From Father Jim
The word Epiphany means appearance or manifestation or showing forth. The Church commemorates three episodes in the life of Christ that first point to His divinity; First, the coming of the Magi; Second, the Wedding of Cana and Thirdly, the Baptism of the Lord. Be it Western wise men giving homage to Jesus, water changed to wine, or the Spirit hovering above Him in the Jordan…these episodes in the life of Christ proclaim Him the Son of God.
Again, we are most grateful to everyone who made our Advent and Christmas celebrations a beautiful occasion. Whatever your part, we are grateful. A special word of appreciation goes to all our parishioners and friends who contribute and support our parish. Honestly, without your generosity we could not have the active parish that we try to offer. God Bless You!
Feast Day of St. Leonie Aviat
January 10th is the Feast Day of St. Leonie Aviat. St. Leonie Aviat was a Roman Catholic professed religious and the co-founder of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales. We would like to wish a very happy feast day to our parishioners, alumni of Mt. Aviat, alumni of Immaculate Conception Religious Ed, and anyone whose lives have been touched by our Oblate Sisters. We extend our thank yous, and our best wishes and prayers to all of our Oblate Sisters, especially our Oblate Sisters who participate in the Immaculate Conception Religious Education program. The Mass on Tuesday will be celebrated to honor her feast day. We invite you to please come and feel welcome!
Prayer For St. Leonie Aviat
God of all goodness,
You put into the heart of
Saint Leonie Aviat
an ardent desire
to live humbly like Jesus Your Son.
You taught her to surrender her will to Yours
and to have a constant charity toward all.
Inspired by her example,
may we too forget ourselves entirely
So that we may serve you better
and work for the happiness of others.
Grant us, through her intercession,
the grace we ask of You through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
Saint Leonie Frances de Sales, pray for us!
We extend our condolences and prayers to the families of those who have recently died:
Lorretta Stigliano
We extend a warm welcome to our new Parishioners:
Ms. Francine Sagar and granddaughter
Please join us for a parish Epiphany Concert TODAY, Sun, January 8th at 3pm at Immaculate Conception Church. All the parish ensembles will be participating in this celebration of the music of the Christmas season. A reception will follow the concert.
The Parish Music Ministry is looking for new members! Rehearsals for Christmas are now underway, and we’d love to have you join us during this joyous season! See the bulletin for the schedule of rehearsals for our hand bell, contemporary, children's, and parish choirs. We’re also looking for cantors and accompanists, who play and sing on an alternating schedule. For more information, contact Dana Brehany, Director of Music Ministry at 410-398-1100 or .
January 9, 2017 The Baptism of the Lord
8:30 AM Albert Luff
January 10, 2017
8:30 AM Ed Banas
January 11, 2017
8:30 AM John Lombardo
January 12, 2017
8:30 AM Peg Bradley
January 13, 2017 St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
8:30 AM Michael Cipolla
January 14, 2017
8:30 AM Joseph Karnick
5:00 PM Maria Nerrios
January 15, 2017 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:00 AM Edward Fischer Sr.
8:30 AM Ronald Gutowski
9:00 AM SJ Michael “Mickey” Wherry
10:15 AM Olivia DeFeo-Cattabiano
12:00 PM Wes Startt
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy is for children ages 5-8 ONLY. Children who are not in this category are asked to remain in church.
The catechist for next Sunday, January 15th is:
Grace Amoretti
January 16th, Daily Mass will be at 9:00am for Martin Luther King Jr Day. ICS and Parish Offices will be closed.
Liturgy
Readings for next week: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
This reading is a short passage from the second song of the Servant of the Lord. The Lord will show his glory through His servant whose mission is to restore Israel and bring salvation “to the ends of the earth.”
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Paul sends greetings to the people of Corinth, who have been called to be holy and consecrated in Christ.
Gospel: John 1:29-34
When Jesus visits John, John recognizes Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John further indicates that Jesus is truly the Messiah and “God’s chosen One.”
Daily Readings: The Epiphany of the Lord
Sunday
Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
Monday
Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17
Tuesday
Heb 2:5-12; Mk 1:21-28
Wednesday
Heb 2:14-18; Mk 1:29-39
Thursday
Heb 3:7-14; Mk 1:40-45
Friday
Heb 4:1-5, 11; Mk 2:1-12
Saturday
Heb 4:12-16; Mk 2:13-17
ADULT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Come and participate in the latest Adult Enrichment Offering: Catholicism: The Pivotal Players. This is a multi-part film series that illumines a handful of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of civilization.
