December 2021
oncept Monthly
Newsletter
I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n C a t h o l i c C h u rc h
Advent: A Time of Preparation
Make This the Best Season Yet
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dvent is made up of the four Sundays lead“Everybody and anybody is welcome to ing up to Christmas. In 2021, it began come pray,” says Fr. Michael Troha. “This on Nov. 28. It is a time of quiet reflection would also be a good way to introduce and penance, as we prepare for one of the non-Catholics to a new form of prayer.” most important days of the liturgical year. But, as Fr. Troha says, we don’t need This year, we have some very exciting to do anything complicated or extravagant ways to prepare during the Advent seato help prepare our hearts and minds for son. For nine consecutive nights beginChristmas. He recommends using the little ning on Nov. 30, we will host Evening Prayer blue books provided by the parish or finding at Immaculate Conception. This is being held an Advent-related program on FORMED.org. at eight other churches throughout the diocese. You may also commit to spending more time in The prayer service begins at 8:15 p.m. and prayer and reading the Bible. Santa kneeling before the will wrap up by 8:30 p.m. The nine evening Nativity at Christmas Eve Mass “Let’s use this Advent to focus on the services end on the feast of the Immaculate meaning of the season,” Fr. Troha says. Conception, Dec. 8. There will be a reception to follow on “God became man and gave us our salvation. Anything the final night, with ice cream, cookies, and hot chocolate to focus on that is a good thing.” being served. All parishioners and families are invited to There are several other events taking place leading come pray. You might also consider going to a different up to Christmas. At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, Fr. Denparish for each night of Evening Prayer — the full list of parnis McNeil will host a family Christmas movie, Mister ishes can be found on the Diocese of Cleveland website. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. There will be pizza and snacks. continued on page 5
37940 Euclid Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094
440-942-4500
www.immaculate.net
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Christmastime
Stewardship
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How We Can Bring His Son to the World
t is not uncommon to give gifts during Advent and Christmas, but it is never enough just to leave it at that. True, Jesus gave Himself to us at the first Christmas. And, as always, we should strive to imitate Him by giving of ourselves in some way as we celebrate the anniversary of His birth. But there is a way to give even more than just ourselves — by giving the gift of Christ to others. The seasons of Advent and Christmas are perfect opportunities to share the love and message of Jesus with others in a beautiful way. Of course, giving of ourselves in imitation of Jesus is a beautiful thing. But it is just as important to remember that, as human beings, we bear the likeness of God. As Christians, Jesus Himself inhabits our very souls. As Catholics, our Lord literally dwells within us when we receive Him in the Eucharist. Based upon this logic, we do so much more than imitate Jesus when we selflessly give of ourselves to others. Indeed, just as Mary carried Christ in her womb when she visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and just as she brought Him in her arms to Simeon as a newborn child, we can also literally bring Jesus Christ to the world. What a profound task Our Lord has laid out for us this season! As He grew in Mary’s womb, Jesus could only go where Mary chose to take Him. Of course, He couldn’t do anything — He couldn’t even speak. Mary became His hands and feet, and even His voice. Mary could have stayed at home during her pregnancy, resting and preparing for life with a newborn, as most mothers do. But instead, the Blessed Mother helped her Son begin His mission by bringing Him to her cousin, Elizabeth. Today, in much the same way, Christ invites us to share Him with the rest of the world. He chooses to make His presence known through us. And so, as the spiritual writer Caryll Houselander beautifully stated, “We must carry Jesus in our hearts wherever He wants
us to go, and there are many places to which He may never go unless we take Him to them.” How do we bring Jesus to those in our parish and community? There are many ways. We might visit with a sick parishioner over the holidays, providing fellowship and support in their time of need. We may consider serving a local soup kitchen or food bank, and doing our part to make sure that the hungry are fed. We can sing Christmas carols for our neighbors, bringing true joy and love to their homes. Perhaps we could help a tired friend clean her house, making her life a little bit easier during this busy season. Or we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We might even try going to work with a cheery disposition, or donating money so that a starving child in a poor country can have something to eat. These are just a few examples of how we can practice stewardship. We may sometimes feel as if our efforts are in vain — especially when it is hard to see the effects of our evangelization. This temptation is particularly strong when we offer our treasure as a gift to God. The positive effects of monetary gifts aren’t always as visible as gifts of time or talent. But when we give of our treasure, the love of Jesus can travel to places we could never go. While our gift may not directly affect someone in a positive way, it very well may enable someone else to do it for us. Sometimes, God doesn’t just ask us to be His hands and feet, but to enable someone else to be them, as well. Advent and Christmas give us the opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ call to live as stewards and disciples of His Word. God has put us in a particular place, given us a certain amount of time, and asked us to perform particular tasks and selflessly share a portion of our gifts. This is all for a singular purpose — to bring His Son into the world, and make Christ’s presence just as real as when He first became man more than 2,000 years ago.
