Church Bulletin Week of November 9, 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parish Ministries Contact List
Coordinator of Ministries, Deacon Jerry 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, Lisa Hamler 973-823-0126
Children's Liturgy, Marianne Nichols 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOLY PLACES, HOLY LIVES
Roman Catholics in the United States at the beginning of the twenty-first century have had more than their share of experiences of unholy things going on in holy places. And, in light of the extreme reaction that Jesus has to this phenomenon at the Temple in today's Gospel, it may seem unusual to be celebrating what, on the surface, seems to be a feast of a building: the pope's cathedral church for his role as the bishop of Rome, the cathedral of St. John (the Baptist) Lateran. Throughout time, human beings have come to discern, through the Spirit, various physical locations for the work and activity of God: creation, the Ark of the Covenant, the Jerusalem temples, the womb of a Galilean girl, a cross and tomb, an upper room. All these physical places have the potential to be sources of holy things, of God's ongoing grace in the world. As we hear in today's Gospel, we must always look to Christ, the one, eternal, always-holy dwelling place of God. Then we who are baptized must pray that we always be guided to lead holy lives in holy places, in all places, at all times. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading — I saw water flowing out of the temple; wherever the river flows, every living creature shall live (Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12).
Psalm — The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High (Psalm 46).
Second Reading — Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17).
Gospel — Stop making my Father's house a marketplace (John 2:13-22).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for November:
General: That the testimony of love offered by the Saints, may fortify Christians in their service to God and neighbor, imitating Christ who came not to be served but to serve.
Mission: That Christian communities in Asia, contemplating the face of Christ, may find the most suitable way to announce Him in full fidelity to the Gospel to the peoples of that vast continent so rich in culture and ancient forms of spirituality.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Veteran's Day - November 11th
Today we revere all our veterans: those who rest in honored glory, those who still suffer from the wounds of war, and those who, with us, enjoy the blessing of living in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O God, Thank You for the selfless sacrifice of these veterans and of their families. Help us to remember them, to pray for them, and to care for them. Please bring all our departed veterans into Your Kingdom, and console their families with Your unfailing love. Please heal our wounded veterans through the power of Your Holy Spirit, and give to all our veterans the satisfaction of having served You even as they have served us. Thank You for Your gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. May we fight to keep these rights available to all. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last Weekend's Collection:
2007:$5147
2008:$ 6,721
All Souls Day: $752
We are grateful for your contributions this weekend and for all you have done for our parish in the past.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sanctuary Light, a reminder of the Divine Presence, burns this week in Loving Memory of Mary Lepes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Thanksgiving donations will be collected until 11/23 after the 12:00 Mass. Thank you for your generous contributions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sacrament of Baptism
This weekend we welcome into our parish family, through the sacrament of Baptism
Jacob Samuel Morales, son of Samuel and Melissa. May the Lord bless you, and protect you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Choir News
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! Love, Rosanne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming Events:
11/18: 2nd Grade CCD Parent and Student Meeting, 7:30 pm in the Church Lyceum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention Parishioners: Change in Mass Times Beginning December 1st.
+Weekday Masses, Tuesday-Friday, will be at 7:30am.
+Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 8:00am on the last Friday of the month.
+Benediction will take place during Novena after Monday 7pm Mass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BILLY BALSAM
Rehearsals for our Christmas Musical "Billy Balsam" will take place on Sunday evenings starting on November 2 (through November 30), from 6-8 P.M.. All parishioners are invited to join us as we prepare to represent this charming story in song and action; we seek your help on "stage", and behind the scenes. We need many helpful hands as we celebrate this 50th Birthday Presentation of the heartwarming Christmas story in our own church on Sunday, December 7 at both 3:30 and 7:00 P.M... Should you wish to audition for a role, please see Rosanne for rehearsal materials and audition scheduling; auditions opportunities conclude on November 5. Performed 12 years ago by our Adult Choir, this Christmas Musical for "children of all ages" has been performed annually in other states; we welcome its return to New Jersey as our parish embraces the story as our choirs and parishioners bring Billy and his Christmas tree to life once again. The presentation will be in lieu of our Annual Lessons and Carols, but will embrace the season's sounds concluding with the singing of carols by all present. Please help us by volunteering for the many practical (stage/program/publicity/lighting/etc.) tasks or as chorus/cast member so we can make the brilliance of the season's message come to life! Be assured your call to the rectory volunteer will receive quick attention; or please see Rosanne between weekend Masses.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the Lighter Side
Bobby and his grandmother were looking at the beautiful fall foliage admiring the spectacular colors in the trees.
“It looks just like an artist painted this scenery,” Grandma said. “Did you know God painted it all for us, Bobby?” she said.
“Yes”, Bobby said, “God did it all with His left hand.”
A bit confused his grandmother asked him, “What makes you say that God did this with His left hand?”
“Well”, said Bobby, “we learned in CCD that Jesus sits on God's right hand so he must use His left hand to do all this work!”.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome. This is not St. Peter's, but it is the Pope's cathedral. Also called the Church of Holy Savior or the Church of St. John Baptist, it was the baptism church of ancient Rome. It was built in the time of Constantine and was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324. This feast became a universal celebration in honor of the basilica called "the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world" (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput) as a sign of love for and union with the See of Peter. (excerpt from Catholic Culture)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Family Perspective
In today's gospel Jesus is clear: our homes are meant to be “my Father's House” where everyone grows in love under the protection of commitment and forgiveness and not a “marketplace” where we store our trophies of consumer spending. by Bud Ozar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
January 11-20, 2009
Spiritual Director: Fr. Tom McNamara
Nonstop air from NJ, JFK
See of Galilee, Jordan River, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Masada, Dead Sea & more. Call 1-800-773-2660 for more information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special Collection
A special collection will take place next weekend sponsored by The Knights of Columbus for
Deborah Heart and Lung Center.
