Fr. Mathias, MSFS - Pastor Bart Connelly - Deacon Rectory: 273-8953 Emergency 269-290-2016

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH

MASS SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS

Saturday, November 30 - Vigil Mass first Sunday of Advent

4:00 p.m. †Gloria Bond

By: Pat & Jerry Dusseau

Sunday, December 1 - First Sunday of advent

11:00 a.m. †Philip and †Bernice Carra

By: Paul & Liz Carra

Monday, December 2 - Blessed Rafal Chylingki

8:00 a.m. †James Handloser

By: Bob & Kim Modaff

Tuesday, December 3 - St. Francis Xavier

6:30 p.m. †Kelly Elnick

By: Dick & Vicki Imgrund

Wednesday, December 4 – St. John Damascene

8:00 a.m. †Timothy Dowd

By: Nancy Tobon

Thursday, December 5 - St. Sabas

Friday, December 6 - St. Nicholas

6:30 p.m. †Simone Grams

By: Mark & Sharon Voege

Saturday, December 7 - Vigil Mass Second Sunday of Advent

4:00 p.m. †Donald W. Falborski and †Dorothy Krueger

By: Carol & Don Falborski

Sunday, December 8 - Second Sunday of advent

11:00 a.m. †Joseph Tobon

By: wife, Nancy

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SUNDAY, Dec. 8

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm: 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9 Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

SECRET ANGELS PROJECT REMINDER…

If there are still Angel Tags on the Secret Angels Tree, please consider taking one to help us provide a gift for someone. You could be making this a special Christmas for someone. Please return your Secret Angel gift with the tag attached by Sunday, December 15. We will be transporting all the gifts and food

from church to the multi-purpose building after 11:00 a.m. mass that day to sort and pack everything. We will need help to

transport everything and would greatly appreciate your assistance. If you want to help in sorting and packing food and gifts that day, please contact Sherry Butler at 269-273-2155 or 616-334-3262. Please leave food donations in the boxes in the church entrance. If you missed our flyer insert in the bulletin,

there are extras in the pouch on the wall by the tree and on the table.

Thank you for assisting us in making this Christmas very special for others who may need a little extra help to provide for

themselves and/or their family.

Dear Friends,

“Be What You are and Be at its Best.” S.F.S

“Stay awake!” Jesus shouts this to us in the Gospel on this First

Sunday of Advent. These words sum up the whole season.

But these words don’t really seem to make sense for us in modern

times who begin Advent today. These words don’t seem to fit with

Advent because we do know on which day the Lord will come

December 25th. Everything about this season is expected. So much

of the joy of the season comes from the traditions—sacred and

secular—that are as familiar as well-worn mittens.

But maybe God can still work through the unexpected in our own

day. St. Paul’s words in the Second Reading help us. Even if we

don’t know on which day the Lord will come, St. Paul says that

we do “know the time: it is the hour now for you to awake from

sleep.” Of course, these people to whom St. Paul was speaking

were not physically asleep, but they were spiritually asleep at the

wheel. They thought they had it made in life. They thought that

they were “saved”.

But everywhere you look in salvation history—in every book of

the Bible, in each of the 20+ centuries of the Church’s history, and

in the life of every saint—you see this same dynamic. God works

most powerfully through the unexpected. It’s not that He can’t or

doesn’t work through what’s expected. Rather, God works His

greatest works when and in ways that no one expects.

Mary was the holiest of God’s creatures and is the perfect

example of this dynamic at work. We see her holiness very clearly

in the Annunciation, the beginning of her nine months of waiting

for Jesus to appear at His birth. She didn’t expect to conceive

Him. She didn’t expect an angel to appear to her. But in humility,

she kept herself open to God’s will. And the whole human race

gained a Savior because of her “Yes.”

Next Saturday we will celebrate the Feast of our Church

(IMMACULATE CONCEPTION) and I invite all of you to

participate in the special mass at 4.00 pm and followed by Potluck

dinner. I wish each of the Parishioner HAPPY FEAST.

May Our Immaculate Mary, Our Blessed Mother intercede for us

on this our Patroness day and throughout the coming year.

“Be Blessed and Be a Blessing”

Yours in Christ & Mary, Fr. R. Mathias MSFS

Advent Penance Service will be December 15th at 4:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church.

We will have several Priests available to hear confessions.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday, December 6th following 6:30 pm Mass

Please join us for a Chili/Soup supper to celebrate our Parish for the “Feast of Immaculate Conception” on Sat. Dec. 7th after the 4:00 mass. You can bring your favorite chili/soup to share. We will need some sides and desserts. Hot dogs will be served as

well. After dinner, stay for games, fellowship and fun.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 1, 2019

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION LECTORS, SERVERS

AND MINISTERS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m.

