St. Mary's of the Fort

06/05/2026

Join us for our annual parish celebration! 🎉

05/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JCJgAR89d/

Pope Francis decreed in 2018 that the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost. The story behind Mater Ecclesiae is older than Pope Francis. At Vatican II, Pope Paul VI formally proclaimed Mary “Mother of the Church” in 1964, meaning Mother of all Christian people, both faithful and pastors. Pope Francis later placed that title into the universal Roman Calendar so the whole Church would celebrate it annually.
The image you mention is the Mater Ecclesiae mosaic in St. Peter’s Square. After the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981, he wanted an image of Our Lady placed in the square because he believed the Virgin Mary had protected him. The mosaic was made in 1981 and placed on the façade between the San Damaso courtyard and St. Peter’s Square.
Under the image are John Paul II’s coat of arms and his motto Totus Tuus—written on the mosaic as TOTVS TVVS, using the old Latin style where V is used for U. Totus Tuus means “Totally yours” or “All yours.” John Paul II explained that these words mean “total belonging to Jesus through Mary.” Beneath the mosaic is the inscription Mater Ecclesiae, Latin for Mother of the Church.

We have beautiful cards of Mary, Mother of the Church https://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/mater-ecclesiae-note-cards-pack-of-six/p/SPCCRDA4094X

05/31/2026

CONSECRATION OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: Letter from the Bishop.

In preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Bishops of the United States have decided to Consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This Consecration will take place on Thursday, June 11th while we are gathering at our Conference’s summer meeting in Orlando. In preparation for the Consecration, Bishop LaValley encourage each of us to pray a Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus beginning on June 2nd. The Novena Prayer is available at: Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus | USCCB. Please see Bishop LaValley's letter below or athttp://www.rcdony.org/components/com_rsform/uploads/6a1839394a107-2026%20-%20USA%20250th%20Anniversary.pdf

05/11/2026

Prayer isn’t a formula for getting quick answers from God.
It’s an invitation into relationship with Him.

Too often we treat prayer like a search engine:
“God, give me clarity.”
“Fix this.”
“Show me the plan.”

But Christianity isn’t about chasing answers… it’s about encountering Jesus.

Even when life feels confusing, silent, or uncertain, prayer reminds us:
God is still present.
God is still good.
God is still near.

“SEEK A RELATIONSHIP WHEN YOU PRAY, NOT ANSWERS. YOU WON’T ALWAYS FIND ANSWERS, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND JESUS.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz

The deepest purpose of prayer isn’t information.
It’s communion.

05/08/2026

Upcoming Funerals:

Leslie Dempsey Osborn 5/15@11:00

Helen Charlebois Perusse 5/23@11:00

04/25/2026

04/06/2026

Glory to God in the highest — and welcome home to our brothers and sisters!

04/04/2026

Holy Thursday and the washing of feet 2026

04/04/2026

Palm Sunday 2026