2020 Stewardship Renewal Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Gratefulness “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above” — James 1:17
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Gratefulness “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). God’s gifts to us can be summed up in one word — everything. How easy it is to forget this truth in our fast-paced world where we have little time to “stop and smell the roses,” let alone be grateful to the One who created them for us! Yet, gratefulness is both the key to a stewardship way of life, and the secret to a joy-filled life. When we take a moment to reflect on God’s goodness and His passionate love for each of us, we cannot help but be filled with gratefulness and a surge of joy that comes from recognizing how abundant His blessings are. Our annual Stewardship Renewal is that moment for us — as individuals and as a parish family — to pause and allow our hearts to be filled to overflowing with gratefulness to God who has spared nothing in His love for us, giving us even His own Son as our Savior. As this gratefulness overflows from us, it “demands” an outlet in our lives. Stewardship gives us that outlet. It offers us a concrete way to express our gratefulness to God, to thank Him with our very lives for every good and perfect gift.
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Stewardship of Time
Grateful Moments Pope Francis says, “To be able to offer thanks, to be able to praise the Lord for what He has done for us: this is important!” Our good God has given each day to us as a gift, and He waits for us to turn to Him daily in prayer. There really is nothing more important or necessary than spending time with God. How much of my God-given time do I devote to Him each day? How often do I stop to think of Him, even briefly, to offer thanks for His constant care for me? Have I fostered a grateful heart by counting my blessings at the end of the day? After time spent with God, my next priority of time should be for my loved ones. Here Pope Francis encourages us to “waste time” with our families — to set aside time to simply enjoy one another without distraction. This requires a commitment in our digital world. Can I commit to this use of my time?
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Try reflecting each morning on the daily readings of the Catholic Church (found as usccb.org/bible/readings) to ask God what He wants to teach you in the day ahead.
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Take a moment to pray in your car on the way to or from work or errands, offering your cares and your gratitude to the Lord.
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As a family, give each member a chance to say a “please,” “thank you” and “I’m sorry” prayer to God at the end of the day. End with an Our Father and Hail Mary.
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In addition to Sunday Mass, make Sunday dinner a priority as a time to reconnect before the start of a busy week.
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Stewardship of Talent
Grateful Living Our good God has created each one of us with unique strengths, personalities, interests and challenges. All are His gifts to us. And all are meant for our good, the good of others and His glory. Isn’t that an amazing truth! Consider these words the Lord is speaking to you today, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another” (John 15:1617). During this moment of Renewal, think about the gifts the Lord has given you and your family and ask Him how you can use them to love others in gratefulness for His goodness to you.
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Spend some time prayerfully reading the ministry listing to consider an area of service that will truly stretch you or an area where you can provide a real strength.
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If you are already involved in one ministry, pray about an additional way you might serve. For instance, if you are involved in assisting with the Liturgy in some way, volunteer in an outreach to the community.
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If you are not active in a prayer or faith formation group, join one so as to become a more effective servant of the Lord.
Stewardship of Treasure
Grateful Giving Just as time and talents are gifts from God, so too, are material things, or Treasure. And just as our time and talent are meant to be used for our good, the good of others and God’s glory, so too, is our treasure. Does this mean we serve a “greedy” God, who wants to give, and then take back what He gives? Of course not! Anything He asks us to do is meant to make our joy complete in Him. Returning a portion of our treasure to Him teaches us to depend on Him and brings a peace and contentment the world cannot give. Will you take a leap of faith to try it and see for yourself?
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Take a look at your current budget and spending habits, and assess what expenses are preventing you from giving more selflessly.
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Commit to giving a percentage of your income to God through the parish offertory and be faithful to your tithing commitment, even when you attend Mass elsewhere.
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2020 Ministry Catalog Pastoral Council
Ministries
The Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the Pastor regarding all aspects of parish life and the mission of the Church, using prayer, discussion and recommendations to share in the pastoral care of the parish and Church. The Pastoral Council will serve as a vehicle for open and constructive communication with the parish community. They work with the Pastor to establish clear and concise goals and objectives based on the needs of the parish. They identify and call forth the gifts and talents of the members of the parish, and cooperate with and effectively implement diocesan policies and programs, with the approval of the Pastor.
We are blessed to have numerous ministries, organizations, boards and committees at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church! As recommended by our diocese, these ministries are organized under six “commissions,” including Evangelization, Faith Formation, Liturgy, Parish Life, School and Stewardship. Below is a list of all the ministries and groups in our parish.
