Parish Mission Statement Immaculate Conception Catholic Church celebrates the Eucharist and proclaims the gospel—in worship, through our love of God and for each other, and with our ministry to the marginalized. We journey together in our faith, united by our trust in Christ’s love and mercy and the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Staff Connection... April 8, 2018

Dear friends,

May the enormous blessings of Divine Mercy Sunday be with you, your family members and friends!

Belief… it’s a interesting concept isn’t it? What does it really take for us to believe in something or in someone? Does seeing physical proof help? Does seeing a radical change of behavior with our own eyes do it for us? Is it necessary to understand a logical argument that simply cannot be refuted? Logical and compelling arguments have convinced me at times… and seeing something with one’s own eyes is certainly powerful… but for me, and perhaps for you as well… the most persuasive argu- ment is experiencing a real change in attitude or behavior. Ask yourself today, what does it take for me to truly believe?

Now lets take that question to our Gospel for this Second Sunday of Easter – the Sunday of Divine Mercy. When Jesus appeared to the disciples in that locked Upper Room… they saw Him and be- lieved! It was as simple as that… for every one of them except Thomas! Words weren’t enough for Thomas… he needed to touch Jesus’ hands and side before he would be convinced! The early com- munity of believers that we read about in the Acts of the Apostles had no doubt that faith in Jesus made a tremendous difference in their lives… simple because they shared their goods with each other and as a result their needs were met. The community of believers that we encounter in John’s gospel also came to believe by seeing others living out the command to love like Jesus did… offering even their lives for one another.

Dear friends, it is no different today… 2000+ years later! People come to believe by observing how we live our faith by loving others as Jesus loved His friends! Now I would be lying to you if I even insinuated that this is easy to do… but it is no lie to say that is is not impossible to do! When we live our faith freely… we are released from burdens that come from being bound by pain, fear, or even despair! We have to stop acting like we are a modern day Thomas! “Peace be with you. As the Fa- ther has sent me, so I send you.” Those words are for us too! And then Jesus breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit… whose sins you forgive are forgiven… and whose sins you retain are retained.” So dear friends, take all of these words to heart… receive the Holy Spirit… forgive others and expect to be forgiven as well… and you will truly experience not only the forgiveness of oth- ers… but God’s Divine Mercy and God’s forgiveness as well! What better time to begin than on the Sunday of Divine Mercy!?!

Easter joy and blessings… Deacon Dan

Mass Schedule Sacraments Monday & Thursday—12:10PM Baptism: A preparation session is required Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday—7AM before the baptism of your child. Saturday—8:30AM Please call 273-6121 prior to your due date for an Vigil Mass Saturday—4:30PM appointment. Sunday—8:30 & 10:30AM Reconciliation: Saturday 2:30P—4PM Marriage: Please call 273-6121 at least 6 months in Immaculate Conception Church advance of your anticipated wedding date. George Green Parish Center 113 North Geneva Street Anointing of the Sick: Call 273-6121 to Ithaca, NY 14850 *** 607/273-6121 request this sacrament. Hours: Mon.—Fri. 8:00AM—4:00PM Hospitalizations: Call 273-6121 if your loved one is in the hospital.

NEXT SUNDAY—APRIL 15, 2018 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER Page 2 SECOND COLLECTION—SPECIAL MINISTRIES (MUSIC) Date Mass Intentions The Week Ahead...

