Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 419 Jones Street, Moville, IA 51039-0802 US - ANNOUNCEMENTS: WEST FORK CATHOLIC COMMUNITY NEWS

CLUSTER MISSION STATEMENT:
WE, the members of Immaculate Conception Parish of Moville and St. Michael Parish of Kingsley, being clustered in the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, ARE a Catholic Christian people, living the Paschal Mystery, united in creed, worship, and love for each other.

Our Mission is:
...to worship and praise our God.
...to educate and promote spiritual growth of our people of all ages.
...to serve each other within the Church, helping all members grow in their relationship with God and with one another.
...to live the Gospel through a ministry of hospitality with all our sisters and brothers in the global community.

+++

BOOK OF LIFE has been set up near the baptismal font in both parish churches to honor our deceased loved ones during November. Please write in the names of the deceased persons you would like us to pray for during November.

CATHOLIC SCRIPTURE STUDY (CSS) will meet Wednesdays 9:15 a.m. at Immaculate Conception-Moville to study the GOSPEL OF JOHN. Everyone is welcome to attend.

SUPPORT SIOUXLAND SOLDIERS is accepting donated items or letters of encouragement for our deployed troops, please drop them off in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church hall by November 23. Currently Sioux City and the surrounding areas have over 60 deployed troops. The donated items will be taken to the Support Siouxland Soldiers organization for shipment Christmas shipment on November 26. Money can also be donated to help cover the cost of shipping. You can also submit names and addresses of current overseas deployed soldiers at www.supportsiouxlandsoldiers.com Your items and prayers are greatly appreciated.

ADVENT WREATHS WITHCANDLES FOR SALE—Start an Advent tradition by displaying an Advent Wreath in your home. Add your own greenery, etc. ONLY $5.

A CLUSTER COORDINATING COMMITTEE is being formed to prepare to implement Bishop Nickless’ Diocesan Pastoral Plan for our parishes when he gives final approval. Members from each parish will meet regularly to work to apply the plan to our parishes. This committee will work in conjunction with the Immaculate Conception Parish Pastoral Council and the St. Michael Parish Council and with the Finance Councils of both parishes. Please contact the parish/cluster office in Moville to be a part of this planning committee.

BAPTISM CLASS for all parents wishing to baptize their children will be held Thursday December 3, 7:00 p.m. in the parish library at Immaculate Conception Church-Moville. Please call the office to register. This class should be completed before the birth of the child and is to be completed before a baptism date is selected.

FOODBANK OF SIOUXLAND BACKPACK PROGRAM needs a minimum of 10 volunteers from our parishes the first Monday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Sign-up sheets are located in the entrance of both church buildings for Dec. 7, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 5, and May 3. This is a great service opportunity for confirmation candidates. This project is sponsored by the Immaculate Conception Parish Life Team.

CONFIRMATION for our parishes will be Wednesday 21 April 2010, 6:30 p.m. at St. Michael-Kingsley. Candidates, parents, and sponsors please mark your calendars today and plan on arriving at the church by 6:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE BISHOP’S SCHOLARSHIP TO BRIAR CLIFF are available from the parish office. Applications are due in the Bishop’s office 1 February 2010.

DAA UPDATE: A reminder that DAA funds many families, educational, charitable and administrative services across our 24 county Diocesan Catholic community; the goal for the 2009 Appeal is $1.5 million of which we have a portion that we need to achieve; and please make checks payable to the Diocesan Annual Appeal.

THE CATHOLIC GLOBE is conducting its 2009-2010 subscription campaign. If you have not responded to the drive, please consider doing so as the second mailing will be sent out in late September. Remember that money generated from this campaign helps our official newspaper provide quality diocesan, regional, and national news important to our faith. The cost is $20.

DINNERS:
FALL TURKEY SUPPER will be held at St. Joseph Parish in Granville in the Spalding gym on Sunday November 22, 4:00-7 p.m. Adults: $8.00, Children [3-10]: $4.00, Children [2 and under]: Free. Catered by Home Plate Catering.

THE SIOUXLAND INTERFAITH Pro-life “22nd of the Month” Prayer Service will be held at 7 PM, Sunday, November 22, at the outdoor Circle of Life Memorial to the Unborn located at Trinity Heights, 33rd & Floyd Boulevard in Sioux City. If inclement weather, please come to the Marian Center meeting room. Prayer Leaders will be the   Blessed Sacrament/Msgr. Newman Flanigan Knights of Columbus Council #11038.  Refreshments follow.   Please come pray with us! For more information please contact Mary Stevens Director St. Joseph Center, Trinity Heights. 712-239-9158.

