Immaculate Conception Parish Ministries


Parish life is best experienced when you enter the mainstream of the parish through the ministries herein named and described.  Know also there may be a ministry to which you feel called that may not be listed. With the freedom of the “Children of God” come, share, energize, and even lead.  You are most welcomed, embraced, and will be supported as you are.

Please review each of the descriptions and consider the benefits of each - that includes both what the ministry can do for you as well as what gifts of talent you can share with the community.

There are six major groupings of ministries:

· Parish Committees
· Outreach Programs
· Education and Youth Organizations
· Liturgical Ministries
· Worship & Spiritual Development

Parish Committees

Evangelization Committee
The purpose of this committee is to encourage parishioners to evangelize and bring our faith and parish community to individuals that do not regularly attend Church for worship and participate in the community of Immaculate Conception.

Finance Committee
This group is responsible for the financial operations of the parish.  Mandated by the code of Canon Law, committee members are selected by invitation and assist the Pastor in the use of financial resources.

Hospitality Committee
This group coordinates the Hospitality Sunday refreshments and the special celebrations that occur during the year.  Your involvement can be as little as baking on occasion or as much as coordinating a celebration.  Our parishioners gather in anticipation and appreciation of good coffee, baked goods, and socializing.

Parish Council
The Immaculate Conception Parish Council is composed of twelve lay people elected by all members of the parish.  The Council functions as an advisory board to the Pastor and meets monthly to discuss various issues brought before the Council and assists the Pastor in the direction of parish life.

Outreach Programs

Consolation & Healing
Through visitation the trained members of this group provide compassion and support to the sick, bereaved, and even to the caregivers.  This ministry also provides Bereavement Support Groups.  To serve in this ministry or to ask for the service of this ministry, please contact the rectory.

Hispanic Ministry

Our Hispanic Ministry is an emerging ministry, designed to reach out to the Hispanic Catholics in the community.

 

The goals of this ministry include

With respect to reaching these goals, it is important to understand that this is a developing ministry.  The members have already made contact within the Hispanic community, set up meetings, and celebrated Spanish Liturgies.  Several families and individuals have prepared for and received sacraments, and the process continues with new families.  Members of the Hispanic community are taking advantage of English classes which are being offered by members of the Ministry.  More effort and work is needed to accomplish the remaining goals.

H.O.P.E. – “Help Other People Eat”
This parish ministry provides over 440 home-prepared meals a month to the poor.  Our parishioners are responsible for preparation of one course per month and to deliver it to the rectory porch; from there it is brought to a center in New Rochelle where those in need come to dinner.

Immaculate Conception Blood Drive
Twice each year, a blood drive is conducted at Immaculate Conception.  The donated blood is provided to local hospitals.  The dates for the opportunity to volunteer for this life giving service are announced well in advance.

Jesse Tree
During Advent the parish collects gifts for the needy of our community.  A tag is provided that describes the age and gender of the recipient.  When the donor provides a gift an ornament is hung on the branches of the tree thereby making the tree a symbol of our community’s generous gifts and willing spirit of sharing with others.

Midnight Run
This outreach program provides food, clothing, and toiletries to the homeless of New York City.  Parishioner volunteers organize and prepare donated items, which are then brought to the homeless at various outdoor sites where the needy gather.  If you are interested in making a donation, helping to organize, or actually bringing items to the homeless please call the rectory.

Parish Memorial Mass
Approximately twice a year, a small group organizes a Saturday celebration of Mass in memory of parishioners that have died during the previous months.  The group also hosts coffee and refreshments after Mass.

Outreach/Homebound

The parish ministry to the elderly, ill, and homebound. It is with your help that we can reach and seek those who are not just in need of help but those whose lives would be greatly enhanced by an active connection with our Church.

Education & Youth Organizations

Bible Study

The Bible Study Program meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM in the Meeting House. Please bring your Bible.

 

Immaculate Conception School
Our school offers quality education emphasizing moral and ethical growth as the key to every youngster’s potential.  The school program includes: a solid foundation in basic skills in an educationally healthy environment, foreign language, computer programs, a full art program grades K-8, full day kindergarten, and before and after school care programs.  For more information, contact the school principal, Maureen Harten, at 961-3785.

Parish School of Religion
Our Parish School of Religion includes pre-K through 8th grade.  Volunteers from the parish staff the school.  Volunteers are needed in many areas.  Joining this ministry includes serving as a catechist, assisting in the program as an aide, or assisting as a staff member.  To volunteer or to enroll your child, please contact Lynn Callahan, Coordinator of Religious Education, at 961-1076.

Vacation Bible Camp
Vacation Bible Camp is held at Immaculate Conception during the morning hours of one week in August.  Through activities the children learn about their religion.  Bible stories, songs, prayer, games, puppets, and arts and crafts make learning fun.  The week culminates with a performance for the parents followed by a family Mass.

Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
The CYO meets bi-weekly on Sundays and is open to teens grades 8 through 12.  At the meetings members discuss past and upcoming events in which the CYO will be participating.  This includes: a Halloween dance for younger kids, assisting at the blood drive, hosting a Spring breakfast, hosting an Advent wreath making party, performing in the Christmas Pageant, and an annual charity dinner.  The CYO also participates in many social activities including barbecues, bowling, skating, sports, movie nights, and much more.  Teens meet teens and have fun.

Liturgical Ministries

Altar Care
This dedicated group maintains and prepares the altar for Mass each day.  This includes washing and ironing all sacred altar and liturgical linens.

Altar Servers
Altar servers, boys and girls, provide a vital service by assisting the priests in celebration of daily and Sunday Mass, the heart of our faith.  Servers also assist at weddings and funerals.  It is a great privilege and honor to serve at the altar of Jesus Christ.  All boys and girls in grades 5-12 are eligible.

Eucharistic Ministers
This ministry involves two aspects of service.  The ministers assist the priests in providing the Eucharist to the faithful at Mass.  Ministers also visit the sick who are homebound and with whom Sunday Scripture readings are shared.  You may participate in just one or both parts of this ministry.

Flower Committee
Have you wondered who is responsible for making our altar and church look so beautiful?  The Flower committee decorates the church for Sunday celebrations and for major holidays such as Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost.  Working together in teams, each team is responsible for approximately one week per month.

Lectors and Commentators
The lectors and commentators participate in the daily and Sunday liturgy by leading the community in prayer, as well as proclaiming the Word to the assembled.

Liturgy Committee
The members of the Liturgy Committee assist the Pastor in celebrating the Sunday and special solemnities of the church.  This involves discussions and suggestions for making celebrations joyful and hope filled.

Music Ministry
We have an extensive and varied music program, consisting of the traditional adult choir, a youth choir, and a folk choir.  We are always looking for new members to sing praise to the Lord.  For further information, please call our Music Directors: Robert Harvey at Immaculate Conception and Robert Sticca at Assumption.

Ushers
Members of this group greet, welcome, and seat all who come for worship.   The usher ministry while always looking for new members, joyfully accepts men and women, and thanks them for their assistance.  This is a wonderful way to meet your parish family.

Worship & Spiritual Development

Rosary Society
This is the oldest society in the parish.  The members have a special devotion to the Rosary of Our Lady.  They also sponsor a Day of Recollection and do charitable works in the community.

Cenacles of Our Lady
This movement is based on a spiritual phenomenon: messages received by Fr. Stefano Gobbi at a pilgrimage to Fatima in 1972.  The first cenacles of prayers with priests and the faithful began in 1974, and their purpose is to bring devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout the world.  Cenacles are men and women who gather to pray the Rosary in hosting homes.  The group brings the gift of Mary and prayer intentions to the hosting home, and to encourage the devotion to the Rosary, and also to pray for protection and strength of family life throughout the entire Church.

Cornerstone
Cornerstone is a 26-hour retreat within the parish, led by men and women of Immaculate Conception Church and trained spiritual directors.  The weekend includes Mass, witness talks, small group discussion; shared prayer, quiet reflection, and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.   The intent is for an individual to strengthen and renew his/her faith through the experience of the retreat.  Many have said it is through the Cornerstone retreat experience that they have connected deeply with others.  We welcome you to the experience.

Eucharistic Adoration
The adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist is an expression of our love for Jesus who loves us without limit and without condition.  Adorers come to pray and worship Jesus throughout the day.  Each adorer volunteers a specific time to be present during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  The time one spends in adoration is a ‘thank you’ to Christ for his great love for us that was shown when he was crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us eternal life.  This ministry assures someone is present at every moment of adoration.

Knights of Columbus
This organization was founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, CT.  Today it has become the largest lay organization in the Catholic Church.  It has been praised for its support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need.  The Rev. John A. Keogh Council of Immaculate Conception is named for the first resident Pastor. Meetings are held monthly on the second Monday of the month at 8pm at Fr. Fata Hall.

Legion of Mary
The Legion is a lay Catholic organization; the Praesidium of Legion of Mary at Immaculate Conception Church is named “Our Lady Conceived without Sin.”   The objective of this ministry is the glory of God through prayer and active works.  The priority of the Legion is the spiritual and social welfare of each individual, and to assist the Pastor with the spiritual welfare of the parish.  The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, and through weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.

Respect Life
The role of this ministry is to motivate and educate members of our parish to “stand up” for the sacredness of all human life including pre-born, newborn, sick, and elderly.  This is accomplished by providing notes in the Church bulletin as needed, and conferences when appropriate.  It is open to all within the parish.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.)
This process is offered for adults to become full members of the Roman Catholic Church.  It can be viewed as the Church’s “formation program” for new members.  R.C.I.A. is for anyone who has never been baptized, was baptized in another Christian faith, or was baptized a Catholic, but has not received First Communion or Confirmation.


 
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