From Father Jim
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day:)
Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:00PM, we commemorate all of our faithful departed family and friends. We observe this day because we believe that the souls which are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins or who have not fully atoned for their past transgressions are waiting in Purgatory. I invite all to attend this solemn day of commemoration. Thus, we not only remember our love ones; we also help them gain Heaven. Just think, if we assist them into Heaven, their gratitude will be an eternal one and they, in turn, will assist us to gain and share the Beatific Vision. This is truly an exchange of loving gifts to each other. On this day, there will be remembrance candles for those who have died since November 2, 2015. This year, our parish community has had 84 departed parishioners. Their names have been written in our Book of Remembrance, which will be placed in the Sanctuary of both churches for the month of November. We hope that all who have died have obtained eternal happiness in Heaven. But for those who are in Purgatory preparing to enter Heaven, we must assist them. As a community and family, we need each other’s prayers and support. At Mass, the Universal Prayer always has an intention for those who have died. In conclusion, here is a prayer that may be recited for our departed loved ones: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."
Why Jewish Scripture Readings At Sunday Mass?? The first scriptural reading for Sunday Mass leaves a lot of folks befuddled at least and frightened at worst! What is all this talk about God “bringing doom, gloom and destruction on Israel and/or her neighbors?” What did they mean for the Jewish listeners millennia ago? How are we today to understand these passages from the Old Testament? Why are they an integral part of understanding the New Testament and especially the four Gospels? Why? Why? Why? Come and explore the back stories of the Old Testament readings that we will hear during Advent with Fr. Michael Connolly, OSFS that we will hear during Advent and beyond! Bring a friend. Our Parish Youth Group will be available for child care during this time for a slight donation for Work Camp. Hope to see you there on Sunday, Nov. 20th and Sunday, Dec. 11th at 1:15pm in the chapel. Each session will last 1 hour.
Congratulations to those who were recently baptized
Bryce Jameson Shoemaker
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy is for children ages 5-8 ONLY. Children who are not these ages are asked to remain in church.
Catechist for Sun, November 6 Children’s Liturgy is:
Lindsay Partridge
October 31, 2016
8:30 AM Arthur Jones
November 1, 2016 All Saints
8:30 AM Mike Whitlock
10:00 AM Deceased Members of the Smith & Loftus Families
12:00 PM All Souls
7:00 PM All Souls
November 2, 2016 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
8:30 AM All Souls
7:00 PM All Souls
November 3, 2016 St. Martin de Porres, Religious
8:30 AM All Souls
November 4, 2016 St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
8:30 AM All Souls
November 5, 2016
8:30 AM All Souls
5:00 PM Tony Sniadowski
November 6, 2016 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:00 AM People of the Parish
8:30 AM Bernard Loberman
9:00 AM SJ Deceased Members of the Holst Family
10:15 AM Cecilia Schaeffer
12:00 PM All Souls
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia’s Annual Raffle:
Just ten bucks will help support The Sisters of St. Francis!! The Sisters of St. Francis will be selling chances after Mass THIS weekend, October 29th and 30th at Immaculate Conception and St. Jude’s.
Checks should be made out to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation. Your gracious support through the purchase of a book of 6 raffle tickets for $10.00 will help to care for their retired Sisters at Assisi House. The Sisters of St. Francis feel blessed to have served in this parish for 86 years and continue to do so through the presence of Sr. Grace Andrew and Sr. Dolores Marie. Any way that you can support our efforts would be most appreciated. God Bless.
Holy Heroes Free Mass Prep Resources available: Sign up at HolyHeroesFun.com
Liturgy
Readings for next week: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
A king tortured a Jewish family, and tried to make them violate the laws. They all refused to give in and violate the laws. All of the family members told the king they would rather die at his hands than surrender their hope of being resurrected by God.
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16—3:5
Paul prays that the Thessalonians will be strengthened by God. He also asks them to pray that God's word will continue to spread, despite the persecution of Christians that was occurring at that time.
Gospel: Luke 20:27-38
Jesus encountered some Sadducees who did not believe in resurrection. Jesus refuted them by quoting Moses, who called the Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus then said. "God is not the God of the dead but of the living. All are alive for him."
Daily Readings: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time:
Sunday
Wis 11:22—12:2; 2 Thes 1:11—2:2; Lk 19:1-10
Monday
Phil 2:1-4; Lk 14:12-14
Tuesday
Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
Wednesday
Wis 3:1-9; Rom 5:5-11 or Rom 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40
Thursday
Phil 3:3-8a; Lk 15:1-10
First Friday
Phil 3:17—4:1; Lk 16:1-8
First Saturday
Phil 4:10-19; Lk 16:9-15
Pope Francis Year of Mercy Quote of the Week
The Gospel about Jesus seeing Zacchaeus as someone worthy of forgiveness, when others only saw a sinner, is similar to the way Jesus saw the Samaritan woman at the well, one of God’s children in need of love. Today’s reading from Wisdom tells us that God also sees us as people who can be forgiven, God’s beloved. Pope Francis has spoken over and over again about God’s mercy: “[In the story of the Samaritan woman] the Gospel says that the disciples marveled that their Master was speaking to this woman. But the Lord is greater than prejudice, which is why he was not afraid to address the Samaritan woman: mercy is greater than prejudice. We must learn this well! Mercy is greater than prejudice, and Jesus is so very merciful, very!” (Angelus, March 23, 2014) May we learn to see each other and ourselves, as Jesus and God do.
