To Our Wonderful Mothers:
Out of our deep and tremendous love for you, we have assembled a mini retreat/prayer video for us to pray through together.  While 100 plus One of us could not be physically present this year in our wholly, holy Saint Francis Retreat House, we can come together in prayer.  Attached is  our virtual video which will bring perhaps quadruple the number of mothers together in prayer.  All are invited to participate… perhaps your family members may desire to pray with us, if for no other reason, to get a miniscule glimpse of “what the fuss is all about”.  Fussing over you has been our joy these many years, and we pray that you feel our love of God encompass you throughout this video.  So, pour a cup of coffee or tea and sit back with your prayer shawl wrapped around you and light one of your many retreat candles. 


  Welcome to the mini-retreat:  https://youtu.be/BHgIFzZHv_Y

Immaculate Conception Parish has long been a supporter of Somerville's Samaritan Homeless Interim Program. SHIP is a response to the increase in need in a variety of social concerns in our region. SHIP provides direct outreach and advocacy for the homeless, the working poor, and the often forgotten members of our community. SHIP has several programs that our Parish participates in and “Ziti for the Needy” is one that we would once again like to bring to fruition with your help.

On March 13-14^th we will be distributing aluminum trays, after all of the masses to those interested in preparing a casserole to serve those who are in need.  Food is a gift often taken for granted, but, essential to life.  Through your assistance you would be sustaining someone in need, in a myriad of ways.  Simply take a pan home, prepare a casserole some time during the week and freeze the casserole.  Return the casserole the following Sunday, March 20-21^st before the mass you attend.  There will be individuals at all of the entrances to collect your frozen casserole to deliver them to SHIP

Please place your cooked food in the aluminum tray provided; spray the top cover with Pam (or similar) so food does not stick, cover tightly and freeze.  Unfrozen food cannot be accepted. Kindly label all trays with what you have prepared, Immaculate Conception Church and the date it was prepared.  Know that in this giving, you nourish the body and the soul. For more information please contact Jeanine Cavanagh in the Office of Social Ministry at (908) 725-1112 x1126. Thank you in advance for this tremendous contribution.  May you be blessed abundantly for your generous heart, a heart like Jesus! 

The following recipe is for those who benefit from specific instructions, however, you are invited to create your own casserole or cook a family favorite.  We encourage you to put your culinary skills to work and be creative!  We are suggesting the following recipe because it contains much protein, in addition, most often people make pasta and this will create a bit of variety!   
 
CHEROKEE PIE  - Ingredients:  1 Tbs. Olive Oil, 1 lb. Ground Beef, ¾ cup Chopped Onion, 1/8 Tsp. Thyme, 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup,  1 16oz Can Stewed Tomatoes,  1 Cup Minute Rice(uncooked), 1 14oz Can Red Kidney Beans, 4 slices of cheese (any kind you prefer)

In a large skillet, sauté onion in olive oil.  Brown meat in sautéed onion. Drain excess fat from browned meat.  Add thyme, soup, tomatoes, beans and rice to the browned meat, mix well.  Cook on medium heat for 3 minutes.  Pour into pan and place cheese slices on top.  Bake at 350° uncovered for 30 minutes.  Let stand to cool, cover and freeze.
  SHIP, the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, began operations in 1984 in response to the unheeded cry of the many women, children and men who are in desperate need of emergency housing and associated services.  SHIP is a faith based, interfaith and community funded, assisted and supported, grassroots organization.  Our clients are the homeless, near-homeless, working poor families, and individuals in Somerset County Regions who are not able to obtain assistance from government or other private agencies, and are therefore denied an opportunity to receive the basic humane assistance they need and deserve.  Clients coming to SHIP, in desperate need of help, include many that suffer from substance abuse dependency, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, the homeless and near homeless working poor, hunger or isolation.  We provide this unique population with critically needed emergency interim housing opportunities, interim counseling, and support services that greatly enhances their chances of regaining their self-sufficiency again.  SHIP is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the poor.
 