THANK YOU to our diocesan family: Bishop Nickless, priests, deacons, parishioners, youth groups, and schools for all and any activity, prayers and efforts made this past forty days in support of life!
Nationally, the lives of 500 babies were saved. In Sioux City, the lives of 2-3 babies were saved. Please keep praying.  You are appreciated!
—The Forty Days for Life Committee

FESTIVAL OF TREES AND PANCAKES WITH SANTA will be held at the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen. The Festival of Trees will be held December 5, from 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 pm, December 6, 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 pm, and December 7, 5:30 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. Pancakes with Santa will be on Saturday December 5 from 10:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. There will be live entertainment all three days. This is a free will admission.

MARCH FOR LIFE 2010 will take place 20-24 January 2010 for the annual January 22 Pro-Life March on Washington D.C. on the 37th anniversary of the deadly Roe v. Wade decision. Travel will be made on several luxury buses departing from various locations across Iowa leaving Wednesday January 20 and returning Sunday January 24. Cost is $325 for bus and two nights hotel stay [4/room]. Registration forms are available from the parish office and are due 11/1/09 or until the buses are full. Participants under age 18 must travel with a chaperone.
 

+++

TODAY’S PRO-LIFE MESSAGE
Addressing the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Professor Rocco Buttinglione noted the prevalence of forced abortion in China and other parts of Asia: “There are countries covering one quarter of humanity in which abortion of the second child is required. There are countries spanning perhaps another quarter of humanity in which it is possible for women to be bribed with the offer of aid to have abortions. (Newsmax.com, 7/31/09)
 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The kingdom of which our Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal King does not belong to this world. If it were, Jesus said, “my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over” (Jn 18:36). But we don’t fight to keep Jesus from the Cross, because the kingdom of God is reached only by following way of the Cross. We should be fighting, instead, to keep others from preventing us from following Him on that way.

Unlike the kingdom of Heaven, this world is rather a kingdom of compromises. Instead of standing up for our principles, we are expected to water down the truth, tolerate evils, and condone what Christ died to save us from. When we try to refuse, we are called bigots, and worse. But in this, too, Christ has gone before us, and strengthened us already with His words, “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you, because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Mt 5:11-12).

Rejoice, then, and give thanks! For we are, in fact, subject to Christ our King, and not to the demands of the world. Give thanks to God, who has already made us His sons and daughters, and has placed our feet on the beginnings of that path of the Cross, and of peace, following His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Notice around you how many others have the same gift, their feet on the same path. Stand with them! Cling to the unchanging Faith of the Church, and offer solidarity with all those who struggle on the same road, in the footsteps of our Redeemer.

I particularly ask your prayerful support for the annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, to be taken up this year at all Masses for the Feast of Christ the King, November 21 and 22. CCHD is an arm of the Church in this country, to stand, by local action, in solidarity with the poor. CCHD grants support the efforts of local groups to build grass-roots economic and social development; it does not fund ACORN. Every grant application is reviewed and approved by a diocesan bishop, and grants can be and have been terminated if the grant recipient violates fundamental Catholic teachings. Grants can only be provided from the generosity of the faithful, whose most potent contribution is prayer.

Please pray for all those who struggle, whether physically, morally, or spiritually, to remain steadfast on the Way of the Cross. Please consider whether you might be able to offer a small gift, in solidarity with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember that 25% of your donation remains in our own Diocese, to be used especially for the needs of the poor among our Hispanic and Vietnamese Catholic communities.

Anticipating this Feast of Christ the King, to whom is due all thanks and praise, and from whom we receive every good thing, let us truly be subject only to Him. In this Year for Priests, please continue to pray for all our priests. We rely so much on your support, especially spiritually. May God continue to bless us most abundantly, shelter us from evil, and guide us home to eternal joy in His presence.

Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City
 

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
By Lorene Hanley Duquin
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, you may be surprised to discover that cultivating an attitude of gratitude in yourself and in your children has wonderful benefits and offer great coping mechanisms for life. For example: 

Gratitude is an antidote to jealousy. When you start to compare what you have with what other people have, thinking about all the things in your life that you're grateful for chases away the green monster of envy.
 Gratitude is an antidote to worry. When you are worried about what might happen tomorrow, thinking about all the things you're grateful for today pushes aside fear of the future.
 Gratitude is an antidote to insecurity. When you feel as if you're not good enough, thinking about your God-given gifts and talents helps you to see that there is meaning and purpose in your life.
Gratitude is an antidote to anger. When you are upset with someone you love, thinking about how grateful you are for the good things about this person helps makes you want to patch things up.
Gratitude is an antidote to sadness. When you feel down, thinking about how grateful you are for all the good things in your life chases the blues away.
Gratitude is an antidote to stress. When you feel as if you can't cope, thinking about how grateful you are for everything that is going well in your life helps to restore a sense of peace.
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your children. It's not particularly difficult, but like any new skill, it takes time, planning and determination.

ATTENTION FARMERS:  The tax law governing grain donations is extremely complex. For a valid grain donation to the parish, the crops must be delivered to the elevator and the ownership title must be transferred to the parish or school who then makes the final decision to sell the grain. If you deliver, sell, and order the proceeds to be sent to the parish or school, this is considered a “cash” donation. Please consult your tax advisor to see if you can benefit from this giving opportunity.  If handled properly, certain active producers can achieve favorable tax treatment if they transfer ownership title of grain or other commodities to a charitable organization.  If you have interest in a commodity donation, please contact Fr. Mark in our parish office BEFORE initiating a gift.

RESPECTING LIFE STARTS AT HOME

October is Respect Life month. While most people appropriately think about national right to life issues there is a lot we can do to support this cause right at home.

Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” song suggests that we look at ways to improve ourselves before we can change the world. In other words, we first need to love and respect ourselves before we can do the same for others. As a family we continue to help each other see the good in each other, to know what each person’s talents and gifts are, and to know that God created each of us and made us special. These are ways we can carry out the respect life principal in small but profound ways.

Children have so many pressures at home, at school, with friends. It’s easy for them to feel like they are not good enough or don't fit in. This month, with your children and students, pray that we all may respect life, from the moment of conception until natural death, and everything in between!

U.S. BISHOPS LAUNCH WEB SITE ON HEALTH CARE REFORM: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a Web page promoting its support of “truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity.” The page, www.usccb.org/healthcare, includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos, facts and statistics, frequently asked questions, and links for contacting members of Congress. Letters to Congress include an August 11 letter by Cardinal Justin Rigali, the bishops’ Pro-Life chairman, criticizing abortion provisions in the House version of health care legislation and a July 17 letter from Bishop William Murphy, the bishops’ Domestic Social Justice chairman, outlining the bishops concerns and priorities for health care reform as a whole. The site will feature Web videos of USCCB policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care. Kathy Saile, director of Domestic Social Development, outlines the general position and concerns. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of Pro-Life Activities, describes how abortion relates to the health care reform debate. The page also contains facts and statistics about Catholic health care in the United States, which includes 624 Catholic hospitals, 164 home health agencies, and 41 hospice organizations.

+++

A Note on Healthcare Reform from Bishop Nickless:

The current national debate about health care reform should concern all of us.  There is much at stake in this political struggle, and also much confusion and inaccurate information being thrown around.  My brother bishops have described some clear “goal-posts” to mark out what is acceptable reform, and what must be rejected.  First and most important, the Church will not accept any legislation that mandates coverage, public or private, for abortion, euthanasia, or embryonic stem-cell research.  We refuse to be made complicit in these evils, which frankly contradict what “health care” should mean.  We refuse to allow our own parish, school, and diocesan health insurance plans to be forced to include these evils.  As a corollary of this, we insist equally on adequate protection of individual rights of conscience for patients and health care providers not to be made complicit in these evils.  A so-called reform that imposes these evils on us would be far worse than keeping the health care system we now have.

Second, the Catholic Church does not teach that “health care” as such, without distinction, is a natural right.  The “natural right” of health care is the divine bounty of food, water, and air without which all of us quickly die.  This bounty comes from God directly.  None of us own it, and none of us can morally withhold it from others.  The remainder of health care is a political, not a natural, right, because it comes from our human efforts, creativity, and compassion.  As a political right, health care should be apportioned according to need, not ability to pay or to benefit from the care.  We reject the rationing of care.  Those who are sickest should get the most care, regardless of age, status, or wealth.  But how to do this is not self-evident.  The decisions that we must collectively make about how to administer health care therefore fall under “prudential judgment.”

