From Fr. Jim …Ordinary TimeToday, January 24th we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, whom we follow as Oblates of St. Francis of de Sales. Because this is such an important time it will replace the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary time we would normally use for this week. We are also having a second collection for the Oblate Appeal. These funds support the life, education, ministry, and retirement needs of the Oblates. Please be generous! Father Anthony Larry, OSFS, will be joining us for several masses to introduce our First Oblate Appeal. He will share what the oblates are all about and how you can help. Following the Noon mass today we are holding a lunch and presentation on Salesian Spirituality, sponsored by two local groups of the de Sales daughters. Please join us if you are able! The first part of Ordinary Time is very short this year. Ash Wednesday is on February 10th. To help us prepare, please:Bring your blessed palms from previous years for us to burn. They will become the Ashes that we use on Ash Wednesday. There will be containers for you to drop them off at the entrances to both Immaculate Conception and St. Jude churches next weekend and the weekend of February 6/7.On February 7 we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the 12:00 Noon Mass at ICC. Anyone who is in need of God’s healing of body, mind or spirit or who is advanced in age or preparing for surgery is welcome to celebrate this repeatable Sacrament. If you or a family member is in need of God’s healing, come to celebrate this important Healing Sacrament.Masses and Ash Wednesday Schedule: please watch upcoming bulletins for information about Masses and Liturgies of the Word with distribution of ashes.Celebrations of the Sacrament of Penance: please watch upcoming bulletins for the times when the Sacrament will be offered during Lent.Sunday, January 31, begins Catholic Schools Week, in which we give thanks for the gift of Catholic Education in our own school and in all the schools that the Church sponsors and supportsParish Lenten Mission with Very Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS will be held March 13-15, please plan to attend.

Parish Community NewsWe extend a warm welcome to new parishioners:

Ms. Ashley Tyson

BAPTISM CLASSES 

If you are planning to have your baby or a child up to age 7 baptized in April or May, there is only one Baptism class before then. That class will be held on Monday, February 15 at 7:00 pm. Please call to register for that class. If no one registers, class will be canceled. There WILL NOT BE a Baptism Class in March.

The Year of MercyPope Francis Year of Mercy Quote of the

Week:Today we celebrate the feast of our patron, St. Francis de Sales. The Gospel for his feast calls us the light of the world. Pope Francis proclaimed: “Loving others is a spiritual force drawing us to union with God; indeed, one who does not love others ‘walks in the darkness’ (1 Jn 2:11), ‘remains in death’ (1 Jn 3:14), and ‘does not know God’ (1 Jn 4:8)” (Ad. [Pope] Benedict has said that ‘closing our eyes to our neighbor also blinds us to God,’ and that love is, in the end, the only light which ‘can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working.’” (Evangelii Gaudium “The Joy of the Gospel") 

January 25, 2016 - Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle8:30 AM Ola Leugers

January 26, 2016 - Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops8:30 AM William Derbyshire

January 27, 2016 - St. Angela Merici, Virgin8:30 AM Robert Gormley

January 28, 2016 - St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

8:30 AM Gary Gregg

January 29, 2016 8:30 AM Marilee DeStefano

January 30, 2016 8:30 AM Helena Trzeciak5:00 PM Brian Lilly

January 31, 2016 - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time7:00 AM James Bodsford8:30 AM People of the Parish9:00 AM SJ Mike Whitlock10:15 AM Haydee Bonilla12:00 PM Joseph R. Beau Biden III

Offertory January 17, 2016 Fiscal Budget Immaculate Conception $7,974.51 $7,949.60St. Jude’s $1,470.00 $1,747.60Online $2,300.50 $2,008.00

$11,745.01 $11,705.20

2015-2016 Fiscal YTD (Offertory Deficit ) $9,301.88Building Maintenance Fund:

