Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Newsletter — December 2022

Celebrating the Feast of

the Immaculate Conception

and Our Parish’s Patron

he Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrated on Dec. 8, is not only the namesake of our parish, but it is also one of the most important Marian celebra tions and is the patronal feast of the United States. As we recognize the Feast of the Immaculate Conception as a Holy Day of Obligation, Fr. Troha encourages all parishio ners to attend Mass — it is a double patronal feast.

“The Immaculate Conception is the forthcoming of the plan God sets in motion for our salvation,” Fr. Troha states.

Our Immaculate Conception Parish has been in exis tence since 1865, and our faith community has been blessed with so much growth over the last century and a half. In 2015, we joyfully celebrated 150 years as a parish, and on that occasion, the feast day breakfast was introduced. The breakfast was such a success that it continued as a yearly tradition — despite a few cancel lations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, we are looking forward to celebrating with breakfast following the Masses on Sunday, December 4.

Immaculate Conception

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Keeping Things in Perspective During the CHRISTMAS SEASON

The Christmas season has arrived. Garlands, poinsettias, lights, and Christmas trees are starting to pop up in homes and businesses. Cook ies are being baked, holiday guests are arriving, and Christmas cards are flooding our mailboxes.

This joyous season is now upon us. But before we know it, in just a few short weeks, the Christmas cards will be replaced with holiday bills and state ments reminding us of the money we spent on holiday gifts for our loved ones.

So how are you financially handling the holiday season thus far? Perhaps you are staying within your means by planning a detailed budget and remain ing within its limits. You may be taking advantage of seasonal sales in order to purchase that otherwise expensive, sought-after item. Maybe you are simply overspending on unnecessary items, having been drawn in by the seasonal marketing campaigns.

The financial pressures of creating the perfect holiday scenario can be quite daunting, especially in America, where the “buy now, pay later” philoso phy prevails.

Of course, we all want to provide a wonderful Christmas experience for our family and friends. But

by sharing a special occasion with loved ones. These are the memories that truly matter most, rather than what was packaged under the tree.

Though most of us believe this in our hearts, each year we find ourselves focusing on the material aspects of Christmas, sometimes forgetting the true reason for the season — the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. After all, it wouldn’t feel like Christmas if we didn’t buy nice presents for every person on our long gift list — or would it?

Perhaps, instead of just buying and spending, we could use our talents to share with others. Or, as busy as we are these days, maybe we could actually spend more time with those we love.

We could make a gingerbread house with our grandchildren, or brew up a cup of hot cocoa and watch It’s A Wonderful Life with our family at our side.

We are often so busy shopping that we don’t have time for sharing of ourselves. As good stewards, we are called to share our time and talent with others to glorify God, just as much as we are called to share our treasure. And even if we are fortunate enough to have the financial means to shower our friends and family with gifts, should we so recklessly spend our

cial decisions this holiday season is a perfect way to stay on track. Ask God to help you be a good steward. Ask God to give you the strength not to overspend as a result of guilt or a desire to “show off.” Indeed, true

A Letter From Our Pastor

Unwrapping the Gift of Stewardship

Dear Parishioners,

Most people associate stewardship with giving. Some think it is a desperate plea for money. Some think of it as giving of their time, talent, and treasure to a worthy cause. Still, others think of stewardship as a single, noble gesture of generosity so common this time of year.

But I have come to understand stewardship as a way of life rather than a singular act, donation, or the answer to a plea for resources. It is a lifestyle that focuses on giving back a portion of the gifts I have received from God, which brings abundant joy and blessings in return.

At Christmas, when gift-giving and receiving is so common, couldn’t it also be the time when stewardship as a way of life is unwrapped in each of our lives and shared with others? After all, the gift of the first Christmas was the gift of God’s own Son, whom He shared with all of humanity with love and joy.

A stewardship conversion changes our mindset and the catalyst for stewardship is gratitude. As we recognize that all we have is a gift from God, it lights

up our gratitude, as if it were a giant Christmas tree with too many lights to count. All we can do is look at it with wonder and awe and be grateful for what we see, what we have, and the opportunity to give back something to God. It is more than just a “holiday stewardship,” which seems so common at this time of year. It is at the core of this way of life, and once that gift is unwrapped our conversion takes hold, and our lives transform into a life of faithful stewardship and active discipleship intended by our God.

