photos by Kathy Gangwisch Father in Heaven, Creator of all and

A Quarterly Publication for Immaculate Conception Church
November 2009
By Kathy Gangwisch
Immaculate
Conception
Church
1206 E. McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Tel: 573-635-6143
photos by Kathy
Gangwisch
Fax: 573-635-6036
icchurch@mchsi.com
Thanksgiving has
quite a colorful
heritage. The hazardous voyage of the pilgrims,
their landing on American
shores in 1620, that fearful first winter and first
Thanksgiving is a treasured
heritage of all Americans.
Their dramatic saga of
courage and perseverance has
inspired people throughout this
nation’s history. Yet we also lament many of
the ways our Native American brothers and sisters
were treated at that time.
The second tradition from which our modern Thanksgiving has evolved is the puritan religious day
called by a cleric in response to a special act of Divine Providence. In early times, Days of Thanksgiving
were purely religious and the entire day was spent in church with no feasting or amusements.
There is a third tradition as well, called by a civic leader to
mark a specific event, such as victory in battle or the end of a
Father in Heaven,
war. King William and Queen Mary of England proclaimed a
Creator of all and source
thanksgiving for victory over the French; it was celebrated like
of all goodness and love,
our modern Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November.
please look kindly upon us and
November 26, 1691, specifically.
These three traditions gradually combined in colonial New
receive our heartfelt gratitude in
England and a new custom was born. A special day of both
this time of giving thanks. Thank
prayer and feasting celebrated in family groups and proclaimed
you for all the graces and blessannually by Governors in thanks for general well being and a
ings You have bestowed upon us,
successful harvest. That New England custom was carried across
spiritual and temporal: our faith
the country as the U.S. expanded westward.
and religious heritage. our food
The tradition of a “civic Thanksgiving” for a special event
continued, however. In some years, particularly if there was a
and shelter, our health, the love we
victory in battle as well as a successful harvest, there would be
have for one another, our family
two Thanksgivings!
and friends. Dear Father, in Your
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the day it is without recognition of
infinite generosity, please grant
all credit to Almighty God. Many family members speak their
us continued graces and blessing
individual, particular thanks as they gather. The prayer chosen
before the meal is at the discretion of those gathered. Show here throughout the coming year. This
(at right) is one that you may wish to consider.
we ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
c o n n e c t i n g a w o r l d away
God’s Well,
By Kathy
Gangwisch
we built it!
The body overall is about 70 percent
water. Blood is about 90 percent water,
the brain is about 85 percent water,
muscles are about 72 percent water.
Water is the number one requirement
to sustain life.
But what if you had no water, at least
during vast dry seasons when containers
on the roof of your home sat dry? What
if you had to walk over three miles with
a bucket in each hand to fill them from
a small trickle, then trudge back home
and safeguard what you doled out for
cooking, drinking, cleaning, bathing?
That’s been the way of life for the
village of Umuegba in Imo State, Nigeria, until September of this year. It is
Fr. Benjamin Nwosu’s home. Population: 2,000.
During his two years here at I.C. the people of our parish embraced Fr. Ben
in many ways. Perhaps none more important than raising money to provide his
village with their first ever water well.
Fr. Ben, who now serves at the Cathedral of St. Joseph across town, named
the new structure God’s Well.
“God saw the need of our people, He made it possible for generous members
of this beautiful parish to donate money to dig the well, build a water tower
and power it with a generator,” said Fr. Ben with his characteristic grin. “I am so
happy, and the people of my village are glorious in their praise of your effort.”
God’s Well operates about two hours per day (gasoline to fuel the generator
is very expensive, so the people must conserve). Yet now they simply walk to the
tower to fill their buckets. What a marvelous difference it’s making in their lives.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” added Fr. Ben. “I will be home
for a visit in February and will bring pictures of the well project for all to see in
the spring issue of News From The Pews.”
A Follower of Jesus
News From
The Pews
November 2009
2
Do you know people whom you can tell are followers of Jesus? They probably lead lives of good and faithful
stewardship, helping with the needs of others. They don’t look at it as an obligation, but as a privilege, because in
everyone they reach out to, they see the face of God.