Third, in that category of prudential judgment, the Catholic Church does not teach that government should directly provide health care.  Unlike a prudential concern like national defense, for which government monopolization is objectively good – it both limits violence overall and prevents the obvious abuses to which private armies are susceptible – health care should not be subject to federal monopolization.  Preserving patient choice (through a flourishing private sector) is the only way to prevent a health care monopoly from denying care arbitrarily, as we learned from HMOs in the recent past.  While a government monopoly would not be motivated by profit, it would be motivated by such bureaucratic standards as quotas and defined “best procedures,” which are equally beyond the influence of most citizens.  The proper role of the government is to regulate the private sector, in order to foster healthy competition and to curtail abuses.  Therefore any legislation that undermines the viability of the private sector is suspect.  Private, religious hospitals and nursing homes, in particular, should be protected, because these are the ones most vigorously offering actual health care to the poorest of the poor.

The best way in practice to approach this balance of public and private roles is to spread the risks and costs of health care over the largest number of people.  This is the principle underlying Medicaid and Medicare taxes, for example.  But this principle assumes that the pool of taxable workers is sufficiently large, compared to those who draw the benefits, to be reasonably inexpensive and just.  This assumption is at root a pro-life assumption!  Indeed, we were a culture of life when such programs began.  Only if we again foster a culture of life can we perpetuate the economic justice of taxing workers to pay health care for the poor.  Without a growing population of youth, our growing population of retirees is outstripping our distribution systems.  In a culture of death such as we have now, taxation to redistribute costs of medical care becomes both unjust and unsustainable.

Fourth, preventative care is a moral obligation of the individual to God and to his or her family and loved ones, not a right to be demanded from society.  The gift of life comes only from God; to spurn that gift by seriously mistreating our own health is morally wrong.  The most effective preventative care for most people is essentially free – good diet, moderate exercise, and sufficient sleep.  But pre-natal and neo-natal care are examples of preventative care requiring medical expertise, and therefore cost; and this sort of care should be made available to all as far as possible.

Within these limits, the Church has been advocating for decades that health care be made more accessible to all, especially to the poor.  Will the current health care reform proposals achieve these goals?

The current House reform bill, HR 3200, does not meet the first or the fourth standard.  As Cardinal Justin Rigali has written for the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-life Activities, this bill circumvents the Hyde amendment (which prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for abortions) by drawing funding from new sources not covered by the Hyde amendment, and by creatively manipulating how federal funds covered by the Hyde amendment are accounted.  It also provides a “public insurance option” without adequate limits, so that smaller employers especially will have a financial incentive to push all their employees into this public insurance.  This will effectively prevent those employees from choosing any private insurance plans.  This will saddle the working classes with additional taxes for inefficient and immoral entitlements.  The Senate bill, HELP, is better than the House bill, as I understand it.  It subsidizes care for the poor, rather than tending to monopolize care.  But, it designates the limit of four times federal poverty level for the public insurance option, which still includes more than half of all workers.  This would impinge on the vitality of the private sector.  It also does not meet the first standard of explicitly excluding mandatory abortion coverage.
I encourage all of you to make you voice heard to our representatives in Congress.  Tell them what they need to hear from us: no health care reform is better than the wrong sort of health care reform.  Insist that they not permit themselves to be railroaded into the current too-costly and pro-abortion health care proposals.  Insist on their support for proposals that respect the life and dignity of every human person, especially the unborn.  And above all, pray for them, and for our country.  (Please see the website for the Iowa Catholic Conference at www.iowacatholicconference.org  and www.usccb.org/healthcare for more information).

Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City

SCRIPTURE IN A NUT SHELL

God made … Adam bit … Noah arked …
Abraham split … Joseph ruled … Jacob
fooled … Bush talked … Moses balked …
Pharaoh plagued … People walked … Sea
divided … Tablets guided … promise landed
… Saul freaked … David peeked … Prophets
warned … Jesus born … God walked … Love
talked … Anger crucified … Hope died …
Love rose … spirit flamed … Word spread …
God remained.

+++

DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN 2009 UPDATE: In September 2009 Bishop Nickless approved the plan that has been in the works with the Diocesan Viability Study Committee since summer 2008. This plan was updated from the plan that was presented in February 2009 based on comments from parishioners from around the Diocese. The plan for Immaculate Conception-Moville and St. Michael-Kingsley remains the same as presented in February 2009, namely by 2014 Immaculate Conception-Moville will become the Parish Center with St. Michael-Kingsley as a Liturgical Site with a cemetery; and by 2019 Immaculate Conception-Moville remains the Parish Center with St. Michael-Kingsley as a Liturgical Site with a cemetery.

