From Our Pastor ~ September 11, 2016

From Our Pastor ~ September 11, 2016

Dear Folks,

Ahhhh… Football season is upon us, which leads to refrains of: “Are you blind Ref ?*@!?” Have you ever screamed this from the upper deck or in front of your TV? How could he miss that call that is right in front of him? The problem is that this usually amount to a complaint that we are not getting our way! We all have seen calls completely blown in sports, but I don’t think I have ever yelled at the TV when the blown call went in favor of MY team!

Temporary blindness can also be tragic with more serious consequences than a sporting event. A blind spot while driving can lead to a serious accident. Not seeing one key fact may change the entire meaning of events, or relationships that we hold most dear. Even more so, when we do not see the most serious matter for our eternal lives: sin. Sin is often described as darkness in the soul, so it makes sense that it would blind us. How can we see in the dark? We need light to see clearly. Paul says to the Ephesians: Brothers and Sisters: You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…” This is much of the work of Lent, opening our eyes to the true light that illuminates the path to Heaven. Not only does Christ enable us to see, but then we in turn become the light to the world living in darkness.

I know that my guardian angel is much more patient when I fail to see my own sin. I don’t imagine him yelling at me, “Father, are you blind!” Instead he kindly intercedes for me, and obtains graces to open my eyes!

And Jesus, help the Redskins please.

Pax et Bonum (peace and all goodness),
Fr. Mosimann

 

 

 

Express Announcements ~ September 11, 2016

Express Announcements ~ September 11, 2016

* Saint Mary’s fall social, the Parish Ice Cream Social, Cakewalk and
Dance, is TODAY from 4-7pm. Come see everyone, enterthe cake
decorating contest, and put on your dancing shoes. Before the Social, join us for our annual 1-mile Fun Run/Walk at 3:15pm, starting at Walmart Garden Center and going to the school. Children 12 and under (and parents), join us! More information on Page 4.

* Don’t forget! Manna Food Drive for the Fredericksburg Food Bank
after all Masses this weekend. Bring food and donations forthose who are hungry.

* Please join us for our monthly Taizé Prayer Service this Monday, September 12 at 8:15pm. Now in our 9th year, we have met
each month to pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends!

* This year’s Parish Life Weekend is next weekend, September 17-18. Please plan to visit with our many parish ministries and learn more about how you can get involved in the life of our Parish.

* The Second Collection next weekend supports the Religious Education of our Parish. Forthe fiscal year ending June 30,
2016, parish expenses for our Religious Education Program were $42,220.73, and your generosity in supporting the faith
formation of our children is sincerely appreciated.

* Nar-Anon Support group is now meeting on Thursdays at St. Mary at 7pm in the Fr. Don Rooney Community Room. Help is offered by sharing experiences, strengths and hopes; please see the page 11 for more details about this program.

From Our Pastor ~ September 4, 2016

From Our Pastor ~ September 4, 2016

Dear Folks,

“How do I pray, Father?”

Wow, what a question…. but one that I hear from time to time and know that others are thinking, but afraid to ask.

Yes, all of us can hear the whispers, ‘you’re not good at this,’ ‘you don’t have time,’ ‘you are too tired,’ or ‘but you will be miserable.’ So three simple thoughts on how to establish a prayer life:

1. Start small.

Simple principle, if you try to start too big, you are susceptible to failure and giving up. As you grow closer to Him step by step, He will strengthen your efforts. If you’re not used to praying a full rosary, start with a decade. Work your way up to the full rosary, taking small steps.

2. Spread it through your day.

It’s amazing how the prayers add up. By using times / places (meals or the commutes to/from work) to trigger a reminder to prayer, you can stay close to Him the whole day.

3. Just do it.

Excuses are excuses. I like the saying, the perfect is the enemy of the good. When your children hand you a drawing, to you criticize them because it falls short of Rembrandt? How much more does God love our honest, and sometimes feeble, efforts to turn to Him.

Pax et Bonum,

Signature

 

 

Fr. Mosimann

Express Announcements ~ September 4, 2016

Express Announcements ~ September 4, 2016

* There will be no 6:30am Mass nor evening novena tomorrow, Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day.

* Religious Education Save-the-Dates:

  • September 3-4, Catechetical Sunday
  • September 6, Special Training
  • September 12-15, First week of RE

* Saint Mary’s fall social, the Parish Ice Cream Social, Cakewalk and Dance, is next Sunday from 4-7pm. Come see everyone, enter the cake decorating contest, and put on your dancing shoes. Before the Social, join us for our first 1-mile Fun Run/Walk at 3:15pm, starting at Walmart Garden Center and going to the school. Children 12 and under (and parents), join us! More information on page 7.

* Don’t forget! Manna Food Drive for the Fredericksburg Food Bank is coming up the weekend of September 10-11 at all Masses! Bring food and donations for those who are hungry.

* Please join us for our monthly Taizé Prayer Service next Monday, September 12 at 8:15pm. Now in our 9th year, we have met each month to pray for Christian unity in our community and in the world. All Christians are warmly invited; invite your friends!

* This year’s Parish Life Weekend will be in just two weeks, September 17-18. Please plan to visit with our many parish ministries and learn more about how you can get involved in the life of our Parish.