Deborah offers the best surgical techniques and non-surgical alternatives for diagnosing and treating all forms of cardiac, vascular and pulmonary diseases in adults and congenital and acquired heart defects in neonates and children. Generous donations are a significant factor in helping Deborah Heart and Lung Center provide the highest quality of care to all patients.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paterson Diocese Lay Ministry Grants
Lay Ministry Leadership Formation Endowment applications are available. The funding comes from contributions made to the Prepare the Way Campaign by the people of our diocese. Lay leaders will be eligible to apply for grants to attend courses leading to a certificate or degree in lay ministry. Spring 2009 deadline is November 30, 2008. For more information please contact Ivannia Vega-McTighe at 973-777-8818, ext. 243 or imvega@patersondiocese.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ministry of St. Joseph - Your Parish Needs You
We are excited to announce our new St. Joseph's Ministry at Immaculate Conception. We are seeking help in the following: Please call the Rectory if interested in…
+Assisting in periodic maintenance and improvement of church buildings and grounds.
+Helping with electrical, plumbing, or carpentry, needs of the parish buildings.
+Participating in seasonal upkeep and cleanup of the buildings and grounds at the parish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bethany Spirituality Center,
Highland Mills, invites all to a Weekend Retreat, “Listening to the Spirit Within”, with Sr. Stella Herrera, November 21-23.
The retreat will provide time for prayerful reflection, quiet and sharing. The weekend will help participants become more aware o f the inner movements that drive us toward, or away from God. $150 (845) 460-3061.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
World Wide Marriage Encounter
A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend allows married couples to get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones! Come to the experience in East Hanover. Call for more information: Sal & Sylvia at 1 800 823-LOVE or email elmwwme@peoplepc.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eat Out Night at McDonald's
Immaculate Conception School Fundraiser
November 12th
ICRS will receive 20% of ALL food purchases.
EAT and RAISE MONEY...SO SIMPLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Evenings
Have you asked yourself these questions?
How do I get in touch with God in my busy life?
How can I find a group of women with whom I can pray and share regularly?
Contemplative Taize Prayer/Share Evenings
November 21, 2008
6-9 pm, Light supper, Prayer & Share
St. Andrew's Church Convent
400 Mt Prospect Ave - Clifton, NJ 07012
RSVP: 973-290-5331
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 19th 2008 Caregiver EXPO
3-7pm Farmstead Golf and Country Club, Lafayette, NJ: 973-579-0555;
FREE Admission- Registration Required
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Second Collection - Starting in December
On the 4th Sunday of every month we will take a special collection for Heating and Air-Conditioning. Due to the rising costs to heat and air-condition the church, it will be necessary for us to add a second collection to help defray the additional cost burden on our Parish. Your generous donations are most gratefully accepted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, John Tidona & Lisa Stine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A CHURCH SWEPT CLEAN
Life is a mixture of sin and grace, winter and summer, birth and death and in the midst of it all we find meaning and richness and love. Something flows through life bringing light in spite of the darkness. If we are the dwelling place of God, a temple made of living stones, then we are also in need of being swept clean just as Jesus once cleansed the Temple in his day. The good news is that the Church is being swept clean, in every age, because sin slips through in every age. And so the Church, that living temple, is constantly being made new, painful as it may be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INSIDE THE READINGS
On November 9, 324, Pope Sylvester I dedicated the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of Rome. It is honored as the mother church of Christendom. Today the Catholic world celebrates the 1684th anniversary of its dedication.
At the time of Jesus the temple was sacred to the Jewish people because the presence of God was revealed there and their sins were forgiven. It was also the only place to offer sacrifices.
In today's Gospel, Jesus is aware that the temple has also become a marketplace. Oxen, sheep, and doves were sold for sacrifices. "Everyone of twenty years or more who enters the registered group must give this contribution [a half-shekel] to the LORD" (Exodus 30:14). The moneychangers exchanged coins that bore images that were unacceptable for paying the temple tax for Tyrian half-shekels, which were acceptable.
With a truly prophetic action Jesus cleanses the temple by driving out those engaging in commercial activity. This deed had roots in the Old Testament: "On that day there shall no longer be any merchant in the house of the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 14:21). The rebuilding of the temple is also a definite theme. "They shall rebuild Jerusalem with splendor. In her the temple of God shall also be rebuilt" (Tobit 14:5).
Today's Gospel presents a most important teaching of Jesus. While there will always be places of worship, he will become the true center of all Christian worship. He is truly the Son of God who remains with his followers in the real presence of the Eucharist.
The Gospel contains a very helpful chronological reference. The statement that the temple has been under construction for forty-six years places the event in today's Gospel at the Passover of AD 28.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Living with self-inflicted limitations is no easy task, personally or ecclesially. On the other hand, the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ renews the Church and helps us to build his kingdom as best we can. Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WQRD
for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.11/9/08
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Altar Server Schedule
Sat: 11/8 5:00 KMorano AKoske
Sun:11/9 7:30 MKHubbard JOroho
9:00 JHamler MLattanzio
10:30 MFalk RHolowienka
12:00 APost MPost
Sat: 11/15 5:00 CBrossman AKoske
Sun:11/16 7:30 JOroho JDragon
9:00 CBrossman NCarafello
10:30 M McDonald CMcDonald
12:00 DPeck JPayne
Sat: 11/22 5:00 CBrossman NMoscalow
Sun: 11/23 7:30 MKHubbard SMorano
9:00 ECox JHamler
10:30 RHolowienka MLattanzio
12:00 DPeck AAllen
While you are visiting the Immaculate Conception web site, be sure to sign in our guest book!!