Collected $255,944.09

Expenses $237,526.94

Balance $ 18,417.15

Liturgy

Readings for Next Week:FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19God tells Jeremiah that he was chosen to be a prophet to the nations before he had even been born. He also promises him strength and protection, providing Jeremiah does as God asks.Second Reading: I Corinthians 12:31—13:13Paul discusses the importance of love and claims that one who possesses any gift, but lacks love, has nothing. He explains that true love never fails, although knowledge or other talents can fail to endure in the same manner. Paul says that three things last: "faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these being love."Gospel: Luke 4:21-30Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Nazareth, at first appealing to all who were present. But he knew that they would be expecting him to do the things he had already done in other towns. He reminded them of other prophets who had preached and gained acceptance in foreign places instead of their home towns. This angered the people, who expelled him from town.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) RCIA is the process by which baptized Christians and those who are not baptized become members of the Catholic Church. It is also the process by which baptized Catholics who never received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation receive those sacraments. Do you feel God calling you to have a deeper relationship with Him? Call the Parish Office at 410-398-1100 to learn more about this process.VocationsIn today’s second reading, St. Paul writes, “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many are one body, so also Christ.” In the Body of Christ, some are called to be parents, some teachers, some doctors, some priests, some religious sisters and brothers, some deacons, some builders, some artists,

some business leaders, and so on. What is God calling you to do with your life? If you think it might be to serve as a religious sister, religious brother, deacon or priest, then call or write Father Norman Carroll, Diocesan Director of Priestly and Religious Vocations (302-573-3113, vocations@cdow.org). And don’t forget to visit our website: www.cdow.org/vocations!

Children’s Liturgy of the WordThe ages of the children for Children’s Liturgy are: Ages 5 & 6 and Ages 7 & 8 ONLY. Children who do not fall into these categories are asked to remain in church.

Catechists for next Sunday, January 24th are: CLW 1 – Lindsay Willis CLW 2 – Francis

CapparnniciDiocesan Vocations Guild is open to Catholics from within or with ties to the Diocese of Wilmington. Members pray for an increase in priestly and religious vocations, the success of priestly and religious ministry in the diocese and participate in a variety of programs to promote and affirm vocations to the priesthood and religious life. To join the Diocesan Vocations Guild, or for more information, please contact Mary Ann Peirson at 302-573-3113 or mpeirson@cdow.org, or visit www.cdow.org/dvg. “That the Body of Christ in our Diocese be blessed with many vocations to the priesthood and religious life, we pray to the Lord!”

Adoration for Vocations is usually held the first Sunday of each month in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. The next Adoration for Vocations will be held Sunday, February 7th from 1:30– 6:00 PM. Take this opportunity to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to pray for priestly and religious vocations. Benediction begins at 5:30 PM.

This week, St. Paul explains to the Corinthians that our bodies are made up of many different parts; and that each part has its’ own purpose and importance. The body’s health and well being are the responsibility of our own. Bring It Home this week by thinking about how you can

protect the gifts God has given you. Are you protecting your body’s health and well being? Are you treating your body as the truly wonderful gift that it is?

Daily Mass Readings for this week:Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

SundayNeh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27; Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21

MondayActs 22:3-16 or 9:1-22; Mk 16:15-18

Tuesday2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Mk 3:31-35 Wednesday2 Sm 7:4-17; Mk 4:1-20

Thursday2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29; Mk 4:21-25

Friday2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Mk 4:26-34

Saturday2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; Mk 4:35-41

Faith FormationImmaculate Conception

School NewsAfter months of work, our 8th graders are ready to present their science fair projects. They will be on display in the gym Thursday evening at 6:30.

