Immaculate Conception Church March 14 & March 15, 2020

The Season of Lent

Immaculate Conception Mass Schedule: bishop of Albany Diocese: +Our Parish Office & Mailing Address Held at First United Church Edward B. Scharfenberger 67 Main Street Saturday, 4 PM & Sunday, 9 AM Trustees: Christina Angell & Ellen Scott Bishop Emeritus: Howard Hubbard Hoosick Falls, NY 12090 Finance Council: Krissy Fauler, Dave Stagnitti, Mike Sanders & Linda Pastor: Fr. Tom Zelker Phone: 518-686-5064 Billert Pastoral Council Members: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Virginia Cuddihy, Mike Brewster Jerry D’Acchille, Rick Ferrannini, Karen Kaufman, Office Manager: Sue Hyde Office Hours: Monday—Friday 9:00 AM - 3:30PM and the two Trustees Music Ministry: Richard Cherry We Pray Lent

OUR LITURGIES put into prayerful reflection and celebration this Season of Lent. Curly and pussy willow branches grace the gathering space as a sign of a new springtime; violets and purples reflect our yearning for conversion; the Cross in our sanctuary beckons us to follow. Our Mass is simpler and serene. Liturgy is really a conversation between God and his people. The Word is spoken and dwells among us. Our music and prayer inspires us, challenges us, reassures us, places before us the demands of discipleship, and caresses us with love as God speaks tenderly, yet boldly and we respond as we come to faith. We pay attention more devoutly; perhaps together we will listen and be converted again...reformed as God’s Holy People. We begin quietly and call out as we have for centuries, confident in the mercy of God, with the ancient Greek, “Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison”. Our response to the Hebrew Scripture is Psalm 51, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

We tell of God’s amazing, soaring heights of gracious healing offered to all. The Gospel is proclaimed without any Alleluias (what a contrast to Easter’s exuber- ance). The ancient stories of encounters with Christ become our stories. As we gather around the Lord’s Table, we ask God to free us from apathy, complacency, fear, evil, and stubbornness that we truly hear God’s life changing summons to discipleship. Because of Jesus’ love, we will never be the same. We proclaim how God loves us through the Cross into the Resurrection...through Jesus’ death into new life. And so we give thanks and seek to become reconcilers in our world. We celebrate Communion with Christ and with one another. We remember that we belong to God and to each other; even in silence God speaks to us, calling us beyond any fear or doubt. Within our heart, God’s Word speaks to us of home, freedom, and life. After this Holy Communion, we sing supportively as a bonded communi- ty. We go forth believing evermore that we are sent out in the name of God as a people on a conversion pilgrimage...acting with justice, loving tenderly, serving all people, and walking humbly with God and each other. We leave our worship in quiet reflection to live faithfully every day. Third Sunday of Lent March 15, 2020

Faith Formation News Mass is Class

As part of our Family based focus, these are next week’s readings so you and your family can start thinking about those lessons in Mass.

1st Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a 2nd Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel: John 9:1-41

LITURGY SCHEDULE Here is this week’s YouTube video that you can share and discuss with your family. Go to YouTube and search Masses are celebrated at for the following: Reflection for the Third Week of Lent 2020 First United Church Confirmation and First Communion groups please stay after our Sunday March 15 workshop for a brief Saturday, March 14 information session about your upcoming Sacraments. 4:00 PM Mass George & Betty Peer Each week, there will be activity pages at the back of the church for students. (Req. Anonymous) Thomas & Mary Jane Harrington Our next Family workshop is This Sunday, March 15, 2020 following Sunday Mass from 10:15 am to 11:30 am. (Req. Dianne Harrington) Everyone is invited. The focus will be Lent. Our workshops will be held at our church hall at Immaculate Con- Jennifer Bakaitis ception. (Req. Jack & Peg Bakaitis) SAVE THE DATE… Sunday, March 15 9:00 AM Mass BE THERE PLEASE! Daniel & Jason Taber (Req. Joan James) Parish Pizza and Meeting - Sunday, March 29 Patricia Herrington Immaculate Conception Church Hall (Req. Michael & Mary Ellen Sanders) John Morizio (Req. Family) Walter Brizzell (Req. Sue Nash)

11:00 AM Mass - St. Patrick’s

Monday, March 16 12:00 Noon Mass Blanche McAuliffe (Req. Family) Remembering our Irish Heritage