A PARISH CENTER is the location of: the rectory, parish office, and pastoral and finance council. It is a sacramental site with Sunday and weekday Mass, reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, and the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and funerals. It is also a catechetical site where youth and adult faith formation programs are held.

A LITURGICAL SITE is a sacramental site with Sunday Mass, the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, and the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and funerals. Weekday Mass may be celebrated there if deemed necessary. It is an optional catechetical site where youth and adult faith formation programs may be held if deemed necessary.

It was proposed at the cluster meeting of February 15 that by 2014 that Immaculate Conception-Moville will be the PARISH CENTER: with the rectory, parish office, and pastoral and finance council; a sacramental site with Sunday and weekday Mass, reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, and the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and funerals; and a catechetical site where youth and adult faith formation programs are held. And that St. Michael-Kingsley will be a LITURGICAL SITE with Sunday and weekday Mass, the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, and the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, and funerals; a catechetical site where youth faith formation programs are held; and with the care of the St. Michael Cemetery.

Now that the plan has been approved parish leadership from both parishes [pastor, staff, and Councils] will begin meeting to discuss and decide on the details of how to implement the plan in this area. It will be important to listen, sacrifice, and pray as we work to continue to make both parishes viable under the leadership of one pastor for many years to come. Please stay tuned for additional information in the future.

NURTURING A LIFE OF PRAYER

Father Walter Burghardt, SJ, tells the story of an old farmer who would stop at a chapel on his way home from the fields. Knowing that the man just sat in the chapel apparently doing nothing, a neighbor asked him, “What goes on when you sit there?” The old man smiled and said, “I look at the Good God, and the Good God looks at me.” Prayer can be that simple—and that wonderful.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours.” All human beings hunger and thirst for God. The thirst for God is often described as a longing in our hearts that can’t quite be satisfied. In every man, woman, and child, that longing is ultimately a desire to be close to God. The great news is that God longs for such closeness with us as well. Prayer is the place where we acknowledge and express that thirst, where we are met, heard, and responded to. It is our opportunity to listen to God.

Prayer is an activity of the heart. It is not empty ritual or prescribed words. Prayer is our turning toward God with as much of our true self as we can muster. Prayer is best when it springs from our deepest emotions of joy, wonder, sorrow, gratitude, yearning, loss, and need. Perhaps the most sincere prayers we will ever voice are short and clear—“Please, God.” or “Thank you, God!” or “Help me, God!”

There are many styles of prayer, but if you want to nurture a life of prayer, a wonderful practice is to sit quietly and be aware that you’re in the presence of God. This practice can seem terrifying and uncomfortable at first, but it can soon become a highly prized and valuable part of your day. No matter what else is happening in your life, you will always be able to calm yourself, sit in God’s presence, and know that “the Good God” looks at you too.

SUMMER FUN By Lorene Hanley Duquin

Summer is a great time to shift your focus to fun.  Planning some summertime recreation for the people involved in adult education in your parish has lots of wonderful benefits. 
It restores everyone’s spirit.
 It rewards people for all the work they done during the year.
 It helps everyone to get to know each other a little better.
It generates new enthusiasm and ideas for the coming year.
 It reminds everyone that an essential part of any ministry is a sense of joy!

The important thing to remember is that your plans for summer fun can’t be a burden for anyone.   Whatever you decide to do, it should be informal, inclusive, and easy. No pressure.  No sense of obligation.  Just plan some fun things as a group that you normally would not do during the year.

Here are some easy ideas for summer fun.
Plan a pot luck picnic at a local park.  If people bring their own food and supplies, no one is burdened with preparation and clean-up is simple.
 Attend a parish lawn fete or carnival as a group.  If your parish doesn’t have one, attend a function at a neighboring parish. 
 Pick a book to read during July and set a date for an informal book discussion in August. 
Schedule a morning of silence.  Start with Mass and then spend the morning together in silent prayer.
Plan a prayer walk at a park, on a beach, or in the country. 
 Take a tour of a local monastery, shrine, or historic church in your area.
 Spend a day at a local retreat house.
Attend a summer lecture or concert together.

Have a simple get-together to reminisce about all of the good things that happened during the past year. The time you spend having fun during the summer will reap rewards throughout the year.

