LIVING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST
Some of Saint Paul's best known and most beloved imagery is contained in the passages from First Corinthians that we have heard last week and this week: the many gifts granted by the one same Spirit and the many members making up the one Body of Christ. Few passages from sacred scripture more accurately sum up how Christian vocations work together.
Unlike some of Paul's other writings, which are a product of the social and religious conventions of his time, these enable us to look at our own lives and the lives of those around us to discern what gifts, what vocations the Holy Spirit has given for the good of all. We can likewise know the joys and sorrows of the other members of the Body and share in them for the strengthening of the whole Body of Christ.© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday:Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday:St. Vincent; Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person
Wednesday:St. Francis de Sales
Thursday:The Conversion of St. Paul;
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ends
Friday:Ss. Timothy and Titus
Saturday:St. Angela Merici; Blessed Virgin Mary
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:Heb 9:15, 24-28; Mk 3:22-30, or any readings from the Mass “For Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891
Tuesday:Heb 10:1-10; Mk 3:31-35
Wednesday:Heb 10:11-18; Mk 4:1-20
Thursday:Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Mk 16:15-18
Friday:2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Mk 4:26-34
Saturday:Heb 11:1-2, 8-19; Mk 4:35-41
Sunday:Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71; 1 Cor 12:31 —
13:13 [13:4-13]; Lk 4:21-30
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
— Luke 4:18a
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10).
Psalm — Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life (Psalm 19).
Second Reading — In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-30 [12-14, 27]).
Gospel — The Spirit of the Lord has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21).
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The beautiful flowers in the sanctuary this weekend are in loving memory of:
Helen Hyde
as requested by her husband, Raymond
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May the special graces of baptism, through water and the Holy Spirit lead you to everlasting life.
Our community at Immaculate Conception Church rejoices with you and gives praise and thanks to God for this new gift of life.
Jarrod Christian Cofrancesco
son of Rosemarie and Jarrod
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Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and
helps to build a better world. Thank you for your
support and generosity for last week's collection.
Last Sunday's Collection: $5,013.00
Project Faith Collection: $1,962.00
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our next Prayer Shawl Meeting is tomorrow evening February 19th at 7:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
Please join us in this loving Ministry. We share prayers and stories that affirm the power of God's presence.
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Immaculate Conception's Grief Support Group
On the first Wednesday of each month Immaculate Conception Parish offers an ongoing Grief Support Group. If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, please join us. The next meeting is on February 7th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House (former Convent).
After the holidays comes that lull. We are left with the clutter and new bills to pay. It can be depressing. Let us not forget amidst all the daily activities of life and the aftermath of Christmas, what the true meaning is in our Savior's birth and our existence on earth. Spread love.
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Ministry to the Homebound
If you are unable to come to Church or know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive Communion, please call Janice at the Rectory at 973-827-9575 and arrangements will be made to visit your home. Janice is in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Knights of Columbus Marquette Council #588
appreciates your support for their
Annual Rose Sale
Knights will be accepting donations outside of the Church this weekend.
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Holy Hour For Life
St. Francis deSales Church, 614 Rt. 517in Vernon will be holding a Holy Hour for Life on January 22nd at 7:30 that evening in support of life and the Right to Life March on Washington. Please join us, because together our prayers are very powerful. Our Holy Hour will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, praying the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction.
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On Saturday, January 27th at 11:00 a.m., there will be a Memorial Mass here at Immaculate Conception Church for John Gibson, Sr., father of Mary Donegan and John Gibson, Jr.
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HELP SUPPORT Immaculate Conception Regional School!
Scrip gift cards available after Masses and at the school. Shop-Rite, Weis, A&P available in many denominations.
Also available: Sussex Meat Packing, Staples, Barnes and Noble, J.C. Penney, Sears, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wendy's Applebee's and many more. The cards cost only face value with a percentage returned to the school from the retailer. See Marie McKeever or contact Kathy Trainor at the school 973-827-3777.
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ICRS TRICKY TRAY!
Immaculate Conception Regional School will hold it's annual tricky tray in the Emerald Ballroom at the Crystal Spring Country Club in Vernon on Friday, February 9, 2007.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Calling begins promptly at 8:30. Hundreds of trays and special prizes will be available to win. No one under 18 years old will be admitted.