Come learn about their lives, their contributions to the church, and how to connect the lessons to your own life and experience.
Classes will be held in the Parish Center for 13 weeks on Mon. evenings: 6:30-8:30pm beginning Feb. 6th and repeated on Tues. mornings: 9:15-11:15am beginning Feb. 7th. To register: complete forms found in the vestibule of Church, or go to our parish website at iccparish.weconnect.com
Adult Education
Interested in a study group? Call the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 for more information.
ADULT EDUCATION COMMITTEE MTG: Thursday, January 19th at 10am
CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE MTG:
Thursday, January 26th at 3pm
The Next Bible Timeline Great Adventure Session will be held on Thursday, January 12th at 9:15am in the Parish Center. The Topic will be: Messianic Fulfillment Part 3: Luke 19:28-24:53
Pregnant? Have a Newborn? Does your child need to be Baptized? You’re Invited!
Baptism Classes are: TOMORROW, Jan. 9, March 20, May 15 and August 21. All classes are Monday evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM in our Parish Center. It’s never too early to take the class to prepare for the Baptism of your child. Parents are required and Godparents are encouraged to attend these classes. Please contact the Parish Office to register for the Baptism Preparation Class and to arrange the date of Baptism during Mass or at 1:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at IC and at 10:30 am on the 3rd Sunday at SJ. Call the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 for information or to register
Are you unbaptized and have a desire to be baptized? Are you a Christian interested in becoming a Catholic? Are you a baptized Catholic who never received the sacrament of Eucharist and Confirmation? If you answered yes to any of these questions then RCIA is for you!! RCIA is the process by which baptized and unbaptized Christians become members of the Catholic Church. It is also the process by which baptized Catholics receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Do you feel God calling you to have a deeper relationship with Him? If so, contact the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 or to learn more about RCIA and to set up an interview with Pat Kosman. Sponsors are needed to walk with those who going through the RCIA process. Do you love your Catholic faith and you want to share it with others? Consider being a sponsor! If you are interested call the Parish Office at 410-398-1100.
Inspirational Saint Quote of the Day:
“Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray.” -St. Louis de Montfort
Faith Formation
Immaculate Conception School News
Happy New Year to you and your family! It was wonderful to have all the students and staff back in the school this week, sharing all the joy and excitement of Christmas. We continued our celebration of the Christmas season through the week. As we celebrate the Epiphany and the Baptism of our Lord on Monday, we bring the season to a close and return to ordinary time.
We barely have time to rest before final preparations for Catholic Schools Week begin. There will be a general PSO meeting on Thursday evening, and one of the topics will be details of the week’s events. Here is a sneak peek into some of our major events:
Sunday, Jan. 29 – Waffles & Raffles – mark your calendar and bring your appetite to this event!
Monday, Jan. 30 – Chick-fil-A Night – help your school & enjoy dinner at Chick-fil-A on Rt. 40
Tuesday, Jan. 31 – Open House from 8:30-11:00
Thursday, Feb. 2 – Talent Show - come enjoy the many, varied talents of our students.
Friday, Feb. 3 – School Mass at 10:00 (Feast of St. Blaise) and the Blue & White Rally at 1:00
It’s not too early to begin thinking about enrolling your child in school for next year. Our next official open house is January 31 from 8:30-11:00, and we will have another later in the spring. Individual tours are available upon request by contacting the office at 410-398-2636.
Faith Formation
Religious Education & Sacraments
Religion Classes: Gr. K-8:
Religion Classes today, Sunday, January 8th at 8:30am and Wednesday, January 11th at 6:15pm.
SACRAMENT OF FIRST COMMUNION
The Parent Orientation Meeting for First Communion will be held Monday, January 30th at 6:30pm in Church. Parents are reminded to bring the paper noting their choice for First Communion Celebration to this meeting. *Any parent who is unable to attend this meeting MUST contact the religion office for their child to participate in this Sacrament Program.
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
JANUARY
8th: Now Hiring
15th: Game Night- Spoons
22nd: Music & the Church
29th: Open Topic Night
9th-12th and COLLEGE AGE
If you are in 9th-12th or a college-age young adult, you are invited to join youth group, Sunday nights in the Parish Center from 6-8pm.
7th and 8th GRADE YOUTH
If you are in 7th and 8th grade, please keep checking the bulletin and website for information.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation classes have begun. If you attend Sun, please use the Youth Room entrance of the Parish Office. If you attend Wed/Thurs, please use the main entrance to the Parish Office. Don’t forget to be working on your Saint Name! The due date for all Saint Name reports is January 15.
