Immaculate Conception Parish

What about the other 6?

2010-04-28T12:23:00.002-04:00

Where are you seeing God these days? Where do you need to see God?
Check out this Twitter-like experience from Loyola Press: Other 6

Why Are You Still Here?

2010-04-27T15:25:00.010-04:00

This month we've been asking the Big Question at IC: why are we Catholic? We've spent the whole year of formation talking about how we are called to Go Make Disciples, upon Jesus' command to do so. But of course, it'd be pretty difficult to be a disciple who makes disciples in a Church if we don't know why we, ourselves, are here.

So at Generations of Faith last month, and at the doors of the Church, we have made available buttons with this challenge: Ask Me Why I'm Catholic. The first part of being able to wear that pin out in public and answer the question for those who ask us, is to know for ourselves what our answer is.

And it can't be denied that this is a trying and discouraging time in the recent history of the Church, considering the allegations and bad news that seem to be flying everywhere around the world. Maybe there is no better time to answer the B.Q. for ourselves. Why am I Catholic? Why am I still Catholic?

Here, BustedHalo.com offers interviews with young adult Catholics in New York on their opinions about the Scandal and about why they still come to Mass. They ask:

Why are people still here?
How do you feel about how the Church has handled the situation (the sexual abuse Scandal)?
How has this effected your feelings about the Pope and the Church hierarchy?
What can Catholics do to help resolve the situation?
Why do you continue coming to Church each week?

They invite you to view the interviews and share comments on their Youtube page, and we welcome them here. What are your thoughts?

Greetings from Sunny Las Vegas!

2010-04-19T16:32:00.003-04:00

Your intrepid blogger is away in beautiful, warm, Catholic Las Vegas at the conference for the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership, a wonderful organization. Fr. Mehm, Elaine Connelly, and Scott and Margo Morin are your reps here at this great (so far!) conference. Our week was kicked off with a fantastic keynote from Fr. Allen Figueroa Deck, S.J. This afternoon our workshops begin, and on it goes. So far so good! We will try to update you from here when possible (wifi is $13.00 a day! What the heck?!) but we appreciate your prayers for our learning and safe travel. We miss IC when we're away, but we promise to come home with knew knowledge and exciting ideas to pass on!

We hear it's cold in Massachusetts... (snicker snicker!)

-MM

Another Great Weekend!

2010-04-13T17:06:00.004-04:00

It was a great weekend at Immaculate Conception, with Generations of Faith on Friday and Sunday asking the Big Question: Why are you Catholic? Some great "volunteers" answered that question for us in the large-group opening.

Sunday we welcomed Trent Jonnathan Rodwell-Willis into the Church through Baptism and his family was presented with a beautiful hand-made blanket from our knitting group!

So... why are you Catholic?

2010-04-12T19:40:00.004-04:00

Have you seen the buttons?
At Generations of Faith this past weekend, we all were given a chance to come up with the answer to the question: Why am I Catholic?
Then, we were given nifty blue buttons that boldly challenge the world. They say:
Ask Me Why I'm Catholic
If you were wearing a pin like that, and someone asked you the Big Question, what would your response be?
Here are two responses to this question that reflect the news of our times: Here, one from Timothy Radcliffe in the British journal - The Tablet, and one from Elizabeth Scalia, featured on National Public Radio.

Here, too, is the video shown at this weekend's GOF gatherings, from Catholics Come Home:

What are your thoughts?

Easter Vigil Photographs

2010-04-05T11:48:00.002-04:00

Photographs from our beautiful Easter Vigil can be viewed by clicking on the picture above!

Easter is here!

2010-04-04T16:15:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter to all! Christ is risen indeed! From all of us at Immaculate Conception Parish to you and yours, may this Easter season be a blessed and happy one.

Pictures from our beautiful Easter vigil will be posted here soon. Anyone have pictures from Easter Sunday Masses? Please forward them to us!

Thank you to everyone who made Holy Week a beautiful and holy time at IC.

Good Friday and Holy Saturday morning

2010-04-03T12:05:00.002-04:00

Holy Week is beautiful at Immaculate Conception. Over a hundred youth and adults fasted from food for 24 hours to raise over $10,000 for Catholic Relief Services. Our Good Friday service was full, with hundreds of faithful people stepping forward to reverence the cross. Today your fellow parishioners were back to decorate the church for tonight's celebration of the Easter Vigil (at 7:30PM). We are truly blessed as a parish! Check out the pictures from Friday night and Saturday morning by clicking on the picture above!

Scenes from Holy Week

2010-04-02T13:51:00.002-04:00

Click on this picture to see photos from Palm Sunday's 11:00 Mass:

Click on this picture to see scenes from today's Stations of the Cross, with our Food Fast participants:

Pictures from Holy Thursday Mass

2010-04-01T21:51:00.001-04:00

...can be seen on our Facebook photo page (even if you're not a Facebook member). Check them out!

