Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks,

There is an election? Who knew? …and yes that is sarcasm with a smile. Voting is a serious civic duty. This duty requires we have well formed consciences on the social and political issues of the day. To that end, we are making available a number or resources in the bulletin beginning with a letter from our Bishop. Additionally, we are rerunning the novena prayer that we began praying last week. Also the Virginia Catholic Conference is the public policy advocacy organization representing Virginia’s two Catholic Bishops. The VCC website has a wealth of information which can help you be informed. Finally, we remind you of Bishop Loverde’s series on “Forming your Conscience” which can be found online at CatholicHerald.com. May the Lord have mercy on our beloved country.

CELIAC? GLUTEN TOLERANCE ISSUES?

Folks, I am interested in knowing how manyfolks we have in the parish whose bodies are gluten intolerant and therefore unable to consume a eucharistic host. While  transubstantiated host is no longer bread, but the Body of Christ, it still retains the chemical properties of bread and therefore gluten. I recently spoke with a family  whose sensitivity is so significant that they can’t even consume the ‘low-gluten’ hosts because of the possible ‘contamination’ of crumbs from the hands of the priest who have immediately prior handled full-gluten hosts. Similarly, some are unable to consume from a chalice after someone who has consumed a host for the same  reason. Even the smallest of crumbs can cause serious physical distress.

If you are affected by this, would you please email me (frmosimann@stmaryfred. org)? That would be of great assistance so that I might discuss with the priests how we can accommodate your needs and then communicate to you the decided upon process.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann

Dear Folks,

This is a busy Church week. We have the holy day of obligation on Tuesday (All Saints) and the great feast of All Souls on Wednesday. Why are there any holy days? Why is the feast of All Saints such a big holy day? What does the obligation mean?

Holy Days: I often say that my life is ruled by Google Calendar, telling me what to do and when to do it. Our Calendars really shape and give direction to our lives. What direction is your life headed? Holy days are reminders that the ebb and flow of our lives is directed to heaven. Who has set the biggest days on your calendar this week, God or the world?

All Saints: Imagine that your grandmother were to be canonized a saint by Pope Francis. Your friends would all congratulate you, and you would joyfully make arrangements to go to Rome for the Mass and party. We have a feast to celebrate all of the uncanonized saints in heaven (All Saints) and one to pray for all those on the final step there (All Souls). This is the church celebrating your friends and relatives who have gone to God forever. We don’t have to go to Rome for the canonization, but can all gather in our parishes to celebrate our loved ones’ union with God.

Why obligatory? It flows from the nature of the feast, not from some imperial decree. If we don’t celebrate our loved ones, who will? This is a sign of our gratitude to those we love, and our hope for reunion with them one day. It is our love that compels us to attend Mass and worship God for his great work in our families.

Pax,

Fr. Mosimann