What difference can WE make when the needs are so great? Jesus taught his disciples to offer what they had,
and God would make up for what is lacking. God doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called. He will qualify
us to be His followers.
Donna Purvis, Stewardship
Children’s corner
All Saints’ Day
The Church has always honored
those witnesses to the Christian faith
who died in the Lord. The Greek
word for “witness” is martyr. During
the first three hundred years of the
Church, Christians were severely
persecuted. They were often tortured
and suffered bloody deaths because
they were faithful to God. They
refused to deny Christ even when
this denial might have saved their
own lives or the lives of their children
and families.
The Church’s early history is filled
with stories of the heroic faith of
these witnesses to Christ’s truth. The
stories of these saints have provided
models for every Christian throughout history.
Many of the holy people whose
names and stories were known
were later canonized. The Church’s
calendar contains many saint’s days.
However, there were thousands and
thousands of early Christian martyrs,
most known only to God. There
are many other saints with God in
heaven even if their names are not on
the list of canonized saints.
The Church set aside a special
feast day so all Christians would celebrate the lives and witness of those
“who have died and gone before us
into the presence of the Lord” so we
might honor the memory of these
unnamed saints and recall their
example.
This feast, known as All Saint’s
Day, began as a feast of All Martyrs
sometime in the 4th century. At first
it was celebrated on the first Sunday
after Pentecost. All Saints’ Day was
then observed on May 13th because
Pope St. Boniface IV restored and
rebuilt an ancient Roman temple
(the Pantheon) for use as a Christian
church. The pagan Romans had
dedicated this temple to “all gods” so
the pope reburied the bones of many
martyrs there and dedicated this
Church to the Mother of God and all
the Holy Martyrs on May 13, 610.
About a hundred years later, Pope
Gregory III consecrated a new chapel
in
the
basilica
of St.
Peter
to all
saints
(not
just martyrs)
on November
1st. He made
the anniversary of
this dedication the date
for All Saints’ Day. A century
after that, Pope Gregory IV extended the celebration of All Saints’
Day to November 1st for the entire
Church.
The vigil of the feast of All Saint
is Halloween and was apparently observed as early as the feast itself. Ever
since Pope Gregory IV, the Church
has celebrated the feast of All Saints’
Day on November 1st and, of course,
Halloween on October 31st.
By Phyllis
Emmel
Immaculate
Conception
Church
3
w o r s h i p a n d fa i t h f o r m at i o n
Welcome
to
Immaculate Conception Parish
from
News
the Pews
NEW MEMBER Registrations
BAPTISMs
August 2009
•Mr. and Mrs. Ryan (Jamie) Gilliland,
1007 Laurel Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109
•Ms. Kathleen Hancox, 1030 Las Brisas Ct.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Lois) Hirth,
1816 Green Meadow Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Mr. and Mrs. Ben (Lindsay) Huhman,
139 Bolton Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109
•Mr. and Mrs. Tony (Jessica) Krenning,
6918 Silo Ln., Jefferson City, MO 65109
•Mr. and Mrs. Scott (Kim) McCutchen,
2508 Jennifer Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Ms. Shirley Reichert, 10330 Co Rd 445,
Mokane, MO 65059
•Ms. Patricia Tighe, 1409 Dixon Dr.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Ms. Connie Ziebarth, 132 A Brookdale Dr.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101
August 2009
•Maxwell Louis Huntley, son of Guy
and Laura Huntley
•Layla Faye Krenning, daughter of Tony
and Jessica Krenning
•Colton Lane Verslues, son of Edward
and Christina Verslues
•Brooklyn Marie Wheat, daughter of Kevin
and Sara Wheat
•Jackson Brian Wolken, son of Darrell
and Jessica Wolken
September 2009
•Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Helen) Bower, 330 David St.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Mr. and Mrs. David (Sera) Maldonado,
1003 Holly Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109
•Linda Rutz, 691 Oak Creek Ct.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101
October 2009
•Mr. and Mrs. Osvaldo (Tammy) Acosta,
1300 Ellis Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Mr. and Mrs. Michael (Jessica) Bax,
1520 La Hacienda Ct., Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Mr. Cole Boessen, 2114 Legend Ct.,
Jefferson City, MO 65101
•Mr. and Mrs. Peter (Terrie) Martin,
926 Nelson Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101
News From
The Pews
November 2009
4
September 2009
•Anika Joy Holder, daughter of Darren
and Rebecca Holder
•Lucille Rose Huhman, daughter of Benjamin
and Lindsay Huhman
•Elliott Brian King, son of Jon and
Erin King
•William Charles Plank, son of Marvin (Bill)
and Beth Plank
•Mark Raymond Saucier, son of David
and Amy Saucier
October 2009
•Maxwell Harris Clardy, son of Troy
and Sarah Clardy
•Chloe Patricia Doerhoff, daughter of Wesley
and Jennifer Doerhoff
•Karli Leeann Forck, daughter of Christopher
and Kelly Forck
•Eva Gisele Maldonado, daughter of David
and Sera Maldonado
w o r s h i p a n d fa i t h f o r m at i o n
Adoration Hour Mysteries
If everyone had the
opportunity to
experience an
hour of adoration with
our Lord,
we wouldn’t
have enough
hours in week or
space in the chapel to hold
all those that wanted to participate.