Holy Thursday

2010-04-01T12:22:00.004-04:00

It's Holy Thursday! Here's a sneak peek at what you will see tonight at 7:30:

Lent comes to an end with the celebration of Triduum, the great three days that celebrate the central mystery of our faith. In fact, the word Triduum (pronounced Trih-doo-um) is Latin, and means "three days." In this case, the three days means three, 24-hour periods which start at the beginning of the celebration of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, and come to an end the evening of Easter Sunday.

On Holy Thursday, we hear about Jesus washing the feet of his Disciples. Jesus showed great humility in leadership with this act, and we recognize this event as the birth of the Priesthood. You may have heard this day called Maundy Thursday - this refers to the "mandatum", or mandate - the command that Jesus gave that "as I have done for you, you should do also (referring to this act of servant leadership)." At Immaculate Conception (and at most Catholic parishes in one form or another), we re-enact this scene by inviting parishioners to the front of the church to have their feet washed with warm water by one of the parish ministers.

At the end of Mass this night, the consecrated Eucharist will be removed in a solemn procession, to be kept in a special place until the Communion Service on Good Friday. This is to commemorate that Christ’s body was laid in a tomb upon his death. Many churches stay open through the night for Eucharistic Adoration - this commemorates the disciples staying with Jesus as he awaited his trial and death. At Immaculate Conception, you are invited to stay and pray in the chapel.

from our Holy Week FAQ, available at the church doors all week!

HOLY WEEK

2010-03-31T12:49:00.004-04:00

Over the course of this spectacular week, we hear about Jesus's celebrated entry into Jerusalem, his betrayal by Judas, the last supper he shared with his disciples, and his passion and death on Good Friday. And Sunday, we experience the center-piece of our faith: Jesus rises from the dead and invites us all to join him. Take some extra time over the next few days, and experience Holy Week with the I.C. community.

Wednesday, March 31
Confessions: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (Chapel)

Holy Thursday - April 1
Mass of the Lord's Supper: 7:30 pm
Adoration: Until 10:00 pm

Good Friday - April 2
Morning Prayer: 9:00 am
FOOD FAST: 11:00 am
Stations of the Cross: 12:00 pm
Liturgy of the Passion and Death of the Lord
with Veneration of the Cross and Communion: 7:30 pm
jr. FOOD FAST Concludes: 11:30 pm

Holy Saturday - April 3
Morning Prayer: 9:00 am
FOOD FAST Concludes: 11:30 am
Easter Vigil Mass: 7:30 pm (fulfills Sunday obligation)

Easter Sunday - April 4
Masses: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am (no 5:00 PM Mass)

Last Lenten Resource

2010-03-28T11:31:00.002-04:00

Apologies all around for lax posting! We've been experiencing difficulties uploading pics to Blogger (and soon will have to figure out some other way of hosting the blog, as our FTP way of posting is no longer to be done by Blogger... any ideas anyone?) But today we shall do some catching up.
First, as Lent draws to a close, here is another great resource for your prayer life. It's called "Living for Others During Lent" but I think it's helpful for every day!
Today begins the holiest week of the year in our Church. Let IC help you get your soul into it! Check back here for updates all week!

Palm Sunday Concert, March 28th

2010-03-27T13:55:00.001-04:00

On Palm Sunday, March 28, 7:30 PM in the Church, combined choirs with orchestra and soloists will present Gioacchino Rossini's "Stabat Mater". This is a concert not to be missed, as it is one of the most melodic of all the concerts and will set the tone for Holy Week. All are welcome. Refreshments to follow in the Hall.

Holy Week is upon us...

2010-03-23T17:26:00.007-04:00

We are moving quickly toward the great Feast of Easter - the most solemn day of the church year. This feast, which will be celebrated on April 4, is preceded by some of the most beautiful and inspiring liturgical celebrations of our faith. So that we will not arrive at Holy Week unprepared, it is good for us to be reminded of all the sacred moments that precede this most joyous and holiest of days.

"The Light Is On for You" will continue on Wednesday evenings, March 24 and 31. Priests are available in chapels and churches throughout the Archdiocese to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. So far, all reports indicate that the people have responded very well to this initiative. Sacramental Confession should be an important part of our preparation for Easter. Pass the word to your friends, family and neighbors.

On Palm Sunday, March 28, we will begin the solemn liturgies of Holy Week. Palms will be blessed and distributed at all the Masses. At 7:30 PM on Palm Sunday, combined choirs with orchestra and soloists will present Gioacchino Rossini's "Stabat Mater". This is a concert not to be missed, as it is one of the most melodic of all the concerts and will set the tone for Holy Week.

The Sacred Triduum (three days) will begin on Holy Thursday evening at 7:30 PM. On this night, we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Ordained Priesthood, and Christ's mandate to serve, symbolized by the washing of feet. At the end of Mass, we process with Christ to His place of repose, as we await with Him the agony and death on the cross. The chapel will close at 10:00 PM that evening.