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A Letter From Our Pastor
Stewardship Possibilities are Endless at Christmas Dear Parishioners,
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hen I think of December, the first thing that comes to my mind is Christmas. While that may seem obvious, there are several other possibilities. I could think of Advent, which prepares us for Christmas. I could think of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, and the patronal festival of the United States. I could think of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose popularity has spread far beyond the Hispanic community. December also brings the winter solstice. And it brings the end of the secular calendar year, which means getting my financials together for the upcoming income tax season. But instead, I think of Christmas — one of the greatest feasts of the Christian year, along with Easter and Pentecost. The basic truth of Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus the Messiah, God Incarnate, is plenty of reason for us all to rejoice and worship. But we’ve piled so much extra baggage on our Christmas observance, and worship is often almost lost in the shuffle. We send Christmas cards to people we contact at no other time of the year. We put up wreaths, Christmas trees, and lights. We host parties for family and friends. We visit relatives. We plan and prepare Christmas meals. And we have Christmas gifts to buy. No wonder the Christ Mass becomes an afterthought! Maybe, though, we can combine our Christmas activities with our stewardship commitments.
Treasure is the simplest. Shouldn’t the most expensive Christmas present we give be the one to Jesus whose birthday we’re celebrating? Risen and glorified, He needs nothing we have. But His Body — the Church — continues Jesus’ mission here on earth and always needs additional resources. Time and Talent may be a little more complicated, but can’t we spend a little more of our time in worship and prayer? Stop by the church for a visit to the Christmas Crib and offer a prayer of thanks for the gift of God’s Son. Attend Mass each day of the Christmas Octave. Gather your family for prayers together in the morning or at dinner in preparation for Christmas Day and through the Christmas season. And Talent? There are lots of possibilities: Sing in the choir for the Christmas Masses. Help decorate the Church. Cook or bake for someone who is homebound. Invite someone who will be alone to share Christmas dinner with your family. Offer to work in a soup kitchen if you will be alone. The possibilities are endless. Yes, December means Christmas. But with some planning, we can make this hectic time a real blessing both for ourselves and others. Pray for me that I can keep Christmas properly, and I’ll pray for you. And by the way, have a Merry Christmas! Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Michael Troha
Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
MEET PARISHIONERS
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Jeff and Diana Hollis
“We See the Need to Help Others in the Community”
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fter 44 years as parishioners at Immaculate Conception, Jeff and Diana Hollis have made many ties to their home parish. They raised their daughters, Linda and Laura, at Immaculate Conception — both attended the parish school and were married at the parish. Since their girls were young, Jeff and Diana have been involved in a variety of ministries, committees, and organizations. When their daughters were in grade school, Diana served as a Girl Scout troop leader through the parish. Later, her real mission became her service through the Legion of Mary. “It’s a wonderful ministry to be a part of in honor of our Blessed Mother,” Diana says. Through the Legion, Diana began visiting Catholic patients at Lake West Medical Center. She dedicated 17 years to the Legion of Mary, though recently she stepped back in order to focus on volunteering for hospice. A retired hairdresser, Diana hopes to offer her skills to patients once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Jeff’s involvement began when he and Diana first joined the parish, and he went to the Chair of the Finance Council with an idea. One thing led to another, and Jeff found himself on the Finance Council, eventually serving as Chair for at least 10 years. He has also served on the Endowment Committee and the Parish Council.