When Immaculate Conception
started perpetual adoration nearly
two years ago, I signed up for one
of them. I distinctly remember the
first morning in December of 2007
as I left church to head to work and
how I felt as I descended the steps
of the new church addition near the
rectory. I had a feeling of both peace
and closeness to God that I can’t
describe. I was hooked. Before that,
I wondered how I could work in an
hour every week. After that, the hour
became a focal point of my week.
While my early weekly visits led
me to wonder if I was “doing it right”
when visiting with our Lord, I soon
learned that if I come in with an
attitude of prayerfully asking God to
lead me, each time I had an experience different from the others, yet
always feeling the peace and closeness. I have read from one the many
books, magazines, Bible, and other
materials provided in the adoration
chapel. Sometimes I just pray, kneel
or sit and listen for what God wants
to say to me. While I don’t hear His
voice specifically (probably a good
thing), He does put thoughts in me
about ways to handle issues. Some
have to do with past and present
issues. Some are about things I will
need to deal with of which I am not
presently are of. I am always amazed
at what He gives to me. I know it
is God working, because I am not
capable of some of the things I have
been able to do. When I try to act
on my own, I usually get humbled.
When I ask God’s help and listen to
what He tells me, I do and say things
beyond what I could have imagined.
For most of my life, I have not
been able to concentrate while
in prayer as my mind constantly
wanders and I think of other things
that have happened or I think will
happen. While I can occasionally
keep on course while in my prayer
at home, I find it much easier to do
when I am in the adoration chapel.
Seldom does my mind wander when
I am in that chapel. Being in the real
presence of our Lord keeps me focused. Not every time, but my odds
of success are 10 or 100 fold while in
His presence.
You may not believe what I have
said, as I am quite amazed myself. But
to take a quote from our Lord: “So
you could not keep watch with me
for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)
By Dan
Bernskoetter
Mark your calendar to
join other parishioners
for a unique renewal
experience!
As you read this, most of our Why Catholic? small community groups
are wrapping up the fall sessions, which studied the first book in the
Why Catholic? series called “The Profession of Faith: What We
Believe.” In addition to the resource books, the Religious
Education Office also provided weekly podcasts on the diocese
website (www.diojeffcity.org) and supported a participants’ blog
(www.djcwhycatholic.blogspot.com/). Check them out to see what
is being discussed.
Didn’t join a small community group this fall but want to give the
spring sessions a try during Lent? You are welcome to join!
Sign-up Weekend will be after all Masses on January 23-24, 2010.
Or you can go to the IC website (www.icangels.com/WhyCatholic/
WhyCatholic.html) to sign up online.
Men’s CRHP Weekend –
March 27-28-2010
Women’s CRHP Weekend –
April 10-11-2010
Immaculate
Conception
Church
5
Parish people
By Joan
Rodemann
Jim and Lisa
Schmitz
Life situations and well-meaning
matchmakers have a way of tossing
people together. Sometimes nothing
happens. In the case of Jim and Lisa
Gish Schmitz, it’s resulted in 19 years
of marriage, three children, and a
faith-filled future.
