Bulletin for 21 January, 2007

A YEAR OF GRACE

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – JANUARY 21, 2007
Nehemiah 8:2-4, 8-10

Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

You are the body of Christ.

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – JANUARY 28, 2007
Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

Before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

If I have faith, but have not love, I am nothing.

Luke 4:21-30

No prophet gains acceptance in his native place.

SERVICE SCHEDULE
Monday 8:00am Morning Prayer
  8:15am Communion
Tuesday – Friday 8:00am Morning Prayer
  8:15am Mass (Followed with Rosary, Exposition, and Benediction, except school mass days)
Saturday 4:00pm Reconciliation

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS AT I.C. Join us at 8:15am for Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, seasonal litany, and Benediction each First Saturday of every month. Mass, Exposition, Rosary, Seasonal Litany, and Benediction are currently celebrated Mondays through Fridays beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the Chapel.

VOCATION VIEWS
Through the power of the Spirit Jesus proclaimed his mission. How are you carrying on that mission today? Ponder the possibility of being a deacon, priest, brother or sister. (Luke 1:1, 4:14-21). For vocation information, call Fr. Kyle Schnippel at (513) 421-3131 ext 354.

HOSPITAL CALLS AND VISITATION:
Please notify the Rectory if a family member is in the hospital or at home with a severe or prolonged illness. In accord with current privacy policies, hospitals do not inform us of parishioners entering the hospital; they call only at the patient’s request.
  Carmen Urbietta

REST IN PEACE
Our condolences to the families of Ardeth Antle and Rita Clemens, who died last week. May light perpetual shine upon them and bring consolation to their families.

Entering the hospital? It is good to receive the sacrament of anointing before you go. You may schedule this at any Weekday Mass at 8:15 a.m., or call the Rectory at 252-9919.

THIS WEEK’S PARISH ACTIVITIES…
Monday, January 22 – Vincent, deacon, martyr
  Gospel Reading: Mark 3:22-30
     8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer – Chapel
     8:15 a.m. – Communion – Chapel
     6:15 p.m. – Serra Mass – Chapel
     7:00 p.m. – Parish Pastoral Council - AER
Tuesday, January 23 --Weekday
  Gospel Reading: Mark 3:31-35
     8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer - Chapel
     8:15 a.m. – Mass –Chapel
    12:00 p.m. – Mission Sewing Group—Sewing Rm
Wednesday, January 24 – Francis deSales, bishop, doctor
  Gospel Reading: Mark 4:1-20
     8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer – Chapel
     8:15 a.m. – Mass--Chapel
Thursday, January 25 – Conversion of St. Paul, apostle
  Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-18k
     8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer – Chapel
     8:15 a.m. – Mass –-Chapel
     6:30 p.m. – Cub Scouts
     6:30 p.m. – 8th Grade Trip mtg - AER
     7:00 p.m. – Girl Scouts
     7:30 p.m. – Folk Choir
Friday, January 26 – Timothy and Titus, bishops
  Gospel Reading: Mark 4:26-34
     8:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer – Chapel
     8:15 a.m. – School Mass –-Louis Moeller--Church
     5:30 p.m. -- BINGO
Saturday, January 27 - Weekday
     3:30 p.m. – Folk Choir
     4:00 p.m. – Reconciliation
     5:00 p.m. – Mass—Mary Ann Westendorf, dec.
Sunday, January 28 – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
     9:00 a.m. – Adult Choir – Church
     9:15 a.m. – PREP – Undercroft
     9:30 a.m. – RCIA - ML
    11:00 a.m.– Mass – All Parishioners
     6:00 p.m. – Rock Mass –
     7:00 p.m.—ICYM mtg – YM Rm

PARISH NEWS

RIGHT TO LIFE SUNDAY
This weekend is Right to Life Weekend. Special candles will be available for purchase in the main vestibule following the 11am and 6pm Sunday masses; you can also make a donation at the doors of the church. All proceeds will benefit Elizabeth’s New Life Center.

