Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

I share with you the sad news that David Mathers, our Director of Sacred Music, will be resigning in February 2017 in order to take the same position at St. Bernadette’s. David has very generously served this parish for more than nine years and seen great growth in the music ministry. This change will provide him a much shorter commute to work and an opportunity to continue to collaborate with Fr. Rooney.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Taizé prayer gathering in the church and it was a unique opportunity for me to sit back in the pews and simply listen, pray and reflect on his service to the parish. The quality of the music made immediately clear the love and preparation that he and all of the musicians and choir put into their service to the parish. Thank you David.

We are able to announce this in an early timeframe, because of the unique nature of this transition. David will be with us through the fall, Christmas, and Choir pilgrimage. He will help me in forming a search committee to find a new music director. If it proves mutually beneficial to both Saint Mary and St. Bernadette’s, the transition to a new music director could happen at a date earlier than February. This would not preclude his participation in the Choir pilgrimage. I have had to hire music directors three times in the past, and being able to do so while maintaining the continuity here will be a great assistance.

When the appropriate time comes, you will of course be given opportunity to express your gratitude to David with a farewell reception. One of the smiles that came to my face was considering the final season farewell tours of Cal Ripken and other professional athletes. Ample warning of this transition affords us ample time to plan and express our gratitude.

Again, thank you David for your service. Your love of the Liturgy, Christ, and His Church shines through everything you do. I join the parish in praying for God’s blessing on your next chapter in serving the Lord.

pax et bonum

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

This is a picture of me offering  Mass in the tomb where Jesus  rose from the dead. Maybe my  favorite picture ever.

How did I get the shot? Well, he area where I was standing is about 3 feet by 7 feet. 7 priests were crammed into this area. I had asked one of the priests to snap a picture when Mass began, but didn’t want him to be distracted because he was concelebrating. So he holds the camera up (about 12 inches from my ear) and blindly takes pictures right after the  consecration. Yikes! I hear the camera clicking in my ear and think, “not now! Please Father!” With the very low light and his proximity to  me it was a miracle that the picture came out so well! Because of this, I have to have a little mercy on you when you take pictures at Mass… but not if you come up right behind me! 😉

I know that many folks here have made pilgrimages to the Holy Land. I believe that everyone should try to get there one day, if possible, because of how it will deepen your faith. To see where Jesus walked, prayed, was born and rose from the dead—these scriptures cease to be ‘stories’ and come alive.

I know that Fr. Hudgins has been advertising a trip in October in our bulletin, but I had also planned to accompany Fr. Jerry Wooton of St. Patrick’s on a trip this October (different dates). There is still room on this trip, if you are interested.

This trip to the Holy Land is October 3–15, 2016 and will include stops in Galilee, Nazareth, Cana, Bethlehem,  Jerusalem, and more in Israel, and stops in Jordan at the Baptism of our Lord, Petra, and Amman. Email me (frmosimann@stmaryfred.org) for more information, itinerary, and registration. Base cost is $3100 pp/do (with the caveat that flight costs could fluctuate).

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. Mosimann