When Bishop Loverde celebrated our 150th Anniversary Mass on 20 June 2008, it was an opportunity to receive a blessing on the new stations which we recently purchased and installed in St. Mary.  “New” isn’t exactly the word, except that they are new to us.

When I was visiting a friend of mine, Deacon Angel Anaya, who was doing his pastoral year prior to the Ordination to the Diaconate at St. Katherine Drexel Parish in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, I saw these Stations of the Cross in storage and immediately asked if they were for sale.  St. Katherine Drexel is the parish now resulting from the merging of St. Peter, St. Michael and St. Patrick, the German, Polish and Irish parishes in Beaver Dam.  St. Peter Church (right), now St. Katherine Drexel, had these beautiful stations from the turn of the century (that would be 1900, all you young ones) which were replaced by the Stations from St. Michael. We bought them and brought them to Fredericksburg.

Following is the text which was read by all at the Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Mary, re-dedicating ourselves for the future.

1858 -2008

R E D E D I C A T I O N  of  O U R  P A R I S H  C O M M U N I T Y

Father Rooney: At this time, I would ask all here present to stand and join me in recommitting ourselves to be the people of God, alive in faith, hope and love at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish.

Bishop Loverde: You are a people called to a deeper life with God. Do you renew your commitment to live this life in humility and gratitude, seeking the Truth of God through his Holy Spirit active in his Church?

All: We are so resolved.

Bishop Loverde: Our Catholic faith calls us to find Christ in the midst of our community life so that we may become like him through our reception of his sacraments. Will you seek to make the Church the center of your life so that God’s people here at Saint Mary will be continually restored to holiness and faithfulness?

All: We seek this renewal with all our hearts.

Bishop Loverde: Our Catholic faith makes us a people of prayer, actively involved in Eucharist, the prayer of Christ and the heart of the Church’s life. Do you resolve to participate actively in the work of salvation which Christ has given to his Church?

All: We are dedicated to the celebration of the Eucharist and making it present as Christ’s work of salvation.

Bishop Loverde: Our Catholic faith calls us to speak what we believe and share the gift of faith we have received. The ministry of religious education to our children and our youth is primary to the life of our Church. Are you willing to make this a priority within the ministries of this parish family?

All: We will work as a parish family to share this gift of faith with all our young people.

Bishop Loverde: Our Catholic faith teaches us that we are a people dedicated to reconciliation. As a community and as individuals, will you seek ever new ways to reach out in love to those who find themselves separated from the Church?

All: We will perform this ministry of reconciliation and love.

Bishop Loverde: Our Catholic faith forms us as a people of charity and justice. You are called to be active in the Fredericksburg community and the world beyond, as servants of all God’s people. Will you give your support and prayers to the poor and the forgotten?

All: We will be servants of our brothers and sisters, in Christ’s name.

Bishop Loverde: Our Catholic faith inspires us to seek unity in prayer and in service. Will you, the people of Saint Mary Parish, welcome all those who seek to know Christ better and be the sign of unity in our world which suffers from so much division?

All: We are resolved to be a sign of Christ’s love for all.

Bishop Loverde: God has blessed this parish family of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception over the past 150 years. Today he calls each of you to work toward strengthening this Church to do his work in the years to come. Will you accept this call to do his work here in this parish family?

All: We are resolved to do the work of God here at Saint Mary Parish.

Bishop Loverde: May God bless the resolution of this people of God and continue to guide this community in the years to come according to his holy will.

On Friday evening, the 20th of June, 2008 Bishop Paul Loverde came to celebrate a special Anniversary Mass for us at St. Mary.  After the Prayer after Communion, he then blessed the new Stations of the Cross in the church and all re-dedicated themselves to serving God and the Church as the Community of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The history of our parish will be the topic of some future entries on the website.  Click on each of these photos for a better view of the evening’s celebration (photos by Theresa Schlachter).