IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH

In this issue:

Highlight of events from

February

March Birthdays,

Praying with Children &

Pope Tweets pg. 2

New Altar Server info &

Save the Date! pg. 3

I. C. Angels March 2016 Newsletter

Highlights from February:

On the 17th, SPIRITUS was here for 6th-11th grades and they did a

retreat called the “Soul Work.” They sang crazy songs and had fun

working together as teams. They learned ways to help them move

their faith from just “head knowledge” to their hearts. They learned

how to build a deeper relationship with God. They learned new ways

to pray and things they could do everyday to help them grow in their

faith.

Boy Scout Sunday - February 7th, 2016

This is a day that we as a Catholic Church honor our Boy Scouts for

their service to God and country. They pledge a “Duty to God’ and

this is a way they demonstrate their understanding of this promise by

attending Mass in uniform.

“I have found over the years, through my time spent with young

people that the scouts provide character formation which dovetails

beautifully with the principles of the Catholic Church and its

teachings.” Bishop David L. Ricken

To recognize this devotion to God, we call them forward for a

blessing from Fr. John and present them with their patch. This year

we had two Boy Scouts come forward and they were:

Kobe Garvey

Jacob Garvey

I would also like to recognize Colin Peterson who could not attend

because his family was on vacation. I know Colin would have been

there in his uniform if he could have.

Confirmation Retreat - February 21st, 2016

Our Confirmation students, Chelsey Kortz & Hunter Simpson

attended an all day retreat at St. Nicholas Parish in Freedom on the

21st. The retreat was lead by the SPIRITUS team. A good time was

had by all, while learning to deepen their faith, what Confirmation is

about and what it means when you ask to be Confirmed. While there,

Hunter lead his team to victory in an exercise in which you have to

work together as a united team, no one can be left behind! Great job

Hunter, you were amazing!! Both Chelsey and Hunter are amazing

young people and I was very proud of how they were open to all that

was presented to them and to opening new doors in their hearts to

grow as they continue their faith journey! What a Holy Spirit filled day.

Middle School Late In Volunteers — February 26th, 2016

Hunter Simpson and his friend, Nick Parker helped with the

Middle School Late In at the Kroc Center in Green Bay. Thank you

Hunter & Nick for your service; the Middle School students had a

great time!

Bread Share Sunday - February 28th, 2016

Because the sacrament of First Eucharist is about Communion and

the bread of life, those who are preparing for this sacrament prepared

a loaf of bread with the help of their families. Father John blessed the

loaves of bread and then each student gave their bread to someone

in the congregation that they didn’t know. This demonstrates their

understanding of Communion with their parish, service to others and

following Jesus’ example of “Feed my people.” What a great teaching

and bonding moment for these parents and their children! Our

families this year are:

Jacob Garvey son of Jason and Tonya Garvey

Colin Peterson son of Jeff and Celina Peterson

Grant Ritter son of James and Kristie Ritter

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH

I. C. Angels March 2016 Newsletter pg. 2

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Praying with Children

Blessings and Family Prayers

In ways large and small, parents seek what is best for their children. This desire is expressed in a variety of practical ways every day: preparing healthy foods, ensuring adequate opportunity for sleep, teaching good manners, and sharing enriching activities as a family. Incorporating prayers of blessing into your family’s dai-ly routine is another way to express this desire for the very best for your children. When we pray for God’s blessing, we acknowledge that God is the source of all that is good. In prayer, we ask God to bless us, to bless others, and to bless our activities. We do so with confidence and trust in God, who also seeks what is best for each of us. To pray in blessing for our children is to join our desires for them with God’s own desire for them. Daily life provides parents with many opportunities to offer prayers of blessing with and for their children. Bedtime Blessings As part of bedtime prayers, invite your child to name the people he or she would like to pray for. This can take the form of a simple litany, praying, “God bless . . .” as your child names family and friends. As your child grows older, you might offer a simple prayer intention for each person as you pray. For example, if a sibling is sick, you might ask for God’s healing presence, praying, “God bless [name] and help her [him] feel better soon.” Later, you might suggest that your child offer the prayer intention. Conclude by praying your own prayer of blessing for your child as you trace the Sign of the Cross on your child’s forehead. Morning Blessings Even in the most organized households, mornings can become a frenzy of activity as family members pre-pare to leave for work, day care, school, and daily errands. Establishing a morning routine that includes a prayer of blessing for family members as they leave the home can help to strengthen and encourage each person to live faithfully as a follower of Jesus. Ask each family member to name particular challenges or ac-tivities he or she may face during the day, and pray together, asking God to bless each person and his or her activities. Parents can trace the Sign of the Cross on each child’s forehead in blessing before leaving the house each day. Mealtime Blessings The importance of gathering for family meals cannot be overstated. Not only are meals important for provid-ing daily nourishment, but they are also occasions for strengthening our spirits by connecting with the people who are most central to our lives. Meals are natural occasions for prayers of blessing. We pray in thanks to God for his goodness to us. We ask God to bless our food and make our lives a blessing to others. Pray together Grace Before Meals and Grace After Meals. Mealtime can also be an opportunity to ask family members to name the good things that God has shared with them throughout the day and to pray together in thanksgiving.