ST. VINCENT HOTEL
We are looking for recipes! Our St. Vincent DePaul conference, along with 28 other parish conferences are looking for recipes to be used in a cookbook; all proceeds will help support the activities at the St. Vincent Hotel. You can email your favorite recipe to vincentcookbook@aol.com, or mail it to Bill Loftus, 1133 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd. Suite 300, Dayton OH 45408. Deadline for submissions is Sunday, Feb. 11. Questions? Call Gerry McLaughlin at 254-5974 or Anita Ruppert at 253-5920.

MASS BOOK NOW OPEN
If you would like to honor someone who has died, is ill, or who is going through a rough time, an easy way to do this is to schedule a mass in their name. The mass book is now open for scheduling your mass intentions beginning January 1, 2007; call Katherine at 252-9919. Please observe the following guidelines:
1) During the week, only one intention is allowed per mass; therefore we operate on a “first come, first served” basis.
2) On weekends, one mass must be set aside for “All Parishioners”. For the other two masses, we will honor as many separate intentions as possible. (Never two of the same intentions at the same mass from the same donor for the same person.)
3) There is no upward limit to the dollar amount necessary for a mass stipend. Only the lowest amount of five dollars is noted in diocesan policy.
4) We cannot promise exact dates, but we will do our best to accommodate your requests.

VOCATIONS
Discerning our vocation in life is usually a difficult process. As they say, “there are rarely trumpets and midnight visions.” But, as Christians, we are called to follow Christ, who always obeyed the will of God the Father, no matter what. Pope Benedict XVI spoke on this topic of God’s will when he ended his first homily as Pope, saying: “Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful. Do we now then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.”

Stewardship…
A Gift of Time and Talent

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS’ SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 27 5:00 pm
     Pat Sheets, Christina Braaksma, Debbie Goldberg, Jack Putnam, Nettie Putnam, Mary Ellen Reinhard, Clem Schirtzinger, Mark Sheets

Sunday, January 28 11:00 am
     Tim O’Connell, Theresa O’Connell, Jen Reese, Mike Reese, Bill Siskaninetz, Bob Van Leeuwen, R.J. VanLeeuwen, Leroy Watson

Sunday, January 28 6:00pm
     Teresa Chandler, Katie Ervin, Helly Freudenschuss, John Gardner, Debbie Goldberg, Theresa Hargis, Suzanne Klase, Cindy Reaster, Karen Walling, George Zimmer, Pat Zimmer

GIFT BEARERS’ SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 27 5:00pm
     Butler Family
Sunday, January 28 11:00am
     Strausberg Family
Sunday, January 28 6:00pm
     Kramer Family

LECTORS’ SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 27 5:00pm
     K. Ross, Mark Sheets
Sunday, January 28 11:00am
     T. O’Connell, Tony Hart
Sunday, January 28 6:00pm
     Michael Wagner, Helena Carter

SERVERS’ SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 27 5:00pm
     Maria Sparaco, Sal Sparaco, Dabby Stevens
Sunday, January 28 11:00am
     Kyle Abel, Haleigh Chambers, Deanna Shaw
Sunday, January 28 6:00pm
     Brian Beall, Christina Jackowski, Nathan Markley

A Gift of Treasure
Tithe for Jan 13/14
Envelope Contributions $ 7,965.36
Loose Contributions $ 478.00
Total $ 8,443.36 (small sad face)

ATTENDANCE
5:00pm 171
11:00am 267
6:00pm 383

Total 821

CONTINUED RESTORATION FUND UPDATE
Private donors have offered us a challenging opportunity: for every dollar donated by the parish, they will match it dollar for dollar, up to $25,000. This will make a big difference in funding our next project: replacing the church sound system, including baffles, rewiring, acoustical adjustments, tiles, etc. Contractors are compiling estimates. We will provide more details and information to come you as it becomes available. The church boiler work will begin later this month. Thank you for your continued support!