This week, the students and staff are making final preparations for Catholic Schools Week. We invite you to attend any of our special events. Please see the flyer insert on our 9th Annual Waffles & Raffles. The theme this year is Minions! Please join us after Mass next Sunday for a delicious breakfast, raffles, silent auction items, and a celebration of community. Here is a listing of our other scheduled events:Monday, 2/1 – Open House from 8:30 to 11:00; Geography Bee at 1:00Tuesday, 2/2 – Crazy Hat, Tie, and Sock Dress Down Day; Student assembly at 1:00 Wednesday, 2/3 – School Mass at 10:00Thursday – Sports Team Dress Down Day; 8th grade vs. staff volleyball game; No HW, No Backpack, No Problem! Talent Show at 6:00 in the gymFriday, 2/5 – Blue/White Dress Down Day; First Friday Mass and Adoration; Blue & White Rally at 1:00; and the DE 87ers game at 7:00

If you can’t make the Open House during Catholic Schools Week, but you have any questions about the school, or if you would like to set up a tour, please contact the school office at 410-398-2636. Applications for enrollment for new students for the 2016-2017 school year will be available beginning February 1.

Faith Formation Religious Education & SacramentsReligion Classes today Sunday, Jan. 24th for Gr. K-8 at 8:30am. Religion Classes this Wednesday, Jan. 27th at 6:15pmCatechist Meeting:(Gr. K-6) Wednesday, Jan. 27th Sunday, Jan. 31st

First Communion ProgramMark Your Calendar!

The Parent Orientation Meeting for First Communion will be held THIS Monday, Jan. 25th at 6:30pm in church. *If for some reason a parent is unable to attend this meeting he/she Must contact the religion office in order for their child to be in this preparation program!*

Volunteers Needed!We have an on-going need for catechists and assistants. Substitutes are needed periodically throughout the year. If you can lead or assist with a class occasionally or regularly, we want to hear from you! Please contact the Faith Formation office at re@iccparish.org or 410 392 3551. Thank you!

Youth Ministry & Confirmation Please visit the parish web site at www.iccparish.org. See the News, Faith Formation and Ministries pages for more detailed information on YM events and opportunities. To contact the YM office, call 410 392 3551 or email youthministry@iccparish.org. High School & older Weekly Gatherings Students in grades 9-12 and college-age young adults are welcome to join our Sunday gatherings in the Parish Center from 6-8 PM. No RSVP needed. Drop-ins welcome. Parents: Please donate some soda in cans or small water bottles for our teens on Sunday nights. Thanks!January 24 – Gathering 6-8 PMService HoursIf ever you are in need of service hours, or if you’ve just been blessed with a servant heart, please scroll through the pictures on the parish website home page at www.iccparish.org. Click on the one

about “Service Opportunities” and see the contact person listed for each opportunity.

Confirmation 2016 Important DatesFebruary 6, 2016 – Confirmation RetreatApril 22, 2016 – Rehearsal for Candidates & Sponsors 6:30 PM in Immaculate Conception ChurchApril 23, 2016 – Confirmation and Mass 1:30 PM at Immaculate Conception Church

Adult EducationInterested in a study group?Several different opportunities are available. Call the Parish Office at (410) 398-1100 for more information.CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE MTG: Thursday, January 28th: 3pmADULT ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS OFFERED

ACTS. The Spread of the Kingdom

The next session will be held this Mon., Jan. 25th at 6:30pm and Tues. Jan. 26th at 9:15am. The Topic : Convrts & Conflicts: Turning the World Upside Down: Acts 17

AND

BIBLE TIMELINE. The next session will be Thursday, Feb. 4th at 9:15am. The Topic: Desert Wanderings: Book of Numbers Weekly Family Video Reflection From Strong Catholic FamiliesEvery Wednesday a video link and reflection question will be posted on the Strong Catholic Families Facebook page for families to watch, reflect, and discuss. This Facebook page is updated daily with articles, resources, videos and family-related information aimed at Catholic parents. For more family friendly resources, visit www.strongcatholicfamilies.org

Social ConcernsOUTREACH – We are so very grateful to all those who continue to support this essential ministry. Please consider making a donation of food or money to those in our community who are less

fortunate.Outreach is also asking for volunteers to come in and help. Volunteers must be able to do moderate to heavy lifting. Please call Dotty Fritz at 410-398-2110.

