There is a need to review our parish goals. We need to strengthen what is working well and find ways and means to expand or diversify.

 Goal One: Making Spiritual opportunities abundant and centered on Jesus Christ in the Eucharist: What does this involve? What ministries are critical to make this goal inspiring and fruitful? The first thing we need to prioritize on this goal is make Sunday Eucharistic celebrations a must attend event of our life. And the second important thing is to encourage family and friends to attend the Sunday Eucharist. Daily Mass attendance is greatly encouraged. We are ready to review our daily Mass schedule if that would help. We will endeavor to make a robust, quality outreach to the homebound and those in senior living facilities and nursing homes to bring them Jesus, to celebrate the Eucharist and other Sacraments. Encourage devotions in the parish: Eucharistic Adoration, frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament at any time during the day. The more we enter into the life of Jesus the more we are nourished, and we will bear fruit in his name. Everyone is invited to share thoughts and wisdom on this goal. What are the roles of music, altar serving, Liturgy team; lectors, sacristans, Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the place of Liturgical silence during worship, Liturgical environment, greeter ministry, usher ministry, etc. in enriching this goal?

Your great ideas will be appreciated. Email your thoughts to Fr. Chumo Fr.Augustine.Chumo@dor.org

We are starting to work on the annual End of Year Statements for your taxes. If you do NOT require your statement, please let the office know (607) 273-6121.

Pope Francis teaches…… “in a special way during the Holy (Jubilee) Year we ate called to be tangible signs of hope for our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind”. The Jubilee indulgence is linked to works of mercy and penance. Following the example and mandate of Christ, we are encouraged to carry out works of charity or mercy more frequently, especially in service to those who are burdened by various needs. We are called to rediscover the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the strangers, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead.

Exodus 90 — Starting soon!

Catholic Men, would you like to join us for the next offering of Exodus 90? The Exodus 90 program for Catholic men is designed to help you break out of the spiritual doldrums and to grow closer to the Lord. The program comprises a 90-day period of prayer, asceticism and fraternity. All these elements taken together lead to freedom; the freedom to say NO to those things that enslave us and to say YES to GOD, your family and your community.

To learn more about the program, contact Rick Burgess (cbprincipal@gmail.com). The program begins January 20, 2025, and runs for 90 days, culminating on Easter Sun[1]day. Come join us!

As part of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, there will be a Mass at 6pm followed by Adoration and Confessions until 8pm on Thursday, January 23rd. The intention is for the protection of the dignity and sanctity of all human life, particularly on the eve of the National March for Life. All are encouraged to attend!

Notre Dame H.S. Grades 7-12 Open House for Prospective Students & Families Notre Dame High School, Grades 7-12 is hosting an Open House on Monday, January 27, from 6:00 pm 7:30 pm for prospective students and their families. Registration begins at 5:45 pm followed by a brief presentation in the Charles and Mary Crossed Auditorium. Open House is your chance to meet the faculty, administration, and students, tour the campus, learn about the benefits of a Notre Dame education, and explore the many opportunities that await your student at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a college preparatory school offering an inclusive environment that is rich in the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy and academic excellence. Additionally, Notre Dame offers a competitive athletic program, many opportunities to participate in the performing, visual, and language arts along with a variety of extra-curricular activities such as FTC & FRC Robotics teams, Climate Crusaders, The Notre Dame Spotlighters Group, MaryLeaf (school newsletter), Yearbook, and Quiz League. Notre Dame HLS. is located at 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira, and a transportation option is available for students residing in Ithaca and the surrounding areas. To RSVP for the Open House or to submit your application to ND for the 2025-26 school year, visit notredamehighschool.com. Questions may be directed to Mr. Nick Weiermiller, Director of Admissions at 607-734-2267.  We hope to see you at the Open House!

The parish wishes to sincerely thank all those who have participated in the ongoing census. We however, would like
to encourage those who have not done so to kindly do so as soon as possible. You can complete the exercise online  or use the census cards that are available in the main entrances of the church. If you have any question regarding this exercise do not hesitate to ask any member of the pastoral council or the parish staff. Thank you in advance
for your cooperation.