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Catholic Schools Week 2007
Immaculate Conception Regional School, your parish school, will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, January 28 through Friday, February 2, 2007.
Registration for grades Pre-4 through 5th will begin at our Open House on Wednesday evening, January 31st from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
For further information, please call the school at 973-827-3777
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A GREAT PREPARATION FOR EASTER!
Lenten Weekend Retreat “Seek the Lord” by Franciscan Retreat Team - February 23, 24, 25, 2007 in Newton, N.J. For information please call Fr. Tom Kelly, OFM 973-985-9736 or Deacon Milt 973-271-5097.
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The Sussex County fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order will host two information nights on Wednesday, January 24th and February 7th. We are a lay penitent Order united to Christ and each other through St. Francis of Assisi. We work with several ministries to assist the poor. Through daily conversion, our lives are dedicated to going from Gospel to life and life to Gospel. If you have a call to learn more about our Order, please join us at Sacred Heart Center, 20 Old Swartswood Road in Newton, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Contact Hugo Bader at 973-579-1430 or Ken Majewski 973-668-5167 for additional information.
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Parish Pictorial Directory
you can schedule your photo shoot appointment online at
www.immaculateconceptionparish.org
click on the lifetouch web link
appointment dates are March 13th - 18th, 2007
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Monthly Food Drive
Boy Scouts of America, Wolf Pack #90 will be assisting us with our food drive on January 27th & 28th. Groceries and Scrip will be collected and donated to Sr. Thomasina's Partnership for Social Services Family Center Food Pantry.
Thank you so much for whatever you can give
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STRESS- PROOF YOUR FAMILY! Go on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend! On a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores and phones . If you'd like greater depth, growth and enrichment in your relationship, you'll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend can make! The next weekend is March 9th in Fairfield, NJ. For more information call Ralph and Eileen Perez at 1-800-499-6552.
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LUMEN CENTER presents:
WITH GOD ON THE MARGINS
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2007
Time:Gathering: 9:30 am
Presenter:Terence Moran, C.SS.R.
Place:Caldwell Domincan Motherhouse(Chapel)
1 Ryerson Rd, Caldwell, NJ
Fee:$25
Program:10:00 - 3:00 pm
Come and discover companions of the past and present who found new energy and fresh perspectives on the margins of religious institutions. Eucharistic Liturgy for the following day will be celebrated.
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Stephen Ministry
Whatever You Did for the Least of These...You Did for Me...
In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...” Stephen Ministry is a way to respond to Jesus' great love by showing that love to others. Stephen Ministry is a confidential, one-to-one caring ministry. Stephen Ministers care for people facing a variety of personal crises. Two information nights will be held on Thursday, February 1, and Monday February 5, 2007, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at Sacred Heart Center, Newton, NJ. If you are interesed in attending or have any questions about Stephen Ministry, please contact Eileen Theys at 973-579-6145.
Please notify Fr. Martin of your plans to attend by calling the rectory office at 973-827-9575. Thank you!
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Newton Even Start Program
The Newton Even Start Program presently has openings for new participants. Newton Even Start serves limited income parents who want to improve their literacy skills. Parents attend Sussex County Community College and work on their specific goal(s), such as GED, Adult Basic Education, College preparation, English as a second language, job training and/or computer training. Children can attend the early childhood learning center. The program is free and transportation is available in Newton.
If you know of a parent who would like to take this opportunity for education, please have them contact Carole Wiley or Kathy Wood at 973-383-7392 ex 225 or Linda Fleischer at 973-383-3461 for more information
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Intensive Family Support Services of Sussex County
January Topic of Interest
Managing Symptoms and Beyond: Using the Life Goals Program to Get What You Want
Date:Wednesday January 24, 2007
Time:7PM
Place:The Linn House
St. Clare's Health System - Sussex
Presenter:Jennifer Whitlock, MA
Licensed Professional Couselor, Sr. Clinician, St.
Clare's Health System
A discussion of the Life Goals model of treatment for Bipolar disorder which highlights; Identifying your constellation of symptoms and making plans for how to deal with them; Education regarding the illness and options for treatment; Identification of symptom triggers; Helpful verses harmful coping responses; Development of a personally tailored plan of action for response to various symptoms; Enlisting the help of family members; Achieving occupational, social & recreational goals.
Registration is free but required. Please call 973-702-2741 by January 22nd.
