Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Celebrate the canonization of St. John Henry Cardinal Newman with St. Mary’s!  Fr. Kelly will give a talk on Newman’s life and his sermon “Equanimity” on Friday, October 11^th at 7:30 pm in the Courtyard Meeting Room.  Shadowed by controversy and lauded by many 20^th Century churchmen and academics, Newman has been a fascinating figure in both the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church since the 19^th Century.  Come find out about the St. John Henry, England’s first canonized saint since the Reformation who isn’t a martyr and often called “the Ghost Writer of The Second Vatican Council.”

 

Feeling hurt, angry, or demoralized about the sexual abuse crisis plaguing the Catholic Church? Our parish wants to help. We’re prepared a series of classes led by Fr. Kelly based on a new pastoral letter.  It’s titled Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis by Bishop Robert Barron.  St. Mary I.C. will explore these issues with Bishop Barron’s series with Fr. Kelly as moderator or group discussions.  Please sign up at the Church Office by September 20^th.  The program will run for 5 consecutive Saturday mornings at 9:30 am starting on October 5^thand ending on November 2^nd.  A free and short book by Bishop Barron and a video series will accompany each of sessions.

 

Bishop Burbidge will be the celebrant of the 9am Mass this Friday, July 26.  The Bishop will also be welcoming High Schoolers from across the Diocese for the Diocesan CYM Kings Dominion Day Trip.  All are welcome to attend Mass.

Dear Folks,
Last fall, in response to the widespread news of misconduct most vile on the part of priests and bishops, we had a listening session open to all members of the parish.  It was a great opportunity to listen to the hurt and confusion that we all feel in reading wave after wave of bad news.  Thank you to the many who attended and spoke that evening.
Additionally, many of those who attended expressed a desire to have another opportunity to gather again.  For that reason, I want to call your attention to the announcement on page 9 of this week’s bulletin under the headline “Letter to a Suffering Church.”
We are announcing that Fr. Kelly is going to moderate and facilitate a 5 week series structured on Bishop Barron’s letter under that title.  This will run on 5 consecutive Saturdays from October 5th to November 2nd this fall.
I want to encourage you to to attend as many sessions as you are able.  We are asking you to ‘sign up’ so that we can know how many books to buy and how much space we will need for those who wish to attend.
However, if you are unable to attend all or even any of the sessions but would like a copy of the materials we will provide those.
Healing graces come through honestly looking at our failures and begging the Lord’s Mercy.  As that is true for each soul in the confessional, it also applies to the Church universal, and our parish family.
pax,
fr mosimann