Immaculate Conception Church

I’m sure many of you can recall the occasions I have made mention of the acronym F.A.M.I.L.Y. (Forget About Me I Love You). This weekend offers us an opportunity to reflect upon FAMILY, particularly our extended FAMILY MEMBERS whom we assist each year through the Annual Appeal of the Archdiocese. As a model of authentic stewardship, Jesus was not merely a man of words. He invited His disciples into His FAMILY – He nourished them with His life-giving Word and they, the Apostles, witnessed His mighty deeds to serve the larger FAMILY of humanity and they too were sent out to serve the HUMAN FAMILY. Ponder this thought for a moment - He gave Himself totally to them - His time, His goods, and ultimately, His very life. We don’t very often identify ourselves as “disciples” in word, that is “Hi, I’m Leo and I’m a disciple of the Lord Jesus”. However we all seek to exemplify that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus through our service to the needy – making of ourselves as a “gift” to the FAMILY.
Like you I too have received a letter from Cardinal Tobin about the start of the 2021 Annual Appeal of the Archdiocese of Newark and I have made my own pledge towards the appeal. More information about our parish’s involvement in this year’s appeal will be available soon as I first want to meet with our Parish and Finance Councils to discuss the particulars. For now, more than ever, your support is needed to fulfill the mission of the Church within our four counties, particularly to assist our needy brothers and sisters who are FAMILY.
Click on either the video above or the one below to learn of 2 manners in which your gift helps our FAMILY members.
To make a gift online, please click HERE.
To learn more about the Case FOR Support of our FAMILY, please click HERE.

So why did Pope Francis inaugurate the Year of St. Joseph? To learn why click on the above image.

On the 19th of each month, beginning on January 19th, a reflection will be posted here from Relevant Radion as part of Year of St. Joseph commemoration. Please click HERE for the Jan. 19 reflection. You may read or listen to the reflection.

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us
from every evil.  Amen.

Several years ago I particpated in a pilgrimage to Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, Montreal, Quebec. Simply - it was breath taking. A most serene location of quiet prayer allowing one to experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
That said, I invite you to click on the image above to visit their website as well as a collection of prayers to St. Joseph.

Did you ever hear of the Holy Cloak of St. Joseph? If not, click on the above image to read a inspiring article!

As part of our Year of St. Joseph celebrations we will participate  in this Novena within Church and in our individual households.
On Thursday, March 11th we will open the Novena with the celebration of the Eucharist @ 7pm with the recitation of the Novena prayers. On Friday, March 19th we will conclude our Novena with a closing Mass @ 7pm with the recitation of the Novena prayers.
From the weekdays of Friday, March 12th to Thursday, March 18th the Novena prayers will be recited at the conclusion of the 8am Daily Mass. On Saturday, March 13th the Novena Prayers will be recited at the conlusion of the 5pm Mass and on Sunday, March 14th the Novena prayers will be recited at the conclusion of the 11am Mass.

A major part (my favorite) of the celebration of St. Joseph's Day on March 19th is the Table of St. Joseph. To learn more about this tradition please click on the image above. At the conclusion of the Novena Prayers on March 19th I will recite for all those viewing virtually the table blessing for this Feast Day - while those in attendance will receive the prayer to bring home. In return could I invite you to take a family picture around your St. Joseph's Table and place it on our Parish Facebook page or email the same to the parish.
Thank you!

 
On Super Bowl Weekend ICC
will be conducting a "Souper Bowl" Drive to support the Norwood Food Pantry. Please bring to church on the weekend of Feb. 6-7 at least 2 items of non-perishable foods per household member. Thank you!!!

1) For the Nine Day Pro-Life Novena please click HERE.
2) For information about the National Prayer Vigil for Life - televised on EWTN - Please click HERE.
3) Due to the pandemic the annual March for Life will not be taking place this year. As such we will be collecting baby items / food drive on the weekend of January 23rd & 24th. Please bring your donations to church. All items will be donated to Several Sources in Washington Township.

Will You Follow Jesus to Calvary?

