Whoever follows me will have the light of life. Church of the Immaculate Conception

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1 Church of the Immaculate Conception We at Immaculate Conception are a group of people bound together by our belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we were baptized, we were called to share in His work. Therefore we pledge ourselves to build a community where all are welcomed, loved, needed and appreciated. Armed with the faith in the Immaculate Conception of Mary, we will celebrate the gift of life together in word and sacrament. February 4 & 5, th Sunday of Ordinary Time Church of the Immaculate Conception 1180 State Highway 206, Greene, New York Rev. Msgr. John P. Putano, Administrator Website: iccgreene.wordpress.com immcongreene@syrdio.org Facebook: Church of the Immaculate Conception Parish Office: Tue. thru Thurs. 10:30 am to 4:30 pm Mary Wentlent, Parish Manager Audrée Beach, Admin. Asst Fax Baptism & RCIA ICC Parish Office Youth Ministry: ICC Parish Council: Nancy Amell, Eileen Browning, Kelly Erickson, Robert Hanrahan, Donna Heisler, Joanne Moxley, Francis Feldpausch - President. ICC Trustees: Jackie Henninge ; jackiehenninge@frontier.com Robert Larkin ; robertmlarkin@gmail.com Feel free to contact the Trustees or Council Members with any concerns you have about our parish. Knights of Columbus Council Grand Knight Charles Browning Meetings the 1st Thursday of each month. Gluten free hosts are available. Notify the Sacristy before Mass if you need one. Weekend Mass Schedule Pastoral Care Area South: Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 pm Immaculate Conception, Greene 5:45 pm St. Joseph, Oxford Sunday: 8:45 am St. Joseph, Oxford 10:15 am Immaculate Conception, Greene 4:00 pm St. Paul, Norwich Whoever follows me will have the light of life.

2 Mass Schedule SATURDAY 2/4/16 4:00 pm For Parishioners SUNDAY 2/5/17 10:15 am Don Blaisure by Edilu & Walter Hunt Paul King III by family TUESDAY 2/7/17 8:30 am Communion Service THURSDAY 2/9/17 6:00 pm Communion Service SATURDAY 2/11/17 4:00 pm Jim Maginsky by Doris Maginsky SUNDAY 2/12/17 10:15 am Steve Amell by Amell Family LAY PERSONS SCHEDULE This Week Sacrificial Giving and Expenses for the month of January 2017 Total Income: $ 10, Total Expense: $ 7, Income includes: St. Pauly Shed, votive candles, rent. Expense includes: Utilities, supplies, monthly Diocese fees, Holy Family School assessment. Second Collection February Building Fund Building Fund Collection deferred to next week, 2/4-5 Remember St. Paul s advice: God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor.9:7) Church of the Immaculate Conception, Greene, New York Page 2 Next Week Saturday 4:00 pm Saturday 4:00 pm February 4, 2017 February 11, 2017 E. M. s: S. Carlin S. Northrup J. Trepa H. Connelly Lector: M. Delaney C. Gibbons Servers: Adult Volunteer Adult Volunteer Sunday 10:15 am Sunday 10:15 am February 5, 2017 February 12, 2017 E. M. s: B. Doughty B. Norton C. Gibbons Z. Urda L. Detweiler E. Browning Lector: B. Norton D. Heisler Servers: C. Leonard J. Eroshevich J. Browning C. Flanagan K. Browning L. Flanagan Counters: A. Browning D. Maginsky E. Hadlick T. Mulvey ICC WEEK AT A GLANCE SUNDAY 2/5 9 a Rel. Ed. Classes AC 9:15 a Bible Study 4 p Confirmation Class L MONDAY 2/6 6 p Cub Scouts AC 7 p American Legion H TUESDAY 2/7 8 a Rosary & Communion Service WEDNESDAY 2/8 THURSDAY 2/9 8 a Rosary & Communion Service 10 a Bible Study 6-7 p Daisy Scouts H FRIDAY 2/10 SATURDAY 2/11 3:15 pm Confession SUNDAY 2/12 World Marriage Day 9 a Rel. Ed. Classes AC 9:15 a Bible Study H 11:30 am Confession Location Codes: S Sanctuary; H Parish Hall; K Kitchen; CR Cry Room; L Library; P Pavilion; AC All Church; OF-Out Front; OB-Out Back; SJ St. Joseph s, DT Downtown. ICC Bible Challenge! Each week a different verse from the Bible. Try to memorize it over the week. Use it as a family contest each week or just as a personal challenge. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. Matthew 28:19 Priest Schedule: Feb. 4/5 Fr. Gerald Buckley/Fr. Paul Machira Feb. 11/12 Fr. Gerard Lupa Feb. 18/19 Priest from Binghamton Feb. 25/26 Fr. Gerard Lupa Year-End Tax Statements are available Please sign-up in the vestibule or contact the Parish Office to receive your 2016 statement. Thank you for your continued support of Immaculate Conception.