Lisa states, “I grew up in California, Missouri. I went to grade school
and high school there, but I wanted
to try life in a bigger town. I got a job
working for GE in their medicaid
and medicare claims department
in Jefferson City. GE had the state
contract. I was happy here. Later on
my mom and sister Carla joined me
in my duplex on Clara Drive.”
Lisa laughs as she recalls how
she and Jim met. “My sister Carla
was dating Jim’s cousin at the time
and they thought Jim and I should
meet. I was not enthusiastic, but
agreed to go with her to the wedding
dance of Jim’s
sister Marcia.
Jim discovered
If I remember
correctly, Jim was
he wanted to
more interested
join the family
in a blonde than
business. And With me!”
“Now just
his new career
a minute,” Jim
replies. “I did call
taking form, he
you for a date a
decided to call
week or so later.”
The gentle
Lisa for a date.
back-and-forth
banter of the
couple is characteristic of their relationship.
Jim grew up on Elm Street just
around the corner from the family
business – Frank Schrimpf Plumbing. “My dad’s uncle Frank was my
News From
Grandma Motzie’s brother. My parThe Pews
ents, Alfred and Irma, bought the
November 2009
6
business from him. So I am a third
generation plumber.”
School days for Jim were spent at
I. C. and Helias, where their three
children attend today. “As the youngest of seven, I’m so glad we can offer
our children that same faith community and learning environment I
had here.”
After high school, Jim tried
Central Missouri State University
in Warrensburg for a year and then
Lincoln University for a semester.
Having explored these possibilities,
he discovered what he wanted to do
was right in front of him. He wanted
to join the family business.
With his new career taking form,
he decided to call Lisa for a date.
Lisa laughs
as she recalls the
evening. “It was a
hot July night. We
went to dinner and
a movie and then
to Memorial Park
where we settled
on a concrete
picnic table. As we
talked and enjoyed
the cooler air, we
realized we were not alone. A streaker
was also in the park!” They both
chuckled, “It certainly broke the ice!”
While dating Jim, Lisa began
looking into the Catholic faith. Her
family is very ecumenical – Assembly of God, Baptist, Lutheran. She
studied privately with Jim’s sister
Marcia and Father Phil Cane. She
was confirmed and received her
First Communion at the Carmelite
Monastery.
“I was very close to my grandma,”
Lisa comments. “I was reluctant
to tell her of my conversion, but I
wanted her to know. She and I took
a week long trip to Colorado. As we
settled in Saturday night my grandma
said, ‘Look in the phonebook and
Parish people
find us a church for tomorrow.’ I
asked her what kind. She smiled and
said, ‘I thought we’d go Catholic.’ ”
Lisa remembers Jim’s proposal
very well. “We are both Star Trek
fanatics. Jim proposed right before
Star Trek came on. But believe me, he
had my full attention.”
They married at Immaculate
Conception Church with Msgr.
David Cox giving the homily and
Jim’s brother John (then a deacon)
witnessing the vows. Family friends
Father Pat Pierceall and Msgr. John
Ronquest also concelebrated.
Now with their three children
— Matthew 17, Kyle 12, and Erin
6 — the Schmitz family is full of
energy and action. Lisa belongs to
Our Lady Queen of Angels Immaculata Club, serves on the Stewardship
Committee and RCIA. Jim, a past
Parish Council member serves on
the Administration Commission and
plumbing committee. Their most
recent project was producing the
Stewardship video shown at weekend
Masses to promote Time, Talent and
Treasure Commitment.
Lisa’s journey in faith caused her
to question her decision to become
Catholic. About seven years ago, she
looked at Catholicism very closely.
She felt drawn to it, but longed for
the shared faith and sense of community she had enjoyed in the past.
Around this time, her neighbor asked her to sponsor him in
the RCIA process. Through this
involvement, she met Sister Laura.
When CRHP came to I. C., Sr. Laura
prompted Lisa to try it. “CRHP was
just what I had been missing. I am
very happy I made the retreat. The
sharing and caring that came from
this are wonderful.”
Since CRHP had gone so well
for her, Lisa wanted it for Jim, but
Jim was not interested. Lisa called
Mother Theresa at the Carmelite
Monastery and asked for prayers to
change Jim’s mind.
Jim smiles, “CRHP was a great
experience for me. It helped me to
see that there is more to my faith and
that I have more to offer to my faith
community. I think CRHP is good
for I. C. and I am ready to help keep
it going”
Jim and Lisa are group leaders for
“Why Catholic?” and meet weekly
with their group and are involved in
Eucharistic Adoration.
“This is the faith we have chosen,”
stated Lisa.
It is certainly the faith they are
living.
Our Elder
Ministries
offer a variety
of events and
assistance, including
blood pressure
screenings at the
November breakfast.
Here, RN Jane
Frank checks BP for
Lorene Kampeter.
Nurse Judy Hudson
also volunteered
her services at the
Sunday get together.
photo by Kathy Gangwisch
Immaculate
Conception
Church
7
ta k i n g A l o o k b a c k . . .
Do you
remember
when?
Forty-five years ago on October 1, 1964, St. Ann’s Sodality of
Immaculate Conception Parish presented a Style Show for the ladies
of the parish. It was held in Kertz Hall. The script for the show was
written by Mrs. Paul (Angeline) Allison and the program co-chairs
were Mrs. John ( Jean) Paden and Mrs. James (Marge) Day. The
pianist was Mrs. Steve (Loretta) Schauwecker and the commentator,
Mrs. Richard (Marie) Skain.
The show began with a series of quips to refresh our memories.
Photo and story submitted by Marie Skain
Do you fondly remember when??? Your thirst before Mass was
comparable only to the sufferings of Lawrence of Arabia, Sisters were
never seen after dark and never behind a wheel of a car, a Catholic celebrity was one who had talked to a bishop, only the
servers said the responses at Mass, pew-rent was an accepted practice, a lay-teacher in a Catholic school was an oddity, a
sermon lasting less than a half hour was an unexpected treat and laypeople did not read the Bible, although every home
had one—in good condition.
(continued on next page)
Cruise in
for
Breakfast,
Lunch,
or Dinner.
News From
The Pews
November 2009
8
Open early,
Tuesday thru Sunday.
659-0006
Catering Available
ta k i n g A l o o k b a c k . . .
Pictured on stage in the photo on
the facing page are (back row, left to
right) Elizabeth Tritsch, Josephine
Landwehr, Hilda Sonnen, Edna
Wachter, Juliana Scheppers, Anna
DeBroeck, Laura Dilger, Edith
Roling, Lucille Landwehr, Jo Ann
Groner, Margaret Obermark, Mary
Lou Bonnot, Arlene Asel, Fronie
Lauf, Judy Kolb and Cynthia Paden.
In front are Julie Kolb, Carrie Skain,
Jean Bode, Caren Schenwerth and
Margaret Mary Kolb.
• Julie and Carrie are the models for
the younger set. They are wearing
the new Immaculate Conception
school uniform, a pleated skirt
made of black and white checked
hounds-tooth material, a white
blouse and when necessary a black
or white sweater. When attending church they have their chapel
veils.
• The dolls Julie and Carrie are
holding are wearing very special
christening dresses. Julie’s doll is
wearing the outfit of Mrs. Steve
Schauwecker and Carrie’s doll
is wearing the dress worn by the
children and grandchildren of Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Landwehr.
• Judy Kolb is wearing a blue moiré
taffeta dress worn by a bridesmaid
at her parents Paul and Carmen
(Yancy) Kolb’s wedding, August
23, 1947.
• On Flag Day – June 14, 1933 –
Mary Louise Haslag became the
bride of Raymond Bonnot at St.
Louis Church in Bonnots Mill.
Mary Lou is one of the few people
able to model her own wedding
dress, 31 years later.
• Edna Wachter is wearing a beaded
crepe-de-chine gown trimmed with
gold lace. The dress was worn by
Mrs. Fred Raithel when she served
as Matron of Honor at the marriage
of her niece. The mink stole she is
wearing was once a native of Cole
County….having been trapped
many years ago on the Clibourn
farm near Russellville.
• Margaret Mary Kolb is very proud
of the dress she is wearing—not
many girls get to wear a First Communion dress worn by her teacher
(Mrs. Rosalie Scheppers Wankum)
when she made her First Communion. Her dress was made of dotted
swiss with a lace collar and was
made by Rosalie’s Aunt Christine
Luecke.
• Back on April 29, 1914, Euphemia
Dudenhoefer and Louis Rost were
married in the parish church—
which was then on the second
floor of our old school. Mrs. Rost
cherished her wedding gown which
was of imported white Chantilly
Lace. Later she remade the dress for
her daughter, Anna Marie, now
Sister M. Corrine a Maryknoll
nun, worn for this style show by
Caren Shenwerth.
• Mrs. Elizabeth Tritsch is modeling a black silk blouse, serge
skirt and high top shoes, typical
of what the ladies of the parish
wore when attending Sunday
Mass about 50 years ago. Notice
the black bonnet.
• Some of the oldest clothes in
the show were worn by Mrs.
Edith Roling and Mrs. Anna
DeBroeck. Mrs. Roling is
wearing the wedding coat of
her father, Mr. Edward DeBroeck. It is over 80 years old.
Mrs. DeBroeck is wearing her
mother’s bonnet and a shawl
from her mother-in-law; both
are approximately 75 years old.
Mrs. DeBroeck is also wearing
the dress she wore at the marriage of her son, Albert, to Miss
Rosemary Hilger, 19 years ago.
• Seated in the chair is Mrs. Laura
Dilger wearing her mother’s
wedding dress. In 1870 Miss
Sophia Roer was married to Dr.
George Schroerer at St. Peter’s
Church. The dress was plum
colored velour satin, with a
bustle back, the beads and fringe
added to the design.
We hope you have enjoyed this look back at the past ... and maybe even recognize a few faces!
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Immaculate
Conception
Church
9
Pa r i s h O r g a n i z at i o n s
The Legion
of Mary
Invites all to
Pray
with Us
Submitted by Lois Thomas
News From
The Pews
November 2009
10
The Legion of Mary is the
largest apostolic organization of
lay people in the Catholic Church,
with well over three million members in almost every country of
the world. It has been active in the
United States since 1931, has been
approved by the last six popes, and
was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of
the Legion of Mary is to give glory
to God through the sanctification
of its members.
Members gradually become
instruments of the Holy Spirit
through a balanced program of
prayer and service to others. Meetings consist of praying the holy
Rosary, other prayers, planning,
and discussion in a family setting.
The Rosary is a form of meditation
and reflection on the life of Jesus
and Mary and the teachings of the
Catholic Church.
There are two types of membership in the legion: Active members
attend a weekly meeting and perform activities of apostolic mission,
and Auxiliary members serve as the
praying arm of the Legion, promising to pray the Rosary along with
the Legion’s standard prayers.
The Legion of Mary at Immaculate Conception Church invites
all to join us in prayer as either an
active or auxiliary members. Active
members meet on Wednesday
evenings at 5:15 p.m. for about
one hour in the Rectory basement.
For details regarding membership,
please call Ann Goeke at 634-3025
or Lois Thomas at 635-6369.
Daughters of Isabella –
Glennon Circle 322
Submitted by Mary Frank
Our Catholic Ladies organization has been in existence here in Jefferson City
since 1925 and is very active.
In October, we enjoyed a day Pilgrimage to Laurie to visit the National
Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, enjoying a Mass offered by our Chaplain,
Msgr. Don Lammers and touring the grounds. We also toured the newer very
beautiful St. Anthony’s Church in Camdenton, and enjoyed the colorful fall
foliage along the way (and some rain!).
This year at our April Queen Isabella Day Mass and Luncheon, we honored
three ladies of our parish as 60 year members: Gertrude Kaemmerlen, Angeline
Lock and Jeanette Neuner. Congratulations, ladies!
We meet monthly on the 1st Monday at the Knights of Columbus Hall,
except for the months of January and July.
All members, living and deceased, are privileged to receive the blessings of
a Mass once each month at one of our area parishes and a special Mass when a
member passes away, along with many other Masses said around the world to
include the D of I members. We also receive special Blessings from the Pope during the year, along with a plenary indulgence at the hour of death.
We do volunteer work for our Parish Churches, schools, hospitals, nursing
homes and where assistance is needed. We donate to various local charities as a
group and as individuals.
We donate a $100 scholarship to a deserving Sophomore girl at Helias High
School annually.
We pass the Vocation Crucifix to a member each month.
We enjoy two or three planned luncheons or dinners each year and have a
program occasionally.
Our dues are $15 each year, a very small amount to receive all the Blessings
we enjoy. We would enjoy having you ladies join us.
This report will be my last as Glennon Circle Regent; however I will serve as
Past Regent for the next two years. Our new Regent is Joann Jaegers of St. Peter
Parish.
To join our Circle, please call Mary Frank at 634-3848.
Holy
Name Society News
Submitted by Mark Polys, Secretary
Our fall Sausage & Pancake Breakfast was a big success! Thanks to
everyone who helped — the clean-up crew, the servers, the kitchen help, the
sausage fryers, the pancake flippers and especially those who came to eat!
Also a big success was the Pork Steak Dinner held in September.
Coming up on November 23rd is the annual Holy Name Turkey Raffle
and Card Party, open to all Holy Name members. If you’re not a member
yet, come to the party and join. Due are only $2 per year – cheap at half the
price, especially in these economic times. Membership is open to all men of
the parish 18 years and older.
School news
Tis the Season for
Sharing andCaring
Submitted by Marlene Kuster, Student Council Sponsor
During the month of October, the I. C. Student Council sponsored a food drive for the Samaritan Center. During this event we
try to show others that we care for them by helping to make their
holidays a little nicer through donating grocery items.
This year our Jr. High set a goal of 1,200 items for themselves,
and challenged the rest of the school to bring at least 1,000 items.
These goals were not only reached, but exceeded. On Friday,
Oct. 30, our school sent over 4,000 grocery items to the Samaritan
Center to help their clients. The Center workers loaded three
pickup truck loads of
food items. Our school
families did a wonderful job of teaching our
students to share what
they have with others and
we thank them for their
caring acts.
Immaculate
Conception
Church
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Immaculate Conception Church
1206 E. McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Tel: 573-635-6143
Fax: 573-635-6036
icchurch@mchsi.com
contributor’s column
A little Dose of Family & Faith
Every
Baby is a Miracle – Even this One
By Martha Schieber
In September my family welcomed its newest member. I have
a new great-nephew, Jack Michael. Someone said they could see
why they didn’t name him “Jackson” because it would have looked
like they were naming him after Michael Jackson. Horrified by the
thought, the baby’s parents said that hadn’t even been a notion in
their minds. (Thank God for that!)
Now little Jack Michael is a true miracle, as all babies are, but
Jack’s story is worth telling. It starts with his parents. First, his father (my nephew Dale) was struck with testicular cancer at the ripe
old age of 20. Because of his cancer treatments, the doctors were not
very positive about his future chances of having children. When he
finally settled down and got married, there was that question in the
back of everyone’s mind – will there be children?
His new bride was a widow with a young son. Tammy lost her
first husband to cancer. Believe it or not, he died of the same cancer
that Dale fought and prevailed over. Isn’t that something! How
does a woman take a chance by jumping back into that pool? I guess
you put on a life vest that’s full of faith!
Her faith has been there, guiding her through every turn. Many
thought
the
“children”
question was
probably
answered – Dale would be a step-father. As it turns out, he has
been a wonderful step-father. Nobody even thinks about the “step”
part of it anymore. Then the news of their pregnancy came. My
sister immediately started buying baby clothes, baby socks and baby
bottles, and hasn’t stopped.
Yes, every baby is a miracle, some just a little more than others.
We’ll be celebrating the birthday of the most miraculous baby ever
on December 25. During this season of miracles, I’d like to share
with you a website that offers assistance to young girls, their families
and friends, who may be experiencing an unintended pregnancy.
Developed by the Vitae Foundation, it’s an excellent resource. Go to
www.youroptions.com and check it out. Please share it with others.
It could lead to a few more miracles.