Total to Date $ 39,191.07
December $ 4,314.30
Total $ 43,505.37

EDUCATION FUND UPDATE
The Education Fund currently has a matching grant program. For every two dollars donated to the Education Fund, a generous donor will match it with one dollar. Thank you for your support and generosity extended to the Education Fund. The monies currently being collected will allow IC to continue to have tuition aid available for our qualifying families in the future.

Total to Date $ 24,916.07
December 2,561.00
Total: $ 27,477.07

The Restoration and Education Funds are “restricted”: they do not reflect nor affect the regular operating budget which depends on your weekly tithe contributions to the Church.

ALTAR FLOWERS
If you would like to commemorate a special event or person with altar flowers, please contact Katherine at the Rectory at 252-9919.

SCHOOL NEWS

FISH FRY
The PTO really needs your help! Their biggest fundraiser is the Fish Fry, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 7pm – Midnight. They need volunteers to help run the games, work the kitchen, and clean up on Sunday. If you can donate a few hours of your time, please call Barbi Byrd at 256-0625, or Andrea Ravelli at 252-2923.
The PTO is trying something new this year: a Bake Sale during the Fish Fry! If you can donate goodies from your kitchen, please drop them off at school on Friday, Feb. 23 before 3pm, or Saturday, Feb. 24 before 12 noon.
The doors open for Carryout only at 6:30pm until 7:00pm: tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door. You must be 21 to attend the Fish Fry: we’ll have games of chance, lots of food and drinks, and plenty of friends.

GEOGRAPHY BEE
Over 20 students in the fourth through eighth grades participated in the Geography Bee on Jan. 11. Congratulations to winner Becca Boone and runner up Nathan Kenney, both in the 8th grade. Kudos to everyone who took part in the Bee!

BOXTOPS
The ICS PTO is happy to report that between March and October of 2006, we collected over $600 worth of BOXTOPS, and 7000 Campbell’s Soup labels! Please continue to donated your BOXTOPS and labels: there are containers in the main and south vestibules where you can leave them. NOTE: For the Campbell’s and other labels, please provide the barcode/UPC code part of the label. As of Jan. 1, the company no longer accepts the front label.

RECYCLING CONTAINER
Thanks to everyone who is using the special recycling container on the playground by Magato Hall. Please note, however, that it does not accept cardboard.

OUT OF PARISH

ONE-DAY RETREAT
The Archdiocese is pleased to co-sponsor a retreat for young adults with Fr. Michael Sparaugh, S.J., who keynoted the recent Ohio Catholic Young Adult Conference. He will present Teach Us to Pray – A Day of Reflection for Young Adults at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford OH on Jan. 27, 9:30am – 4:0mpm. Cost is $45 per person. For information and registration, visit www.catholiccincinnati.org/yamin.

COUPLE TO COUPLE
Married and engaged couples: Want marriage insurance? Learn Natural Family Planning (NFP) at classes beginning Jan. 28 at St. Peter’s Church. Call 253-0585 for more information.

SUPPORT GROUP
Do you know or are you someone who has lost a loved one? The Divorced, Widowed, and Separated Support Group meets at St. Rita’s Church on the first and third Sunday of each month at 7pm. For more information, call Frank at 256-0527.

CAPUCHIN FRANCISCAN FRIARS
For 800 years, followers of St. Francis of Assisi have been rebuilding the Church. The Capuchin Franciscans are priests and brothers who serve Christ in the spirit of St. Francis. Men between the ages of 16 and 40 are invited to visit a Capuchin Friary in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Washington D.C. For more information call 1-888-263-6227, or email frtom@capuchin.com.

PARISH REGISTRATION/CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Visitors and Friends: Welcome to Immaculate Conception Church! The only sure way to become a registered member of the parish family is to fill out a registration form (below) or a pew card; drop either in the collection basket, or return it to the rectory office. There is no automatic registration if you attend mass regularly, or even if your children attend Immaculate Conception School or Immaculate Conception Religious Education Classes. If you have any questions please call the Rectory at 252-9919.