Sunday 8:30AM—Gordon Myer from the Myer Family SUNDAY, APRIL 8 COFFEE HOUR 4-8 10:30AM—For Parishioners 11:45A—HS YTH GRP-YR Divine Mercy 2:30P—MS YTH GRP-YR Monday 12:10PM—DM of the J.B. Alexander Family from Gloria Scalise MONDAY, APRIL 9 4-9 1:30P—CEMETERY GRP-PC TUESDAY, APRIL 10 Tuesday 7:00AM—Tripp Halstead from Sharon Harrilchak 1:00P— FOOD PANTRY 4-10 5:30P—ADULT CHOIR-CH Wednesday 7:00AM—Julie Rogan from Bill & Judy Steele WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11 4-11 3:00P—PIETRA FITNESS-PH Thursday 12:10PM—Romano Pierleoni from Sherry Salotti & Family 5:00P—CONTEMP GRP-CH 4-12 7:00P—BROWNIES-PH THURSDAY, APRIL 12 Friday 7:00AM—Edward & Mary Schano from Catherine Schano Lama 1:30P—TITUS TOWERS SERVICE 4-13 6:00P—PARISH COUNCIL-PH Saturday 8:30AM—Marisa Biasillo from Gerardo & Emma Sciarra 4-14 4:30PM—For Parishioners Sunday 8:30AM—Maria & Gaetano Massarell and Salvatore & Carmela Sciarra 4-15 and DM for the Families from Gerardo & Emma Sciarra 10:30AM—Colin Hayward Toland from Mary Edsall-Golway

Fear of Chocolate Bunnies?! The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled its If you dread chocolate bunnies, check out Catholic 2017 commemorative stamps, one of which will Weight-loss with Light Weigh. Light Weigh has be Fr. Theodore M. Hesburgh (1917-2015), long helped thousands get over chocolate bunny dread! -time president of Notre Dame University and an Our parish has a friendly, no weigh-in group. If you are interest- important figure in the civil rights movement. ed in joining, watch the Orientation at www.lightweigh.com and Born in Syracuse, New York on May 25, 1917, contact Pat Ober (273-5277/[email protected] ) to get your materi- Father Hesburgh was educated at the University of als. Anyone is welcome! Notre Dame and Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Sacred Heart basilica on the Notre Homebound Ministry Dame campus on June 24, 1943. At the age of 35 If you know of a parishioner who is homebound, please contact the in June 1952, he was named the 15th president of Notre Dame. One parish office at 273-6121 so that we can make sure their ministerial of his most notable accomplishments was the admission of women needs are met. We want to make sure they regularly receive the to the undergraduate program in 1972. Lord in Holy Communion as well as regular visits from Fr. Chumo. The Finger Lakes Guild of the national Catholic Medical Divine Mercy Service Association will present its first conference with speakers This Sunday, April 8 at 3pm at All Saints Church, 347 Ridge and workshops to provide information and support for Road, Lansing, Deacon George Kozak will be leading a Divine Catholic medical professionals on May 5, 2018 in Roches- Mercy Service with recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the ter, concluding with the annual White Mass for health-care profes- Rosary and Adoration and Benediction. All are welcome. sionals to be celebrated by Bishop Matano. The daylong confer- ence is being held in collaboration with the Catholic medical guilds At the start of each new day, from Buffalo and Syracuse. It is open to the public, although it is geared toward medical professionals and others who interact with get into the habit of trusting it in the Lord’s hands them such as chaplains, priests and lawyers. & put yourself in His protection. Our Offering to the Lord April 1, 2018 CMA 2017-2018 Plate Collection $12,754 CMA has gotten underway. Our grati- Electronic ACH $3,165 tude to everyone who has already made We Share Monthly $2,675 their pledge and contributed. Here is *********************************************** our current standing. Building Maintenance $1,914 *********************************************** (Please make checks payable to Catholic Ministries Appeal) Attendance 1,025 Goal $60,246

Current status: 208 Families 76.97% $45,373

NEXT SUNDAY—APRIL 15, 2018 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER Page 3 SECOND COLLECTION—SPECIAL MINISTRIES (MUSIC)

