Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

I am trying to write this from an airplane as I travel out west for my annual ski trip and I can’t believe how small this seat is. Having lost substantial weight this year with my ski trip in mind, I sit here with my knees wedged against the seat in front of me. Every time I travel on a plane like this I think, “never again, I’m driving everywhere.” But every year I cram into a plane and come skiing- because I love skiing. I leave VA, cling to my laptop on a plane, all for the joy of skiing!

And crammed into this seat, I am thinking of our March 9 Marriage Conference. In Genesis, we hear why man “leaves his mother and father, clings to his wife, and the two become one flesh.” (See what I did there at the end of previous paragraph?) Straight forward marriage stuff right? This is at the heart of the vocation of most of the members of our parish, whereby you share in the love of God for his creation and most especially his bride the Church!

Leave, Cling, One.

Leaving: what do we give up for the things we love? Yes, in marriage you have to leave your family to make a new one. This is about healthy detachment. Every time there is a disagreement with your spouse, you can’t call your mom and complain! Yes, there is healthy support, but there is also unhealthy undermining when we can belittle our spouse in an effort to win the conflict. Can you even leave behind your past and the past of your spouse?

Cling: how firmly do we hold on to and pursue the good of our spouse? Not a selfish ‘make me happy,’ but a selfless pursuit of the good of your beloved. I love to see how much ‘in love’ couples treasure their time together and prioritize it, how much they cling to each other in they cling without crushing and suffocating.

One: union. Two become one. There is vulnerability without shame. Physical, emotional, spiritual, even life dreams. Your spouse isn’t for your wish fulfillment but that you can find the intimacy that you are made for. The means of this union are found in serving one another, or in the words of the old marriage exhortation, “the sacrifice required to achieve this union is often difficult and irksome.”

Leave, Cling, One. If I am going to ski majestic mountains, this uncomfortable flight is the price I must pay.If you want to be truly happy, become what you are in marriage.

And maybe, come to our Marriage Conference on March 9th.

The taller the mountains, the more majestic the views, but the deeper and darker the valleys. Be not afraid.

Pax Et Bonum,

Father John Mosimann

■Virginia March for Life – SAVE THE DATE: April 3 More information on bulletin page 4

■ Save the Date! Marriage Enrichment WorkshopMore information on bulletin page 7

■ Noticias en EspañolMás información en la página 8

■ Bishop’s Lenten Appeal 2019 is beginning! More information on bulletin page 8

■ St. Mary’s Lenten Program – “Put Out Into the Deep”More information on bulletin page 9

■Knights of Columbus Social MeetingMore information on bulletin page 11

On Friday, February 22, 2019 at 8:00 p.m., Concerts at Saint Mary will present harpist and composer Emily Mason as she performs an evening of music for harp.  Ms. Mason will also be joined by internationally-acclaimed Philippine-born American tenor Allan Palacios Chan and organist David Uschold.

Originally from southern Virginia, Emily Mason now, for over eight years, calls District of Columbia area her home where she has an active career as a harpist, classical/jazz pianist, mezzo-soprano and organist.  She has been heard in venues such as the World Health Organization, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Saint Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington, Virginia, and events for the Library of Congress. In addition, she occasionally joins the Manassas Symphony Orchestra.  Known for her original transcriptions of orchestral, piano and ensemble music for harp, she enjoys playing music which is unusual to hear on the harp – jazz, pop, and even classic rock.  Ms. Mason is currently Director of Music at St. Veronica Church in Chantilly, Virginia.

The concert program which will be presented by Ms. Mason will include performances of a variety of repertoire from classical to secular and will feature two original transcriptions:  Movement No. 2(“The Lyre of Orpheus”) from the fourth piano concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven arranged for harp and organ; and Love Bade Me Welcomefrom Five Mystical Songsby Ralph Vaughan William arranged for tenor, harp and organ.  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.

We will be journeying with Bishop Barron this lent and participating in The Word on Fire~Engage Program. This program allows our entire parish to actively experience the series “The Seven Deadly Sins” electronically, with their family and/or small groups, married couples etc. This powerful series will be emailed to you weekly during Lent at no cost. You will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions directly to Fr. Mosimann as the material is presented. We look forward to this new innovative way to grow in our faith as a parish family. To sign-up for our Lenten Program, visit https://StMaryFredericksburg.flocknote.com/everyone to join Flocknotes via email and join the group entitled “2019 Lenten Parish Retreat”. JOIN TODAY! Note: If you are already a Flocknote member, you must go on the website and join the Lenten Group.