Are you unbaptized and have a desire to be baptized? Are you a Christian interested in becoming a Catholic? Are you a baptized Catholic who never received the sacrament of Eucharist and Confirmation? If you answered yes to any of these questions then RCIA is for you!! RCIA is the process by which baptized and unbaptized Christians become members of the Catholic Church. It is also the process by which baptized Catholics receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Do you feel God calling you to have a deeper relationship with Him? If so, contact the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 or to learn more about RCIA and to set up an interview with Pat Kosman. The RCIA process is a wonderful way to have a greater understanding of the Catholic faith and become closer to God. Sponsors are needed to walk with those who are learning about the Catholic faith through the RCIA process. Do you love your Catholic faith and you want to share it with others? Please consider being a sponsor! Call the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 to sign up. It requires a small amount of effort yet you'll receive large rewards. If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, please contact the Parish Office at 410-398-1100.
Pregnant? Have a Newborn? Does your child need to be Baptized? You’re Invited! Baptism Classes are: Jan. 9, March 20, May 15 and August 21, 2017. All classes are Monday evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM in our Parish Center. It’s never too early to take the class to prepare for the Baptism of your child. Parents are required and Godparents are encouraged to attend these classes. Please contact the Parish Office to register for the Baptism Preparation Class and to arrange the date of Baptism during Mass or at 1:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at IC and at 10:30 am on the 3rd Sunday at SJ. Call the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 for information or to register
In the Gospel this week we meet the familiar character of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Short in stature, Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see and get a closer look at Jesus. He welcomes Jesus into his home and has a conversion of heart. Bring it Home this week by discussing how your family would welcome Jesus into your home. Be open to God’s call to enter your heart as well as your home. Do your words and actions at home show others that Jesus is part of your household?
Faith Formation
Immaculate Conception School News
Fall is in the air, but it’s still hard to believe October is all but over! The year is flying by. This week will be a busy one in the school.
On Monday, ghosts, goblins, and princesses will be wandering the school as we celebrate Halloween. It will be fun to share the religious start to this holiday. On Tuesday, there will be a special school Mass at 10:00 for All Saints Day. Please feel free to join us. On Wednesday, we will have our All Souls Day prayer service.
School will be closed on Friday as the teachers participate in the diocesan-wide professional development day. We are all life-long learners, and we will take full advantage of the opportunities provided to us to improve our school!
If you know of anyone who would is considering a Catholic education for their children, please have them contact the school for more information. We will be holding two more open houses this year. One will be during Catholic Schools Week, and then one will be in the spring. Tours are available upon request by contacting the office at 410-398-2636.
Faith Formation
Religious Education & Sacraments
Religion Classes: Gr. K-8:
Sunday, October 30th at 8:30am and Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:15pm.
CATECHIST MEETING: GR. 1-6 during Religious Ed on Wed., Nov. 2nd & Sun., November 6th
Grade 4 Parent/Child Bible Session:
Parents of Gr. 4 Rel. Ed students are invited to join their child for a special session on the Bible In the school during Rel. Ed Today, Sun., Oct. 30th
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Any parent Not in Attendance at the Parent/Child Meeting last Sunday, Oct. 23rd must contact the Religion Office for their child to remain in the Sacrament Program.
Tour of Reconciliation Room:
Wed., November 9th at 6:30pm
Wed., November 16th at 1pm
Sun., November 20th at 9:30am
Family Reconciliation Retreat: Saturday, Nov. 19th from 10am to 12:30pm in Church. Retreat Forms are due in the Religion Office by November 6th.
Don’t forget to visit our Parish Website for the Weekly Scripture Puzzles and other resources.
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
OCTOBER
30th Saintly Night
NOVEMBER
6th Vocation Awareness
13th NO YOUTH GROUP
20th Teaching Adoration with Deacon Mike
27th NO YOUTH GROUP
9th-12th and COLLEGE AGE
If you are in 9th-12th or a college-age young adult, you are invited to join youth group, Sunday nights in the Youth Room of the Parish Center from 6-8pm.
7th and 8th GRADE YOUTH
7th-8th graders are invited to attend youth group, Sun, November 20th from 6-8pm in the church.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation classes have begun. If you attend Sundays, please use the Youth Room entrance of the Parish Office to get to class. If you attend Wed or Thurs, please use the main entrance to the Parish Office.
If you missed Lesson 2/3, there will be a makeup class, TODAY Oct 30th from 8:30am-10am in the Parish Center.
If you missed Lesson 4-6, there will be a makeup class, Sun, Nov 6th from 8:30am-10am in the Parish Center.
CATHOLIC HEART WORK CAMP
Are you entering 8th grade through early college age Fall of 2017? Have you ever wanted to go on a mission trip? If you answered yes, then come to an interest meeting, TODAY Sunday, October 30th at 4pm in the Youth Room and bring your parents.
Catholic Heart Work Camp is a week-long mission with other youth. You will work, serve, reflect, and build relationships. You will also have fun too!
Parents and Parishioners: The youth group is in need of SODA IN CANS. Pizza gift cards are welcome, too!
Adult Education
Interested in a study group? Several opportunities are available. Call the Parish Office for more information.
Adult Education Committee Meeting:
Thursday, November 10th at 10am
Adult Enrichment Program: The Topic This Year is Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come. No Sessions will be held this Monday, Oct. 30th and Tuesday, Nov. 1st The next Session will be on Mon., Nov. 7th at 6:30pm and repeated Tues., Nov. 8th at 9:15 am in the Parish Center. The Topic will be: Revelation 14-15: Praise the Lamb
The next Bible Timeline Great Adventure Session will be held Thurs, Nov. 3rd at 9:15am in the Parish Center. The Topic will be: Maccabean Revolt: 1 Maccabees.
Social Concerns