Church Bulletin Week of October 5, 2008
Welcome to Immaculate Conception Parish
The faith community of Immaculate Conception welcomes all visitors, parishioners, family and friends. We hope you find your visit warm and inviting as well as spiritually nourishing. We will keep all of you in our prayers and wish you God's Blessings.
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Mission Statement of Immaculate Conception Parish
We, the faith community of Immaculate Conception Church of Franklin, New Jersey, under the safety of and with special devotion to Our Mother Mary, and empowered by our Baptism, commit ourselves to live the gospel message. Guided by the Holy Spirit we strive to share our gifts, our love and our faith to make the presence of God a reality in our lives and in our community by:
+Faithfully celebrating the sacraments
+Working for peace and justice
+Serving all who are in need
+Sharing the faith with our children
+Reaching out to all and welcoming all
Thus fostering an ever-increasing circle of faith in God, hope of eternal salvation and love and respect of all of God's creations.
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Parish Ministries Contact List
Coordinator of Ministries, Deacon Jerome Schenker: 973-702-1014
Grief Support, Charlene Castello: 973-827-9575 and Nadine Allen: 973-827-9575
Religious Education, Nadine Allen: 973-827-9501
Eucharistic Ministers, Christine Muller: 973-827-9575
Lectors, Charlotte Vnuk: 973-827-6277
Music Director, Rosanne Huttman: 973-827-9575
Altar Servers, Barbara Morano:973-868-4523
Ushers, Henry Zarzycki:973-827-3228
Homebound Ministry, Janice Fitzsimmons: 973-827-9575
Hospitality, Marianne Cammarano: 973-827-9575
Children's Liturgy, Cynthia Hanenberg: 973-827-9575
Marriage Ministry, Tony & Sue Quartarolo: 973-827-9575
Liturgy Committee, Eileen & Mike Morgan: 973-827-9606
The Parish Community of Immaculate Conception has an active, living, liturgical life. Through the talents and skills of all those involved in various liturgical ministries, our experiences of workshop provide prayerful and meaningful signs of God's presence. If you are interested in becoming part of a Ministry at Immaculate Conception please contact Fr. Bogie at the Rectory Office or Deacon Jerry.
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BEARING THE RIGHT KIND OF FRUIT
Today's readings focus our attention on vineyards. Isaiah's song concerning his friend's vineyard begins with inspiring and poetic images of an idyllic vineyard where the choicest harvest is expected. Instead, the vineyard yields wild grapes, which causes the owner to abandon it. The psalmist cries out to God, asking that God once again take care of the vineyard, which is the house of Israel. The parable told in today's Gospel offers a stern warning that those who commit treachery in the hopes of attaining personal wealth will be “put . . . to a wretched death” (Matthew 21:41). Jesus warns his listeners not to act like the murderous tenants in the vineyard. Instead he exhorts them to produce the kind of fruit that will lead them to the kingdom of God.
© Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel; the people of Judah are the Lord's cherished plant (Isaiah 5:1-7).
Psalm — The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel (Psalm 80).
Second Reading — God's peace will guard your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-9).
Gospel — The kingdom of God will be given to those who will produce its fruit (Matthew 21:33-43)
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Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for October:
General:
That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.
Mission:
That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church's universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.
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Offertory Gifts
When the Mass intention is for your loved one or a friend, and you would like to bring up the gifts of bread and wine, please advise one of the ushers before Mass.
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Last Weekend's Collection: $4968.00
We are grateful for your contributions this weekend and for all that you have done for our parish in the past. Thank you for your contributions to our SOUPer Sunday food drive. As always your support is appreciated.
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Mission Sunday
October 12, next weekend, will be our Mission Sunday second collection. October is the traditional month of universal mission and the Mission Sunday collection takes place around the world in October each year. Mission Sunday is about supporting young churches and missionaries in meeting the spiritual and material needs of their communities. Mission Sunday is one day of the year which is set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice and a financial gift.
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Looking for Parish Support Team Members
RCIA Classes will begin October 8th. We are seeking interested members of the Parish who would like to be part of the RCIA Support Team who will meet with us as we learn more about being Catholic and share our own stories of our journey of faith. For information call the Rectory.
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United in Marriage
We joyfully celebrate with the families of Jessica Bovee and Jason Tangney
Congratulations! May the Lord continue to guide you and bless you with a lifetime of love and happiness.
