pilgrimage I shared last week, for this summer! You can also access the info and even register online at 81tours.com/polandfrmosimann

What is a Pilgrimage? One parishioner asked me this, so here is my definition: ‘undertaking a physical journey in order to accomplish a spiritual one.’ Practically speaking, this means we will visit sites of importance to the faith, celebrate daily Mass, and pray a daily rosary together on the bus. To be a pilgrim, is to be more than a tourist. It is what impressed me so much about Poland in 2016, that the churches were not museums, but full of Polish people praying! Yes, the itinerary includes tours, museums, and good food too (look at me, do you doubt that? haha!!).

There is one friend who comes on these trips who is not baptized. She prays with us, attends the Masses, and said to me, “your trips are very special to me!” I keep telling her, “I am going to baptize you on one of these pilgrimages!” So don’t be afraid of wherever you may be in your faith journey. Just be ready to embrace the special joy of traveling with a group, and sharing the experience with new friends and pew neighbors.

Annunciation over my shoulder?

If you have been in the church since Wednesday, you have likely been surprised by the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel and the BVM next to the priest in the sanctuary! Our stained glass windows for the new HCA chapel are here, and since the new chapel isn’t ready yet, I thought “why don’t we enjoy them for a time in church and school!’ The annunciation window is currently in the church, and the St. Joseph window is in HCA.

Groundbreaking in April?

And this also means we look to be on target to break ground for the expansion at the end of April!! We will have more info soon, but a construction meeting this week drove home that our timing looks solid! It is too soon to tell you when we will be done, when the HCA cafeteria, expansion and chapel will be ready, but I am pleasantly surprised already at the first draft of the actual construction schedule!

A blessed Lent to you and all of your loved ones.

pax,

Father John Mosimann

A Blessed Lent to you! I type this on Tuesday night after the first of Fr. Searby’s talks for our 40 Hours Devotion and Lenten Mission – Wow! He spoke with humor, passion, and depth on the beauty of God and His desire to be with each of us! It is worth a listen, and he said that he will post each of his three talks, so that they will be there by the time you are reading this!

Poland and Lithuania 2024:

I grew up during the papacy of the St. John Paul 2! I love his writing, was inspired by his preaching, life, and example unto the last days of his life! To travel to Poland is to encounter the land and the Saints who helped to shape his generous soul!

We will see the original painting of Divine Mercy which is now in Lithuania! We will see the Hill of the Crosses, and walk in the footsteps
of St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. John Paul 2! These are saints of our lifetimes! The churches we will visit in Poland are not museums, as they can seem in many countries, but they are shrines full of Polish people praying!

Years ago, I wrote in the bulletin that Poland is on my short list of ‘gotta go back’ pilgrimages and so it will be: June 24th to July 6th this summer!! Please consider joining, as the cost is $4500/per person /double occupancy. I am very excited about the trip! You can email me for the full itinerary, and we will have more info upcoming in the bulletin.

I will leave you this story of me giving a ‘high-five’ to St. John Paul 2! I was at a papal audience in 1998 with my family and a couple hundred thousand excited Catholics. As JP2 went by in the popemobile, I noticed that he was holding onto the popemobile with one arm, and the other was reaching out towards the pilgrims, with his fingers gesticulating subtly in a sort of ‘come hither’ motion. So I reached across the barrier, and VERY GENTLY gave him a high-five! And then I gave him a blessing, because he looked so frail. High five and a blessing to a Saint now in heaven! Yeah, I think it is pretty awesome.

There is a beautiful museum in the home where he grew up, and we can sit and pray in the pews where he sat and prayed! He once said, “You are not the sum of your weaknesses and failures. You are the sum of God’s love for you.” Ever since going to Poland, I know St. John Paul 2 and St. Faustina are helping me to really deepen my trust in Jesus in all times, places, and circumstances.

Trust in Jesus, Trust in Jesus, Trust in Jesus. And join us for this beautiful journey!

pax,

Father John Mosimann