Jeff and Diana Hollis
“It got us much more involved,” Jeff says. “We got to know a lot of parishioners much better than we had in the past. It got me into other activities at the parish, and I think as time went by, I kind of got away from the financial aspects, but serving others was a natural progression from that.” Now Jeff gives much of his time to the Mother Teresa Society as a driver, picking up food donations from local retailers and delivering them to Immaculate Conception and Mount Carmel. He often goes straight continued on page 5
“I think with any ministering or volunteering, you feel like you somehow get more out of it than those you serve. It’s a good feeling to assist others. People just need to do it that one time and break the ice, and they’ll realize how comfortable they can be.” — Diana Hollis
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Parishioners Jeff and Diana Hollis from making his deliveries on Sunday morning to helping as a greeter at Mass. Both Jeff and Diana serve as Eucharistic Ministers at Mass and have taken Communion to parishioners in assisted living. While COVID-19 restrictions have impacted how they serve, Jeff and Diana have stayed committed to their service and it certainly keeps them busy. “Being in any ministry is important because it’s a big part of our faith,” Diana says. “We see the need to help others in the community,” Jeff says. “Organizations such as the Mother
Teresa Society do a wonderful job addressing that issue and I’m very happy to be part of it.” Serving the parish and the community has had a major impact on the Hollis family, providing them with valuable opportunities for both prayer and service. “I think with any ministering or volunteering, you feel like you somehow get more out of it than those you serve,” Diana says. “It’s a good feeling to assist others. People just need to do it that one time and break the ice, and they’ll realize how comfortable they can be.”
Advent: A Time of Preparation On Sunday, Dec. 12, we will celebrate the 156th anniversary of our parish with breakfast following the Sunday Masses. Also on Dec. 12, there will be a communal penance service at 3 p.m. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, Immaculate Conception will host Breakfast with Santa. There is no charge, but please consider bringing a nonperishable food item to be donated to the McKinley Food Pantry. You are also invited to gather at Immaculate Conception on Thursday, Dec. 23 to help decorate for the Christmas Masses. Also, feel free to pick up a tag for an item needed by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The tree with tags is in the southwest vestibule. Items are due back on Dec. 12.
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“The parish is always very generous in supporting those in need through St. Vincent de Paul,” says parish business manager Elayne Kramer. “Each year, we get more and more items.” The memory tree is also on display in the southwest vestibule. The tree is there to remember deceased loved ones, including babies lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Bring an ornament and write your loved one’s name on it, with your name and phone number on the back. We are excited to welcome parishioners to all these events! With the canceled events and separation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it certainly is nice to see things returning to some normalcy here in our parish community.
The Christmas Eve Masses are Friday, Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Christmas Day Masses will be at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. If you would like more information about these events, please refer to the calendar at immaculate.net/news/calendar.
Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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The Origin and Beauty of the Nativity Scene
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ith all the commercialism surrounding Christmastime, it’s far too easy for us to lose sight of the true reason behind the season. Overwhelmed by our endless to-do lists and the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping, our focus quickly shifts away from the Christ Child’s birth. And yet, hidden amongst the holly wreaths and garlands, the Christmas Nativity remains a tangible reminder of the Incarnation, pulling us back into time for a moment as we reflect upon the incredible gift of Christ’s birth. Interestingly, it was circumstances much like our own today which first led St. Francis of Assisi to recreate the Nativity scene nearly 800 years ago. Frustrated with the growing materialism and greed that seemed to pervade 13th century Italy, St. Francis wanted a way to visually remind people of Christ’s humble beginnings — to show them that Christmas isn’t about pomp and circumstance or material goods, but rather about unselfish love. Describing the idea to his friend Giovanni, St. Francis wrote, “I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger...”