My hope and prayer for you and your family are that each and all of you be blessed during this season of God’s grace, unwrapping the gift of stewardship in your lives, and finding the joy and peace of His gift during this season of grace and all year long.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael Troha

Immaculate Conception

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Art and Environment Ministry:

Joyfully Drawing Us into the Liturgical Seasons

nature, and the changing liturgical seasons. Maureen Hogan coordinates the Art and Environment Ministry which decorates the church with greenery, flowers, and the liturgical colors.

“We try to bring a little color to the changing seasons while keeping it subtle and simple,” Maureen says. “The colors themselves express what is happening during the liturgical seasons. We go from Advent, which is very simple, to Christmas, showing the celebration with all the flowers and decorations throughout the church, while always making the sanctuary the focus.”

Maureen relies on the help of her generous volunteers. While she has a core group of about eight people that help to move and arrange all the decorations, plants, and flowers, Maureen is also grateful for the help of parishioners who spontaneously stop to help. Often, if she is working after morning Mass, a few parishioners stick around.

The Catholic liturgy draws on all of our senses, inviting us to enter fully into the celebration of the Mass. In the bigger picture of the liturgical year, we are invited to enter just as fully into the celebration of Christ’s story, from the preparation for His birth to His death on the cross and the joy of the Resurrection. The talent of the Art and Environment Ministry subtly carries us through both the changing seasons of

“They’re always there to help out, even for just half an hour,” Maureen says. “It doesn’t have to be a lot of time to be helpful. The fact that they do help when they see us decorating is so appreciated.”

The busiest times of year for the Art and Environment Ministry are Christmas and Holy Week. A lot of work goes into filling the church with flowers, greenery, and decorations to convey the celebration and joy of Christmas. The marked difference that Christmas brings after the darkness of Advent lifts our

The colors themselves express what is happening during the liturgical seasons. We go from Advent, which is very simple, to Christmas, showing the celebration with all the flowers and decorations throughout the church, while always making the sanctuary the focus.

Art and Environment Ministry

spirits and helps us experience the joy of Christ’s birth. During Holy Week, the days are unique and changes are made to the environment to help parishioners become more present through Christ’s Passion.

Maureen has been leading the Art and Environment Ministry for about six years. She has always enjoyed decorating and her Catholic education and experience gave her a strong base to turn a hobby into a way of serving the church.

“I like arts and crafts and I do a lot of decorating around the house,” Maureen says. “I’ve always enjoyed

If

would like to help decorate

please

continued from page 4

it and being able to be involved in it on a liturgical level is very fulfilling.”

Currently, Maureen is working to improve the schedule for those who volunteer with the Art and Environment Ministry. The work is ultimately simple, but having many hands makes the many tasks quick and pleasant while in good company.

“We are a fun group and enjoy each other’s company when we’re together,” Maureen says. “If you want to get involved, we’d love to have you be part of the group.”

Celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

“It’s nice that we celebrate over a meal,” Fr. Troha says. “It’s very Scripture-based to celebrate this way.”

Fr. Troha loves to see people gathered and visiting, especially in light of the separation we all endured over the past couple of years. You don’t see anyone without a smile during this breakfast.

“This is a great way to have some fellowship time,” Fr. Troha says. “It’s one way to really build up our parish and be even more hospitable.”

If you have an Advent wreath at home, Fr. Troha rec ommends adding a special Mary candle for Dec. 8. Take

the opportunity to discuss this important feast day with your family, and reflect on how it set into motion our sal vation.

Fr. Troha hopes everyone will attend Mass and find a way to commemorate this very special feast. We must take the time to be joyful and celebrate.

“I was told by a religious sister that we have a joyful religion,” Fr. Troha says. “I agree with her.”

There will also be a nine-day prayer service, called a novena, held at Immaculate Conception, ending on the feast day. Come to the parish to honor this feast in prayer.

Immaculate Conception

CATHOLIC CHURCH

What Is the Immaculate Conception?

A Closer Look at this Important Feast Day — Dec. 8

When it comes to Catholic trivia, there is one simple question that often evokes an incorrect response: “What is the Immaculate Conception?”

More often than not, this term is believed to des ignate Christ’s conception within Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit. A good guess, no doubt. But that is incorrect!

The term “Immaculate Conception” describes the state of Mary’s soul within the womb of her mother, St. Anne. It has nothing to do with a special type of gen erative conception by her parents — Mary’s body was formed in the usual manner by her mother and father.

Instead, the term “Immaculate Conception” describes how Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin from the first moment of her existence.