Parish and Family Life

Parish Coffee: - Please join us for Parish Coffee on Sunday, February 7th after the 9 AM Mass at St. Jude’s.

The Parish Coffee at Immaculate Conception will be Sunday, February 14th after the 10:15 AM Mass. Hope to see you there!

Parish Events / Information

This Week’s Calendar

Sunday, Jan. 248:20 AM Confessions – SJ8:30 AM Rel Ed - S/PC8:30 AM RCIA Dismissal1:30 PM Baptisms - IC6:00 PM High School Gathering – PC67:00 PM Confirmation - PC3/PCL

Monday, Jan. 25 9:00 AM Novena – Ch6:30 PM Acts of Apostles - PC6:30 PM First Communion Parent Meeting - IC8:00 PM AA - caf

Tuesday, Jan. 269:00 AM Holy Hour – Ch

9:15 AM Book Study - PC9:15 AM Acts of Apostles - PC2:30 PM ICS Talent Show Auditions - gym6:30 PM PSO Meeting - gym6:30 PM Handbell Rehearsal -IC7:30 PM Contemporary Rehearsal - IC

Wednesday, Jan. 279:00 AM Rosary Crusade/St Jude Novena – Ch9:30 AM Cantor Rehearsal – IC1:00 PM Leisure Club - PC3:45 PM Children’s Choir - PC46:00 PM Rel Ed - S/PC8:15 PM Knights of Columbus Meeting - PC

Thursday, Jan. 289:00 AM Rosary Crusade - CH3:00 PM Christian Formation Committee - PC6:30 PM Cantor Rehearsal - IC

6:30 PM Cub Scouts - caf6:30 PM 8th Grade Science Fair -gym6:45 PM Boy Scouts - PC7:00 PM RCIA - PC7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal - IC

Friday, Jan. 299:00 AM Rosary Crusade – Ch

Saturday, Jan. 309:00 AM Rosary Crusade – Ch10:00 AM Dress Rehearsal for Parish Concert - IC4:15 PM Confessions - Ch7:00 PM NA – Caf

Mardi Gras concert! Please join us on January 31st at 3pm at Immaculate Conception Church for our parish Mardi Gras concert! The program will feature our four parish ensembles, as well as individuals within our parish community. A reception will follow the concert. Don't miss this afternoon of great music and fellowship! Cemetery Notice: If you have any decorations that you wish to keep, you must remove them by February 1. Please remember that with the exception of flowers in memorial marker vases, no decorations of any type (wind chimes, statues, fencing, flags, potted plants, etc.) are permitted on the graves during the mowing season - April 15th to October 30th. Thank you for your cooperation! Waffles and Raffles at ICS! January 31, 2016 from 8:00 to noon. Come have brunch with your favorite “Despicable Me” minion! Brunch is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children, and kids 3 and under are free! Students receive a Jeans pass and raffle ticket with the purchase of a meal ticket;

adults receive a free raffle ticket with the purchase of an adult breakfast. For more information please

contact icspso@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! PRAYER PARTNERS - Next weekend during all of the Masses at Immaculate Conception

and St. Jude you will be invited to become a Prayer Partner with one of our parish young people who attends either ICS or the Parish Religious Education Program. You will pick a child’s name and pray for his/her intention then in turn write your name and intention on a heart for the student to pray for you. We hope that you will be part of this wonderful Prayer Partner Project for this Jubilee Year of Mercy.

PALMS NEEDED - Please bring your blessed palms from previous years to Church next weekend, January 30-31 or the following weekend, February 6-7. Containers will be available at the entrances to both Immaculate Conception Church and St. Jude Church for them. We will burn them to become the Ashes that we use on Ash Wednesday this year. Thank you.

