Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Dear Folks

Two weekends ago Mother Teresa was canonized. As a saint of our times, many folks met or heard her speak, but few “tackled” her. Let me explain.

In the Summer of 1995, Mother came to D.C. to receive the profession of final vows of some of her sisters. Everyone wanted to see her. I was a seminarian at the time and I went to the Mass with a priest friend. After Mass, we used our collars to work our way back into the sacristy. It was packed like sardines with clergy. Having played rugby, I was good a pushing my way through crowds, so I worked my way to a position directly behind the future saint. As she chatted with the Cardinal Archbishop, I waited patiently.

Disastrously, as she finished chatting with him, she started turning and moving in a direction directly opposite of the path I was blocking. She was not going to see me. I seized the  moment, and the Saint. Firmly placing my hand on her shoulder, I made sure that she turned around to see me. Some say that I spun her around, others still tease me about tackling a Saint! Hyperbole, yes, but worth it because….

As I got her undivided attention, I said, “Mother, I am a seminarian. Please pray for me.” She was so kind, inviting me to visit her sisters in Calcutta, asking my name, and insisting that  write my name on a piece of paper so that she could remember it and pray for me.

This weekend is Parish Life Weekend. Prayerfully consider how the Lord wants you to share your time and talent with your brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope the Lord doesn’t have to tackle you to get your attention.

pax,

fr mosimann

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