Antorcha - November 14, 2025 - 5:30 pm | | |
The Antorcha arrives this Friday, November 14th at 5:30 p.m. and Mass is at 6:00 p.m.!
The Antorcha-Guadalupe Torch Run, a relay run from Mexico City to New York City, is an annual religious celebration of solidarity and hope for justice. Thousands of people participate along the route.
Every November, our parish welcomes the Guadalupe Torchlight along with the replicas of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego. Our parishioners carry the touch along its journey north to another Catholic Church in a neighboring city. The month-long celebration culminates on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We hope you can join us!
| | Meals for the Hungry - 11/15 | | |
As a parish, we serve dinner to ~150-200 people on the third Saturday of every month. We ask that food donations be delivered in disposable (ie, aluminum) pans and that each donation be enough to feed 15 people. Donations can be dropped off at the Immaculata kitchen (attached to the school) between 4:15 and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Food will be kept warm and cold as necessary until transport to Urban Ministry on Liberty Street, where meals will be served in person. We ask that those who volunteer to serve at Urban Ministries arrive at Immaculata kitchen by 5 pm; an insufficient number of servers puts a burden on those serving. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.
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In 2017, Pope Francis established the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 16th) as the World Day of the Poor. We are grateful to all of you who care for our less fortunate neighbors through your donations to the Love Fund, Monthly Meals for the Hungry, Thanksgiving Food, and Christmas Gifts.
May the World Day of the Poor remind us to reach out to those in need.
| | Stewardship Thought for the Week | | |
Sunday, November 16
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings remind us that faithful stewardship means perseverance. In uncertain times, we are called to live with purpose, contribute with love, and trust in God’s justice.
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Reflection Question:
How can I remain generous and faithful when the future feels uncertain?
| | Ministry Spotlight of the Week | | |
Do you feel called to share your spiritual gifts of encouragement, hospitality, leadership, or service?
Why not consider joining the choir?
Our choir is more than just music—it’s a ministry that uplifts the hearts of our community and deepens our worship experience. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or simply love to praise God through song, there’s a place for you here. By joining, you’ll grow in faith, fellowship, and musical skill—all while helping others encounter God through beautiful liturgy.
If you’re interested or would like to learn more, please contact James. We’d love to welcome you!
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22nd Annual Advent Alternative Gift Fair
December 6-7, 2025
Please Join Us for this Year’s Advent Alternative Gift Fair!
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church's Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Ministry will be hosting our 22nd Annual Advent Alternative Gift Fair in the gathering space after all our masses the weekend of December 6-7th. This special event provides the opportunity to live out your faith as you celebrate the spirit of the season.
Instead of traditional gifts, Christmas “honor cards” will be available inviting parishioners to make financial donations in support of local and global organizations dedicated to social justice and Catholic social teaching in areas such as promoting human dignity, poverty relief, economic justice, and care for creation. 100% of all contributions go directly to these charities. It is a meaningful way to share the joy of giving! We look forward to seeing you at this year’s gift fair!
There are many simple ways to help: setting up, cleaning up, welcoming guests, explaining the purpose of the fair, or assisting others as they make donations. Even a few minutes after the Mass you attend can make a difference! To learn more or share your availability, please contact Isabel Kovalik.
| | Stewardship Renewal - Thank you! | | |
Thank you to everyone who has already completed a Stewardship Commitment Pledge. We are so grateful for your response and your continued support of our parish.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve shared videos from parishioners telling their stories of how they have answered their call to Stewardship. This week, we are sharing Osely’s Stewardship story, and we invite you to watch it.
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We hope these three stories help you reflect on your own Stewardship journey. Then, take a moment to submit your pledge—even if your amount remains the same as last year. Having a pledge from each household helps us plan responsibly for the year ahead and sustain the ministries that serve our parish community.
Thank you for being a vital part of our parish family. We are blessed to walk this journey of faith together!
| | No Outdoor Mass This Weekend | | This Sunday, November 16, there will be no 9:30 a.m. outdoor Mass. We warmly invite you to join us inside the church. Thank you for your understanding. | | |
Coat Drive
The Knights of Columbus are once again sponsoring a Coat Drive—now in its fifth year! They will be collecting new children’s coats this weekend (November 15–16). Labeled collection boxes will be placed by the exit doors in the gathering space.
With the cold weather approaching, there is a real need for warm coats. All coats collected will be distributed right here in Durham. Thank you for your participation in this project!
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Knights of Columbus New Members Meeting and Dinner
The Knights of Columbus, Maria Immaculata Council 3390, would like to invite all new members and their families to our monthly meeting on November 18th at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall (Immaculata School Gym). The meeting will be followed by a dinner for all members and their families at approximately 7:00 PM.
During the meeting, we will complete applications for those who began the process during the October recruitment drive. The agenda will include a short talk on the principles of the organization, an overview of the insurance benefits available, and information about upcoming events. Dinner will follow for everyone and their families.
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Second Collection: Catholic Campaign for Human Development
| | The Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development addresses the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and transformative education. Grants are awarded by the Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development with the approval of local bishops. | | |
Can you believe that Advent is right around the corner? Beginning this weekend (November 15/16), we will have Advent materials available in the gathering space for you to purchase.