A New Division of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians is starting in Cecil County, Maryland. The

LAOH is a National organization whose Mission is Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. The organization

is open to women who are practicing Catholics and who are Irish by birth or decent or are the wife of a AOH

member. For more information, please call Janice White at 410-378-3493

Mount Aviat’s Annual Cream Puff Day – February 5 Delicious, homemade cream puffs, (a specialty of the Oblate Sisters) are available for pre-order only until January 29. Pricing is $2.50 each or $30/dozen. Pick up is Friday, February 5th at the MAA gym between the hours of 8 a.m.-3 p.m. MAA is located at 399 Childs Road, Childs, MD 21916. Delivery is available for large orders in Elkton and Newark. Order forms are available on the MAA website at www.MountAviat.org.

Community Events / Information

Knights of ColumbusBishop Becker Council 2427

443-616-5370 www.kofc2427.org

Meetings: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Meetings are held at McGlynn Parish Center

Membership Information: call 443-616-5370

Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage! Do you feel lost, alone or bored in your marriage? Are you

frustrated, hurt or angry with your spouse? Are you constantly fighting or do you simply shut down? Have you thought about separation or divorce? Retrouvaille may be the LIFELINE that you need! It is not just a series of seminars, but rather a way to rediscover and rekindle the loving relationship in your marriage. The next program begins on the weekend of February 12 at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA. Additional weekends will be held in April and August. For more information, or to register for one of our weekends, please visit our

web site: www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN: Our next Community Kitchen is on Friday, January 29th at the Elkton Presbyterian Church at noontime. We make and serve sandwiches, homemade soup, fruit, and dessert to anyone needing a good hearty meal. If you would like to help by providing ready-made sandwiches, and/or can help serve or clean up, we would love to have you join us! Please contact Joyce Speakman at 610-597-3135 or Kathy Chamberlin at 410-398-7299 to volunteer or for more information. We also would be glad to receive cash donations. If donating a check, please make it out to Immaculate Conception Church, and write Community Kitchen in the memo section. Please consider sparing a couple of hours for this very worthwhile cause.

PILGRIMAGE to England and Wales with Fr. Mike Gallagher, August 23- September 3, 2016: Canterbury, York, Oxford, Stonehenge and London. For full details, go to www.syversentouring/gallagher or call Caroline at 1-800-334-5425.

You are invited to join the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, DD Bishop of Wilmington for Solemn Evening Prayer to observe the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life Tuesday, February 2 at St. Joseph on the Brandywine - 10 Old Church Road Wilmington, DE 19807. Evening Prayer begins at 6:30 pm “How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing tenderness of God! May the Balm of Mercy Reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst” - Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus #5. RSVP names of those attending by January 25 to Office for Religious, bbeatson@cdow.org.With the freezing weather we continue to experience, Answered Prayers is running an emergency overnight shelter in Havre de Grace for our homeless in Harford County. There is no alternative shelter for the men and women in this situation. We house between 20 and 30 adults every night. To continue this effort, they need overnight volunteers, both men and women, along with volunteers to provide hot evening meals. Overnight volunteers are needed from 8pm until 6am, seven nights a week, to meet at Lighthouse Mission, 105 Wilson St in Havre de Grace. This is at a great opportunity to minister and show God's love. If you or your church can volunteer, call Ginger at 443-752-2450 asap. Volunteers are needed but if you can't serve in this way, please consider sending a donation to Answered Prayers. PO Box 853, Havre de Grace, MD  21078. God bless you for helping our homeless neighbors. TOGETHER we can bring HOPE

February is Stock the Pantry Month for Catholic Charities. Participate in Catholic Charities semi-annual “Stock the Pantry” project throughout the month of February! Hunger is present in our communities year-round. Catholic Charities food cooperatives and emergency pantries feed over 3,000 families a year. Each month, we distribute over 23,500 pounds of food, helping our neighbors put 19,600 nutritious meals on their tables. You can support our most vulnerable neighbors by making a donation of non-perishable food items at any of the Catholic Charities locations. Catholic Charities will also accept gift cards to local grocery stores or cash donations. You can find the nearest Catholic Charities service center at www.cdow.org/charities.html.

