Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

From Our Pastor

December 11, 2021 St Mary Fred

Dear Folks,

Advent Confessions.

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.

However, the eagle-eyed will notice that this year we added confessions on Sunday the 12th and Sunday the 19th. Set so that there are times before 2 Masses this week, and before two different Masses next week. Fr. Koehr has been offering these at Spanish Mass for a time, and in his wild-eyed young priest enthusiasm said, “Why not Sundays for everyone?” Well, I like adding more confessions / adoration / Masses, so why not?

I am very grateful to have a great rectory, with priests who are generous and wiling to serve you without reservation.

You are invited to return to the great Sacrament of the Lord’s mercy. Catholics come home!

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

Wednesday Dec 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 6, 2021 St Mary Fred

Wednesday December is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation and the patronal feast of our parish. Mass times are as follows:

December 7

6pm

7:30pm

December 8

6:30am

9am

12pm

4pm Traditional Latin Mass

6pm

7:30pm Bilingual English and Spanish

From Our Pastor

December 4, 2021 St Mary Fred

Dear Folks,

Had a conversation with my sister on Thanksgiving regarding “digging for gold.” This compelled me to research a bit on how to dig for gold. Interesting.

If you are prospecting for gold, you have to learn to ignore all the dirt and look for the shine of the gold. This requires patient sifting. As you sift, the gold goes to the bottom of the pan, by using water to wash over the pan and carry away the lighter dirt.

In our relations with others, we can learn to do the same: ignore the dirt, let grace wash and carry away the grime of sin that is preventing us from seeing the other person in the bright light of the Lord. Grace is the precious matter that will remain when the Lord sifts sin out of our lives.

We all do well to dig for gold in the souls of others, so that we might see the work the Lord is doing in their lives. Also, so that we might know that all is a gift and precious.

Additionally, I want to commend Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services for the lovely work that they have done in welcoming refugees. Most of these families are from Afghanistan, and risked their lives and families to help our efforts there over the last 20 years. Thanks for your generosity in helping to provide Thanksgiving meals for these families. See the pictures here in the bulletin.

Next weekend’s second collection will go to Catholic Charities for the many wonderful works that they are engaged in.

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann

From Our Pastor

November 27, 2021 St Mary Fred

Dear Folks,

I hope you had a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the scriptures that often comes to mind is from Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God….” This Scripture is a firm promise that we can hold onto in difficult times. Often I come back to this promise and invoke it in an effort to support and sustain you in your trials.

Many Thanksgiving weekends I put a list in the bulletin of things that I am thankful for. However, in reviewing last year’s list, I was tempted to just “cut and paste” it, because many blessings are perpetual and ongoing! Know that the repetition of thanks does not diminish its sincerity. Instead, I have included a note that I received recently from someone giving thanks to our parish for assistance given in the 1970’s! It is a lovely account of his gratitude, and he even credits the assistance with saving his marriage!

It is never too late for you to thank someone in your life. Maybe each of us could look back a little farther and consider who we might be able to send such an expression of gratitude to. At the very least, please pray now a prayer for all the folks whom you have forgotten to thank, and we will let the Lord shower them with graces.

Dear Father Mosimann,

I came to your church back in the mid 1970’s with a problem and was desperate for help. I was released from active duty from the military and was trying to reunite with my wife and son who were located in Rutland, VT. I was contacted by Catholic Charities to come to Vermont for a reunion. I sold all my furniture and closed my rental for funds for the trip. I thought I could make the trip with the cash I had from my furniture sale. I was driving an older model VW with the few belongings I had left. I made it as far as Delaware on the turnpike when my engine blew. The tow truck driver took my car to for his services and I got a bus ticket for the rest of the journey. I can not recall the name of the priest at St. Mary’s that I spoke with and asked for help, but he did offer to help me with $1,000 when I arrived in VT. Catholic Charities helped me transition and find a new job. Cash was needed to hold off creditors and get new housing for my family and Catholic Charities contacted St. Mary’s to see if they were still willing to help. That money saved me and my marriage. You also helped my parents at their time of need during the deaths of my mother and father. I am sorry it has taken me so long to repay you for your generosity. Enclosed is a check for $2,000 so that you can help someone else.

Thank you for all you have done for me and my family. May God Bless you.

pax et bonum,

Father John Mosimann