From Fr. Jim …
The Third Sunday of Advent
Today is Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin for “Rejoice!” The title comes from the Entrance Antiphon in the Roman Missal: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.” We are more than half-way through Advent. Our celebration of Christmas is closer. The anticipation is growing. We light the third candle, the rose or pink candle, to express our joy that God’s love is with us. But, it’s not for us to keep to ourselves. St. Paul tells us that “Your kindness should be known to all” and John tells the crowds to do more than expected: be charitable, don’t take more than is your share, be truthful, and satisfied. Rejoice in prayer! Make your needs known to God and live in ways that show God’s presence in your life. Rejoice!
What can you do to celebrate?
1. Continue to say “Yes” when our ushers ask you to light the candles on the Advent wreath.
2. Light your Advent wreath at home and pray with the members of your household:
a. Sing the familiar: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” or your favorite Advent hymn.
b. This week light two purple candles and the rose or pink candle on your wreath.
c. Pray to make your requests known to God, concluding with the Our Father.
d. Pray (Week 3): God, our Mercy, We rejoice that you are here, in our midst. Help us show our gratitude by words, deeds and attitudes that show your light is here, in our midst. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. Come celebrate daily Mass at 8:30 am or the added 12:15 Mass on Mon, Wed, and Fri during Advent.
4. Take time to look at the Holy Door and walk through it. With prayer, Mass and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, special indulgences can be gained.
5. Join us tonight at 7:00 pm for Taizé Prayer.
6. Celebrate The Sacrament of Penance tomorrow night, December 14 at 7:00 pm during the Advent Communal Penance Service.
“The Lord is kind and merciful.”
Taizé Prayer - Tonight
Taizé Prayer is a way of praying that focuses on the instrument of God’s mercy, the cross by taking time to sing mantra’s, refrains that are repeated to invite meditation, enter into silence, hear the Word of God, and adore the cross much like we do on Good Friday. With candles, the cross and the interweaving of silence and song, we affirm our faith in and need for God’s mercy. We express our gratitude for the gift of Jesus’ death on the cross to share with us the way of merciful love. And we remember that Christ came to set us free from the effects of all sin, darkness and evil. Please join us and members of the Resurrection and Holy Angels/St. John’s parish families, who are invited to join us for this hour of prayer. Since Taizé Prayer is ecumenical, invite your Christian sisters and brothers of any denomination to come and pray with us tonight.
Offertory December 6, 2015 Fiscal Budget
Immaculate Conception $10,624.08 $10,727.50
St. Jude’s $1,803.00 $2,350.75
Online $3,211.50 $2,666.75
$15,638.58 $15,745.00
2015-2016 Fiscal YTD (Offertory Deficit) -- $6,927.64
Building Maintenance Fund:
Collected $252,424.03
Expenses $237,526.94
Balance $ 14,897.09
Year-End Donations:
In the course of year-end tax planning, you may find yourself considering extra donations. As you contemplate year-end gifts, please keep Immaculate Conception/St. Jude Parish in mind. We welcome your donations through the giving page on the church website at iccparish.org. or in the Parish office. Your generosity will be a great help to the parish and may benefit you as you prepare your taxes!
Parish Community News
We extend a warm welcome to new parishioners:
Mr. Patrick Smith
Mr. Kenny Chandler
Ms. Medina Jackson and Son
Ms. Julie Newton and Daughters
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Whitaker
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Price
December 14, 2015 - St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
8:30 AM Joseph Morano
12:15 PM Helen Heneghan
December 15, 2015
8:30 AM Theresa Sposato
December 16, 2015
8:30 AM Isabel Saravia (Living Intention)
12:15 PM Ada Schramm (Living Intention)
December 17 2015
8:30 AM Robert Dudley
December 18, 2015
8:30 AM Jaime Leonardo
12:15 PM Tyler DeWitt
December 19, 2015
8:30 AM Brian Lilly
5:00 PM Marian Schick
December 20, 2015 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
7:00 AM John and Connie Farrell
8:30 AM Anne and Edward Weler
9:00 AM SJ Sal Joseph Tulumello
10:15 AM People of the Parish
12:00 PM Anthony Mallin
Liturgy
Next Week’s Readings:
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a
Micah speaks of the ruler who will come from Bethlehem. He discusses how the people of Israel will be saved from corruption and live in peace.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
Paul describes to the Hebrews how Jesus came into the world and offered to do God's will. We were saved through his sacrifice, the only offering sufficient for the sins of the world.
Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
Mary paid a visit to Elizabeth, whose baby stirred in her womb upon hearing Mary's greeting. Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Elizabeth was deeply overjoyed that the words God had spoken to Mary had now been fulfilled.
The Year of Mercy:
Pope Francis Guides Us Through the Year of Mercy:
Each bulletin from now until the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe on November 20, 2016, will have a quote from Pope Francis to guide our journey through the Year of Mercy. Take time to read his words, privately or with your family and friends, think about them, meditate on them in prayer, and see if they invite you to do something to live the mercy of God more clearly this year.
December 13: “God is he who comes to save us and who seeks to help, especially those who are fearful of heart…We are invited to strengthen the weak hands, to make firm the feeble knees, to be strong and to fear not, because our God always shows us the greatness of his mercy. He gives us the strength to go forward.” (Angelus talk, December 15, 2013)
Mercy Prayer Cards
Please take a prayer card for you and for your loved ones. On one side you will find the Logo for the Year of Mercy. It depicts Jesus, the good shepherd, carrying a human being like a shepherd carries the lost sheep home. He holds us close to recognize his voice. He holds us close to be filled with the smell of his merciful love. His hands and feet reveal the nail marks from the cross, the instrument of mercy, for by dying he gave himself totally to God and to us and made our reconciliation with God and one another possible. Just as Jesus is “Merciful like the Father,” whose give of forgiving love is greater than any of us deserve or could earn. We, too, are called to be merciful like Jesus, the face of God’s mercy. Take time to pray Pope Francis’ Prayer on the other side of the card so that we can “be merciful like the heavenly Father
Doors of Mercy at IC and SJ
We would like to thank Chris White, one of our parishioners, who created the Papal Seal and the Year of Mercy Logo to be placed on the doors at Immaculate Conception and St. Jude that remind us about the Holy Doors in Rome, St. Peter’s Cathedral in Wilmington and the other churches in the Wilmington Diocese that have official Holy Doors. Chris’ generosity allows us to pass through our own version of a door we bless this weekend to remind us to be holy, as God is holy and to reveal the face of God’s merciful love by living Jesus clearly each and every day. Thank you, Chris!
New Outdoor Crèche at Immaculate Conception
Thank you to Joe Zammit and the Bishop Becker Council of the Knights of Columbus for our new outdoor créche. It will be filled with the figures of Christ, Mary, Joseph, and maybe a shepherd or two along with some animal figures. The hay is already waiting there. We will bless our new crèche next Saturday, December 19, at the beginning of the 5:00 pm Mass.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word:
Children’s Liturgy of the word is for children ages 5 & 6 and Ages 7 & 8 ONLY. Children who do not fall into these categories are asked to remain in church.
Catechists for Sunday, December 20 Children’s Liturgy are:
CLW1: Lynn O’Brien CLW2: Dana Bell
Praying in the presence of Our Lord
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…” [Lam 3:22-23]
Daily Mass Readings for this week:
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday
Zep 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18
Monday
Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Mt 21:23-27
Tuesday
Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Mt 21:28-32
Wednesday
Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Lk 7:18b-23
Thursday
Gn 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1:1-17
Friday
Jer 23:5-8; Mt 1:18-25
Saturday
Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25
Faith Formation
Immaculate Conception
School News
Advent is in full swing, and everyone is making preparations for the birth of Jesus. Tonight, members of the school community will gather to sing Christmas carols in the neighborhood. Then, we’ll have refreshments in the cafeteria. Later this week, the sounds of Christmas will fill our school with our annual Christmas concert. Our music teacher, Miss D’Amico has been working with the classes and with our bands to create an entertaining show. Please join us tonight and on Thursday evening for the festivities.
If you have any questions about the school, or if you would like to set up a tour, please contact the school office at 410-398-2636.
Faith Formation
Religious Education & Sacraments
Religion Classes today Sunday, Dec. 13th for
Gr. K-8 at 8:30am.
Religion Classes this Wednesday, Dec. 16th at 6:15pm.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT:
Location: School Gym during Rel. Ed
Wednesday: Dec. 16th and Sunday, Dec. 20th
**This Will Be the Last Class Before Christmas!**
Classes will resume on Sunday, Jan. 3rd and Wednesday, Jan. 6th
First Communion Program:
Mark Your Calendar! The Parent Orientation Meeting for First Communion will be held on Monday, Jan. 25th at 6:30pm in church.