2020 Pastoral Council Members: President – Chris Herring Vice President – Phillip Renfro Secretary – Ramona Bourdo Farrukh Anwar Shawn Stane Carolyn Chalmers Michael Copas Quentin Lauer Jennifer Bates Sandra Bulmanski – Ex Officio Member
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The Evangelization Commission IC Prayer Network Our purpose is to offer prayers of intercession for persons in need. Examples: surgery, accidents, death, hospitalization, etc. Each person is prayed for by name every day for one week. If additional prayer is desired, another phone request can be made. Contact: Jackie Pickering, 501-758-0293 Martha’s Kitchen Martha’s Kitchen provides an excellent opportunity to heed Jesus’ call to “feed my sheep.” Have you ever felt a tug in your heart when you hear about people living on the streets, or are you moved by the works of St. Teresa of Calcutta and
wonder how you can help? If so, Martha’s Kitchen may be a ministry for you. Martha’s Kitchen provides homemade meals to be distributed to the homeless in Little Rock. You can help by shopping, cooking, or both. Every month there are grocery bags in the vestibule that you can pick up and fill with the non-perishable items needed for that month’s meal. If you’d like to help cook, we meet the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall kitchen to prepare meals. Contact: Karen Baxter-Rhoades, 501-240-1770
Nursery The nursery is available during our Saturday 4:30 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Masses for babies and children six months through 4 years old. If you are a ministry or group that is interested in providing a nursery for your meetings, please contact the church office. Contact: Holly Johnson, hjohnson7@cameron.slb.com, when making nursery reservations for your child or children. The nursery is located down the stairs on the left when you enter the Church vestibule or through the left, single door by Adoration. Prayer Shawl Ministry The Prayer Shawl Ministry is an informal group of the IC Altar Society that meets at
Immaculata Hall from 9-11 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month to knit/crochet shawls for the sick, baby blankets for St. Joseph’s Helpers and caps for newborns at Children’s Hospital. Contact: Valerie Gattini, 501-758-1713
Respect Life Our mission is to provide information and education, as well as encourage others to be active, concerning the many threats toward the “sanctity of human life,” namely issues such as abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and bioethics. In striving to promote the “culture of life” mentality, we must proclaim the inherent dignity and value of each human being as a gift from God, from conception to natural death. Contact: Susan Tanner, 501-690-2262 Vocations Chalice Box One of the primary ways we pray for vocations to the priesthood includes our Vocations Chalice Box. This chalice box contains a priest’s chalice, a DVD and prayer cards for praying for vocations. Members of our parish can sign up through the church office to take the Vocations Chalice Box home and pray each day for vocations. The chalice can be used as a centerpiece for prayer, and the DVD is a wonderful video about the priesthood! Contact: Church Office at 501-835-4323
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Vocations Committee At Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, we are dedicated to supporting and praying for vocations to marriage, priesthood, religious life and the dedicated single life. In regard to vocations to the priesthood and religious life, we host numerous seminarians at our parish for ministry work, internships, and we have even adopted a seminarian who did not have a home parish in our diocese! Contact: Tom Brooks, 501-350-6759
Ministry, Apologetics, Walking with Purpose, Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Temperament God Gave You, and upcoming groups include Revelation, Forming Intentional Disciples Book Study and various upcoming parish-wide retreats. The parish has also acquired a subscription to FORMED.org, which makes this wonderful resource available to every parishioner. Contact: Phyllis Eubanks, 501-835-4323, ext. 103, or rciacoordinator@iccnlr.org
The Faith Formation Commission
Divine Mercy Committee We promote the message of our Lord’s Divine Mercy as He revealed in the Diary of St. Maria Faustina and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m., before the 6:45 a.m. Mass, and on Fridays, 3 p.m., in the Adoration Chapel. We assist the School’s Director of Religious Education in promoting this message. The sick and dying are kept in prayer and we welcome a request by an ill parishioner or their family member to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at their bedside at home or in the hospital. Contact: Jenny Gates, 501-758-6107, 501-912-6154, or gates_m@sbcglobal.net
Adult Faith Formation The (USCCB) United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lists three major goals to help guide and direct our efforts in Adult Faith Formation: 1. Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life; 2. Promote and support active membership in the Christian community; 3. Call and prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world. This is a lifelong journey of growing in knowledge and understanding of our faith, along with spiritual and personal growth in our relationship with Jesus and His Church. Please consider attending one of the many Adult Faith Formation groups being offered throughout the year. Currently we have various groups meeting, including: Vincentian 8
Enthronement Ministry This ministry guides individuals or families through the “enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your home or business.” It gives a home or