Good Friday, April 2, begins with Morning Prayer in the Chapel at 9:00 AM. At 12:00 noon, our youth will present the Stations of the Cross as they begin their 24 hour Food Fast. The Divine Mercy Novena will begin at 3:00 PM and will be prayed each day until Divine Mercy Sunday (April 11). On Good Friday evening, we will commemorate The Lord's Passion at 7:30 PM.

Holy Saturday begins at 9:00 AM with the celebration of Morning Prayer in the chapel. It is a day of waiting - a day spent in anticipation and preparation for The Great Vigil, which will begin at 7:30 PM. Please note: there is NO 4:00 PM Mass on Holy Saturday. It is not permitted.

The Triduum, the shortest liturgical season, begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and ends with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. As a reminder, Masses on Easter Sunday will be celebrated at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. There will be NO 5:00 PM Mass on Easter Sunday.

Let us join together as a family of believers to celebrate the great mysteries of our faith.

Father Mehm

Scenes from Soup and Stations

2010-03-14T10:39:00.002-04:00

Thanks to our Knights of Columbus for hosting the soup supper for Soup and Stations Friday night! Delicious soup and great company.

Wednesday at I.C.

2010-03-10T12:19:00.006-05:00

Wednesday nights are busy at Immaculate Conception Parish! Tonight we start with The Light is On for YOU! -- reconciliation (confessions) in the chapel, from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Tonight Fr. Bakker is "in the box" so you'll have a loving, friendly confessor. "How-to" guides are available if it's been a while and you can't remember how it goes.
At 7:00 PM in the meeting rooms, join the lovely I.C. Knit-Along group members in making prayer shawls and baby blankets for parishioners. This is a fun group and you can learn a new stitch or two while you're at it!
And of course at 7:03 PM, THE W (youth group for grades 8-12) meets in the Son Room. It's never not fun!!
Happy Wednesday everyone!
-MM

Lenten Collaborative Mission

2010-03-09T18:39:00.002-05:00

Our Collaborative Mission has been a great addition to our Lenten season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We appreciate the involvement of so many parishioners.

Another great Lent resource, and the Mission continues tonight!

2010-03-08T11:21:00.003-05:00

Here's another great Lenten calendar, this time from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Click on today's date and a quick message will pop up with something to think about for the day!

Don't forget, tonight we continue our Lenten Collaborative Mission on home turf! Come on down at 7:00 PM and welcome parishioners from St. Joseph and St. Francis in Medford, and Sacred Hearts in Malden! Our own Rosalind Mohnsen and Judy Doucette will lead us in music and Deacon Mark Rumley will be our speaker.

A reception will immediately follow the mission in our Hall. Kick off your third week of Lent with your parish family!

Friday Soup and Stations

2010-03-05T15:36:00.001-05:00

Join your parish family for Soup and Stations of the Cross, starting at 6:00 PM in the Hall. Our meal is prepared and sponsored by our Ultreya Group.

John Angotti concert in Sherborn!

2010-03-04T16:25:00.004-05:00

I saw John Angotti at a national conference, and was WOWed by his performance. Now he's on the East Coast - it's a great way to pray through music this Lent, so plan ahead!
-MM

All are welcome for this Lenten Concert
Saint Theresa Parish
35 South Main Street, Sherborn MA
March 21 2010, 3:00 PM
Featured at the World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia in 2008, John Angotti Music Mission [JAMM] performed for a crowd of 5000+ youths. He has recorded nine albums of Christian music to date, including a new release this March.
A graduate of West Virginia University and the U.S. Military School of Music, Angotti has also been the lead vocalist of the U.S. NAVY Band. The United Catholic Music and Video Associa-tion has awarded John Angotti several awards, including the Male Vocalist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Artist and the Praise, and Worship Album of the Year.

The Light is On For You... tonight!

2010-03-03T18:25:00.002-05:00

The Lenten "Light is On for You" program continues tonight. For the duration of the Lenten season, you can go to any location to take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation any Wednesday night from 6:30 PM -8:00 PM.
Fr. Mehm is in the reconciliation room tonight, and he's AWESOME at hearing confessions. Give him a try, you know you've been thinking about it!!
-MM

This is a good one!

2010-03-02T13:56:00.003-05:00

The web has a wealth of great resources for Lent. Even if you can't figure out a good Lenten devotion or practice, this awesome Lenten calendar from our friends at Busted Halo has a new suggestion (or two) for every day during this holy season. Check it out!!
-MM

Lenten Mission- week 2

2010-03-01T18:11:00.002-05:00

Tonight is week two of our Malden-Medford Collaborative Lenten Mission! Join your parish family at Sacred Hearts in Malden, 7:00PM tonight! Snacks and fellowship afterward!

Smiles at GOF

2010-02-26T21:20:00.001-05:00

What are these people looking at??And what on earth are these people trying to do??

Find out at Generations of Faith Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:00PM in the hall!