Volunteers Needed!
We have classes in need of a Catechist and/or Assistant. To be in compliance with the diocesan mandate, For The Sake of God’s Children, we must have two volunteers in each classroom.
Volunteers are needed for the following:
Sundays: 8:30-10 AM, one Assistant for grade 6.
Confirmation: one assistant for Sundays 7-8:30 PM.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sr. Grace or Ruthie Patterson at 410-392-3551 or . Thank you!
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
Please visit the parish web site at www.iccparish.org. See the News, Faith Formation and Ministries pages for more information on YM events and opportunities. To contact the YM office, call 410 392 3551 or email .
High School & older Weekly Gatherings
Students in grades 9-12 and college-age young adults are welcome to join our Sunday gatherings in the Parish Center from 6-8 PM. No RSVP needed. Drop-ins welcome.
Service Hours
If ever you are in need of service hours, or if you’ve just been blessed with a servant heart, please scroll through the pictures on the parish website home page at www.iccparish.org. Click on the one about “Service Opportunities” and see the contact person listed for each opportunity.
Confirmation 2016 Important Dates
February 6, 2016 – Confirmation Retreat
April 22, 2016 – Rehearsal for Candidates & Sponsors 6:30 PM in Immaculate Conception Church
April 23, 2016 – Confirmation and Mass 1:30 PM at Immaculate Conception Church
7 & 8th Grade Lock-in - Friday December 18th
All are welcome! Please see “Latest Parish Downloads” on our parish website for the Consent form and Flyer with all the details. RSVP required. Deadline is December 16th. Chaperones are needed! Please text Ruthie at 443 350 4627 if you can help for all or part of the lock-in (8PM Friday – 8 AM Saturday.) Thanks!
Adult Education
Interested in a study group?
Several opportunities are available. Call the Parish Office at (410) 398-1100 to obtain more information.
ADULT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS:
ACTS. The Spread of the Kingdom
Sessions will resume on Mon. Jan. 4th and Tues. Jan. 5th. The Topic will be: The Church in Antioch.
BIBLE TIMELINE.
No further sessions will be held in December.
The next session will be on Thursday, Jan. 7th.
DAILY REFLECTIONS FOR THE SEASON OF ADVENT:
Did you pick up an Advent booklet entitled: “Miracle of Mercy”? This free resource is available in the vestibule of church
Introducing the Weekly Family Video Reflection From Strong Catholic Families
Every Wednesday a video link and reflection question will be posted on the Strong Catholic Families Facebook page for families to watch, reflect, and discuss.
This Facebook page is updated daily with articles, resources, videos and family-related information aimed at Catholic parents. For more family friendly resources, visit www.strongcatholicfamilies.org.
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Social Concerns
OUTREACH – We are collecting for Christmas dinner fixings. We also are in need of other items such as: peanut butter, jelly, pork & beans, tuna fish, mac & cheese, cereal, Similac (formula, blue or orange cans,) and diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6.) All non-perishables may be left at the entrances to each church or may be dropped off at the Parish Center during regular office hours. Thank you!
Rotating Shelter
URGENT REQUEST:
Volunteers are needed to join a committee to oversee the Emergency Rotating Shelter for the homeless during the week of March 14-21, 2016 hosted by Immaculate Conception/St Jude's parish. There will be a meeting for the Emergency Rotating Shelter facilitating team on Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00pm, in the Parish Center. If you are interested in being part of our team, please attend the meeting or call Carol and Bill Dale at 410-287-9548 or email us at .
Parish and Family Life
Parish Coffee: Join us for a Parish Coffee Sunday, January 3rd after the 9 AM Mass at St. Jude’s.
The Parish Coffee at Immaculate Conception will be today, Sunday, Dec. 13th after the 10:15 Mass.
Parish Events / Information
Christmas Flowers - If you would like to make a donation for Christmas Flowers in memory of a loved one, please use the envelope in your envelope packet, or put your donations in a plain envelope. The envelope can be placed in the collection or sent to the Parish Office.
Saint Jude is requesting volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help decorate Saint Jude church following 9:00 Mass Sunday, December 20th. Any help would be greatly appreciated!