business a visual reminder of the centrality of Christ by establishing a prayer altar, trusting that “a family altar alters a family.” Contact: Mike and Felicia Hathaway, 501-835-7457
Men of Faith Men of Faith is a weekly meeting addressing the issues men face at work, at home and in life. It’s guys getting together to study God’s Word to be better men, better husbands and better dads. We meet on Sundays at 9 a.m. in the IC School library. Contact: Chris Herring, 501-416-6574; Butch Hale, 501-765-3220 Our God Reigns Charismatic Prayer Group Our God Reigns Charismatic Prayer Group comes together as a Christian community to offer honor and glory to God through praise and worshipful song. We intercede for and encourage one another through prayer and thanksgiving to God. We experience God’s power and love through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His gifts. We gather on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the daily Mass chapel at 7 p.m. Contact: Jerri Miller, 501-938-6044; Janie Calvert, 501-367-8473 RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a wonderful process, a journey of faith,
for men and women who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church. Modeled on the process used in the first few centuries of Christianity, RCIA offers men and women the opportunity to learn about the gifts the Catholic Church offers to help people build their relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact: Youth Faith Formation Director Phyllis Eubanks, 501-835-4323, ext. 103, or rciacoordinator@iccnlr.org
Sacramental Preparation Baptism Contact: Kim Turner, 501-835-4323, ext. 100, or receptionist@iccnlr.org First Holy Communion and Confirmation Contact: Youth Faith Formation Director Phyllis Eubanks, 501-835-4323, ext. 103, or rciacoordinator@iccnlr.org Vincentian Ministry We meet from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday night in the church office conference room. The purpose is to help you grow in your love for Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We do this by reflecting on our lives and sharing biblical passages with one another in a small community. We share with others what we learn in our small church community with open hearts to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Contact: Mike Jones, 501-758-6209 9
Youth Faith Formation The primary purpose of this program is to assist and involve parents/families of those students who are homeschooled or attending public and other private schools. This is a comprehensive catechetical program for students in Kindergarten through eighthgrade. YFF actively seeks, invites and encourages family members and others to volunteer. Contact: Youth Faith Formation Director Phyllis Eubanks, 501-835-4323, ext. 103, or rciacoordinator@iccnlr.org Youth Ministry The mission of the Catholic Youth Ministry organization is to help the young people hear the Gospel message and respond with enthusiasm. Our goal is to reach out in service to the parish community and to evangelize. Together, we will seek a deeper knowledge of the Gospel message, help shape morals and values, and encourage one another to become actively involved in the mission life of the Church. This is a safe and caring environment where we are inspired to live the faith and grow closer to God. Adult parishioners are invited to provide the youth with the type of spiritual role models necessary to help them grow in the Catholic faith. Everyone is welcome! Contact: Director of Youth Ministries Christie Powell, 501-835-4323 or christieann78@hotmail.com 10
The Liturgy Commission Altar Servers Altar serving is an important ministry that assists priests and deacons in fulfilling their liturgical roles during the Mass. Once trained, servers can participate in both school and weekend Masses. Students in fourth through 12th grades who wish to receive training for this exciting ministry are welcome. Contact: Mari and Kenny Spencer, 501-940-9625 or marisalad71@att.net Altar Society The Altar Society’s purpose is to serve as a spiritual and social unit of the parish for women. We are divided into monthly working committees to supply the needs of the sanctuary and sacristy and to serve as hostesses for the monthly socials. We also assist with parish-wide functions such as Falcon Fest, the fall Soup Tasting fundraiser for Arts and Crafts, Meals for the Diocesan House of Discernment, and an annual baby shower for either Birthright or the Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center on a rotating basis. We have three primary committees that have taken on a life of their own but rely on our members to staff and support. One coordinates the parish-wide funeral meals, and another divides our members into monthly committees to oversee
altar care and all it entails. The third committee, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, is described in more detail in the Evangelization Commission. Contact: Joan Finnegan, 501-517-5153 or jfinne@lrchs.org
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion Extraordinary Ministers (EMCs) have the great honor and privilege of assisting our clergy in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. In addition, some of our EMCs take Communion to the sick or shut-ins. Contact: Parish Office, 501-835-4323; Barry Arnold, EMC Training Coordinator, 501-834-8185 or k5wba@arrl.net Lectors Lectors read the Word of God at each Mass and prepare through practice and reflection. Responsibilities include the First and Second Readings, and sometimes the Responsorial Psalm and Prayers of the Faithful. If you were blessed with a warm smile and a loud clear voice, consider the Lectors Ministry. Contact: Mike Hathaway, 501-835-7457 Music We can never have enough music to honor our Lord and Savior, and to lead us in glorious prayer! Here at IC, we have several ways in which YOU can become involved.
