Baccalaureate Mass

Baccalaureate Mass

All graduating High School Seniors are invited to wear their cap and gown to the 12:30pm Mass on Sunday, June 10th.  They will process in with Father at the beginning and sit in reserved seats in the front of the church and be recognized for their achievements!

Parish Picnic Rescheduled to June 24

Parish Picnic Rescheduled to June 24

Due to the threat of inclement weather, our parish picnic has been rescheduled to Sunday June 24 at 3pm at Holy Cross Academy.  Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get the picnic together and thanks for everyone for all the hard work that’s going into moving it to June 24!  We hope to see you all there!

Weekend Announcements

Weekend Announcements

▪ Join in the engaging Call to Evangelization series — more information on bulletin page 7.

▪ Our Annual Parish Picnic will be held Sunday, June 3 — Find more information on bulletin page 9

▪ Feast of Corpus Christi bi-lingual Mass at Holy Cross with procession, June 3 — more information on bulletin page 7

▪ Save the date – All graduating seniors are invited to be recognized at Mass on June 10 – more information on bulletin page 8

▪ You’re invited! Mary’s Shelter Annual Soirée — Find more information on bulletin page 10

▪ Father’s Day Novena will begin June 17 — more information on bulletin page 13.

We are quickly approaching the summer
season. With this, comes many visitors to the Fredericksburg area. Communion procedures can be confusing to those people who are not familiar with St. Mary. They do not realize that the people in the front pew do not get Communion first. To reduce confusion, we will begin Communion from the FRONT, with the alcoves receiving Communion LAST, starting this weekend. This will continue until further notice. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

– Hospitality Ushers Ministry

From Our Pastor

From Our Pastor

Dear Folks,
Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of our Lord!
It is such a great occasion to consider this fundamental truth the faith entrusted to us by Our Lord.  St. Maxamillian Kolbe said, ” If Angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”  These beautiful, pure spirits gaze upon the face of God.  And yet they can not receive Jesus in the manner that we do.  Sometimes I ask my guardian angel to worship God on my behalf and to pray as he deserves.
How can I more worthily receive the Eucharist?
1.  Remote Preparation – Spend time in adoration.  To come to church and pray in the presence of the sacrament is to invest my time where my faith is.  It is an act of faith to be willing to go sit and gaze upon this Sacrament.  When we bask in the light of the Son, we are warmed and transformed.  Will I spend more time this summer sun-bathing or Son-basking?
2.  Immediate Preparation – Do I arrive at Mass early enough to pray, settle, and recollect?  Also re-read last week’s bulletin note on dressing in our ‘Sunday Best.’
3.  Reception – when I receive on the tongue or in the hand, am I focussed only on Jesus?  Am I giving him my best and most reverent attention?  Banish all thoughts of watching others receive, or checking out the fashion choices of others.
4.  Thanksgiving – after receiving and returning to my spot, whisper to Jesus who now dwells within me like tabernacle.  And this is the tabernacle that He prefers, a loving heart.
5.  Discipleship – live in the manner worthy of the sacrament.  Be His disciples to the world, making Him known in your love for the poor, in your concern for youth, in your charity to all.  Reject Sin, Satan, and all His works.  Live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Ok, that is quite a recipe, and one that is far from complete.  I will leave you with a beautiful prayer from the Byzantine liturgy of the Mass.  It is said this just before receiving Holy Communion.  It is a lovely meditation on this great feast.  Praying this prayer is bound to deepen your faith in this wonder-filled Sacrament.
O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of Your mystical supper, O Son of God; for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I confess to You: Remember me, O Lord when You shall come into Your kingdom. Remember me O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom. Remember me O Holy One, when you shall come into Your kingdom. May the partaking of Your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body. O Lord, I believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious Body and Your life- giving Blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen. O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number.
pax et bonum,
fr mosimann