Congratulations to Msgr. Anthony Frecker, who will celebrate 50 years of ordination to the priesthood on Friday, May 27. Fr. Tony has been a staple at Immaculate Conception for the last 7 years, serving the Monday Mass and at least one weekend Mass. A native of Zanesville, Fr. Tony was ordained at the cathedral on May 27, 1972 by Bishop Elwell.⁠ He was the founding pastor of Pope St. John XXIII Church (Canal Winchester), which he served until his retirement in July 2015. He also was pastor of St. Sylvester (Zaleski), Sts. Augustine & Gabriel (Columbus), St. Peter (Chillicothe), St. Mary (Waverly). Additionally, he was associate pastor of St. Mary (Marion), St. Peter (Chillicothe), and St. Elizabeth (Columbus). And he was a priest-in-residence at St. Paul (Midvale) and Sacred Heart (New Philadelphia). Fr. Tony taught at Bishop Flaget High School (Chillicothe) and Tuscarawas Catholic High School (New Philadelphia). He also served as a member of the Priests’ Senate and diocesan evangelization director. To celebrate his 50 year Anniversary of Ordination, Fr. Tony will celebrate with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 29 at Immaculate Conception. Watch the live-stream via https://www.iccols.org/icmass/⁠ Congratulations Fr. Tony!

Please join us as we congratulate Mary Louise on her retirement on the following date: Sunday, June 5 Where – Marian Hall Time – After the 8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Masses The celebration will be part of Hospitality Sunday.

IC School 8th graders received their diplomas during the Baccalaureate Mass. Recorded Mass Here

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Lord, we thank You for the gift that bishops are to the Church. We ask You to bless all bishops as they carry out the work of leading Your Church. Many Catholics in our modern world choose to turn away from Your Church and live far from Your friendship. Some dioceses face large decreases in numbers of practicing Catholics. Bishops dealing with this problem of Catholics abandoning Your Church must pray and work faithfully to help bring lapsed Catholics back. We ask You to assist all bishops of Your Church, and we particularly ask today that You help all bishops who are dealing with dwindling numbers of practicing Catholics in their diocese! Help us to do all we can to bring others to You in our lives. Help us to be Your faithful servants in all things. And I especially ask in this novena (mention your intentions here). Lord, hear our prayers! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our parish is excited to begin to participate in a very specific way to pray for vocations.  The Chalice Cup Ministry invites the whole community to pray for vocations. We are all aware of the need for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated religious life. But sometimes we forget just how powerful praying for an increase in vocations can be. After a weekend Mass, a chalice cup is sent home for the subsequent week with a parish family who commits to pray for vocations daily. The purpose of the Chalice Cup is to provide a focal point for prayer. Families are encouraged to sign up to bring the Chalice Cup home with them from a Saturday or Sunday Mass. We encourage you to pray for vocations while you have the Chalice with you. The Cup will come with suggestions and prayer cards. The Chalice Cup is then returned on the following Friday to the office so it can be given to another family/individual. Sign Up Here

Questions?