Whether it is the adult choir and children’s choir, adult handbell choir, second-grade handbell choir, adult contemporary group, Youth Ministry music, being an instrumentalist, or being a cantor, IC has a place for you, regardless of your ability to read music. We encourage you to enrich the spiritual lives of yourself and your fellow parishioners through the gift of music. Simple music training is available for single and group sessions to those of you who feel the call but may be insecure with your abilities. ALL are welcome! “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises” (Psalms 57:8). Contact: Music Director Steve Guilmet, 501-835-4342, ext. 114, or musicdirector@iccnlr.org
Perpetual Adoration Eucharistic Adoration is adoration of our loving Jesus in His Most Blessed Sacrament. Come, sit, kneel, pray, relax, and enjoy the sweet peace that comes from being with the One Who loves you the most, Jesus, Who waits for you in our Parish Adoration Chapel. Tell Him of your joys, your problems, your hopes and dreams. Listen. Jesus will speak to your heart. Adorers can drop in for a visit with Him, commit to spend an hour a week, or become a substitute. Jesus is there to greet you. Contact: Ramona Bourdo, raw4084@att.net 11
Sacristans The role of sacristan is to prepare the necessary items for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as well as ensuring that the Church is unlocked and ready when parishioners arrive for worship. The sacristan attends to the supplies needed for Mass and all that needs to be done prior to Mass beginning. Sacristans are needed for both weekend and weekday Masses. Contact: Larry Angyal, 501-753-2694 or lmangyal@aristotle.net Ushers The Ushers Ministry is open to any registered parishioner who has been CMG Connect trained and has been properly trained in usher duties. You do not have to be Catholic to be an usher. Our ministry is tasked with keeping the church clean and orderly between Masses, making the various collections, choosing people to bring up the gifts at Mass, and providing a hospitable and friendly greeting and seating assistance if needed. Ushers will ensure any handicapped individuals will have Communion brought to them by an Extraordinary Minister of Communion. Contact: Usher Coordinator Phil Zaffarano, 501-834-6302 or pzaffarano@sbcglobal.net
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The Parish Life Commission Arts and Crafts The Arts and Crafts Guild fosters Christian fellowship among the members of Immaculate Conception Church who use their creative arts and crafts skills to support outreach programs, such as the IC Youth Group for their Christmas Caravan Project, Jericho Way, Dorcas House, and others. Our Fall Craft Bazaar and Soup Tasting is always a great event to attend and enjoy fellowship with friends and family. The members gather on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the craft room of Immaculata Hall. All are encouraged to join us. We enjoy friendship, group prayer, and camaraderie in a wholesome Christian environment, while at the same time working to raise funds to support our Parish Family. Come and visit — we look forward to having you join our group! Contact: Rose Marie Karp, 501-912-6082 or rosemariekarp41@gmail.com Catholic Daughters of America The I.C. Catholic Daughters Court #2255 is part of the largest national, state, and local organizations of Catholic women in American that was organized over 100 years ago by Knights of Columbus. Our nine meetings a year are held on the
1st Saturday of the month after the 8:15 a.m. Mass with coffee and refreshments. Some of our local projects are Helping Hand, Cakes for Veterans at Fort Roots Hospital, and “adoption” of all the Diocesan Seminarians with prayers, card, and Masses said for each of them. Some of our national projects and charities we support include Smile Train, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Mother Teresa and Catholic Relief Services. Women 18 years of age and older are welcome to attend. Contact: Elaine Hemann, 501-835-0066
Golden Falcons The Golden Falcons is an IC Parish social group for seniors 50 years or older. The group gathers once a month, generally on the third Tuesday after the 8:15 a.m. Mass. Breakfast is provided, and our members take turns bringing in delicious pastries to share. We invite you to join us each month for breakfast. Come earlier for Mass if you can and join us in Immaculata Hall by 9:15 a.m. You are also welcomed to bring a friend to share in the camaraderie. While our primary purpose is to socialize, we have a number of members who attended a special training for our group and are now linked up to provide volunteer support at Arkansas Hospice. Another group volunteers at Helping Hand as a result of our