Sacristan: Carol Falborski

Lector: Bob Modaff

Body of Christ: Linda Baker

Blood of Christ: Mary Sorensen & Carol Falborski

Altar Servers: Be/y Knapp & Tina Darling

Sunday, December 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Sacristan: Larry Larsh

Lector: Wayne Schimnoski

Body of Christ: Pixie Ziehm

Blood of Christ: Sharon Voege, Janice Schimnoski

Larry Larsh, Diane Springer

Altar Servers: Be/y Knapp & child volunteer

From the Principal…From the Principal…From the Principal…From the Principal…

In Christ’s Peace,

Mrs. Sharon Voege Church Directory UpdateChurch Directory UpdateChurch Directory UpdateChurch Directory Update

They are here! Everyone that had their picture taken will receive a free directory. They are at the back of the church (carport entrance for IC). They are labeled so please take only the one with your name on it. Directories can be purchased, in the

rectory office, for $10 each.

The Daughters of Mary have a selection of crafts and baskets available, for purchase, in the church hall. Stop down and see the

wide selection.

Please return Pregnancy Helpline Baby bottles to the box at the back of the Church by December 8th.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES

Dec 24: Christmas Eve

4:00 p.m. @ I.C.

6:00 p.m. @ St. Barbara

6:00 p.m. @ St. Clare

10:00 p.m. @ I.C.

Dec 25: Christmas Day

9:00 a.m. @ I.C.

In observance of the holidays the office will be closed

Dec. 24 - 26 and Dec. 31 - Jan. 2

ARE YOU COPING WITH LOSS? Please join us for our next gathering at Hank’s. We will meet at 11:30 on Thursday, December 5. All are welcome to join us as we continue to define our new group, share our stories and enjoy great fellowship.

Dear Parishioners, Immaculate Conception Catholic School now has a n Amazon Smile account! If you shop on Amazon simply choose us from the charity list and we receive cash back. If you buy Amazon SCRIP before you purchase, we receive a double credit! What a great way to support our mission while shopping for all your everyday needs!

Just in time for Christmas giving we have gift cards for purchase. The following local vendors are available for cash & carry:

Applebee’s, Bath & Body Works, Bravo, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cold Stone Creamery, Meijer, Panera Bread,

Shell, Speedway, Starbucks, Subway, Target, Taco Bell, and Walmart

Hundreds of additional vendor gift cards can be ordered in time for holiday giving. You can even order online. Stop by the SCRIP table after Mass or details or contact the school office 273-2085. All proceeds go to the continuation of our mission!

Don’t miss the Polar Express next Sunday

December 8th!

Bring a canned or boxed food item

to help feed the hungry in our community!

Give in thanksgiving. “The nuns left lasting impressions on me,” writes a donor. “I shall always be grateful for my

Catholic education.” Please join in thanking the thousands of senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and

religious order priests who worked tirelessly to educate the young and serve those in need. The collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, which helps hundreds of religious communities care for aging members, will be

taken December 8th. Please give generously.

The IC Christmas Choir is forming now! If you would like to join, please stay after the 11 am Mass, see Mary

Brost or call the office!

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR PARISHIONERS! December 1 - 7

St. Barbara Altar Society will

meet Monday, December 2nd

at 7:00 pm in the Church. All

ladies are invited to attend.

ST. BARBARA CHURCH

MASS SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS

Sunday, December 1

8:00 a.m. †Souls in Purgatory

By: Irene Walunya Goodlow

Sunday, December 8

8:00 a.m. For the People of the Parishes

Lector: Paige Smolarz

Ministers: Paula Hetman, Sharon Mitchell, Tom Tenney

ST. CLARE CHURCH

SERVER SCHEDULE AND INTENTIONS

Sunday, December 1

9:20 a.m. The People of the Parishes

Sunday, December 8

9:20 a.m. †Leo Marchand

By: Bob & Kellie DeGowske

Lector: Mary Collins

Ministers: Sherry Roberts & Tina Kuhl

Altar Server: Hope Collins

Ushers: Tom Rock & Evan Nemeth

Coffee Crew: Jeff & Nancy Nasser

Jennifer Graber

Rosa Munoz Duran

Bernard Shutes

Moises Macedo

Jim Highfield

Sawyer Dudley

Abby Springer

Marcus Hari

Charlene Dutka

Connie Frieburger

John Quinn

Linda Owen

OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS DECEMBER PRAYER INTENTIONS

The Future of the Very Young That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.

Smile.amazon.com

Don’t forget St. Clare when you are shopping online

this Christmas season. Proceeds go to the

Building fund.

Ready! Set! Get Them Warm! AND Help our Vets!Ready! Set! Get Them Warm! AND Help our Vets!Ready! Set! Get Them Warm! AND Help our Vets!Ready! Set! Get Them Warm! AND Help our Vets!