Every person since Adam and Eve has been born with the stain of original sin, which can be washed away in the cleansing waters of Baptism. Yet, this fallen state never touched the soul of Mary. She was conceived with original sanctity and innocence, escaping all faults, depraved emotions and passions, and remained sin less. She was not exempt from the temporal penalties of Adam, however — including sorrow.

The belief in Mary’s Immaculate Conception has been held by the Church throughout history, though only officially declared a dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Highly devoted to the Blessed Virgin, Pius IX hoped the official definition would draw emphasis to the already existing belief, thereby inspiring deeper devotion to Mary. This dogma finds its roots in both Scripture and Tradition, and remains consistent with reason and the teachings of our early Church fathers.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated every year on Dec. 8 and is one of the few declared Holy Days of Obligation on the Church cal endar. All Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on this day.

Why not make this liturgical feast a special day of devotion? Bring a rose to place before an image of the

Blessed Virgin in the church sanctuary, or arrange a little altar at home for your children to decorate. Recite the Magnificat and discuss the Church’s teaching on the Immaculate Conception.

Once this beautiful feast is brought alive in our hearts and in our homes, we will never again mis takenly answer that “tricky” question, “What is the Immaculate Conception?”

THE MAGNIFICAT

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is His Name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation. He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of His servant Israel for He remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and His children forever.

Choir’s Efforts Enhance Our Prayers

Whether we are lifting our voices in song with our choir during Advent, Lent or Ordinary Time throughout the year, our choir is responsible for enhancing the prayers of the Liturgy through their music.

As we are entering the season of Advent, to be followed by Christmas, Music Director Michael Kelley has been working with our choir and cantors to offer music suitable for these liturgical seasons. Rehearsals began in October to assure that the parish musicians were well prepared.

“The music of Advent is a lot more subdued, but there is a sense of joy,” Michael says. “It has that uplifting quality, that hope is there.”

The message of the music changes during the four weeks of Advent to reflect the messages in the Liturgy.

“We never begin Advent with ‘O, Come Emmanuel,’” Michael says. “The first two weeks of Advent are speaking about Christ’s Second Coming. But on Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday is when we switch to the imminent celebration. Now we find that ‘O, Come Emmanuel’ is more appropriate for the last two weeks.”

During Advent, Michael favors the traditional hymns of Advent, with some in Latin and some in English.

“The hymns are toned down so they are not overpowering, more subtle,” he says.

He will include the beautiful contemporary pieces “Maranatha” and “Beyond the Moon and the Stars.”

Christmas will bring traditional carols and several popular pieces, such as “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Throughout the year, Immaculate Conception Parish enjoys the musical gifts offered by the 25-member choir and our dozen cantors. Instrumentalists are always welcome to join — currently, a flutist takes part and other instrumentalists join when they are available. There are seven men, including Michael, who sings bass while he is playing the organ. Women make up the balance of the choir.

“We never have auditions for choir,” Michael says. “We’re here to sing for God. With cantors, it’s different. They audition to show me they can lead the congregation and read music. But the choir — never. I’m very proud of them. I’d match them up with any other choir in Lake County, and the cantors are the same.”

The choir always sings for the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass during Advent, and they will sing on Dec. 8 for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, our patron’s feast day.

Our annual Christmas program is scheduled this year for Dec. 11 after a hiatus during the pandemic. The program is a Christmas pageant with children of the parish intermixed with traditional carols and narration. At the close of the program, the choir will lead all in singing traditional Christmas carols.

On Christmas Eve, the choir will sing for the 10 p.m. Mass and present a program of carols from 9:15 to 10 p.m.

New choir members are always welcome to join. “You can call me and come to the next practice,” Michael says.

The choir practices at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday in the downstairs choir meeting room. For more information, please call Michael Kelley at 216-374-8961.

Immaculate Conception

CATHOLIC CHURCH

December 2022 — Calendar Of Events DECEMBER 2022

Nov. 30 – Dec. 8

Novena of the Immaculate Conception, 8 p.m., Church

Dec. 1 — Dec. 11

St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree, Church Southwest Vestibule

Dec. 4

Anniversary Breakfast, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., SJH

Dec. 10

Grief Support Group holiday Gathering, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., SJH

Dec. 11

Choir Christmas Concert, 3-4 p.m., Church

Dec. 17

Breakfast with Santa, 10-11:30 a.m., SJH

Dec. 18

Communal Penance Service, 3-4 p.m., Church

Dec. 24

Vigil Masses, 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Church

Dec. 25

Christmas Masses, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Church