Tuesday, March 17 5:30 PM –St. Patrick’s Day Prayer ICC Hall

Wednesday, March 18 8:30 AM Mass – St. Patrick’s 2:00 pm - pizza and refreshments Friday, March 20 12:00 Noon Mass 2:30 pm - Presentation, discussion, and sharing ideas about our worship area in Im- Margaret Mary Spitler& George Wilson Spitler maculate Conception Church. (Req. Isabel Custodio) “How we pray is what we believe and how we are to be.” Visual presentation and Saturday, March 21 4:00 PM Mass sharing ideas about our church worship area. Please come and join together as a Terri Galvin (Req. Carol Accetta) community of disciples. Robert & Irving Haynes (Req. Noreen Haynes) Worship Space Committee Members: Rita Downey (Req. Family) Beth Ferraninni, Lynne Mango, Nancy Laurin, Linda Hutchins, John Andrew Hay- Cary May den, Linda Billert, Louise Cuik, Fr. Tom Zelker, and John Riley (architect). (Req. Jack & Peg Galvin)

Sunday, March 22 Change Our World Holy Week Sign Up Sing With Heartfelt Joy 9:00 AM Mass For Holy Week and Easter Margaret Parker & Herbert Felix Parker Please bring your spare pocket - (Req. Isabel Custodio) change to church. This Lent, your Marlene Banks & Betty Peer Choir practices Saturday March 14 donations support Friends of Holy Thursday Mass - April 9, 5pm (Req. Mary Waytkus) and March 28 at 10am Dyken Pond. We are purchasing Good Friday Passion Service - April 10, 7pm Immaculate Conception 11:00 AM Mass - St. Patrick’s adjoining wetlands that are im- Easter Vigil Mass - April 11, 7:30pm Church Hall. portant habitats for local animal Easter Sunday Mass - April 12, 9am

SANCTUARY LAMP and tree species. 3/15/20-3/22/20 - Readers, Ministers of Communion, Servers, All kinds of singers are welcome to In Honor of the Risen Christ Foot-washers, and ushers/greeters please sign up sing of new hope We remember: Terri Galvin at Church/Parish Office. and inspire our people. (Req. Carol Accetta) Re-Igniting Our Faith - LENT 2020 - As of this weekend, we’ve raised $502,416.00 from 237 donations and pledges. Your support is important. Thank all of you for your gifts. Contribution forms are available at our Church office. A journey of Conversation, Conversion, Prayer, and Service. We listen to the Holy Ones among us including, Casimir, THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR: Patrick, Mary of Nazareth, and Buddha. Tuna fish, peanut butter, cold cereal, shampoo, toothpaste and brushes, and feminine hygiene items.

Please bring these items to our donation box in church. There is always a need for St. Patrick’s Day old bags to be reused. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Food Pantry Volunteers...We are looking for volunteers to help. For information Immaculate Conception Church Hall and training, contact Dianne Hosterman at 686-5310.

Comfort and Hope Group - Free Tax Prep - 5:30 pm - Evening Prayer of St. Patrick Our Hoosick Area Church Association is Monday, April 6 now preparing taxes. Please call 686- 6:00 pm - Corned Beef and rye bread accompanied by in the Good Shepherd Room - 9491 for an appointment. Hoosick Falls Central High School Jazz Band. Open Support Group at 7:00 PM Regular Monthly Business Meeting Stone Soup Group - Please bring cookies or an Irish dessert to share. - - Prison Ministry Meeting - During the cold winter months, we make soup for Empty Bowls Dinner Sunday, March 15 immediately after our neighbors at Woodbridge, Wood Park, and the people Mass, in the Good Shepherd room, the At Unihog, Center St., Wednesday, March 18 , 4pm-7pm ICC Prison Ministry is holding a letter served at our Food Pantry. You can writing drive. You can write one or two make any soup (except cream soups) at Delicious soups; student crafted bowls; local music; supports the letters to our inmates. We write to Ste- home and bring it to the rectory or the 3 ministry of our Food Pantry. $10 for 2 soups and 1 bowl. ven and to Mike. Our goals in writing places served. Containers are available to them this Lent is to try and convey our at our office. Your home cooking How Baptized Am I? thoughts about Lent, Jesus’ death and makes a great difference for our whole resurrection. Jesus’ death frees us all community. Call our office for further Discussion led by Linda Hogan - Wednesday, March 25 information. from our tombs; our prisons. (Annunciation of the Lord) - 6pm in the St. Joseph Room You can also write your letter at home ICC BINGO - Save the Date! and bring it to Mass. Soup and sandwich dinner, dialogue, and prayer.

