Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,
A Blessed Easter & Divine Mercy Sunday to you! In the risen Christ, all things are possible.  He dies the worst death – tortured as a criminal against the state and religion.  He answers with power of love that breaks the bonds of death.  Happy Easter!
Divine Mercy Sunday is a great reminder that in rising from the dead, Christ come back not to say, “See, I told you so!” but rather he says, “Please come home!”  This year there were many folks reconciled to the church.  Let up pray that this welcoming home be our mission throughout the year becoming a force that is willing and able.
A heartfelt thanks and prayers for all who helped to make this Easter a glorious celebration of our faith.   Let me begin with the Music: WOW!!  David Uschold, Malinda Jones, all of the musicians, cantors, and choirs all crushed it! It was breathtaking to hear the Expo Center filled with the glorious praise of God in song!
Congratulations to our newly baptized and confirmed Catholics!  Their enthusiasm gives us a spiritual vitamin shot. Thanks to Mary Beth Cameron, Eileen Lanzarone, and the RCIA team!
Furthermore, Chris Lanzarone led the effort to set up the Holy Week liturgies and the expo center Masses!  He got a few scant hours of sleep all week to be there for everything and to cover details that we all just think happen automatically.  Joe & Arlene Wilkenson, Rich & Karen LaRoche, Julie Finnegan, and William Crandall all put in many hours to make our Expo Center Masses to happen.
All of the lectors, ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion were there on Holy Saturday to practice!  Angela Murphy and the flower folks were beautifying and creating all of those amazing arrangements! Flowers, everywhere?  Yep, due to the hard work of many volunteers.
And our ushers, led by Tom Fish.  I think Tom was at all of the Easter Sunday Mass.  His efforts keyed a great and smooth celebration of the Easter Mysteries.
Obviously we could go on for ever here, please know that I have offered many prayers of thanksgiving for your many efforts.  Our parish comes alive when you respond to Christ’s invitation to share in his life and service.  May God grant you the heavenly reward that you desire and deserve.
pax,
fr mosimann

Rehearsals will be on Monday April 29, Tuesday April 30, and Monday May 6.
First Holy Communion Liturgies will be on two Saturdays (May 4 and May 11) and on Sunday May 5

Holy Cross Academy Students
Rehearsal: Tuesday, April 30 at 6pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 04 at 10am

Monday 6:30 Students
Rehearsal: Monday, April 29 at 6pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 04 at 12:30pm

Students who sign-up to receive First Holy Communion at a Sunday Mass: Sunday, May 5, at 2 Sunday Masses (10:30am and 2:30pm)

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 4:45 Students and Home Taught Students Rehearsal: Monday, May 6 at 5pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 11 at 10am

Tuesday and Wednesday 6:30 Students and Tuesday 6 (HCA) Students
Rehearsal: Monday, May 6 at 6pm
First Communion Mass: Saturday, May 11 at 12:30pm

On Friday, May 10, 2019 at 8:00 p.m., Concerts at Saint Mary will present the instrumental ensemble Washington’s Camerata.

Established in 2009, Washington’s Camerata is a period instrument ensemble dedicated to the music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  Founding flautists Kelly Kazik and Sarah McIver achieve innovative programming through the ensemble’s unique instrumentation to bring charming and rarely heard music back to life.

In addition to performances throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, Washington’s Camerata is currently in residence at the historic St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where the ensemble performs in conjunction with the popular chamber music series Beautiful Music in a Beautiful Space.  From 2009 to 2012 Washington’s Camerata had the unique privilege to serve as artists-in-residence for the Washington Parish at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oak Grove. Washington Parish was founded by the Washington, Monroe and Lee families.

The concert program, which will be presented by Washington’s Camerata, will be taking the audience on a musical tour of eighteenth-century Europe!  Admission to the concert is free and a free-will offering will be taken to support future Concerts at Saint Mary productions. Following the concert there will be a reception in the church’s Parish Life Center where there will be an opportunity to meet the artists and share fellowship with others.

Dear Folks,
Happy Easter!
Christ is risen…
This is the primordial feast of the Church.  Everything we are, celebrate, and profess comes from this feast of the suffering, death and resurrection of Our Lord.  By faith, we know that we are eagerly striving for that day when we too will share in his life giving resurrection and his triumph over death.
A convert to our faith said this to me in in conversation a few years back, as we were discussing grace and mercy.  He had taught Sunday School, and given children these definitions of grace and mercy:
“Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve.  Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve.”
I like those definitions because they are so easily remembered, but also packed with meaning.  Easter is such a great feast of mercy, because the very death that our sins deserve, is taken on by Jesus and vanquished by his love. To know his mercy, is to be rooted in truth and love.
I think the 2nd most beautiful sight in the world is a soul set free in the confessional.  What a privilege and joy to share in Jesus’ showering us in his mercy.  I think the most beautiful sight in the world is the Eucharistic Host that is Jesus.
I wish you a blessed day with your family!  Eat lots of delicious foods and celebrate in style!
pax et bonum,
fr mosimann