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The Delbarton School Mother's Guild is hosting a camp fair that is free and open to the entire community.
Event: SUMMER ACTIVITIES EXPO
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2007
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Place: Delbarton School Gym, 230 Mendham Road, Morristown, NJ.
Meet representatives from about 50 different Camps and Programs. Select brochures from another 75 Summer Programs.
Pick up Expo Camp Directory with description and contact information. Enjoy Delbarton refreshments and hospitality.
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That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. William Wordsworth
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Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Anna Elekes, Beatrice Brown, Catherine Alvino, Arthur Schaffhauser, Joanna Tugoluko, Mary Devine, Richard Gulitus, Marie DeMario, Betty Swetz, Ed Knight, Frank Kalafut.
At Home: Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Russell Covert, Jr., Evelyn Caljean, Agnes Maselli, Anthony Fehir, Zina Restivo, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Christine Huntley, Steven “Itchy” Novak, Gabbi Welsch, Eric Cerra, Anthony DePietro, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra and Loraine Schenker.
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Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Dan Greene, Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, Kevin Remus, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler and Tom Oroho.
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A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE
The “power of the Spirit” which anointed Jesus “rests upon” you urging you to see yourself as “the captive, the blind and the prisoner” of today's gospel. Are you a “captive” needing release from exhausting schedules? Is life so hectic you are “blind” to the needs of others? Are we “the captives” who need to be set free?
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LIVE AUCTION - fine art, sports memorabilia, music memorabilia and more! Sponsored by the Marquette Columbiettes Council #588
Proceeds to benefit: Danielle Dionisio, a parishioner, afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis.
At: McKenna Hall at our Lady of the Lake Church - 294 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ.
Date: Friday, January 26, 2007
Time: Preview: 7:00 - 8:00 pm; Auction 8:00pm
Admission:$10 per person. For tickets or information, call 973-827-4396. Hors d;oeuvres; coffee and cake; Door Prize
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Oratory Preparatory School: Come live the Oratory experience at our OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, January 28th form 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Oratory is a Catholic college preparatory day school for boys in grades 7-12. The main school building is located at One Beverly Road, Summit, off Morris Avenue. For further information call: 908-273-5771, ext. 11 or visit us at www.oratoryprep.org.
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Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
THE FLIP SIDE OF GOD'S WORD
Most realities of any worth are two-sided. Family nurtures and challenges. Love sustains and demands sacrifice. On any day one should work as well as play. A healthy person will be able both to laugh and cry. Much of life is a two-sided coin.
INSIDE THE READINGS
The public life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke began with a visit to Nazareth, "where he had grown up" (Luke 4:16). Jesus will say, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me" (4:18). He is quoting Isaiah 61:1-2, where the anointing is prophetic anointing. Later in chapter 4 (vs. 24) Jesus identifies himself as a prophet, a key part of his ministry.
Jesus appears at the synagogue in Nazareth. Apparently the Jewish people began to establish synagogues at the time of the Babylonian Exile in the sixth century before Christ. The synagogue was and still is a vital part of Jewish life. It serves as a focus for liturgy, for education, for meetings. As a faithful Jew, Jesus goes regularly to the synagogue. In today's Gospel Jesus is portrayed as one who teaches continually. This is important because it is this teaching that gives the reader the "certainty" that Luke had promised in the Prologue (1:1-4).
In addition to presenting Jesus as an anointed prophet,
the text of Isaiah highlights another important part of Jesus' ministry, namely his care for the poor, the marginalized, the downtrodden, the vulnerable. "Blessed are you who are poor, / for the kingdom of God is yours" (see Luke 6:20). "[W]hen you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you" (Luke 14:13-14). Luke is so concerned about this aspect of Jesus' teaching that his work deserves the title "Gospel of Social Justice."
The Old Testament longing for the Messianic blessings is realized by these words of Jesus, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing" (4:21). Now the Period of Jesus begins, which in the Acts of the Apostles will lead to the Period of the Church.
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
We need to be comforted as well as challenged. Maybe that is why Nehemiah and Ezra tell the people not to weep or be sad upon hearing God's word. Instead they say, "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks" (Nehemiah 8:10) and rejoice in the Lord. And Jesus, too, comes to bring glad tidings, proclaiming liberty and freeing the oppressed. We need the Word to comfort us as well as challenge us.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.1/21/07
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