Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

All are invited to our Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10am on Thursday.  You are asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.

There will be a special candlelight Mass for the deceased parishioners of St Mary this Friday at 7pm in the church.  All are invited to come and pray for our departed brothers and sisters.

Dear Folks,

This past week we were blessed to have Bishop Burbidge visit our parish school.  Since he has arrived in the diocese, he has made it a prime emphasis to support Catholic Education and visit each of the schools in the diocese.  I could tell that he has honed his schedule and message by visiting schools to express his gratitude and support!  Our teachers and staff worked so wonderfully to give him a great welcome.
He asked our children to fill in the blank: “Holy Cross Academy is great because we have great _____.”  And with their answers, he was able to weave a homily of gratitude for our great: teachers, students, priests, and food! Yep, the students told him how great our school food is!  I could tell that he was prepared for and expecting the other answers, but that the great food was a pleasant surprise.  His homily and message expressed gratitude for the dedication and service of so many that make our school great.
With thanksgiving this coming week, a reminder that there is just one Mass on Thanksgiving day.  The last several years, were also blessed to host the Micah ecumenical Thanksgiving prayer service.  This year I have been asked to preach it, and it will held at the Presbyterian Church downtown.  I am excited for this my first opportunity to preach at these lovely gatherings with our brothers and sisters in Christ!
Advent family prayers:  this week we have included a brochure with practical suggestions on how to make advent prayer a part of routine.  I hope that the practical suggestions will be of some assistance so that when Advent begins next weekend, you will be ready!

pax et bonum,
fr mosimann