networking. A few also volunteer at area hospitals. Please check the parish bulletin for monthly announcements. If you would like further information, and/or if you cannot drive and need us to arrange a ride, call one of our committee members at least four days prior to the event. Contact: Carolyn Chambers, 501-835-5544; Faith Burke, 501-753-8672; Tommy Daughenbaugh, 501-835-3576
IC Boy Scouts The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of America offers young men ages 6 through 18 an opportunity to learn about the great outdoors and how to become leaders. Camping, hiking, cooking, canoeing, along with first aid and safety, are just a few of the exciting activities that the Scouts do as they work their way up to the rank of eagle. Contact: Bill Wilde, 501-551-3376 Men’s Club The IC Men’s Club is primarily a service organization to the parish, whose primary goal is for our men to provide support for parish activities and functions along with raising and donating money to the parish and school through our fundraising events. We are an informal group who meet about once a month for informational and social occasions. Contact: Jon Callahan, icmensclub18@gmail.com
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Quarterly Welcome Dinner Committee We would like to offer a dinner quarterly to welcome all newcomers to the parish. Anyone interested in helping with this hospitality ministry can offer suggestions as to the format. Second Sunday Rosary Committee On the second Sunday of each month, the Stewardship Committee has been leading a Rosary to pray for peace as well as the parishioners of Immaculate Conception. We would like to encourage you to consider leading this Rosary or joining in for prayer.
The School Commission Parish School Immaculate Conception Catholic School is a private, parochial school serving Pre-K 3-year-olds through eighth-graders in North Little Rock, Ark. Accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accreditation Association (ANSAA) and a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), we are committed to providing our students a topquality academic program integrated with Catholic Christian doctrine and values. Marcia Brucks, Principal, mbrucks@icsnlr.org Nicole Schafer, Assistant Principal, nschafer@icsnlr.org Carrie Kimbrell, Administrative Assistant I, ckimbrell@icsnlr.org Gwen Moody, Administrative Assistant II, gmoody@icsnlr.org School Board 2020-2021 President — Jeremy Hyde Vice President — John Nannen Secretary — Leslie Allison Matt Gifford Alfred Nkunga Amy Henry If anyone would like to present a topic before the School Board, please contact the Principal at 501-835-0771.
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PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) Immaculate Conception School Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) enables all parents to form a partnership role in their child’s education. This organization functions in accordance with the diocesan regulations and the local by-laws. A fee is paid by each school family at registration. Parents are expected to show interest in their child’s school by attending the three yearly general membership meetings. Visit the PTO Facebook page at www.facebook.com/icpto and don’t forget to click “Like” to stay current on PTO information and events. Contact the IC PTO at pto@icsnlr.org for more information. 2020- 2021 PTO Officers President – Casey Simon Vice President – Mike Lock Secretary – Dana Haynes Treasurer – Chris Jones Vice-Treasurer – Linda Miller Members at Large – Casey Lozada, Meredith Johnson, Natalie Green, and Julie Diamant
The Stewardship Commission Finance Council The Finance Council works closely with the pastor and pastoral council to evaluate and monitor
the finances of the parish. They assist the pastor in preparing and approving an annual budget and evaluating the parish’s income and spending. Contact: Parish Office, 501-835-4323
Hospitality Committee The mission of the Hospitality Committee at Immaculate Conception is to provide a warm, inviting and welcoming atmosphere to all who enter any parish event and to foster hospitality and a spirit of fellowship at various church gatherings. This ministry contributes to the feeling of hospitality for all who attend Mass or other gatherings at IC, whether they are parishioners or visitors. Contact: Shyril Savary, 501-413-1029 Stewardship Committee The Stewardship Committee is committed to stewardship as a way of life through example, prayer and ongoing formation to inspire all parishioners to acknowledge their gifts from God, cultivate these gifts and share them generously through time, talent and treasure for the benefit of our parish and community. Contact: Kim Davidson, 501-538-4931 or jdnk8205@gmail.com
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“Praise the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1
Please keep until Fall 2021
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 7000 John F. Kennedy Blvd. • North Little Rock, AR 72116 501-835-4323 • www.iccnlr.org