Learn Swahili with Fr. Chumo VOCABULARY mimi = I wewe = you yeye = he/she sisi = we This weekend we hear the story of “Doubting Thomas.” It seems Hujambo = how are you? that doubt is something that has been part of humanity since our Sijambo = I’m fine hajambo = he/she is fine creation. The bible is full of people who doubted: Moses, Jeremiah, Peter and Thomas to name a few. They either doubted what God and/or Jesus was telling them or they doubted themselves and what We write with good news regarding the 2018-2019 state spending God was asking of them. Either way, their doubt didn’t necessarily plan which was enacted on March 31,2018. The Executive proposal cause them to give up on or turn away. Actually, it helped them turn to expand late-term abortion and otherwise loosen NY abortion laws toward God and draw closer. was not included in the final budget. We are grateful to God for this Easter blessing! The victory would not have been possible without So, what about your own doubt? Do you doubt God? Do you doubt the concerted efforts of many organizations and people, including the yourself and whether you can fulfill what God is asking of you? Do thousands of people like you who contacted their State Senators not let that doubt create distance between you and God, Jesus and through the Catholic Action Network to let them know how strongly the Holy Spirit. Bring your doubts and fears in prayer to God to they feel about this issue. Together, we truly can—and did—make draw closer and fulfill all that God asks and wants for you. Happy a difference. Thank you. Easter!

Celebrate Easter ~ Day Retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House The task ahead of us is never as great April 17, 2018 Theme: “How Much Does God Love You?” as the Power behind us. Presented by: Fr. Frank Jones, C.Ss.R. Rector/Director of Notre Dame Retreat House

9an-3pm (Morning coffee/conference/lunch/reconciliation/Mass Diocesan Social Ministry Conference There is a $25 fee. To register: 585-394-5700 or email “The Eucharist Commits Us to Our Neighbors in Need” [email protected] Catholic Charities invites all parishioners to the annual Diocesan St. Marianne Cope presentation will take place on Thursday, Social Ministry Conference. For the Year of the Eucharist, the April 12, at 7pm at S. Mary’s Church, Auburn, NY. This is a one- conference theme is “The Eucharist Commits Us to Our Neighbors person show, depicting the life and ministry of Sr. Marianne, a in Need.” Join us on Thursday, April 26, starting with Mass at Franciscan Sister of the Newman Community of Syracuse, NY, 11am, Lunch and Program from 12noon-5pm at the Notre Dame who worked with Father (now Saint) Damian in the leper colony of Retreat House in Canandaigua. (Carpooling from Tompkins Coun- Molokai, Hawaii. This “show” is one of the many events during ty available). Workshops and discussions on current social con- the 150th anniversary year of St. Mary’s Parish. Admission is free cerns including the opioid crisis, refugees & immigrants, life issues and all are welcome! and anti-hunger advocacy, plus social ministry success stories from Diocese of Rochester parishes. $20 registration fee includes lunch Women’s Weekend Retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House & materials. To register, contact Laurie at 607-272-5062 ext. 12 or 5151 Foster Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424 [email protected]. Registration deadline is Friday, April 20. April 13—15, 2018 PARISH STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION “Faith, Hope and Love” Main Office 607/273-6121 The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “The theo- logical virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity.” Fr. Augustine Chumo ext. 105 Fax: 607/273-0185 This year’s retreat will focus on building a firm foundation of Pastor www.immconch.org

Faith in which Hope and Love will grow. Join us as we discover [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/immconch how these three virtues, “inform and give life to all other virtues.” Erika Linsdell ext. 101 Contact: Maureen Seeley at [email protected] or 607-589-6453 Parish Administrative Assistant YOUTH & FAMILY [email protected] Rich Rasmussen ext. 102

Pastoral & Catechetical leader Yes! I'd like to learn more about Parish Pastoral Council. Gary Vrabel ext. 111 [email protected] Music Ministry Name: [email protected] Dan Hurley-Deacon 585-319-8205

E-mail: [email protected] Phone: David Zellinger Finance Director [email protected] *Please cut out and place this slip in the collection basket by BULLETIN REQUESTS: Sunday, April 1 to be contacted. Kathleen Adessa E-mail: Bookkeeping [email protected] Alternatively, you may also email this information to the Parish [email protected] no later than Mondays @ 4p Pastoral Council chair directly to [email protected] Calvary Cemetery 272-5780 Thank you for your interest! 638 Five Mile Drive, Ithaca

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