Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church

Let me renew an exhortation that I share from time to time, because we can all use a reminder: be good to our neighbors, as it regards to the difficulty of parking on public streets. I will support the right of citizens to park where allowed by law and good neighborly relations. However, I will also support the right and duty of the city to enforce parking regulations.

This came up recently when a parishioner parked in a ‘resident only’ zone, and asked if I could do anything about the ticket they received. My spiritual authority does not extend to parking tickets!

There are many ways we are actively trying to engage and be good to our neighbors: adding Sunday Masses at Holy Cross Academy especially on Feast Days, and starting additional Saturday Spanish Mass at St. Judes. We pay every week for the sheriff who helps with traffic flow, for big Masses the Knight of Columbus help with parking, and we have bulletin and pulpit reminders such as this one. Moreover, we have the tradition of Celebrating Easter at the Expo Center and now the Triduum!

My list of ways to be a good neighbor:

1. Obey all traffic laws and postings about where parking is permitted, being careful to be within the lines where parkings spots are delineated. Being especially careful not to block driveways.

2. Please use the parking lot as much as possible. Many folks park along other residential streets when there are still plenty of parking spaces in the lot (obviously b/c it allows for a quicker departure and not having to deal with the lot) but that is why the lot was created.

3. When you do park on residential streets, be sure that you are parking where it is permitted! For example, weekday parking is residential only on certain streets. Law enforcement has a duty to ticket this behavior.

4. When you encounter neighbors, remember that you represent Jesus and His Catholic Church!

5. When you drive on residential streets, especially Stafford Avenue, remember this is a neighborhood with children at play.

Let’s be good neighbors, as charity begins with the Lord, and continues as we exit the parking lot and into all of our daily lives.

pax,

Father John Mosimann

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Musicam; Eminentissimum Joseph Ciskanic Venit!

Ok, I stole the announcement idea from papal elections and the Latin is not on point, but it translates to: I announce to you a great joy: We have Music; The Most Eminent Joseph Ciskanic is coming!

Joseph is currently working at St. Patrick’s, and will finish out the school year there. He will start here July 1st, so until then we will try to maintain our high standards of music with organists and cantors at Sunday Masses. Thank you to all who serve in our music ministry so generously. There may be an occasion where we have to recite the psalm, but I am excited that we were able to so capably fill David’s position so quickly!

A congratulations to all of our newly Confirmed Catholics this past Friday and Saturday. In this Sacrament, our young men and women have been anointed with the Holy Spirit who gives them special strength to spread and defend the Faith. The very word “Christian” means “anointed” and derives from Christ Himself whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit. What a privilege and responsibility to bear the very name of Christ.

I look forward to great things from these young men and women! A thanks to our own Bishop Loverde and Archbishop Broglio who were the celebrants of the three Confirmation Masses! A special thank you to our catechists, aides, teachers, parents and our Youth Ministry Team of Tatiana and Catie who give of themselves so generously to teach and instill a love of our Lord and to all those working behind the scenes to support our beautiful liturgies and receptions, from our sacristans, ushers, lectors, parking lot assistants, to the parish life committee. Our volunteers are a tremendous blessing. May God bless you

pax,

Father John Mosimann