St. Clare's 11th Annual Warmth and Vet CollectionSt. Clare's 11th Annual Warmth and Vet CollectionSt. Clare's 11th Annual Warmth and Vet CollectionSt. Clare's 11th Annual Warmth and Vet Collection Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 ---- Dec. 8Dec. 8Dec. 8Dec. 8 #1 need Socks!#1 need Socks!#1 need Socks!#1 need Socks!

Gloves and hats...all sizes, kids and adults, male and female.Gloves and hats...all sizes, kids and adults, male and female.Gloves and hats...all sizes, kids and adults, male and female.Gloves and hats...all sizes, kids and adults, male and female.

Advent Family Gathering for Persons with DisabiliDes,

December 7, 10 am - 2 pm

St. Mary School Gym, Paw Paw

Persons with disabiliBes and their families are invited for a day of

friendship, Advent craCs and acBviBes, a service project, music

and fun. A simple lunch will be provided. The day is free and spon-

sored by the Diocese of Kalamazoo Ministry to Persons with Disa-

biliBes. Please RSVP by November 29 to Lisa Irwin at

lirwin@diokzoo.org or 269-903-0177.

St. Clare Wednesday morning Masses are suspended for the winter. We will resume on April 1st.

Save the Date!!!

The Diocesan Cursillo Ultreya is Sunday, December 8th at

4:00 pm in Immaculate Conceptions Church Hall.

All are Welcome!!!

New Years Day is the Solemnity of Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass times are as follows:

December 31 4:00 pm - IC January 1 8:00 am - SC January 1 9:30 am - IC

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this bulletin was

printed early. Weekly giving numbers were not

available at press time. They will be in next

weeks bulletin.

Youth Group Meeting, December 8th following Mass at IC.

CongratulaBons to Logan Weiss, Caterina Thelen and

Rachael Carra. They were Confirmed last Sunday, by

Bishop Bradley, at St. Joseph Parish in Kalamazoo!

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 1, 2019

Welcome To Our Parishes If you would like to enroll, change your address, or simply

have quesBons about our parish, please fill out the form

below and drop it in the collecBon

basket or mail it to the Church office:

645 S. Douglas, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Name_________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City/Zip________________________________________

Phone_________________________________________

Please circle one: IC Church St. Clare St. Barbara

O I would like to enroll as an acBve member.

O Please change my address to the one shown above.

O I would like to learn more about school/parish acBviBes.

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:_________________________.

O I would like to speak with a priest about a vocaBon to the priesthood

or religious life.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 645 S. DOUGLAS AVE., THREE RIVERS, MI

St. Clare Mission Parish St. Barbara Mission Parish 23126 M-86 479 S. Burr Oak Road Centreville, MI 49032 Colon, MI 49040

Rita Barton

Darlene Bri/on

Florence DalPonte

Agnes Goss

Randy/Sharon Jacobs

Emma Kle/

Cassandra Lems

Ginger Lorencz

Diana Marsh

Eileen Miholer

Karen Miles

Jim Noonan

James Tokarski

Laurie VanTassel

Terry/Barb Wallace

Janet Williams

PLEASE

REMEMBER

THOSE IN

SPECIAL NEED

OF OUR

PRAYERS

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

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Parishes & School InformaDon

Immaculate Conception School (PK-5th) Principal - Sharon Voege

Website: www.iccatholicschool.com 269-273-2085 principal@iccatholicschool.com

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

Together with the parents, parish and community, We provide a Christ-

centered Educa�on to:

Build Faith based on the truths of the Catholic Church. Develop Knowledge for becoming productive citizens Practice Christian Service as Jesus taught Thereby Changing the World One Student at a Time

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Knights of Columbus #4141: Mike Didelot - 273-9259 Meets 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm, church hall

Daughters of Mary: Nancy Schopf - 858-3730 Meets 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., church hall

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IC PWTLP_ CZSOML` - `WTTa `WTP_ 244-4547

SC PWTLP_ CZSOML` - KWULN DW]LQPZO 467-6105

SB PWTLP_ CZSOML` - EQ BN`` 420-7225

IC FLOWOMN CZSOML` - MLbN SM_SVWM_NT 625-0549

SC FLOWOMN CZSOML` - JZ_O LWTLVNT 625-6498

IC SM_ZZ` CZVVLPPLZO - SSPLN KS_O 317-363-5981

Rectory Office Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor– Cathy Doering

M,T,W,F 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. • Office closed on Thursdays

Telephone: 273-8953

E-mail: icchurchtr@outlook.com

Bulletin Deadline Monday at noon.

Permanent Deacon - Bart Connelly 535-7631 Music Director - Director of Religious Ed. - Tim Dumont 718-4921 High School Youth Ministry - Tim Dumont 718-4921 RCIA - Mark & Mary Brost 278-8825