FULL TIME COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONIST: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington seeks a Full Time Community Interventionist for Kent and Sussex Counties to provide positive behavior interventions; training, support and group work to the children, youth and their families. Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record required. Job requirements are: flexibility to meet program demands with evening hours, bachelor’s degree in human service field with a minimum of 2 years experience working with children, experience working with children who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Spanish speaking is a plus. For more information or to apply, see our posting on CareerBuilder.com

Introduction to Centering Prayer, Jesus House Prayer and Renewal Center, Jan 30th 9:30am-3:00pm 2501 Milltown Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808, 302-995-6858. This workshop/retreat is designed for those new to Centering Prayer. The workshop includes presentations, discussions and opportunities to pray Centering Prayer. Bev Roberts and Roseanne M Havird, the retreat leaders, have been practicing Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina for over 25 years each. Cost is $40 per person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Sign up on our website (jesushousecenter.org) or call our office to register.

The Cathedral of St. Peter, 5th and West Streets, is celebrating its 200th year.  Bishop Malooly will celebrate the anniversary Mass on the Third Sunday of Easter, April 10, 2016.  All are invited, especially former members and school alumni.  For further information call 654-5920 or visit the Cathedral website, http://www.cathedralofstpeter.com.

Marriage Pointers: Spiritual Gifts include: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing,

accomplishments, prophecy, good judgement, communication skills, understanding... (1 Cor 12:4-11) Which of these gifts is your beloved especially good at?

Parenting Pointers: Sunday January 24: The body is one, though it has many parts. (1 Cor 12:12) Each part of our body is important and connected. So too, is each member of the human family. Remember today the value of each life, born/unborn, neighbor/refugee, friend - even enemy. Let us march to protect all human lives.

Listen to Catholic Forum every Sunday morning at 10:05am on WDEL 101.7 FM, 1150 AM and www.wdel.com. Next Sunday, January 31st, we will kick off Catholic Schools Week with guest from Saint Mark’s High School in Wilmington. For photos, information regarding upcoming guest, podcasts and more, check out Catholic Forum on Facebook! Listen to past episodes of Catholic Forum online at catholicforumradio.libsyn.com or search “Catholic Forum Radio” on iTunes podcasts.

January 23-24, 2016Jesus came into the world to bring the good news, to proclaim liberty, give the recovery of sight, and free the oppressed. Are you letting Him proclaim the good news to you in your marriage? Let the Lord strengthen, renew, and rekindle your marriage sacrament by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend scheduled for March 11-13 in Rehoboth Beach, DE. For more information, visit our website at www.wwme-delmar.org or to register for the weekend, please call Tony & Linda Massino @ 302-220-9833.

Bulletin Announcement:Post Cana is an organization for widows and widowers to help alleviate their loneliness and isolation. Post Cana holds monthly dances at Talleyville Memorial Hall in North Wilmington. Monthly lunches are held at Michael’s Restaurant in Christiana. Please consider joining this friendly and inviting group of people. Please call Nancy at 302-479-5109 with questions.

The Project Homeless Connect is asking anyone in the community who is in need to please join them to access free resources and services on Tuesday, January 26th from 9:30am -2:30pm at 1918 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD 21040. Free lunch and parking are provided. Don’t have transportation? A free shuttle wil pick up on the hour at various locations, OR they can pick you up! Please call 410-895-1535 for a ride or for more information!

Help out St Elizabeth High School! Café Napoli Day is Wednesday, January 27! Dine in or take out all day at Café Napoli on Kirkwood Highway and mention that you are dining for the Michael Ryan Fitzpatrick Scholarship Fund. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Elizabeth High School. The event is being sponsored by the Fitzpatrick Family in Michael’s memory on his thirty-second birthday. Michael graduated from St. Elizabeth High School in 2002. Check out the restaurant website at www.cafenapolidelaware.com or call 302-999-7533.