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Upcoming Events:
10/15: Eat Out at McDonald's Fund Raiser Night
10/25: Workshop for all Religious Education Teachers (Gr. K-10) at 9:30 in the Lyceum
10/26 Diocesan Gold and Silver Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral
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Children's Liturgists Needed
Please consider volunteering as a Children's Liturgist. Training will be provided. Children's Liturgy is an integral part of every child's church experience. “Protecting God's Children” a Diocesan Program requires two adults and at least two children for each class. We are hoping to be able to provide Children's Liturgy at several Masses. Catechists are required to continue the Children's Liturgy sessions at our 9:00 and 10:30 Masses. Call the Rectory if you are able to assist.
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October is the Month Dedicated to the Holy Rosary
October Recitation of the Rosary
Recitation of the Rosary will be said after Daily 7am Mass and 7pm Monday Novena as well as our regularly scheduled Recitation of the Rosary on Saturdays after the 9am Mass.
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Choir Notes:
We welcome all who wish to raise their voice in song to the Lord! Practices have begun. Adult choir meets on Thursday evenings at 7:30 in the Church. Please join us.
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Immaculate Conception Regional School
10th Annual Basket Fundraiser
Friday, October 24th, 2008
St. John Vianney Church - Madonna Hall
Doors Open at 6pm.
Bingo Begins at &:30 pm
$15.00 for 15 rounds of BINGO
Night of FUN, FOOD, and PRIZES!
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On the Lighter Side
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the BIBLE means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy." the young boy replied excitedly, "It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'"
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Rite of Calling for Eighth Grade Confirmation Students
In the Roman Catholic Church, Confirmation marks the beginning of a young person's adult life. At Immaculate Conception we have a three year preparation program for students before they can make their Confirmation. In the Confirmation ceremony, they are anointed by the bishop with oil. From that point on they are considered adults in the eyes of the Church. One gets confirmed usually by learning more about the Catholic faith and traditions of Catholicism. This Sunday all Eighth Graders will be welcomed into the Confirmation Program at the 9AM Mass. At that time they will be “Called forward” and presented with the Bibles they will use in their ongoing preparation studies at Immaculate Conception.
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Camp Auxilium Tricky Tray
Camp Auxilium Learning Center will hold its Annual Tricky Tray on Friday, October 10, 2008. Doors open at 6:15pm. Drawing will begin at 8:00pm. Lots of Great Specials! Over 375 Trays!!!
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Open House
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 6-8pm
College of Saint Elizabeth
Center for Theological and Spiritual Development
Certificate in Ministry Programs
*Youth and Young Adult Ministry
*Pastoral Administration
*Religious Education
*Parish Life Ministries
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FALL RETREATS
Bethany Spirituality Center
Highland Mills, New York
Fall Retreat Schedule
October 11: Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
October 21: Taize Evening Prayer
October 28: Day of Recollection - Love One Another
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Understanding Grief: A Journey with Hope
+Small group discussion,
+Stations of the Cross,
+Light Ceremony
The Bereavement Ministry
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church
Saturday, October 11, 9am - 12noon.
973-726-8978 Registration closes 10/08/08
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Experience Therese Live - Therese the Story of a Soul
Therese's message is life-changing, and her story will especially touch young people, who need to encounter her encouraging message of trust in the mercy of God.
Don't miss this live presentation
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
910 Birch Street, Boonton, NJ
All Are Welcome - Free Will Offering
For more information contact Barbara at 973-257-0310
Dorothy Pawlowski, a talented young actress of strong faith, stars in this one-person live production closely based on Saint Therese of Lisieux's famous autobiography,
Story of a Soul. The haunting musical score, performed by a full orchestra, was composed by a cloistered Carmelite Nun for this play.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Children's Choir
Once again, we are organizing our annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Children's Choir which will sing on Tuesday evening, November 25 at 7:30 P.M. at Immaculate Conception Church. Youth from our parish and area congregations are invited to participate in joyful song for this annual community event. Children of all ages are most-welcomed! Three important practices will be held on Tuesdays November 11, 18 and (on the day of our Service) November 25; attendance is necessary at each rehearsal. We practice from 4:45-5:30 inside our Church. A hint?: We have an extra "smile" planned for this year's music.... So, Please MARK YOUR CALENDAR with these rehearsal dates now! Let's fill the church with joyful sound!
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Act as Beacons of Hope
Our Diocese has been blessed with a significant increase in vocations to the priesthood. With this blessing comes the challenge of meeting the increased costs associated with their formation. Please be as generous as possible to this year's Bishop's Annual Appeal by supporting the education of our seminarians and making a great investment in the future of our Church.
