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Dear Parish Family,
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather alert for our area on Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25. Forecasts indicate the possibility of snow, sleet, and icy road conditions, which could make travel extremely dangerous.
Out of deep concern for your safety, I strongly encourage you to use great caution. Please do not risk traveling to Church if conditions are unsafe. Your well‑being—and the safety of others on the road—must come first.
Depending on the conditions on Monday, the parish office may be closed. If, for any reason, you need to come in, please call the parish office before to confirm that we are open.
Let us keep one another in prayer, especially those who must be out in the storm.
Stay safe, and may God protect you.
Fr. Manuel, OFM
| | Kick off Catholic Schools Week with your ICS friends and families at Family Bingo Night on Friday, January 23. Tickets include a 10-game Bingo Card and dinner provided by our Knights of Columbus, with fun raffles throughout the evening and Girls Scout cookies available for purchase at the event. | | Immaculate Spaghetti Dinner 2026 | | |
We have an amazing on-site raffle coming up at the Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, January 30! From basketball tickets and spirits to kids’ and beauty baskets, plus restaurant gift certificates—there’s so much to be excited about.
Grab your spaghetti dinner tickets and Spaghetti Bucks to spend at the raffle and bake sale, and make it a fun-filled night for the whole family!
Can’t make it but still want to support the 8th grade? You can make a donation, buy dinner for a teacher, and participate in the 50/50 raffle. Visit tinyurl.com/spaghetti2026 today!
| | | Stewardship Thought for the Week | | |
Sunday, January 25
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
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The readings remind us that God leads His people from darkness into light (Isaiah 8:23–9:3) and calls us to unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17). Jesus invites the first disciples to follow Him and become “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:12–23). Stewardship means responding to that same call with willing hearts and open hands.
Reflection Question: What “nets” might I need to let go of so I can follow Christ more freely this week?
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| Ministry Highlight of the Week | | |
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The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Ministries invite you to share your gifts of leadership, generosity, hospitality, or service by supporting our Valentine's Day Fair Trade Chocolate Sale on February 7 and 8. Each year, JPIC partners with Bull City Fair Trade to raise awareness about economic justice. The Hispanic Young Adults Ministry (El Sembrador) will once again help lead this special event for our parish community.
Fair trade matters because it advances economic justice. It protects workers' rights, improves their quality of life, and helps prevent exploitation and substandard working conditions.
There are many easy ways to help: welcoming visitors, helping them choose products, or explaining the mission behind fair trade. Even a few minutes after the Mass you attend can make a difference! For more information, please visit our JPIC Valentine's Day Fair Trade Chocolate Sale webpage. If you would like to help with this event, please contact Isabel Kovalik.
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| Second Collection: Immaculata Tuition Assistance | | Collection to support our Parochial school, Immaculata School in their commitment to Catholic education. Many thanks in advance for your support for Catholic education. | | It’s that time of year again! Girl Scouts from Troop 2215 will be selling cookies after each Mass on 1/31 and 2/1. Cookies are $6 per box. Cash, Venmo, and credit cards are accepted. Your support is appreciated. | | |
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The next 50 Plus meeting will be held Wednesday, February 5, at 12:30 PM at Hibachi Grill Buffet, 4600 Durham–Chapel Hill Blvd. A guest speaker will open the meeting. Most members arrive between 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM to enjoy lunch and fellowship before we begin.
New members and guests are always welcome. For more information or trip brochures, contact Bob and Mary Jane Wiethe at 50pluspresident@gmail.com or 919-491-6445.
| | Hearts for Peace ICS Winter Gala 2026 | | Join us for the highly anticipated Hearts for Peace ICS Winter Gala on February 6, from 6:00–10:00 PM, at The Cookery in Durham, NC, as our community comes together in support of Immaculata Catholic School. | | | |
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February Schedule Announced
Here are the speakers scheduled for our Growing thru Grief meetings in February.
- February 3 - Kathy Pittman, Title TBD
- February 10 - Joan Eastman, "Got Guilt?"
- February 17 - Rabbi Hannah Bender, "Finding Meaning through Time: Jewish Structures of Mourning"
- February 24 - Alyson Tiwari, "When Grief Disrupts Faith: Spiritual Repair Practices"
We meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis, from 4-6 pm. All are welcome.
| | Family Lenten Prayer Activity | | |
If you are looking to more deeply engage with your family during the season of Lent, we've got the perfect activity for you. Pray, fast, and give together this year. Contact Bobby Denne to get your Family home kit. | | | Troops 424 & 412 Annual Pine Straw Fundraiser | | |
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Support IC Scouting America Troops 424 & 412 Annual Pine Straw Fundraiser
Troops 424 (Boys) & 412 (Girls) are offering clean, high-quality longleaf pine straw for $7 a bale, with free delivery on orders of 40 bales or more ($10 otherwise). This sale is the only fundraiser of the year and provides funding for programming, service projects, and leadership development for Scouts at IC.
- Orders Close: Friday, February 27, 2026
- Delivery: Saturday, March 7, 2026 (in Durham County only for 10 bales or more)
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Questions: 424pinestraw@gmail.com
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Thank You for Supporting Our
22nd Annual JPIC Advent Alternative Gift Fair!
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On behalf of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministries, thank you for your loving support of our 22nd Annual JPIC Advent Alternative Gift Fair.
This year’s theme, inspired by John 17:21, reminds us of Jesus’ prayer: “That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” This call to unity invites us to embrace the Gospel principle of solidarity, removing barriers that divide us so we can embody God’s love revealed through Christ.
YOUR IMPACT
In the spirit of this theme, our parish raised over $17,500 in donations! These gifts were sent directly to local and global organizations committed to social justice and Catholic social teaching, supporting:
- Care for creation
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Human dignity (Restorative Justice, Violence Prevention, Mental Health)
- Immigration assistance
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Poverty relief (Homelessness & Food Insecurity)
You can view donation totals for each organization on our JPIC Advent Alternative Gift Fair webpage.
We are deeply grateful to:
- The organizations who participated
- Our JPIC Advent Alternative Gift Fair Committee
- All the adult and youth parishioners who generously shared their time and talents
Your efforts made this year’s fair a beautiful expression of faith and community. May God bless you abundantly in the New Year!
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