The St. Vincent de Paul 5th Sunday Collection is this weekend, November 28 and 29. You may use the donation envelope in your packet or place your donation in an envelope marked St. Vincent at any time. Due to the current situation, members will be unable to stand at the church doors to accept your donations. Your envelopes and cash donations can be placed in the safe in the Gathering Space. Donations in envelopes, can be placed in the offertory boxes or sent to the parish office. Another way to donate is via our Online Giving Portal. Click the link below and under “Fund” select “St. Vincent de Paul Society.” https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/imma414160 St. Vincent de Paul Society assists families with rent, utilities, food and other emergency needs. 

The St. Vincent de Paul Society & IC Knights of Columbus continue the parish tradition of a food collection for the St. Vincent de Paul pantry; however, COVID-19 precautions necessitate a food drop off outside at the Garage (east parking lot near the Grotto). Donations can be made from your car. NO donations are to be brought into the Church or Gathering Space. During this season of thanks and giving, we are collecting non-perishable items to prepare food kits for home delivery to some of the families in Columbus who experience food insecurity. Drop donations off following the 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day Mass (Nov. 26). Volunteers will be available to receive donations until 11 a.m. Guidelines for what to donate: Creamy peanut butter 16oz jars Soups (Progresso or Healthy Choice – non-creamy soups) Mac-and-Cheese Tuna fish Canned baked beans (Bush’s baked beans) Canned fruit (no pineapple) Canned whole kernel corn & Canned green beans Spaghetti, pasta & pasta sauce Meal helpers (Hamburger and Tuna Helper) Rice dinner mixes Boxed potatoes Canned dinners (Chef Boyardee and Spaghettios) We thank IC parishioners and IC Knights of Columbus Council 14962 for support of the St. Vincent de Paul Society with donations to our food pantry, clothing drives and generosity at our Fifth Sunday collections. Thank you for your generosity!

Immaculate Conception Parish is excited to direct 100% of the funds we collect on #GivingTuesday to the Women’s Care Center. We are letting IC parishioners donate early; from now through Dec. 1, Help Women Choose Life! Women’s Care Center helps pregnant women from our communities choose life for their babies, have healthier pregnancies become better parents and take first steps to self-sufficiency. Through 31 centers in ten states, this unique unconditionally loving counseling model is a magnet for pregnant women in need. Donors like you help sustain Women’s Care Center as a beacon of hope for abortion vulnerable women. Any donation to our #GivingTuesday campaign can help make a difference in the life of a mother and child! $10 – 1 Bottle of Prenatal Vitamins $25 – 5 Brand New Children’s Books $50 – 1 Infant Car Seat $83 – Life-saving Counseling & Ultrasound for 1 Woman $100 – Care Beyond a Choice for Life: Classes & Goals Sessions $150 – 1 Crib & Mattress $300 – Care for 1 Woman from a Choice for Life to Self-sufficiency Helping Women Choose Life! We are letting IC parishioners donate early – from now through Dec. 1. Donate Here

Last night was the second evening that we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was the First Reconciliation for our 2nd graders from the school and parish. The Sacrament of Reconciliation allows for the forgiveness of the sins and is a pivotal part of their faith journey as they prepare for their First Communion.

November 18, 2020 Dear Pastors, Principals and Parish Athletic Directors: After much discussion and consultation with Pastors, elementary school principals, coaches, parents and the DRA Board, the decision has been made to postpone the start of the DRA basketball season until January. With the recent developments and the precautions that are being taken by the state, we believe we are acting out of the best interest and safety of the children, their classmates and their families. As of today, all practices and games are to be postponed. This also includes open gyms.  A new DRA basketball timeline will be coming later this week.  We are hopeful that the start of the DRA basketball games will begin the weekend of Jan. 16/17.  This also includes the CYO programs. Please share this information with your basketball commissioners, the coaches and parents.  Remember, this is a postponement, not a cancellation.  The hope and plan of the DRA is to have a season in January and February.  We will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as needed.  Please stay safe, wear those masks and socially distance. God Bless You, Marty Raines—Director Office of Recreation Adam Dufault—Episcopal Moderator for Education; Superintendent of Catholic Schools Julius Palazzo—Boys’ Commissioner David Oddi—Assistant Boys’ Commissioner Mike Matthews—Assistant Girls’ Commissioner The DRA Board of Directors

Fr. Matt’s Letter to the Parish Brothers and sisters: As I write this letter to you, I am reminded of these words on Christian discipleship from Saint Charles Borromeo who the church celebrates today; “The principal thing we must acquire and have is the grace of God, without which one cannot live in a Christian way.”  Our Parish Mission is “Leading People to Jesus through Worship, Community, Service, and Devotion to Mary.”  As disciples, you and I have been through much this year, but our mission remains firm.  At IC, we have done many things to connect you to your faith and this parish community, while acknowledging the many difficulties we face in our world today!  Our IC community is a place of faith, blessings and hope in a world facing many challenges and changes.  We believe in building a strong faith foundation for our children and our families.  Although we benefited from the CARES ACT loan, which helped us to pay salaries, health benefits and maintain our teachers and staff during the COVID-19 shut down, we realize this is short term help.  We hope to have this loan forgiven through the allowable plan procedures in the next few months.  More importantly, we turn to God as our source of Hope and Trust! The Annual Parish Appeal is an act of faith that helps us keep our priorities clear and reminds us that we don’t really own anything in this life. We are only ‘managers’ of what God has given us! I invite you to join me in reflecting on how you and your family have been blessed by God in being a part of this IC faith community. Your support – financial, talent and time –  is not only for the operating needs of the parish and school facilities