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The Year of St. Paul is Here
As we continue to celebrate the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul the Apostle, from June 28, 2008 - June 29, 2009, we will pay special attention to the second readings in our Liturgy since they are from the Epistles of St. Paul….
DID YOU KNOW?
Paul, the new “apostle of Christ Jesus”, arriving at Damascus, (1Cor 1:1) obeyed the Lord's instructions, was healed miraculously of his blindness and was baptized. Then he received his first instructions about the Christian life from other believers.
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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
January 11-20, 2009
Spiritual Director: Fr. Tom McNamara, OMF Cap.
Sea of Galilee, Jordon River, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Masada, Dead Sea, & More
Call Mike Milano, M&M Travel, 1-800-773-2660
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Did you graduate from a Sacred Heart of Mary School?
All alumnae of schools, colleges and universities founded or staffed by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary are invited to the Third Annual RSHM Alumnae and Friends New York City Benefit Luncheon on Thursday, October 23, at the New York Athletic Club. Call: 914-631-4407
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Prayer Requests:
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Ethel Segarra and Pauline Trofimuk
At Home: Maria Woppel, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Julia Novak, Flo Yurchak, Mary Carmody, Harold & May Dickey, Debbie Yodice, JoAnn Ritz, Regina Kobus, Harry Kosminsky, Jeanine Hodgins, Janice Rogers, Beverly Hand, Joan Boyer, Doris Gancarcik, Bernadette Hoffman, Syrina Bruno, Vicki Schroeder, Ed Gonzales, Jim Marks, Paul Nugent, John Tidona & Lisa Stine
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In the Military: Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho, Maj. Stephen McKenzie, Pvt. Michael Gannon, Ryan Halkirt, Joseph Trainor, Shannon Barr, SSG Sabrina Mohammed, Danielle Venturini & CPL Matt Lindquist.
Please notify us when you have recovered from your illness. Hospitals are now bound by privacy laws and can no longer release the names of their patients. It is up to a family member to let us know if a parishioner is hospitalized or homebound.
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GOD THE DREAMER
Today's Gospel parable of the tenants provides an outline of salvation history. The landowner clearly represents God here and in the first reading from Isaiah. In both cases the landowner prepares a vineyard, representing Israel, expecting the produce due him. The tenants, representing the leaders of Israel, fail to produce fruit, namely good works, justice.
The landowner sends servants to the tenants. The servants are the prophets of the Old Testament, often referred to as God's servants. "From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets" (Jeremiah 7:25). However, it is also true that the prophets were very often the victims of abuse and violence. "So he had the prophet [Jeremiah] scourged and placed in the stocks" (Jeremiah 20:2).
Since the tenants abuse and even kill his servants, the landowner sends his son to get the produce due him. The son, who represents Christ, is also treated shamefully. He is led out of the city and killed. "Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood" (Hebrews 13:12). The chief priests and Pharisees condemn themselves when they predict that the landowner "will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times" (Matthew 21:41). These new tenants are the Jews and Gentiles who will make up the church.
Matthew cites Psalm 118:22-23, which foretells the rejection of Jesus, but also announces that he will be the "cornerstone" of this new structure, the church. God says to the Jewish leaders, "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit" (Matthew 21:43). It is critical, therefore, that the church produce good works for God, especially justice. "Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, / hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow" (Isaiah 1:17).
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Offering a glimpse of the dream and telling its story and pointing to what it's already becoming moves hearts and spirits both. People who write love songs and sing ballads of courage know it. And parents who read bedtime stories to their children know it. Jesus Christ knew it, too, which is why his stories are about God's dreams for us.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 10/5/08
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Altar Server Schedule
Sat 10/4 5:00 MFalk EBriggs
Sun 10/5 7:30 JDragon JOroho
9:00 JMcKeever NCarafello
10:30 RHolowienka DPeck
12:00 APost MPost
Sat 10/11 5:00 Radics Radics
Sun 10/12 7:30 MKHubbard SMorano
9:00 ECox NMoscalow
10:30 CMcDonald MMcDonald
12:00 JPayne CBrossman
Sat 10/18 5:00 MLattanzio JHamler
Sun 10/19 7:30 JDragon JOroho
9:00 NCarafello KCarafello
10:30 MFalk RHoloweinka
2:00 DPeck AAllen
Sat 10/25 5:00 DPeck NMoscalow
Sun 10/26 7:30 MKHubbard SMorano
9:00 ECox JPayne
10:30 APost MPost
12:00 CMcDonald MMcDonald
While you are visiting the Immaculate Conception web site, be sure to sign in our guest book!!