 Over the course of the past nineteen summers, more than 780 students and chaperones from Immaculate Conception have embarked on a mission that has changed their lives.  These individuals participated in the Wayne County Work Camp, located in the poverty stricken Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.

Wayne County is a rural area with rugged mountains and deep valleys.  The area is typical of much of Appalachia: rich natural resources (primarily timber and coal) and rugged, hilly land traversed by winding roads, sharing the narrow valley floor with creeks which often overflow their banks.  With the economic challenges of high unemployment, declining population and low tax revenues, the communities and residents are faced with many problems.  Despite these hardships, the people of Appalachia are rich in faith, love and generosity. 

The Wayne County Work Camp provides a service experience for youth and adults who desire a “hands on” opportunity to put their faith into practice by serving those who are in need.  Its mission is to glorify God; to share the love of Christ by addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people; to work together to make homes warm, safe and dry; and to experience Christian community by living, working and worshiping together.

Once again, this summer, 30 students and 10 chaperones from our parish will participate in Mission 2021 by traveling to West Virginia to build and repair homes for those most desperately in need.

A question most frequently asked by those interested in this Mission effort is “Who funds the Work Camp?”  Simply stated, it is supported by the generosity of individuals such as you.  Each group participating in the Work Camp is expected to contribute a percentage of the cost of building supplies and materials that will be used throughout the course of the week.  Our group’s required contribution will be $10,000 this year.  We realize that while 40 people will make the journey to Appalachia, our actual number of participants is far greater, as it is your contributions that enable us to make the trip.     You make this Mission possible, year after year, through your generous support! 

Starting this weekend, a replica of the first home built by Houses of Hope will be displayed in the back of the church.  Pictures of the various Work Camp projects and volunteers from our Parish and High School will also be displayed.  If you are interested in making a contribution to Mission 2021 and the Houses of Hope initiative, kindly take a “saw tag” from the display.  You can choose from among tags specifying cash donations for a variety of building supplies.  Perhaps you could donate the cost of a box of nails ($5) or insulation ($25) or a sink ($65) or a window ($100).  Please place the tag, along with your donation in the amount specified, in an envelope and return it in the collection basket or bring it to the Parish Center (35 Mountain Ave - Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m.).  Please make checks payable to “Immaculate Conception Church, Appalachia Fund”.  All donations should be returned by Monday, March 29, 2021.

Typically, the houses our students repair in Appalachia are shacks, cabins and trailers, many of which do not have what we would consider basic necessities, such as running water, heat or electricity.  To many of our “mountain friends”, these are “luxuries”.  In choosing to be a part of this effort you will not only be improving the physical conditions of these people's lives, you will also be sending a message of hope and love.   

For more information regarding Mission 2021 ~ Houses of Hope, please contact Jeanine Cavanagh at the Immaculate Conception Social Ministry Office (725-1112 x1126).
Watch upcoming bulletins for reflections written by students who will be participating in this Mission.

Theme: Open the Door
Saturday, May 8, 2021
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Immaculate Conception Church and Campus      

An invitation to growth and awareness to search for fuller union with God. Opening the door to the vast treasure of who we are and how sacred is the present within us to grow in divine fullness in love of God.

Join us for a grace filled day of prayer, reflection, acceptance, insight, sharing and encouragement.  All women are invited to partake in this special day of PRAISE to our Lord.  It will provide a much-needed time to come together in a safe way, to build community, camaraderie, and love in our Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May we open the door  to this glorious love that will renew our hearts and spirits.

This Day of PRAISE will include:  Adoration, Reconciliation, presentations, small group sharing, the rosary, the Sunday Liturgy at 5:30pm, time to eat together and socialize.  All this done in a safe way, following all CDC and Diocesan protocols. Run by the women of this Parish through our Social Ministry Office.  Breakfast and Lunch boxes will be included. 


Cost for the Day of PRAISE is $25.00 per person, this includes Breakfast and Lunch Boxes.

For more information, please call Jeanine Cavanagh at (908) 672-8114.
To register please email Debbie Scott at  DTYALJ@aol.com

The Rosary Altar Society will be holding the Annual Easter Bread Sale this you.  Click here for the order form.