Join St Mary for our SPECIAL ELECTION PRAYER SERVICE ~ praying for peace, wisdom and God’s blessing over our great nation, Monday, November 2nd at 7:00pm in the church~ followed by ALL-NIGHT-ALL-DAY Adoration Monday, November 2nd 8:00pm – Tuesday, November 3rd 6:00pm. The sign-up link for adoration is below.
God Bless America!
Dear Folks,
Yes, we all know an election is coming. If you don’t, then there is no way you are reading this.
Prayer: I must start here. I do not put hope in presidents. That belongs to God. I invite / inform / insist that we start with prayer. To that end we will have a vigil prayer service at 7 pm the night before the election. I would like to have adoration all night, leading into adoration all day on election day. Come beg Jesus to have mercy on our country.
Education: learn the Catholic moral principles that are at stake and where the candidates stand on them. Here is the link to the website which is a joint effort of the bishops here in our Commonwealth: vacatholic.org
Conscience: Yes, you must vote your conscience. However, this does not mean your feelings. It means your last, best judgment in applying moral principles to the specifics of the decision. This is why learning the Catholic moral principles above is essential. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Many Catholics will try to turn the principle of conscience to justify immoral positions. A judgement of conscience which rejects revealed truth is sinful.
Turn off the news and avoid listening to ad hominem arguments, smear campaigns are accelerating, all in an effort to prove how vile the enemy is. Satan is the father of lies, and he is slinging them in full force.
My new principle I have come up with during this election cycle: Spend more time praying than watching the news. Ouch. Am I seeking first the Kingdom of God, or the USA?
Respectfully,
Father John Mosimann
Dear Folks,
Mass during Covid times: ushers / seating / and masks; a frustration and a commendation!
Frustration: folks often insist in sitting in a particular seat, and ignore instructions of ushers.
Scenario: usher asks you to sit in a pew that is not your preferred pew, and you ‘politely decline.’ Or the usher seats you in one pew, and as soon as the usher goes back to the door you move to wherever you want. This has led to multiple instances of our being unable to seat larger families and they have to go to the PLC or watch the Mass on Facebook in their car.
I understand the desire to be seated in the same pew and the psychology of prayer, that routine helps. But this is not the time for that. I am not exaggerating to say that families have been unable to get into Mass and receive Holy Communion because people had to sit in a specific pew. It is an injustice and sin against charity to insist that ‘my preference for a particular seat is more important than another families’ ability to get into the church and participate more fully in the celebration of Mass.’ During Mass, from the priests chair, I have often seen families turned away at the door when there would be space if folks were more cooperative.
If you react to the manner in which the usher is asking, ok…. forgive other’s trespasses (the ‘rude’ tone) as yours (‘ignoring’ the ushers instructions) are forgiven. There are pews and single chairs spaced around the church so that we can get the maximum number of families and people into the church. It is not a perfect system, and ushers are doing their best. When a single person or couple sit in a ‘less desirable’ spot, they are likely allowing more people to come to Mass and receive Holy Communion.
And yes, families, could you come to Mass together as much as possible? I have seen members of a single family coming to three or more separate Masses. What would have taken up one end of a pew at a single Mass is now taking up the same at three Masses. I understand that it is not always possible, but we can help to enable more folks to receive Holy Communion.
Commendation: just today, I had a conversation with an elderly parishioner who is still afraid to come back to Mass but is starving for Holy Communion. Because of your cooperation in wearing masks, I was able to tell her that she will be able to have a seat and folks around her will have masks on. She was visibly moved and so excited at the prospect of coming back to receive Holy Communion!
And yes, that conversation has been happening frequently recently!
Have a blessed day!
pax et bonum,
Fr. John Mosimann
Dear Folks,
Do you have a favorite month? I love October.
Why? You probably guessed because of Halloween and the world wears orange. Sorry to disappoint, but that’s not why.
Because October is a series of feast days for some of my very favorite saints!
St. Therese (October 1), Guardian Angels (October 2), St. Francis (October 4), St. Faustina (October 5), St. Bartolo Longo (October 5), Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7). There may not be a better week on the Church calendar than those 7 days! (Yes, hyperbole, Christmas and Easter weeks rock)! St. Theresa of Avila (October 15), St. Jean de Brebeuf, Issac Jogues and North American Martyrs (October 18), Pope Saint John Paul 2 (October 22). I am even leaving off Apostles Simon and Jude!
This is why I love October. The cool weather and fall leaves don’t hurt as well. The world turns orange, and Fr. Mosimann smiles. But I am really smiling celebrating my favorite saints!
Do you know when your favorite saints feast days are? And do you celebrate them? If not, you can celebrate with me. 😉
pax et bonum,
Fr. John Mosimann