There are rules to writing to an inmate. Communal Reconciliation Services 1) the letter can only be on plain paper (no cards, drawings, envelopes, etc.) 2) Tuesday, March 31 - 6pm at First United (ICC) Church

you must use blue or black pen and 3) Wednesday, April 1 - 6pm at St. Patrick’s Church do not sign your last name or put your On April 23rd there will be bingo in the address on the letter. church hall. This is to benefit our The Prison Ministry will put all the church. Winners will win prizes, not Rice Bowls letters in our Immaculate Conception baskets. Tickets are $10 in advance and envelopes and mail. Our ultimate goal in $13 at the door. Tickets can be pur- Catholic Relief Services - We help alleviate hunger and poverty writing to inmates is to get at Jesus’ chased at the rectory, Thorpe’s, and after throughout the world. message of “I was in imprisoned and you the Masses. If anyone is interested in visited me.” Both of our inmates are not helping, please let Karen (686-4737) or Wednesday Noontime allowed in-person visits so letters do Ellen (686-5075) know. make them happy and feel like someone Prayer and Lunch cares. How do we know? They both - Coronovirus Precautions - wrote us so! 12 Noon at the Hoosick Falls Baptist Church, we gather as a Chris- - If you are ill, please stay home. It’s a Make this Lent a time to get out of your noble act of charity to care about fellow tian family to pray and share. own box and wish happiness to another parishioners. Prayer, polka music, and plates of pierogis human in difficult circumstances. - Cover your coughs. (plus kielbasi and kapusta)! Interested in joining our faith commu- - Wash your hands. Cleaning stations nity as a member of the Catholic are placed around the Church. Ministers Church? Know someone who is? of Communion wah their hands before The invitation is extended. and after. Fr. Tom Zelker washes his See Fr. Tom Zelker. hands several time during Mass.

The Vultures Return -At the sign of peace, one may simply On Sunday, March 8, bow or greet with words. turkey vultures roosted - Sharing of the cup is suspended for on the rectory chimneys. We had our now. official drawing before Mass. The winners are Tony Hayes and his lovely -The Holy Water bowl is changed before granddaughter, Sophie Hayes. We look each Mass. forward to our vultures circling over -Use common sense. Hoosick Falls all season.

A LENT OF OPPORTUNITY

Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them. Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of all life. Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of all light. Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; Feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism. Fast from worry; Feast on God’s providence. Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; Feast on affirmatives. Fast from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayer. Fast from hostility; Feast on non-resistance. Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others. Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth. Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress; Feast on verities that uplift. Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm. Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth. Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire. Fast from shadows of sorrow. Feast on the sunlight of serenity. Fast from idle gossip. Feast on purposeful silence. Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that sustains.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.

During this great season of renewal let us be inspired by the reality that we are made in God’s image and likeness. Let us use this opportunity to capture once again the reality of this great mystery of who we are. Lent is our time to renew again how we should live this mystery of love. It is the Author of Life calling us out of our self imposed fear of living that love, through the renewal of this great season.

Crafted from the foundation

beams of our Church, we

continue to build up the reign of God with living stones. Jesus Christ is our true cornerstone.

Immaculate Conception Parish - march 14 & march 15

This Week: March 14 & March 15

Lectors: Team 2 Counters: Linda Bennett & Ellen McMartin Next Week: Judy Flynn & Jerry McAuliffe

(You are responsible to find a substitute if you are unable to serve.)

YOUR SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS & ATTENDANCE March 7 & March 8

Offertory …………………………………………….. $3,393.00 Monthly E-Collection ……………………………...…$1,100.00 Total ….. …………………………………………….. $4,493.00

Attendance: Saturday - March 7, 4:00 PM …….. 122 Sunday - March 8, 9:00 AM …….. 126 Total ……….……………………...……. 248

There is no second collection this week (Mar. 14 & Mar. 15). The next second collection is for Catholic Relief Services (Mar. 21 & Mar. 22).

* In order for your contribution to be counted, please be sure to include your full name and/or envelope # if using a plain envelope.

 Wednesday mornings at 10 AM: Bulletin proofreaders. Call the office.  Sunday morning: Collection Counters. Call the office.  Lectors (readers) at Mass: See Gloria Shufon, or call the office,

ELECTRONIC GIVING Our automatic withdrawal system is working well. This may be an easy way for you to support our parish. Please contact our office for more information.

We ask for your prayers for the following:

Fr. Joe Manerowski, Karen Thomas, Lenny Austin, Beverly James, Gloria Parker, Ronda Sharpe, Matt Waytkus, Veronica Hoag, Keith Buck, Bill Ellis, Dave Hanselman, Felicia Martelle, Pat Carknard, Cheryl McLaughlin, Hanna Stevens, Jean Shaw, Lenny Darosa, Neil Watykus, Corrine Philpott, Jeff Babson, Shirley Bissonette, Cassandra Percy, Chris Haynes, Janet Smith, Sandy McCart, Dawn Myers, Dr. Marcus Martinez, Judy Quackenbush, Sally Williams, and all those who are ill or hurting. Those who have been on the prayer list for quite some time will still be prayed for, but will not appear in the bulletin. If you are in need of prayer for yourself or someone else, please call Margaret O’Malley at 686-7835. THANKS...from a parishioner.

Our Sponsor of the Week is...

Law Offices of Edward J. Gorman, ESQ., PLLC

Attorney and Counselor at Law

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5 Main Street, PO Box 68, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090

46 23rd Street, Troy, NY 12180

Phone (518) 686-4331  [email protected]