CATHOLIC HEART WORK CAMP
If you are interested in attending Catholic Heart Work Camp this summer in Boston there are still a few spots open. If you are planning on going, ALL deposits and registration packets need to be submitted by Sunday, January 29th.
MARCH FOR LIFE: The Power of One
The annual March for Life, Friday, January 27 commemorates Roe v. Wade and invites all to march from the Mall to the Supreme Court building. The Mass and Rally for Life is a ticketed event. If you are interested in attending, please email Liz at to get on the list. There is a meeting for ALL planning on attending, Sunday, January 15th at 4pm in the Youth Room.
Delaware 87ers
Is anyone interested in attending the Delaware 87ers game, January 14th during the Faith and Family Night? If you are, Immaculate Conception Youth Ministry could benefit for your attendance. If you are interested, contact Liz for more information.
YOUTH MINISTRY WISH LIST:
Sodas in cans, Pizza Gift Cards, Plates and Napkins, Candy, Walmart/Staples Gift Cards, AAA and AA Batteries, Poster Boards, Pie-in-the-face game, Bean Boozled, etc. If you are looking to upgrade your game tables, (air hockey, foosball, etc.) please consider donating your old ones to the Youth Ministry
Social Concerns
Outreach:
Thank you for all of your generosity over the Christmas Season!! With your help we were able to help provide gifts and Christmas dinners to over 85 families!!
We are currently in need of: soups, sugar, tea, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste. Thank you for all of your help, prayers, and generous donations to this essential ministry!
Parish and Family Life
Parish Coffee: Join us for Parish Coffee next Sunday, February 5th after the 9 AM Mass at St. Jude’s.
The Knights of Columbus are providing coffee and donuts after 10:15 mass at ICC, January 15th!
Parish Events / Information
Sunday, January 8
8:20 AM Confessions - SJ
8:30 AM Religious Ed - S/PC
1:30 PM Baptisms - IC
3:00 PM Parish Concert - IC
5:30 PM Confirmation Class - PC
6:00 PM HS Gathering - PC
Monday, January 9
9:00 AM Novena – CH
7:00 PM Baptism Class - PC
8:00 PM AA Mtg - Caf
Tuesday, January 10
9:00 AM Holy Hour – CH
9:15 AM Book Study - PC
6:30 PM Handbell Rehearsal - IC
7:00 PM Boy Scout Leaders Mtg - PC
7:30 PM Contemporary Rehearsal -IC
Wednesday, January 11
9:00 AM Rosary Crusade/St Jude Novena – CH
9:30 AM Cantor Rehearsal - IC
1:00 PM Leisure Club - PC
3:45 PM Children’s Choir - IC
6:15 PM Religious Ed
8:15 PM Knights of Columbus Mtg - PC
Thursday, January 12
9:00 AM Rosary Crusade - CH
9:15 AM Bible Timeline - PC
11:00 AM Calvert Nursing Home
6:00 PM Confirmation Class - PC
6:30 PM Cantor Rehearsal - IC
6:30 PM Cub Scout mtg - caf
7:00 PM Parish Choir Rehearsal - IC
7:00 PM RCIA - PC
7:00 PM PSO General Mtg - gym
Friday, January 13
9:00 AM Rosary Crusade - CH
Saturday, January 14
9:00 AM Rosary Crusade - CH
4:15 PM Confessions
7:00 PM NA - caf
COMMUNITY KITCHEN:
Our next Community Kitchen will be held Friday, January 27th at the Elkton Presbyterian Church. We are asking for donations of sandwiches, fruit, and dessert to either be delivered to the Presbyterian Church or our Parish Center. We also need volunteers to help serve. This starts around 11:00am and ends around 1:30pm. We would love to have you join us for this worthwhile and enjoyable endeavor. If you can help in any way, call Joyce Speakman: 610-597-3135, or Kathy Chamberlin: 410-398-7299. Thank you so much for your continued generosity.
The New- and Not-so- Newlywed Game Night
SAVE THE DATE! The Parish and Family Life Committee is sponsoring an evening of fun, laughter, and good food on Saturday, February 11 at 6:30. The evening will consist of a special guest host, dinner, and a game for new, and not-so-new-lyweds! Modeled after the TV show, couples will compare answers to intriguing and comical questions. More details will be available soon. This is a perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Tickets will be sold later this month.