Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

Think about this quote from St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina:

“Temptations, discouragement and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the devil makes noise, it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord with the human soul. That which comes from Satan begins with calmness and ends in storm, indifference and apathy.”

I agree that I have seen this in souls. Sometimes I try remind folks that it is only by God’s grace that we can be frustrated and disgusted by sin. If we did not have his help, we would wallow and delight in the muck. The very turmoil of the soul coming to Jesus for confession, shows that they are still, with God’s help, doing battle against sin. Be encouraged that no matter how much you may be frustrated and in turmoil, the Lord is with you.

And if you don’t find any turmoil and struggle against sin, ask yourself, “have I become indifferent and apathetic to ‘being perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect?'” Because the indifference is the hardest to overcome. It is the diabolic indifference of: ‘my life is fine. I don’t need Jesus.’

I for one, need him always and everywhere.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

I give you this line from a weekday Mass recently. (Yes there are Masses every day! And I think that every Catholic should go to one ‘extra’ or ‘unforced’ Mass every week in addition to Sunday…. but that may be the subject for another bulletin note):
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8)

Do Right…. ok we get this… moving on…
Love Goodness. This really struck me this week. Why do we sometimes act so bitter about loving goodness? Why do we so often look at sinners and think, “Buuuuuuuut they are having so much fuuuuuuuunnnn?” Yes, sin looks shiny, sleek, trim, fresh, novel, and new. And we all love such things. But this wears off, and we have to move on to the next newest fad. And God waits with a smile.

Fix your mind and heart on goodness. Love it. Treasure it. Compliment it in your children. Find creative ways to love goodness, and to stop looking so longingly at sin. To look longingly on sin only embitters our hearts. And watch the mockery of goodness, it is a first step to despising what is true good and beautiful. To look on, to treasure goodness, to be vigilant in the movements of your soul, this is what Micah says is required.

And walk humbly with your God. You met a big sinner? There but for the grace of God goes Fr. Mosimann. When we walk humbly, God is lifting us up… And is it only his grace that sustains any of us in our daily walk with Him. His grace preserves us from mountains of sin. His grace forgives the mountains of sin we dive into.

Do right, love goodness, walk humbly, and you will have joy beyond understanding.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann