LENTEN PRACTICES

 All Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.

 Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fasting and Abstinence.

Fasting practices —those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to FAST—one full meal a day is allowed with two lesser meals and only liquids in-between meals.

Abstinence practices—those 14 years of age and older are obliged not to eat meat on the days appointed. (If, due to medical reasons you cannot fast, the regulation does not apply to you.)

Wednesday, April 2, 2025
1-2:30pm and 6:30-7:30pm

The Knights of Columbus seek men of all ages willing to lead more faith-filled lives through companionship and mission, and we invite you to join our fellowship. Council members will be in the Parish Hall before and after all masses next weekend, March 29 & 30, to share a few videos and discuss your interests and how the Knights can be part of your vocation in faith. For a quick overview, watch this 3-minute video https://youtu.be/kQtsDEMy2Hs?si=t7XB93pqhO9B-r-E.

Outreach and community building continued

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic men’s service organization with two million members. Over its history, the Knights have been instrumental protecting our faith, the Catholic Church, and guiding men in living their faith more fully. The Knights have provided countless millions to charitable causes including $21M humanitarian relief in Ukraine, $100 Million to help dioceses struggling during the Covid pandemic, support for soldiers in WW1 and WW2, and numerous other initiatives. The Knights support initiatives that defend practicing our faith, supporting families in Catholic life, respecting life, and strengthening communities. In the 1930s, the Knights led national efforts to
enable parents to send their children to Catholic schools. In
the 1940s, the Knights initiated the Crusade for the Preservation and Promotion of American Ideals. In recent times, the Knights have been huge supporters of the annual March for Life in Washington, DC to promote the rights of the unborn. Most recently, the Knights have provided great support to the Eucharistic Revival initiative.

This national and international work is built on the strength of over 17,000 local Knights of Columbus councils. Each council is associated with one or more parishes and provide men with the opportunities to deliver similarly themed activities. Over the past three years, Ithaca Council 277 has supported the Eucharistic Revival by sponsoring the purchase of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibit and
sending representatives to the Eucharistic Congress last year. We delivered Keep Christ in Christmas activities this
past year, sponsored attendees to the Right to Life March in 2024, and enabled the Lenten retreat in our parish in 2023. We purchased the large flat panel TV available for use in the Parish Hall. We contribute support each year to
diocesan seminarians and protecting life with contributions to Birth Right. Later this year, we will support a fund-raising project to ensure continuation of an important music ministry. We provide valuable Catholic Information Service materials in the narthex. Yet with more men, we have a host of programs and ideas we would like to deliver to strengthen our parish and community while living the values of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Dan Carney
202-702-1170

We are accepting donations for Easter Flowers and Decorations in Memory/Honor of Loved Ones. For those who have not received the special included collection envelopes, extra envelopes have been provided for your convenience by the Church entrances. Or you may call the Parish Office. Suggested donation: $10  

If you made a gift to the CMA or Catholic Ministries Appeal over the last years, you should have received a letter outlining the programs the diocese supports through the appeal. If you did not receive a letter or are new to our parish/diocese you may wonder what the CMA is and how it benefits the church. Some highlights to last year’s campaign: ordination of one priest with five seminarians continuing their education; five deacons in formation, 260 high school students received the Hands of Christ award acknowledging their ministry and leadership; 840 Confirmations from 67 parishes and faith communities; 5023 youth participating in religious education programs; and 250,000 people assisted by our Catholic Charities agencies throughout the diocese. Some additional ways the CMA supported the parishes are: Prepared 275 engaged couples for God-centered marriages, funded programs that give our young adults on college campuses a connection to the church and spread the Gospel through communications media. This is important work that needs to be continued. Ways to make your donation to the CMA: 1) Online in the Secured Donation Portal visit www.dor.org/cmagive. 2) Text GIVECMA to 585-502-9124 to donate from your phone 3) Call 585-328-3210 extension 1298 to use a credit card 4) Checks made payable to CMA and mailed to Catholic Ministries Appeal, Diocese of Rochester, PO Box 6841, Ithaca, NY 14851-6841. 5) If you choose to remain anonymous, you can send your donation restricted to the Catholic Ministries Appeal through the parish and it will be forwarded to the diocese. For proper credit to the Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca, use code 266 on your donation.

CMA Goal: $64,000

Current  Status: Donors – 163 Percentage: 74.46% $$47,655

Kindly visit the lost and found basket in the northern corner of the front entrance of the church. Items not removed will be donated to the Homeless Shelter.

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.

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.