“How could one possibly contemplate the mystery of the Child in Bethlehem, in the joyful mysteries of the rosary, without experiencing the desire to welcome, defend and promote life, and to shoulder the burdens of suffering children all over the world?”
The (free) new 2022 liturgical calendars are now available. Each month depicts inspiring art and various promises of Our Blessed Mother to those who pray the rosary. Please pick one up in the narthex of the church.
With food prices sky rocketing I am asking everyone in the spirit of Christmas giving to bring in one non-perishable food item for the food pantries in our three parish communities of Havana, Manito, and Lewistown. Thank you so much ~ Fr. David
The pipe organ project for Immaculate Conception is moving along. On December 27th construction of the decks and (west) wall supports will begin which will take approximately 2-3 weeks and the organ install will begin the end of January.
Every year at Christmas we reflect in a deeper way on the great mystery of the Incarnation, that beautiful Christian mystery of God taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Two thousand years ago God took on a human nature and came to dwell among us. In and through Jesus, God was seen, heard and touched by all those around him.
Two thousand years later, the physical presence of Jesus is still with us through the beautiful Christian mystery of the Eucharist. At Mass, at communion, in the tabernacle, Jesus dwells in a most profound and spectacular manner. Jesus is alive and truly present body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Holy Eucharist like He was in the manger so long ago.
What if the shepherds and the wise men simply worshipped Him from afar, without coming into His physical presence? They would have lost out on the special, superabundance of grace that comes to all who come in contact with Him personally and physically. Faith and love drew them to the manger. There is nothing like physical contact with the ones that we love.
In the same way, we too could just worship Jesus “from afar” without coming into His true, physical presence in the Eucharist at Mass, in communion, and in the tabernacle, but then we lose out on the extraordinary graces that are offered to us in His sacred body and blood.
Many people around the world have stopped attending Mass for one reason or another including our own corner of the world in Mason and Fulton Counties. I would like to invite everyone back to church this Christmas and beyond. In the New Year, let’s let faith be our guide, not fear. Let’s let devotion fuel our decision making and not comfort and convenience.
As your Pastor, I miss seeing you and praying with you on Sundays and special feast days. My vocation is to nurture you with the sacraments above all the Eucharist. We need Jesus more than ever. I hope that faith and love draw you to Christmas Mass this year to worship in the flesh the infant Jesus truly alive among us. You all remain in my daily thoughts and prayers.
In addition to the regular confession schedule, there will be two additional confession times this week for Advent in preparation for Christmas:
6:00pm at Immaculate Conception on Wednesday and 6:00pm at St. Patrick’s on Thursday.
Fr. David needs some help decorating the churches for Christmas. The times and places are listed below:
Wednesday, December 22nd at 2:00pm at Immaculate Conception
Thursday, December 23rd at 11:00am at St. Patrick’s
Thursday, December 23rd at 3:30pm at St. Mary’s
The book, “Life is Messy” by Matthew Kelly has been purchased by a parishioner for all of our parishioners and visitors this Christmas. Be sure to pick up your copy in the narthex next weekend.
The last two breakfasts at Immaculate Conception we raised $1,241.00 for the Worldwide Seminary Support organization! Then another person matched another $1000.00 to it bringing the total to $2,241.00! Thank you!!!
We are now in Advent. Advent is a special season of prayer, penance, and preparation for the return of Christ our King. Please make a concrete resolution about what do spiritually during this very important time of the year. ~ Fr. David
The Christmas Mass schedule is as follows:
Christmas Eve 4:00pm at Immaculate Conception
Christmas Eve 8:00pm at St. Patrick’s
Christmas Day 9:00am at St. Mary’s
Fr. David needs help putting up the Christmas trees this week. Many hands make light and quick work. The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, December 15th at 1:30pm at Immaculate Conception
Thursday, December 16th at 8:45am at St. Patrick’s
Friday, December 17th at 12:45pm at St. Mary’s
Our next breakfast will be this Sunday, December 12th. The proceeds will once again go towards the Worldwide Seminary Support organization. If you would like to donate directly to the organization apart from the breakfast, please speak to Merlyn and Tina Sondag. Thank you so much for you generosity!!! ~ Fr. David