3 February 5, 2017 Church of the Immaculate Conception, Greene, NY Page 5 Super Bowl Pool March Madness Pool 2017 The ICC Football Pool is full! Thank you! The pay out is: $250 for end of first qtr. score $250 for end of second qtr. score $250 for end of third qtr. score $500 for final score This winter fundraiser will help us with the cost of a new entrance sign. This building and grounds project is projected for completion in the summer of The Circle of Friends is a parish ministry that offers out reach to our senior members who don t get out as often. The ministry meets 2-3 x s per year to discuss our contacts, update their information and exchange ideas for keeping them involved in parish life. This group doesn t require a huge amount of time, just a joyful heart and a willingness to write a note or card and an occasional phone call. If you would like to join this ministry come to a planning meeting on Thursday, February 9 at 11:30 am in the social hall. Bring your lunch, we will supply beverage. Any questions call the church office. We will observe World Marriage Day the weekend of February 11/12. All married couples are invited and encouraged to come before the sanctuary to renew the vows of their Wedding Day and receive a special blessing. Please renew your commitment before the Lord and be an inspiration to those in our Parish community who are contemplating marriage in May the Lord Jesus, guest at the Cana Wedding Feast, bless your married life. Thank you to everyone who contributed to Joanna's wish. Through your contributions, we will send a check for $ to Every Dog's Dream in Vestal. If you have an envelope for Building Funds, please drop that in the collection plate this weekend. Gluten Free Hosts are now available. Stop in the Sacristy & let them know you will need one for Mass that day. Volunteer Opportunities Greene Food Pantry - We collect non-perishable foods for our local food pantry. May & November we cover the hours at the Pantry. Meals On Wheels Our volunteers make the deliveries for August & February: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:15am. Call the Parish Office to join our team! Bottle & Can Drive - drop off your refundable items n the bin next to the Rectory garage. St. Pauly Textile collection shed in our parking lot. Donate your unwanted clothes & fabric items & ICC receives 4 cents per pound collected. The Binghamton Knights of Columbus Council 206 located at 136 Park Avenue, cordially invites you to our first annual Hearts for Wheelchairs Mixer on February 11, 6 pm to 10 pm. All proceeds go to American Wheelchair Mission. Help us provide wheelchairs to those around our community that need one but cannot afford one. Music & entertainment by DJ Louie G. There will be a cash bar with an event signature drink; also be hors d oeuvres and dessert. Make advanced reservations for $15 per or kofc206@gmail.com Or $20 per person at the door. The retreat for our Confirmation Students last weekend was a great success. The presentations were on respecting yourself and others, Desensitization in 2017 and Right to Life. A banner with posters created by Catherine Albertina from St. Malachy in Sherburne is hanging on the wall in the social hall. All are welcome to stop by after Mass and see this display on Right to Life. Many thanks to Edilu for coordinating the meal, to all the parents for their food contributions, to the Confirmation leaders and presenters at ICC and St. Malachy, and to the students who attended and made this retreat a priority in their life. Please continue to pray for these young people as they learn about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their life. Follow Pope Francis on Follow the Diocese on : Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: LinkedIn: Pinterest: YouTube:

4 Continuing Our Tradition of Service Since 1914 NEVILLE LAW OFFICE Chris P. Neville, Esq. Robert M. Larkin, Of Counsel P. O. Box 570 * 36 Genesee St. Greene, New York Molly S. Nolan Licensed R.E. Salesperson Cell Bartles Pharmacy 10 Lafayette Park. Oxford, NY After hours - Brian Bartle KENNEDY FUNERAL HOME, INC. 21 North Chenango St., Greene, NY kennedyfuneral@frontiernet.net kennedyfuneralhome.net Your Ad Here! $ small; $ medium; $ large; for one year. The ad is shared with St. Joseph s bulletin. Call Mimi s Italian Cuisine Genesee Street, Greene, NY Mon-Sat: 11 am - 9 pm, Sun: 12 pm - 8 pm Facebook: MimisItalianCuisine Twi*er: MimisGreene We Deliver! Free within Village of Greene, $1/mile outside ($20 minimum order) Root Funeral Home Greene s Oldest Funeral Home Member New York State Funeral Director Assoc. Serving Greene, Oxford and the surrounding communities. Charles C. Dietrich North Chenango Street Greene, New York Construction Lawn Mowing/Brush Hogging Home Improvement Excavating Gerry Reiss Mike Reiss Oxford, New York St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery Oxford, New York A beautiful, peaceful resting place Double Plot $700 1 casket & 1 urn or 2 urns Name: Address: Parish Registration Form City: State: Zip Code: Phone: I am new to the parish and wish to register. I am previously registered. I want offering envelopes. I am interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. Mail to: Immaculate Conception Church, 1180 State Hwy. 206, Greene, NY or place in collection basket

