Who are these people?

The presenters of our Called and Gifted Workshop coming up at I.C. in February come clear across the country to us, from their organization, the Catherine of Siena Institute. The Institute is "dedicated to equipping parishes for the evangelization and formation of lay Catholics for the sake of their mission in the world." And after years of working with thousands and thousands of Catholics in parishes and dioceses, people are raving about the experience.
What will you experience at Called and Gifted? Here is a sample of one person's reaction, posted on the Siena blog, "Intentional Disciples"
There's still time to register, and space for you! Email Margo to register today!
-MM

March For Life

Please pray in support of our parishioners and community members who are heading to Washington, DC for this year's March for Life. Each year a number of IC parishioners travel down to our nation's capital to demonstrate in support the abolition of abortion, on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade. This year's march is this Friday, January 22. We pray for safe travels for those who are DC-bound, and for a fruitful march!

Have you heard of IMEC?

IMEC is a charity group in North Andover that collects medical supplies to ship to countries who need them the most. Friends of mine who have volunteered with IMEC report boxing up items as small as bandages and as large as ultrasound equipment. I thought of this wonderful organization in light of the news of this past week, and sure enough they are busy preparing shipments to Haiti. You can help by donating your time, talent and/or treasure to them- volunteers complete 90% of the work this organization does. Check here for more information: www.imecamerica.org
-MM

Generations of Faith

We are excited about our next installment of Generations of Faith on Friday, January 22nd and Sunday, January 24th. Learn more here.

How to help in Haiti

To find out more about how you can help the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti, visit the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic Charities page.

Immaculate Conception Parish will be taking a second collection for the people in Haiti the weekend of January 30 and 31.

We continue to keep all our friends and neighbors who are in crisis in our prayers.

Hurry in for Savings!

It's not the LAST day for registering for the Called and Gifted workshop, being hosted here at IC February 2-3-4 from 6-8:30PM in the hall, but it's the LAST day for parishioners to register for FREE!! After today, the cost is a mere $35.00 - which covers all materials and refreshments for the three nights. Not bad, but not as good as FREE! So email Margo now to register: pf@icmalden.com

(scroll down for more information about Called and Gifted)

Pay and Pray- support your friends in need

There are many places to donate toward two tragedies that have struck our community over the past week or so: the fire in Malden which left 40-60 people homeless, and the earthquake which has victimized so many relatives and friends of our parishioners.
Earthquake help:
Catholic Relief Services is one of the largest relief agencies in the world and has many people already on the ground in Haiti helping in the aid effort after the massive earthquake that has rocked that island.
See www.fastforhaiti.com for info on how you can pray and raise money at the same time.
Fire help:
The Pleasant Street Fire Stabilization Effort is being coordinated by the City of Malden's Health and Human Services Department, who is working with the Lieutenant Governor's Office of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross, the Malden Salvation Army, Tri-City Community Action Program, and various other support agencies and organizations.
See www.northsuburbanconsortium.org for info on how you can donate money or goods to support those in need because of the fire and subsequent looting of the building.
Pray, pray, pray:
Looking for opportunities to pray for the Haiti earthquake victims? Pray the Rosary THURSDAY NIGHT at 6PM in our chapel, and/or join the Charismatic Prayer Group which follows at 7:30PM.

Haiti Hotline for Information

The U.S. State Department Operations Center said Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747 . Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. "Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time."

Le centre d'exploitation ministère américain état dit américains qui cherchent des informations sur les membres de la famille en Haïti doivent appeler 1-888-407-4747 . En raison de gros volume, certains appelants peuvent recevoir un enregistrement. Le département d'État américain "notre ambassade est toujours dans les premiers stades de contacter des citoyens américains par l'intermédiaire de notre réseau de gardien", a déclaré dans une instruction. "Communications sont très difficiles au sein d'Haïti en ce moment."

Earthquake In Haiti

For breaking news from Haiti, you can check this page- it's being updated continuously. Our prayers go out to all the friends and family members of our Haitian parishioners and neighbors who may have been affected by this disaster. (Click here for the link)

What's all this about Called and Gifted?

Have you heard about the Called and Gifted workshop, coming to Immaculate Conception Parish in February? We are thrilled to welcome the Siena Institute here to facilitate this wonderful workshop for YOU.
What is it?
"The Called and Gifted workshop is meant to help lay Catholics discern the unique work of love to which God is calling them, and to discover how God has empowered them to carry it out. To date over 10,000 Catholics in over 40 dioceses have attended the workshop in parishes across North America and internationally."(from Siena publications)
If you have ever wondered what God wants from you, or how to respond to God's calling in your life, this workshop is for you. If you don't really believe that you have a God-given gift, this workshop is for you. If you are not feeling fed or challenged in your faith life or in your ministry work, this workshop is for you.
We want IC parishioners to experience this workshop so much that we will cover your cost. Just register by Friday, Jan. 15 and you will save the $35.00 registration fee. If you are from another parish you are welcome to join us too, and can bring a check for the reg. fee to the first evening of Called and Gifted.
Email Margo with your questions, or to register now!
-MM

A snowless Sunday, finally!

Congratulations to William Brady Jr, baptized this weekend at Immaculate Conception!Admiring the creche at Mary's altarThe choir processes in for Lessons and Carols on Sunday night, Jan. 10. A beautiful night, if I do say so myself!
There's always something happening at IC. Don't miss a week!
-MM

Lessons and Carols

Join us for Lessons and Carols on Sunday, January 10th at 7:30 PM in the Church. All are welcome!

Snow Strikes on a Sunday

Aw, we love a snow day like anyone else, but on a SUNDAY? There's too much going on at IC!! But we also want you to be safe- so please travel safely to Mass today. It's supposed to clear up by the 5PM Mass, so plan on joining us when the roads are safer and clearer.

In the meantime we will have NO registration for baptism after the 9:00 Mass. We're still aiming to be there after the 11, but if it's not safe for you to come down to register, please give Margo a call this week and you can be registered over the phone.

As far as we know, our Coffee and Donuts are still on, Baptism class at 1:00 is still on, and tonight's Retreat Team Meeting (after the 5) and Lessons and Carols (7:30) are still on. But check back here throughout the day for the latest updates!

Stay safe!

-MM