Fr. Mathias, MSFS - Pastor Bart Connelly - Deacon Rectory: 273-8953 Emergency 269-290-2016 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN Dear Friends, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH MASS SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS “Be What You are and Be at its Best.” S.F.S Saturday, February 1 - Vigil Mass If a child is a baptized Catholic, he or she would most certainly 4:00 p.m. The People of the Parishes have prayed (and played!) with a lighted candle before. In fact, in Sunday, February 2 - THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD the Catholic Church, blessed candles are used to administer all the 11:00 a.m. †Grace Char sacraments, except the Sacrament of Reconciliation. By: James Tokarski

A candle used for prayer is also sometimes called a votive candle. Monday, February 3 - St. Blaise It is intended to be burnt as a votive offering in an act of prayer. 8:00 a.m. †Earl Barton

The word “votive” is derived from the Latin word “votum” which By: Rita Barton means vow or promise. Tuesday, February 4 - St. Joseph of Leonissa

As we offer a prayer to God on behalf of someone or something, 6:30 p.m. †Jeanee DalPonte the candle that we light is a tangible sign of that prayer. In praying By: Dick & Vicki Imgrund with a lighted candle, we align ourselves and our intentions with Wednesday, February 5 - St. Agatha the will of God. We pray for the Light of the World to come. 8:00 a.m. †Gloria Bond

Besides use in Church, blessed candles can also be used in the By: Terryl Lewis homes for personal prayers. The Church places such emphasis on Thursday, February 6 - St. Paul Miki and Companions blessed candles; there is even a special day for blessing candles. Friday, February 7 - St. Colee This is on 2 February, on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the feast we are celebrating today. We here in USA do not do that 6:30 p.m. †Dorothy and †Joseph Vogl in many churches. By: John & Carol Dimmick Saturday, February 8 - Vigil Mass The feast of the Presentation of the Lord occurs forty days after 4:00 p.m. †Simone Grams the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas day, since the By: Gene & Joanie Dunnington blessing and procession of candles is included in the day's liturgy. This day is also referred to as the "Purification of Mary." Sunday, February 9 - Fih Sunday in Ordinary Time 11:00 a.m. †Harold Rice This feast concludes the celebration of the Nativity and with the By: Rice family offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, the events now point toward Easter. SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SUNDAY, February 9 First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10 During the presentation of Jesus at the temple, Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the “light to enlighten the pagans and the Psalm: 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 glory of Your people” (Luke.2:32). Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16 The candles blessed on this day and kept by the faithful in their homes should be seen as a sign of Christ 'the light of the world' ARE YU CPIG WITH SS Pease i us fr and an expression of faith. ur ext gatherig at Ha’s i Three Rivers We wi eet May the celebration of the Eucharist bring forth an enlightenment at 1130 Thursday February 6th A are wece t into our lives and as we go back home after the Holy Mass, may i us as we ctiue t defie ur ew grup share ur we also continue to pray that the light of Christ will shine upon the stries ad ey great fewship world. A Faithful friend is a sturdy shelter. “Be Blessed and Be a Blessing” He who finds one, finds a treasure (Sirach 6:14) Yours in Christ & Mary, Men, please consider joining us the second Saturday Fr. R. Mathias MSFS of each month for an opportunity to grow in your faith and a me of fellowship. These gatherings The Annual Collection for the Churches in Africa, begin at 7:30 a.m. and typically last no more than an Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America hour. Coffee and cookies are supports the needs of the rapidly growing Church in Africa, the recovery and rebuilding of the Church in provided. Our next meeng will Central and Eastern Europe, and the strength and be Saturday, February 8th. stability of the Church in Latin America. Please give generously to today’s second collection . IC Church is looking for gently used couches and chairs for the Youth Group meeting after Mass , Sunday, February 9th Church basement. The meeting area is used by various Church ministries, RCIA, Youth Group, Prayer Shawl, etc. The furniture Please join the Youth Group for the Rosary, that is currently there is very old and uncomfortable. If you before Mass, at 10:15 am. have furniture you would like to donate, please call the parish office.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD FEBRUARY 2, 2020 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION LECTORS, SERVERS AND MINISTERS SCHEDULE From the Principal…

Saturday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m. Dear Parishioners, Catholic Schools Week started on Sunday with our Sacristan: Tina Darling parish Mass and kick-off celebration. We had a wonderful Lector: Lisa Gruber turn out for the spaghetti dinner and book fair. Thanks for Body of Christ: Linda Baker joining us! Blood of Christ: Kellie DeGowske, Mary Schudel Monday was a day to celebrate the community. The staff Altar Servers: Leonard & Tina Darling and students of Immaculate Conception Catholic School Sunday, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. cleaned the church for our spiritual community. Sacristan: Bey Knapp Lector: Jeff Springer Body of Christ: Deacon Bart Blood of Christ: Janet Schimnoski, Sarah Mercer Angie Levandoski, Nancy Schopf Altar Servers: Zoe Brost & Bey Knapp