5 February 5, 2017 Father Lupa s Notes Returning to sacraments after two abortions I was raised a Catholic & married a Catholic, though he wasn t practicing his faith. My problem is that I had two abortions, which I didn t want, but finally had. I know it was very wrong, so I haven t been able to go to confession or Communion for 25 or 30 years. It s driving me crazy now. What can I do? Abortion is a very serious offense against God & humanity, since it is the taking of a human life. I realize you know this, but I want to emphasize that what I say next is not meant to minimize that fact. The first step to forgiveness is an honest acknowledgment of our sin. I hope you talk with a priest and receive the sacrament of penance soon. One of the strange things about sin is that it frequently seems to diminish in size when we re tempted, & then afterward it looms so huge that we fear even God can t forgive or heal the hurt. In a way, that is an even bigger mistake than the sin itself. God doesn t like the sin & certainly doesn t encourage us to ignore His commands. But He does tell us often in Scripture that He considers the forgiveness of sins the greatest of all His works. In other words, He boasts that no sin, no evil, is beyond the reach of His goodness & His mercy. That is a joyous & basic fact of the Christian faith. So, He is there, waiting for you simply to run to Him and tell Him you re back. Read prayerfully the story of the forgiving father in Luke, chapter 15, then go to confession & receive the Holy Eucharist. You ve been away long enough. Catholic Q & A by Fr. John J. Dietzen Wisdom from our Catholic Tradition I see great poverty in the fact that in the West a child may have to die because we fear to feed one more mouth, we fear to educate one more child. One day, however, we will have to meet the Lord of the Universe. What will we tell Him about that child, about that old father or mother? They are his creatures, children of God. What will be our answer? God has invested all His love in creating that human life. That is why we are not entitled to destroy it. Blessed mother Teresa of Calcutta Church of the Immaculate Conception, Greene, New York Page 3 A Convert s View: In the Catholic Church, we have the richness & the fullness of the Tradition, the wisdom of pastoral practice, the wholeness of biblical theology. Now we must prayerfully & charitably help each other learn it & apply it. Paul Key, former Presbyterian minister & convert to the Catholic Church Expectations This child is destined for the rise and downfall of many Luke 2:34 A child fills us with joy. We wonder at the baby s potential and look for personality traits or physical characteristics which may reveal something of what the future holds for this new creation. Some people study horoscopes or play object games to interpret from the child s choice what he or she is going to become. Others, myself included, like to express wishes for the child s happiness that the child may grow in grace and love, for example, or be a peacemaker or have the gift of wisdom. As he took the child Jesus into his arms, Simeon also felt the need to speak about the future. He didn t have to study the stars to know the child s destiny. He knew, in the Spirit, that Jesus would bring both joy and pain. Tenderly, he handed the child back to his mother, warning her of the wounds she herself would bear. Like Mary, we can be sure that the presence of the Lord in our lives will bring anguish as well as delight. Elizabeth-Anne Vanek Prayer For The Sick Lord Jesus, Divine Healer; help the sick to respond to the loving care they get. Inspire them to feel your gentle presence and to be healed in mind and heart. Guide them to accept the necessary medicine and doctor s orders with a willing spirit. Let them realize that their suffering is linked to yours. Comfort them in their affliction. Help them to be aware that you are carrying them during this trying time as gently as a shepherd carried a small, sick lamb; and that as the Good Shepherd you will bring them finally to what is best for them. Amen ICC Prayer Chain Do you believe in the power of prayer? If so you are invited to become a link in our chain. We accept prayer requests from anyone who asks & pass the request down the (phone) line or by . If you would like to be a part of this ministry please call or