And best of all, you’ll have lots of fun!

PRAYING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE DAY
12 Tips for You
Many believers have come to realize that their day goes better when they pray early and often. Here's a list of suggestions for praying your way through your day. Pick one or two suggestions that seem to be calling you and make a habit of them. You can always add more prayer to your day as time goes by.

1. Start with a Morning Offering. Start each day by declaring your intention to make a gift of all the “joys, works, prayers, and sufferings” of the day ahead. Use words such as “God, I offer you my whole day. I offer you all that I am, all that I have, and all that I will do. Help me to know and do your will.”

2. Think ahead. Imagine the toughest challenge facing you in the day ahead. Now imagine that these are moments of grace in which God is especially present to you.

3. Take a quiet time. Early in your day, spend a brief period of quiet. Starting your day with ten minutes to half an hour in meditative prayer will make a huge difference in your whole day.

4. Pray as you sit down to eat breakfast. Ask for strength and direction in your day.

5. Make lemonade. Pray during the day whenever you hit a snag and feel frustrated.

6. Pray with joy. Pray when you feel glad to see or hear from someone—a friend, a coworker, a student, a customer.

7. Pray before your noontime meal. Ask for patience, perseverance, and hope.

8. Take a three-minute prayer break. In midafternoon simply breathe and ask to be refreshed. Imagine rays of light filling your soul.

9. Pray at transition times. Be aware of your body as one part of the day comes to an end and another begins. Slow down and breathe deeply.

10. Pray before your evening meal. In addition to thanking God for your food, take a moment for everyone at the table to answer the questions “Who blessed me with their presence and their actions today?” and “Whom did I bless?”

11. Pray to let go of the cares of the day. Find a “trigger moment,” such as putting your keys on your dresser; turning off the television, radio, or computer; or laying out clothes for the next day, that can serve as a reminder to take a moment for reflective prayer.

12. Finish your day with night prayer. Before you drift off to sleep, thank God for all the gifts you received and for rest, assurance, calm, and peace.

CELL PHONE COLLECTION is being sponsored by the Immaculate Conception Parish Life Team to collect inactive cell phones [no batteries, chargers, or accessories]. Phones collected will be shipped to an organization that redeploys them for 911 purposes in the United States and developing countries. In return your parish receives $0.50-$50.00 for every phone and helps to keep harmful materials out of our landfills. You may drop off your phones in your church in the designated collection box. In addition, you may be able to deduct the value of your donation on your tax return. Please consult your tax preparer and inform them of your donation using the form available at the collection box. Thank you to all who have donated at this point.

KIDS’ LESSONS FOR LIVING

“Don’t ever be too full for dessert.” Kelly, 10

“Never dare your little brother to paint the family car.” Phillip, 13

“Forget the cake, go for the icing.” Cynthia, 8

“Remember the two places you are always welcome — Church and Grandma’s house.”
Joanne, 11

TELLING EACH OTHER HOW MUCH WE CARE TRADITION—Author not identified

On October 1, 1998, our daughter Carol was born. Carol was severely handicapped from birth. From the very start, my whole family had decided that she would be cared for at home. It wasn't easy. Carol was on oxygen, was fed through a tube and needed constant attention. But oh how she was the light of our lives!!

Our precious little girl died this past January and we all miss her so much.

We decided to celebrate a special Mass in thanksgiving for Carol's life. The Mass was attended by family, friends, doctors, and nurses.

When the Mass was over, my family and I talked about how often it is that we don't say kind things about each other until it is too late. We decided right then and there to start a new family tradition. We call it the "Telling each other how much we care" tradition. We have a basket on the kitchen counter with a memo pad and pen next to it. Family members are encouraged to write nice things about the members of the family and place them in the basket, Those who cannot write yet are allowed to ask someone to write their message. This allows the whole family to share. (There once was a message from the dog - but I think that my husband wrote that).

THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH
We are so accustomed to using the name “Jesus” and “Christ” together that we usually think of the word “Christ” as Jesus’ last name rather than a title and profession of faith. The Catechism devotes an entire section to this title and what it means. “Christ” is from the Greek word Christos and translated the Hebrew word “messiah” or “anointed one”.  (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church 436-440)

DID YOU KNOW THAT…Over 90% of Church-Going-Catholics support the public display of the Commandments?

A THOUGHT: “If the first place someone sees the Commandments is at a county courthouse, that’s probably why he is there!”   Joe Worthing

Have a great week!