The Care and Concern Committee of the Church sends cards to church members in nursing homes. However, often people in our congregation are in the hospital, healing at home or are at rehabilitation centers to gain strength. We want to be sure that our church family knows that we’re thinking of them and praying for them. If someone you know would be blessed by receiving a card, please send the contact information (name and address) to cbgracem@gmail.com…so the Holy Spirit can touch lives one card at a time.

Is there someone you know who could use a warm, cozy shawl that comes with a prayer to help brighten their day? We have Prayer Shawls available for people to hand out. These shawls have been knitted by members of the parish with love and hope that they can help make a difference in someone’s life. Please contact the Caring Team or Parish Office  607/273-6121 if you would like one.

If Ithaca City Schools CLOSE due to winter weather, the Office will also CLOSE, and the 7:30am Daily Mass is cancelled. Check the MyParish app as all updates will be listed. You can download the parish app by going to the app store on your cell phone and search for MyParish App. Once it is loaded, search for Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca. Click on the parish and you are all set.

IMPORTANT NOTICE . As we are in Flu Season, and with COVID variant still prevalent, we continue to urge people to refrain from shaking hands during the Sign of Peace. Anyone feeling ill is urged to stay home. Let’s get through this season safely! Thank you so much for your cooperation in this matter.

As 2024 comes to an end and 2025 is beginning, the Calvary Cemetery management and the Cemetery Advisory Committee wish you good health and prosperity. This may be a good opportunity to update you on the workings of the committee. The Cemetery Advisory Committee is mandated by the Diocese of Rochester for parishes who have cemeteries. The mission of the Committee is to assist the Pastor in managing the cemetery including assessment of conditions, maintenance strategies, safety issues and financial matters. Current members of the Advisory Committee are: Jim Moravec, Chair, Curt Ashman, Vice Chair, Mary Alo, Secretary, Dan Weed, Kathy Teeter, Finance Council Member. Parish administration members are Father Chumo, Pastor and Mike Moravec, Cemetery Manager.

While Father Chumo and Mike Moravec are the primary contacts for cemetery matters, each of us stands ready to take questions and/or concerns. We all strive to continue making our cemetery a well-maintained and pleasant place where family and friends can visit their loved ones after their passing.

Cemetery focus areas in 2025 include (1.) Replacing the old flag pole with the one from the grounds of the old school, (2. ) Improving/repairing cemetery roads. (3.) Creating a 5-year plan for the Cemetery. (4.) Review the condition of cemetery buildings and grounds.

Do you want to deepen your faith and progress on your journey to sainthood with a small group of faithful Catholics? If so, consider joining us to follow the path of Divine Mercy as taught by Saint Faustina and instituted by St. John Paul II. We will study the Diary of St. Faustina, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and scripture to enrich our faith and prayer life and to reflect on the meaning and impact of divine mercy in our lives. We follow a created curriculum and do a small amount of reading to prepare for our meetings. We meet every 1st and 3rd Thursday at 5:30pm in the Parish Center. For more information, including materials about Divine Mercy, send an email to brigidcooper@yahoo.com or text 607-227-3884.

We are off to a good start! Participation by all is key to reaching our goal. There are many ways to make donations. There are envelopes available at the entrances of the church if you did not receive one from the mail. An online donation link is available on the DOR website. If you prefer to donate in any other way, kindly call the parish office for more information. Christ’s Mission depends on each one of us.

CMA Goal: $64,000

Current  Status: Donors – 127 Percentage: 57.96% $37,095

Have you lost anything or left something in the pews? It is probably well kept in the lost and found basket. There are precious items in the basket. Kindly stop by the lost and found basket located on the northern side of the church and see what is in there. 

Your voice matters. If you have a suggestion, good idea around the pastoral goals of the parish; spiritual opportunities, outreach/community building, youth and family, buildings/grounds, cemetery and financial matters, kindly stop by the pastoral council meetings that occur every first Thursday of each month. You will be listened to because you love your parish.

Confessions are heard every Saturday from 2:00pm-3:30pm in the Church.

Call 273-6121 to receive this Sacrament or if your loved one is in the hospital.

For Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation email Rich at rich.rasmussen@dor.org for information or to register.

Call 607-273-6121 at least 6 months in advance of your wedding date.