We will have:
- Sets of Advent candles ($12)
- Staircase wreath ($18)
- Large brass wreath ($17)
- Small brass wreath ($15)
- Little Blue Book for Advent ($4)
- A devotional with Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas ($4)
There will also be an Advent calendar and children’s projects for Advent. There is no cost for the Advent calendars or the children’s materials.
A white plastic container will be on the table where you can place your money or check.
We hope these materials will be helpful to you and your families.
| | November is Black Catholic History Month! | | |
Do you know who said, “The history of Black Catholics is a history of a people who refused to be separated from the Church, even when the Church seemed to separate itself from them.”
In honor of Black Catholic History Month this November, Immaculate Conception’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Racial Justice Ministry will feature informational displays in the gathering space, beginning the weekend of November 15-16th and continuing throughout the month, celebrating eminent African-American theologians and Black Americans being considered for sainthood. Please visit our displays to learn more about the rich history of Black Catholics in America.
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Book Club
Catholic Daughters of the Americas – Court Durham will have our CDA Book Club discussion on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. in the Youth Room at IC in the Olive Tree Building. Kathy Franzak will lead our discussion on The Delight of Being Ordinary by Roland Merullo. Please bring an appetizer to share with the group in lieu of dinner. All ladies, 18 years of age or older, are welcome to attend, whether they have read the book or not. Come and meet the wonderful ladies of Court Durham. You may also join via Zoom for the discussion. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Foster.
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Annual Bake Sale
It’s not too early to start planning to support our annual fundraiser! The Catholic Daughters will be selling homemade baked goods the weekend of November 22–23 in the Gathering Space (the weekend before Thanksgiving).
Why not purchase a dessert for your Thanksgiving meal—or treat yourself to something delicious?
The Catholic Daughters appreciate your support of their annual fundraiser!
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Each year at Thanksgiving, we like to provide Thanksgiving Baskets for those in our community who are in need.This is one time when we focus our help on our parishioners. We aim to provide these families not only with food for their Thanksgiving meal but with much more.
The Youth Group is collecting the canned goods we need. We are asking parishioners to donate turkeys, hams, and food gift cards for these families. Donations can be delivered to the parish office beginning Monday, November 10th, through Tuesday, November 18th. All items must be delivered no later than Tuesday, November 18th.
Thanks to all of you who have already signed up to help! Your response has been amazing. We can still use a few more donations.If you would like to donate needed food items, please sign up below.
We are also looking for parishioners to help deliver the Thanksgiving food to those who will be receiving it. Deliveries will take place between Wednesday, November 19th, and Monday, November 24th. Fourteen people have already signed up to help, but we still need 11 more volunteers. If you would like to help deliver food, please sign up below.
Don't forget to drop off your donations of turkeys, hams or food cards for Thanksgiving at the Parish Office no later than Wednesday, the 19th.
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The next meeting of the 50 Plus group will be our annual Potluck Christmas Party, held in the social hall at St. Matthew Church on Wednesday, December 4, at 12:30 PM.
Chicken, ham, and drinks will be provided. We ask everyone to bring a side dish or dessert of your choice. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a few games of bingo with prizes awarded!
Membership in 50 Plus is required to attend the party. Annual dues are $20, and it’s easy to join in advance of the event.
For further information, please contact us at 50pluspresident@gmail.com, or reach out to the co-presidents, Bob and Mary Jane Wiethe, at 919-491-6445.
| | Biblical Latin for Advent | | |
Matthew Lubin, scholar of Renaissance history, will offer an introductory foray into Latin with passages from the Latin Vulgate for the Advent season. This three-week language-learning adventure requires no previous knowledge of Latin. Participants are recommended to be at least 16 years old, solely because of the mode of the lessons. Come and learn about this historically important language for the Catholic Church through seasonally relevant content. Tuesdays, December 2, 9, and 16 from 7:00 to 8:15 pm in the San Damiano trailer.
Registration is not required but is helpful for the instructor's preparation.
Contact Friar Hugh if you have any questions.
| | Christmas Ornament Making | | |
On Saturday, December 6th, we will be making Christmas ornaments! For every ornament the children make to take home, they will also make one to donate to Meals on Wheels. The Meals on Wheels clients are always so grateful to receive these ornaments.
We still need 8 adults to help us - to come up with an ornament idea, gather the necessary supplies, and be at the event on the 6th to teach the children how to make them. If you save your receipts for supplies, we can reimburse you.
Please use the sign-up link below to volunteer. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Margie.
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Save the Date for an Advent Family Retreat on Saturday, December 13 from 9:00 -11:00 a.m.
If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, please contact Jeanne Bernacki.
| | | Below is the offertory information for October. We are grateful to all of you for your financial support. For those of you who would like to sign up for Online Giving, here are the instructions. | | Thank you for your financial support of the parish! | | |
Calendar
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11/14 at 5:30: Antorcha
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11/15 at 4:15 PM: Meals for the Hungry
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11/18 at 6:00 PM: Knights of Columbus New Members Meeting
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11/18 at 6:15 PM: CDA Book Club
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11/27 at 10:00 AM: Bilingual Thanksgiving Mass
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