And so St. Francis’ idea took form on Christmas Eve in 1223. This original Nativity scene was a living one, even including live animals. Villagers were deeply moved by the silent display of humble beauty, and the Nativity tradition soon spread throughout Italy and surrounding Europe. It is a tradition that remains today in nearly every Christian church and in many homes. In fact, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without a Nativity scene somewhere. Coming in various sizes and styles, each Nativity replica continues to focus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas — to help us remember that Christmas isn’t about the amount of gifts under the tree or the festive decorations, but rather about celebrating Christ’s birth. Many families have a tradition of hiding the Infant Jesus, only placing Him in the crib on Christmas morning. This helps build anticipation during the Advent season as we anxiously await the Divine’s birth. Others go a step further, actually wrapping up the Christ Child to be opened as the very first gift of Christmas. Yet, whatever your family’s particular traditions, we hope that the Christmas Nativity continues to draw your heart heavenward this Christmas season — to center us all on the greatest gift ever given, our Incarnate Lord.
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Greeting Card Ministry: Fellowship and Hospitality with a Handmade Touch
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e live in a digital age, with technology offering many benefits in how we communicate. It’s easy to jump on a video chat with family and friends, or regularly send text messages and emails to keep in touch. But technology seems to have replaced written and handmade cards. Fortunately, that art is not lost here at Immaculate Conception. A dedicated group makes beautiful cards for those who are most lonely in the Willoughby area. The Society of Mother Teresa members receive cards to deliver with the meals they make for those who are elderly, in poor health, or are in need financially. About 40 cards are mailed out and more are given to those who deliver Holy Communion to the nursing homes. The goal of this ministry is simple — to brighten the day of the recipient. Once a month during the typical school year, a group of 10 to 12 members gather to create together. Margaret Wissman leads this ministry. Her sister,
Mary Wissman, also helps out. The group just finished wishing folks a “Happy Thanksgiving” and “Merry Christmas” with a beautiful card. Margaret has always enjoyed crafts and designing with paper. She decided to direct her talent in a way that could benefit others.
“This is an opportunity for me to do crafts for a purpose,” she says. “It’s a nice opportunity for a creative outlet that can help brighten a person’s day.” Mary gets the designs together for the monthly meetings. She has the supplies needed to make continued on back cover
“Whether you are a kid or an adult, it’s exciting to get mail that’s not a bill or junk mail. We try to make them so they are bright and pleasant to look at.” — Margaret Wissman
Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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Greeting Card Ministry
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the cards beautiful. Each time, the group makes about 175 to 200 cards. The group took a break during the beginning of the pandemic. They started making cards together again in September 2021. During the group’s hiatus, Margaret used a stockpile of cards to send to those who typically receive the cards by mail. Mary helped out, too. Margaret has received a lot of positive feedback on this ministry. The handmade touch means a lot to these folks. “Whether you are a kid or an adult, it’s exciting to get mail that’s not a bill or junk mail,” Margaret says. “We try to make them so they are bright and pleasant to look at.”
With the isolation brought on by the pandemic, this ministry is more important than ever. All parishioners and those who are lonely should know they are loved by their friends at Immaculate Conception. The Greeting Card Ministry is one way to spread that love. Margaret works in health care as a program director. Her work can be busy and stressful, so this ministry offers her a nice outlet with a dedicated time to do something she loves. “Making cards is something I enjoy,” Margaret says. “When we gather, it’s a nice time for fellowship.” Margaret invites everyone — crafty or not — to get involved in this ministry.
The group meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information or to submit the name of someone who would enjoy a card, please call the parish office at 440-942-4500.