Filmed on location in the Holy Land, No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for us. Best-selling author Edward Sri guides you through the last hours of Christ's life. You will walk step-by-step with Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Mount of Calvary. Every step of the way, Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, biblical symbolism, and historical context shed light on the mystery of Christ's suffering and death. Experience a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s immeasurable and unconditional love as you draw closer to Jesus than you ever have before.

What was Jesus going through at each moment?
Why did Christ die for us? What did it accomplish? 

Session Topics
Feb. 23: The Prayer of the Agony March 2: “Are You the Christ?”
March 9: The Trial Before Pilate March 16: The Death of the Messiah March 23: The Seven Last Words & The Resurrection
To register or more information click on the above image

Often in our spiritual lives we think we’re asking for too much, but in reality we are asking for too little. God wants to give us more, but we aren’t asking for it. He wants to help us overcome our weaknesses, help us stop falling into the same old patterns — he wants to give us freedom. This Lent, ask God to give it to you so you can arrive at Easter more healed, fulfilled, and transformed than ever before.
Fr. Mark Toups, an experienced spiritual director, will lead us as a Parish Family inward to invite the Lord to heal those areas where they need it most. You will receive daily guidance as well as supplemental videos, to help enter more deeply into Lent and remain focused throughout the season.
At ICC this Lenten Season you will have 2 opportunities to view the Video series. You may either view the video with the congregation for each week prior to the celebration of the Eucharist OR you may watch the video at your leisure by clicking on the title for each weekend. Please remember that the videos will begin 10 minutes (except for the last series) prior to each liturgy.
February 13 & 14:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Ash Wednesday
February 20 & 21:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Week 1
February 27 & 28:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Week 2
March 6 & 7:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Week 3
March 13 & 14:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Week 4
March 20 & 21:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Week 5
***March 27 & 28:
The Ascension Lenten Companion: Year B - Holy Week
***This Weekend's video will begin 15 Minutes prior to the weekend liturgy.

OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!
The Bible In A Year

Have you ever struggled to read the Bible – IF SO this podcast is for you.
 

Ascension’s Bible in a Year Podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and featuring Jeff Cavins, guides Catholics through the Bible in 365 daily episodes – it started on January 1st, 2021 and you can easily do a little catching up. To listen to this PODCAST simply click on the above image or you can click HERE to register for your daily PODCAST that will be emailed to you.

Each 20-25 minute episode includes: two to three scripture readings, a reflection from Fr. Mike Schmitz and guided prayer to help you hear God’s voice in his Word.

Unlike any other Bible podcast, Ascension’s Bible in a Year Podcast for Catholics follows a reading plan inspired by the Great Adventure Bible Timeline® learning system, a groundbreaking approach to understanding Salvation History developed by renowned Catholic Bible teacher Jeff Cavins. Tune in and live your daily life through the lens of God’s word!

 
Our Knights of Columbus will be conducting a ‘virtual’ Baby Bottle Boomerang Drive over the next  few weeks as part of the Knights pro-life programs.  On the weekend of Jan. 30-31 the Drive will take place at ICC. All donations benefit local pregnancy crisis centers such as Several Sources, Lighthouse, and the Sisters for Life.
 

Please click on the image for additonla information on this VIRTUAL campaign. 

“God has given us two hands,
one to receive with
and the other to give with.”
Reverend Billy Graham

Dear Sisters and Brothers:
 
I’ve always found it helpful in life to have an informed conscious. This is especially true in every aspect of life and I would stress even more so in the manner of which your donations and contributions are utilized to support our charities.
 
That said allow me to share with you how your weekly contributions to the Regular Collection are used to offset the costs associated with day-to-day operations of the parish and its programs. These costs include payroll, maintenance and cleaning of buildings, utilities, and supplies.
 
To assist you in making a prayerful investment and continued support of our parish,
Immaculate Conception Church has made Online Giving available for your weekly offerings, as well as other parish collections.

Please click HERE to read a continued communication from Fr. Leo on OnLine Giving through WeShare. Please click on the above image to enroll in Online Giving with WeShare. Should you need any assistanc eplease call the rectory and ask for Canice or email Canice directly at canicec@iccnorwood.org.