Catechumens from Immaculate Conception celebrated  The Rite of Election at St. Catharine’s Parish in Bexley on February 21, with Bishop Brennan presiding over the liturgy. The Rite of Election closes the Period of the Catechumenate. This rite normally coincides with the first Sunday of Lent. At this rite, upon the testimony of sponsors and catechists and the catechumens’ affirmation of their intention to join the Church, the Church makes its “election” of these catechumens to receive the Sacraments of Initiation. In the presence of the bishop (or his delegate), they inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect.

The Knights of Columbus are collecting diapers on the weekend of March 6-7 to benefit families who have chosen life over abortion. Please prayerfully consider donating diapers for Right for Life and part of your Lenten journey.  All donations will serve the Pregnancy Decision Health Center in Columbus, Ohio.  Diaper sizes 3 and 4 are the greatest need.  Diaper donations only please.  Many families face challenges and hardships with a pregnancy and having a child.  By providing this service, we not only lighten their burden, but also show our support for life. Due to COVID, we will have a drive-thru drop off after the 4 p.m., 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses at the IC garage.  Follow the signs.  Please do not drop off in the Church or Gathering Space.

Preparing their hearts for Lent, about 56 women gathered in Marian Hall over the weekend for the IC Woman’s Retreat. Since there was no Diocesan-wide retreat this year, Immaculate Conception hosted the retreat to provide a source of faith and fellowship, said Mary Ann Rivera, Immaculate Conception’s director of Evangelization & Faith Formation. “For many women, this was the first time they’ve been around other women in any gathering due to the pandemic. I believe people are really hungry for community and connecting at a deeper level with others,” Rivera said. The retreat featured two speakers – Monica Richards (Damascus Catholic Mission Campus) and Gina Cecutti Whiteman (former IC youth minister). During her session, Richards relayed how God is “after our hearts.” And that encompasses a desire to prepare for Lent in whatever place, where we can be closer to God. She even displayed a rock-shaped heart to emphasize God is always present. Relating the story of Jesus healing the hemorrhaging woman (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5: 25-34; and Luke 8: 43-48), Whiteman described how regardless of where we are at “God is looking for us and looking at us.” “I felt like the Holy Spirit was really present, and from the moment we walked in, God was touching their hearts,” Rivera said. The IC Woman’s Retreat was an initiative from the Parish Pastoral Council, which included direction from Lisa Galden and Janet Wilks, who both sit on the Faith Formation Commission. When you look for me, you will find me, Yes when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me. Jeremiah 29:

Lenten Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. Catholics between the ages of 18-59, who are in good health, are called to fast – one regular meal and two small/light meals, with no eating between meals. All Catholic 14 years old and older are called to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent. Stations of the Cross Fridays during Lent at 7 p.m. (except Good Friday) View a recording of the Stations of the Cross below: Stations of the Cross – live-stream Catholic Men’s Conference – Saturday, Feb. 27 The 2021 Catholic Men’s Conference will be an online event with the option of meeting in Marian Hall. Titled “Called to be Saints,” it will be held on Feb. 27, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon. Speakers include Bishop Robert Brennan, Devin Schadt, Fr. Donald Calloway, and Chris Stefanik. For more information or to register, visit www.catholicmensministry.com. If you have questions, please call or text Dan Costello at 614-774-8873 or Daric Galden at 614-354-5957. School Penance Service – March 4 & 9 Immaculate Conception School’s Penance Service is scheduled from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on both March 4 AND March 9. Guest Speaker – March 13-14 Fr. Eric Cadin, representative from Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), will speak on his work, creating a culture of vocations with parish youth groups, high schools, colleges and young professionals. Fr. Cadin is the vocations director with the Archdiocese of Boston. 40 Days of Adoration: Friday, March 19 At Immaculate Conception, our day of Adoration will be Friday, March 19 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The people of the church of Columbus are invited to visit and spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist at as many different host parishes on their day of Adoration. For the location and

Immaculate Conception, in concert with Bishop Brennan and the Diocese of Columbus, will be participating in a parish survey about discipleship conducted by the Catholic Leadership Institute!  We need your help! Please help us by participating in a 10-15 minute survey online.  The survey can be accessed through an online link from February 17 to March 22 and will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and enable you to provide feedback on our parish’s efforts to help you grow.  All responses will be confidential and the parish will only receive information about the community as whole. Here is the online link: Click for Survey Link We are trying to get the highest response rate possible.  This information will be invaluable to Fr. Matt and our various ministries as we plan for the future and strive to be the best disciples we can be.  We will receive the results this spring/summer at which time we will share what we have learned with the entire parish. To make special arrangements for getting a paper copy, please contact Mary Ann Rivera at (614) 267-9241.  Thank you for helping with this important project! Downloadable Paper Survey

As part of Bishop Robert Brennan’s 40 Days of Adoration, Immaculate Conception will hold its Lenten Adoration from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 19. Starting on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17). the Diocese will launch 40 Days of Adoration. Every day for 40 days, a different parish throughout the Diocese will host Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration throughout the day. To see the list of all parishes and their respective adoration times, please open the following document Lenten Adoration Schedule. More information is available via columbuscatholic.org/40days.