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Get ready for Christmas this Advent season by receiving the grace of confession! Churches and campus ministries of the Piedmont Deanery will be offering our annual Advent Penance Services where many priests will be available to hear your confessions. This year, our service will take place in the sanctuary on Tuesday, December 17 at 7:00 PM. Take a look at the full schedule of services in case this time doesn’t work for you! | | | |
December 4 at 7 PM - St James, Henderson
December 5 at 7 PM - St. Matthew, Durham
December 11 at 7 PM - Holy Infant, Durham
December 15 at 7 PM - Holy Family, Hillsborough
December 16 at 7 PM - Blessed Sacrament, Burlington
December 17 at 7 PM - St. Thomas More, Chapel Hill
December 22 at 7 PM - Immaculate Conception, Durham
| | Catholic Daughters of the Americas Meeting | | |
Our next Catholic Daughters of the Americas meeting will be on Thursday, December 4th, in the San Damiano Trailer. It will be a combined meeting, book club, and Christmas party beginning at 6:30 PM. We would love to have you join us for our Christmas celebration. We will also have a gift exchange.
For details, please contact Regent Jayne Stephens. Ladies who are 18 or older are eligible to join our organization. For more information on the Catholic Daughters, please visit catholicdaughters.org.
| | Christmas Ornament Making | | |
Families—don’t forget to sign up for this fun Christmas Ornament Making event! On Saturday, December 6th, from 9:00–11:30 a.m., we will gather in Fellowship Hall. The Knights of Columbus will be serving breakfast to begin the morning. Then, children will have the opportunity to make several ornaments. For each ornament the children make, they are asked to create another to donate to Meals on Wheels. The Meals on Wheels clients are always excited to receive these ornaments.
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"... That they may all be one..." (John 17:2122nd
Annual Advent Alternative Gift Fair
| | The hope and joy of Advent have arrived, accompanied by Immaculate Conception's 22nd Annual Advent Alternative Gift Fair to be held in the gathering space after all our masses this weekend. This special event provides the opportunity to live out your faith as you celebrate the spirit of the season. | | | |
This year’s theme, “that they may all be one…” (John 17:21), focuses on the Gospel principle of solidarity, encouraging us to remove the obstacles that separate us so we can promote our common, shared humanity.
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, immigration support, poverty relief, 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!
22nd Annual Advent Alternative Gift Fair Charitable Organizations
- El Futuro
- Eno River Association
- Furniture Project of Durham
- Heifer International
- NC Justice Center
- Peace and Hope International
- Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham
- Urban Ministries of Durham
| | Stewardship Thought for the Week | | |
Sunday, December 7
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah’s vision of peace and John the Baptist’s call to prepare the way challenge us to live as stewards of hope. Advent invites us to clear space in our hearts for Christ and to share His peace with others.
Reflection Question: How can I help bring peace and hope to someone this Advent?
| | Ministry Spotlight of the Week | | |
Would you like to use your spiritual gifts of caregiving, encouragement, generosity, service, and hospitality? Consider joining us for the Giving Tree Project! Maybe you’ve already participated by taking a tag and bringing back a wrapped gift. Why not come and see what happens next?
We will be sorting, organizing, and delivering all the gifts during the week of December 15. If you’d like to help, you can sign up below. For any questions, contact Margie.
| | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass Schedule | | |
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Holy Day of Obligation
Monday,December 8
- 8:15 AM - School Mass
- Noon - English
- 5:30 PM - English
- 7:30 PM - Spanish
| | | 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 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.
| | Poinsettias for the Altar | | |
Poinsettias for the Altar can be given in "memory” or “honor” of a loved one. If you would like to contribute toward the purchase of these flowers, please fill out this form, then click submit at the bottom of the page. The names will be featured in our Christmas bulletin.
Please contact Olga Rodriguez if you need further information.
The deadline to submit your form is Thursday, December 11th at 5 pm.
| | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | | |
Thursday, December 11
- 7:00 p.m. – Aztec Dancers
- 8:00 p.m. – Narration of the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe
- 8:30 p.m. – Novena
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9:00 p.m. – Aztec Dancers/ Performances
- 11:50 p.m. – Mariachi
- 1:00 a.m. – Social
Friday, December 12
The church will be open all day, and volunteers will be at the church to receive flowers.
- 5:30 p.m. - Performances
- 7:00 p.m. - Spanish Mass
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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.
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JPIC Racial Justice Ministry:
We Are One Body in This One Lord
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Immaculate Conception’s JPIC Racial Justice Ministry invites you to meet with us for half an hour after the 7:45 am Mass on December 14th for a short discussion on how this Sunday’s Scriptures inform racial harmony in the body of Christ. You are welcome to share your hopes, concerns, and ideas.
We hope to meet at the same time every second Sunday in the Daily Chapel, to build community, listen to one another and discuss how we can more clearly exemplify the body of Christ across all racial and other earthly divides. Please stay for this conversation.
For more information, please visit our JPIC Racial Justice Ministry webpage or call Barbara Curran at (440) 840-5511.
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All gifts should be returned by December 14th. If you have any questions, please contact Margie.
| | | Youngish Adults (30s-40s) Bible Study | | |
Scripture sharing for adults in their 30s-40s. Selected Mondays through January. 7 pm in San Damiano Trailer.
12/15; 1/5; 1/12; 1/26
Contact Fr. Hugh for more information.
| | MISA DE GALLO (Simbang Gabi) | | |
Come and join us in celebrating the hallmarks and traditions of the Christmas season in the Philippines!
MISA DE GALLO (Simbang Gabi)
Where: Immaculate Conception Church
When: Saturday, December 20 at 6:00 a.m.
Gathering at 5:30 a.m.
Celebrant: Fr. Gonzalo Torres, OFM
Fellowship and traditional potluck breakfast will follow in the Olive Tree Building behind the church. If you would like to learn more or join the committee, there will be a meeting on Sunday, December 7, after the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the St. Francis trailer.
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Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24th
- 4 PM - Christmas Eve Mass (English- Outdoors)
- 4 PM - Christmas Eve Mass (English- Inside)
- 6 PM Christmas Eve Mass (English)
- 8 PM - Christmas Eve Mass (Spanish)
- 10 PM - Christmas Eve Mass (Spanish)
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Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25th
- 12 AM - Christmas Midnight Mass
- 10 AM - Christmas Mass (English)
- 12 PM - Christmas Mass (Spanish)
| | The parish office will close at noon on December 23 and will reopen on January 2 at 9:00 AM. | | Children are invited to sing with the choir at the 4:00 p.m. indoor Mass on Christmas Eve. Please sign up using the link below if your child would like to sing. All in grades 3-8 are welcome! Participants do not need to be Immaculata students or members of the choir to join in. | | | | | |
