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.)

Next Sunday—April 13, 2025 Palm Sunday; Second Collection for Catholic Courier

 The Rescue Project continues on Saturday, April 12th from 11 AM to 12:30 PM in the parish basement. This is a video series that delivers the fundamental Gospel message of salvation in a way you’ve never heard before. We will gather for an episode, discussion, and fellowship. This week’s episode continues on the reality and true horror of sin and evil. All are welcome to join, and to bring a friend, even if they are not
Catholic. Missed an episode? You can still join us! All episodes are also available online at rescueproject.us to help you catch up.”

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL GRADES 7-12
Come experience the Notre Dame difference! Notre Dame High School provides a comprehensive and challenging educational experience while also supporting student growth through leadership & service opportunities, extensive cocurricular activities, the performing & visual arts and athletic programs. Tours and shadowing opportunities are highly encouraged. Prospective students can choose to spend a half or full day shadowing a student at Notre Dame attending
classes, making new friends, touring the school and enjoying
lunch. For more information or to schedule a tour or shadowing visit please contact Nick Weiermiller at 607-734-2267 option 3. Notre Dame High School is located at: 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904. A fee for bus service is
available for students residing in Ithaca and the surrounding
areas. Notre Dame High School
is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. Apply online at: notredamehighschool.com. Financial aid is available. We hope to see you soon!

The St. Joseph and Sacred Heart Candles still have many openings for intentions coming up. They burn for a week and requested donation is $10. Please call the parish office to sign up for Intention dates. Deceased and/or Living.

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 – 180 Percentage: 81.01% $51,595

The Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associates invite you to join them in welcoming Ann Bowlsby and Sally Regoord as they proclaim their Covenant as Mercy Associates. Let us pray for Ann and Sally as they make their Covenants and continue to serve God, the Immaculate Conception Parish and the Ithaca Community as Mercy Associates. A RECEPTION will be held in the Parish Hall following the Ceremony. ALL are WELCOME! Looking forward to seeing you there!

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 [email protected]…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 [email protected] for information or to register.

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