IC PARISH SUPPORT Week of 1/26/20 YTD Sunday Collecon (90) ...... $ 4,020.91 ...... $ 141,895.68 Visitors/Loose ...... $ 260.00 ...... $ 13,499.03 Mass Spend ...... $ 00.00 ...... $ 1,795.00 Ulity Fund ...... $ 25.00 ...... $ 703.00 Donaons/Bequests ...... $ 1,020.00 Total Offertory ...... $ 4,305.91 ...... $ 158,912.71 Weekly Need ...... $ 5,804.00 ...... $ 176,064.59 Over/Under ...... ($ 1,498.09) ...... ($ 17,151.88)

Income not included in weekly needs: Vove Lights ...... $31.00 Second Collecon/3 Churches ...... $ 25.00 School Tuion Assistance ...... $ 70.00

The Knights of Columbus will be holding a fundraiser If you would like to donate to the Euchre Tournament on February 22nd after the 4 pm Day of Giving there is still time. Mass. Food and prizes!!!! 50/50 drawing! Simply fill out the form in last You don’t need a partner as partners will be week’s bulletin and place it into a rotated. Save the date and come out for fun Muchos Regalos , and fellowship!!!! More details to follow! donation envelope and return it to the Una Nación school. All money collected will go Un Día de Donar a Beginning February 8th there will be a basket, in the towards the scholarship fund. carport entrance, for your old palms. Palms will be In Christ’s Peace,

burnt for distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Mrs. Sharon Voege

The third weekend of February 15th & 16th we are pleased to have Fr. Tomy our visiting priest, a priest from the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS), founded in France in the year 1838 by Fr. Peter Marie Mermier to spread the renewal of faith in the Love of God, plant the Gospel in the mission lands of Africa and Asia and develop the society through education both spiritual and material, provide institutions of formation of priests and Catechists, and establish spirituality Centers to continue the work of St. Francis De Sales in our modern time. Every year we have one appeal or a Second Collection for Our Own Order. This year in my place Fr. Tomy MSFS will speak to you on this work of the Missionary work of the Congregation specifically for the Mission of Malawi (A New African Mission) and seek your support of participation in our ministry to the world. Please be generous in your contribution towards our Order in the second collection. Fr. R. Mathias, MSFS

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN ST. BARBARA CHURCH ST. CLARE CHURCH

MASS SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS SERVER SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS

Sunday, February 2 Sunday, February 2 8:00 a.m. †Souls in Purgatory 9:20 a.m. †Joseph & †Stella Dutka By: Joseph Erobha By: Robert & Charlene Dutka

Sunday, February 9 Sunday, February 9 8:00 a.m. †Stanley and †Margaret Smolarz 9:20 a.m. The People of the Parishes By: Joseph & Paige Smolarz Lector: Anne Rock Lector: Lykrecia Bell Ministers: Sherry Roberts, Teena Kuhl, Kurt Sehy Ministers: Charlene Bugajski, Sharon Mitchell, Altar Server: Gary Metz, Lou Scohy Tom Tenney Ushers: Evan Nemeth & Tom Rock Coffee Crew: Dennis & Celeste Nemeth ST. BARBARA SUPPORT – JANUARY 26, 2020 Sunday Collecon (17) ………………… ...... $ 400.00 ST. CLARE SUPPORT – JANUARY 26, 2020 Visitors/Loose ……………………………………………………...... $ 185.00 Sunday Collecon (18)………………… ...... $ 3,742.00 Total Offertory……… ...... $ 585.00 Visitors/Loose ...... $ 325.00 Weekly Need ...... $ 794.00 Total Offertory……… ...... $ 4,067.00 Weekly Need Over/Under ...... ….…..……….. - $ 209.00 Weekly Need ...... $ 1,308.00 Weekly Need Over/Under ...... + $ 2,759.00 10 DAYS Holy Land Pilgrimage Other Income not included in weekly needs: (Nov’ 09 – Nov’ 19, 2020) Building Fund ...... $ 2,715.00

