Pray for good weather!

This Sunday (January 3, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the main church) our parish choir will present Lessons and Carols, postponed from that snowy night in December. You know, of course, that it's still Christmas, so come and give your soul a Christmas gift! Beautiful music followed by a reception in the parish hall. Join us!

Monthly Message From Our Lady

Message of December 25, 2009

"Dear children! On this joyful day, I bring all of you before my Son, the King of Peace, that He may give you His peace and blessing. Little children, in love share that peace and blessing with others. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Given to: Marija (Pavlovic) Lunetti who is one of the visionaries to whom Our Lady appears everyday. On the 25th of each month Our Lady gives Marija a message for us all.

Scenes from Christmas Eve at I.C.

Welcome to the Catholic Church!

Congratulations to Victoria and Andrew, baptized today at Immaculate Conception Parish!

Father Mehm's Sister

As many of you may already know, Fr. Mehm's sister, Nancy, died early morning, December 18th. These are the details for Ann "Nancy" Castignoli's wake and funeral:

Visiting hours will be from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Monday, December 21st, at the Cataudella Funeral Home located at 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen (978-685-5379).

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 22nd at 11:00 AM at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 198 Haggetts Pond Road in Andover (978-683-8922).

May her soul rest in peace.

Lessons and Carols POSTPONED

Aww! We're postponing our Lessons and Carols performance for tonight, because of the inclement weather and nasty traveling conditions. Please stay tuned, we will reschedule!

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

No, no, we're not rushing anything, we're still celebrating Advent... but the joy and expectation of Jesus' birthday is in the air around here.

Our Advent Stars Project is bigger this year than ever before. This weekend the gifts filled the front of the sanctuary, and with the due date this Sunday, we can only imagine what it'll look like when we get to Mass this weekend!

Our guests at Go! Make! Disciples!! during Generations of Faith this past weekend were Sister Limeteze Pierre-Gilles and Brendan Shea. They had inspiring stories to tell!

The Centerpiece-Making night was a success as always. Everyone left with a beautiful (and a little bit delicious!) centerpiece to grace their Christmas table. Thanks to Judy DiMascio and her family for their hard work on this fundraiser for Youth Ministry and a local family's Christmas.

News and Views from I.C.

Advent is a busy time around Immaculate Conception! Here are some peeks at what you might have missed:
We celebrated our Feast of the Immaculate Conception with Ice Cream after the evening Mass, sponsored by our Youth Ministry:

Jason Evert paid a visit to high school and middle school students from our Malden-Medford Collaborative and beyond.

Coffee and Donuts in December was hosted by our wonderful Ultreya group:

The Knights of Columbus decorated the grove of Christmas trees on the corner of SSND Park:

Thank you to all who make Advent a joyful and holy season at Immaculate Conception!

Lessons and Carols this Sunday!

This year is Immaculate Conception's 22nd year of presenting Lessons and Carols, a wonderful way to get your spirit ready for Christmas! Join us this Sunday, December 20th at 7:30 PM in the main church, and stay afterward for a snack or two!

My Story, God's Glory

What's your story? What do you believe? How has your life shown God's story to the world?
This weekend at Generations of Faith we begin to reflect on our own experiences and how they connect to the Greatest Story Ever Told - the Good News of Jesus Christ and the God who loves us.
Join us for this special Faith Festival and take the chance to breathe during this Advent season and focus on what's the most important thing of all - your relationship with God.
Friday December 11, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Parish Hall - a meal is served.
Sunday December 13, 12:15 PM to 2:45 PM in the Parish Hall - a meal is served.
(What? You're not registered? Come anyway, GOF is for everyone!)

Fair Trade Coffee For Sale!

Small Farmers, Big Change: When you purchase fairly traded Equal Exchange products, you become part of a network of thousands of faith communities who are joining hands with small farmer co-operatives as they work to provide for their families, strengthen their communities and care for the environment.

Regular (drip-style) 12 oz bag $8.00

Decaf (drip-style) 12 oz bag $9.00

Wonderful gifts for friends, family, neighbors, teachers, or buy a bag to enjoy at home. The coffee will be available at December Generations of Faith Festivals and before & after all Masses the weekend of December 12th and 13th. Proceeds support I.C. Youth Ministry. Thanks!

It's our feast day!!

Happy Solemnity Of The Immaculate Conception!
Today's the day we celebrate the feast of our patron, Mary. We remember that in preparation for becoming the Mother of God, Mary was conceived in her mother's womb, without sin. Mary was a sinless, spotless, pure vessel that God used to bring Jesus into the world as a human.
Don't worry, it's not too late to get to Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation! Come on down to I.C. at 7:00 PM for Mass, followed by an ice cream social in the Hall, sponsored by I.C. Youth Ministry. (get it? Ice Cream!)
-MM

One more Advent Calendar

I hate to move the Immaculate Conception reminder down on the blog, but must share just one more online Advent calendar, from Busted Halo.com. It's got some great quotes and intriguing pictures, too! Check it out! (But don't forget, tomorrow's a Holy Day and our parish's patron's day: Immaculate Conception!)

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Celebrate our feast day with us on Tuesday, December 8th at 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Following the 7:00 PM Mass, we will have an Ice Cream Social in the Hall. All are welcome!

Monthly Message From Our Lady

"Dear children! In this time of grace I call you all to renew prayer in your families. Prepare yourselves with joy for the coming of Jesus. Little children, may your hearts be pure and pleasing, so that love and warmth may flow through you into every heart that is far from His love. Little children, be my extended hands, hands of love for all those who have become lost, who have no more faith and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call."

"ROMANCE WITHOUT REGRET" with Jason Evert

A presentation for teens (Grades 7-12) and their parents

Where:Immaculate Conception Church

600 Pleasant Street

Malden, MA 02148

When: Sunday, December 6, 2009 from 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM

To rave reviews, Mr. Evert has spoken to over 50,000 students, parents and faculty within the Archdiocese of Boston since 2005. Don’t miss this remarkable and entertaining presentation on the important topic of Chastity. Find out more about Jason at www.chastity.com.