Prayers of blessing for these occasions and many others can be found in Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers: Revised Edition (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2008). http://www.loyolapress.com/praying-with-children-blessings-and-family-prayers.htm

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“Celebrating the Jubilee of Mercy means learning how to not remain prisoners of the past. It means believ-ing things can be different”

Pope Francis Tweets— 2/17/16 @pontifex

“We learn how to pray, just as we do to walk, speak and listen. If you tell me how you pray, I can tell you how you live.”

Pope Francis Tweets – 2/16/16 @pontifex

God’s Blessings on

Your Birthday

March Birthdays:

Nathan Lezotte on the 10th

Rosa Lezotte on the 24th

Alex Garvey on the 27th

Altar Servers

Parents, if your student is in the 3rd grade or above and they would like to be an

Altar Server at IC, please contact: Barb Hardy at barbhardy1@aol.com

Thank you, to all who serve our Parish!

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Save the Date! (Dates to remember)

Movie Nights - Friends and parents are always welcome to join us! Refreshments will be served.

March 1st (Tues) — Movie Night 6 pm Gr: K-4 (5th welcome). Join Chris, Joy and Gizmo on some Super-

book Adventures: Jonah, The Tower of Babel / The Day of Pentecost Please RSVP your numbers

March 14th (Mon) — Movie Night 6 pm Gr: 6-12 (5th welcome) “War Room” (Prayer is a powerful weapon)

Please RSVP your numbers

March 6th - Girl Scout Sunday, 8 am Mass. Bring your Girl Scout(s) dressed in their uniform and they will

receive a patch. Please contact me (851-0358) with names for the announcement and blessing.

March 9th - Prayer service with Stations of the Cross. Parents/Grandparents, please join us, all are

welcome! Grades 9th & 10th will portray the Stations of the Cross.

March 10th — First Eucharist Retreat for all 2nd grade students and their parents. This will be held at

St. Nicholas starting at 6 pm.

March 16th — Grades 5, 8 & 11 will be participating in the ACRE testing the Diocese requires.

March 23rd — Holy Week — No regular classes for Grades K-8th.

March 23rd — Confirmation students, sponsors and parents will attend a Seder

Meal in the basement of the Traeger Center. As a service project, grades 9th and

10th will help serve the Seder Meal.

March 27th — Happy Easter!! Praise God, He Lives!!

April 6th — Confirmation Students and sponsor meeting starting at 6:15 pm.

April 13th — Grades 6th-11th have a speaker and will meet in Church.

April 21st — First Eucharist practice starting at 5:30 pm, all 2nd grade students and parents are re-

quired to attend.

April 24th — First Eucharist Sunday at Immaculate Conception starting at 8 am. Please come about

20 minutes early.

April 27th — Closing ceremonies, parents/grandparents are welcome to attend!

May 18th — Confirmation practice at St. Nicholas, Candidate and sponsor required to attend.

May 22nd — Confirmation Mass 2 pm at St. Nicholas. Confirmation students & Sponsors please arrive by 1

pm.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH

I. C. Angels March 2016 Newsletter pg. 3