Journey to the Holy Land for the spiritual experience of a lifetime … walk where Jesus walked … cruise the Sea of Galilee … climb the St Care parishiers Mount of Olives and view the Old City of Jerusalem … visit Tabgha , scene of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes … the Mount of Witer is here ad we a have had t tur up the heat t be re Beatitudes , site of the Sermon on the Mount … walk the Via cfrtabe Ufrtuatey se pepe ust ca't affrd t tur Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre … stroll in the Garden up their heat! of Gethsemane … visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. Fr the ext cupe wees there wi a pprtuity t hep prvide Roundtrip airfare from Chicago O’Hare. ($3679) heat t the w ice edery ad disabed i St seph Cuty Accommodations at First Class and select Hotels. thrugh the Wa fr Warth capaig There wi be a abeed Breakfast and Dinner daily. caister i ur scia ha t accept yur Comprehensive Sightseeing. Includes all service charges and value added taxes. datis Checs ca be ade ut t Cuity Acti Wa fr Warth Pease csider aig a If you are interested, please contact the IC office or the Pastor. dati It wud be very uch appreciated ad a datis stay i St seph Cuty Ay questis St. Clare and St. Barbara…...you may send your palms over ca Phyis usbau at 2694676233 to IC to be burnt for the Ash Wednesday Masses. Please include them in your black bag. MAKING A REPORT OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT Smile.amazon.com Don’t forget St. Clare when you are shopping online. Proceeds go to the Building fund.

BULLETIN ADVERTISING Ths week, Don Roe, a representative from our bulletin publisher, Diocesan Publications, will be seeking new and renewing present parish bulletin ads. If you are interested in advertising please call the parish office for contact information. We feel this is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to increase their visibility in the community. Advertising in the bulletin allows this publication to be printed each week at no cost to the parish.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PARISHIONERS! February 2 - 8

Chester Kukiela Chris Griffith Andrew Smolarz The Diocese of Kalamazoo has and will connue to cooperate Hiliary Skalski David Peters Jeff Nasser with the Michigan Aorney General’s invesgaon and Caterina Thelen Aloyi Goodlow encourages anyone with informaon related to misconduct to call Rick Yoakam Deb Niemi the reporng number set-up by the Michigan Aorney General’s Joe McElroy Joseph Panarici office at: 844.324.3374 Jackline Warpenburg Sharon Mitchell

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD FEBRUARY 2, 2020 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH Welcome To Our Parishes 645 S. DOUGLAS AVE., THREE RIVERS, MI If you would like to enroll, change your address, or simply St. Clare Mission Parish St. Barbara Mission Parish have quesons about our parish, please fill out the form 23126 M-86 479 S. Burr Oak Road below and drop it in the collecon Centreville, MI 49032 Colon, MI 49040 basket or mail it to the Church office: 645 S. Douglas, Three Rivers, MI 49093 Name______Address______PLEASE City/Zip______REMEMBER Phone______THOSE IN SPECIAL NEED Please circle one: IC Church St. Clare St. Barbara OF OUR PRAYERS O I would like to enroll as an acve member. O Please change my address to the one shown above. O I would like to learn more about school/parish acvies. O I would like to learn more about the Catholic faith. O I would like to offer the name of a homebound or ill Catholic who is not currently being visited:______. Florence DalPonte Karen Miles O I would like to speak with a priest about a vocaon to the priesthood Jim DalPonte Jim Noonan or religious life. Carol Fair Joseph/Margaret Agnes Goss Ochami SPONSOR OF THE WEEK Randy/Sharon Jacobs Art/Judy Rumsey Emma Kle James Tokarski Ruth Lahmeyer Laurie VanTassel AAAVINK Cassandra Lems Terry/Barb Wallace F H C S Ginger Lorencz Janet Williams Rita Barton Diana Marsh Jim Wragg (269)679-5622 Darlene Brion Eileen Miholer O S, A, P Parishes & School Informaon Rectory Office Permanent Deacon - Bart Connelly 535-7631 Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor– Cathy Doering Music Director - M,T,W,F 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. • Office closed on Thursdays Director of Religious Ed. - Tim Dumont 718-4921 High School Youth Ministry - Tim Dumont 718-4921 Telephone: 273-8953 RCIA - Mark & Mary Brost 278-8825 E-mail: [email protected] Bulletin Deadline Monday at noon. M P

B

S O P IC P C - 244-4547

Knights of Columbus #4141: Mike Didelot - 273-9259 SC P C - K D 467-6105 Meets 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm, church hall SB P C - E B 420-7225

Daughters of Mary: Nancy Schopf - 858-3730 IC F C - M S 625-0549 Meets 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., church hall SC F C - J L 625-6498 IC S C - S K 317-363-5981

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT Together with the parents, parish and community, We provide a Christ- centered Educaon to: Immaculate Conception School (PK-5th) Build Faith based on the truths of the Catholic Church. Principal - Sharon Voege Develop Knowledge for becoming productive citizens Website: www.iccatholicschool.com 269-273-2085 Practice Christian Service as Jesus taught [email protected] Thereby Changing the World One Student at a Time