6 Religious Instruction Sundays; 9:00-10:00 am gr. 1-7 February 5, 12, 26 T Go f A Ae 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, February 5, 2017 Sunday Readings: Isaiah ; 1 Corinthians 2.1-5; Matthew REFLECTION When someone makes us comfortable, doesn t put on any false pretenses, and values simplicity, we often refer to them as salt of the Earth. Salt is basic. It preserves food and helps sustain us. Salt adds flavor. Think of what it adds to popcorn! Salt can also be used to help heal us, like gargling with salt and water when you have a sore throat. Our personal salt or flavor is what makes each of us different and distinguishable from one another. God wants us to sprinkle humanity with our uniqueness. Along with the flavor of our diversity, Jesus encouraged us to celebrate our talents and gifts. We are supposed to let our light, our special abilities, shine. Shining doesn t mean we are always in the spotlight. It means if I have the special gift of laughter, that I use that gift to help cheer others up. The gift of kindness toward others may inspire them to shine and pass the kindness on. Jesus doesn t ask us to be flashy. Jesus calls us to develop, hone, and share the talents and characteristic we possess, to flavor the world with our selves, and to illuminate the world with our loving deeds Question from Life: What does it mean to let your light shine? Question from the Gospel: Why does Jesus want us to let our light shine? What are ways we can do that? Parents and Grandparents, try using this information as a basis for discussion at home. Safe Environments for Our Children The diocese mandates that all clergy, religious and employees, as well as volunteers who work with children and youth in our parishes, schools and agencies must undergo safe environment training every five years and pass a criminal background check. The training details steps to prevent child sexual abuse as well as how to report inappropriate or suspicious behaviors. For more information, contact the Office of Safe Environment at Church of the Immaculate Conception, Greene, New York Page 4 Dear friends, Do you ever look in the mirror and see your mom or dad and ask; when did that happen? When did we start feeling like adults? As a child, I could recite The Lord s Prayer, I attended religious instruction, and I knew all the Bible stories. (My favorite was about Moses being found by Pharaoh s daughter, and in my little head I imagined a beautiful princess finding the baby floating in the basket in the river. Ahhh) But as I grew up, I never thought that God had time for me. I thought he was really busy solving all the really big problems in the world. Then I hit my 20 s; I was finally an adult but I still didn t realize my place in salvation history. (That s the story from the beginning of time to the end of time, as directed by God.) 5 years ago, when I walked into a Bible Study at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, I began a study that was like walking through a door and this guidebook to life was on the other side. I didn t know there was a guide book to life! When we buy a car we get a book to keep in the glove compartment with answers to important things like how to reset your clock! When you have a baby, the hospital sends you home with all the information on how to stay sane the first week home. Everything you buy comes with an instruction manual. I finally felt like I had discovered the instruction manual for life! It was so exciting, that I couldn t wait to come back each week and learn about the greatest love story of all time. It s my story, and your story. We are all part of the story! The heavenly father s love story is meant to be shared with others. That is what we are doing at Immaculate Conception; trying to help everyone encounter God in Scripture. Everyone was given a card as you entered Mass describing our quest; To offer a study that unlocks something inside each person, so we realize Christ wants each of us to have an intimate relationship with him. Do yourself a favor and consider coming to one of these studies beginning the week of Feb. 12. We have a table set up in the hall with information and someone to answer your questions after Mass. Thank you for making ICC your parish home. We are an amazing parish. Peace! ~Mary Wentlent Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:15 am in the social hall. Thursday Morning Bible Study is a new short study on The Women of the Gospels. Join us from am Thursdays.