Immaculate Conception Church - Immaculate Conception Parish

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Mass Intentions March 16 & 17, 2013 Fifth Sunday of Lent Saturday: 5:00 pm: Connie McConlogue Sunday: 7:00 am: Frank A. & Salvatore “Sam” Oliverio 8:30 am: Intentions of Sister Patricia Rubaya 11:00 am: People of the Parish Monday: Tuesday: 8:00 am: Joseph “Joey O” Oliverio 8:00 am: Karol Zaniczak Wednesday 7:00 pm: Jonathan Special Intentions Thursday: 8:00 am: John H. Cooper Sr. Friday: 8:00 am: Antoinetta Amodio 7:00 pm: +Stations of the Cross March 23 & 24, 2013 Palm Sunday Saturday: 5:00 pm: Bob Richards Sunday: 7:00 am: Maria Barberio 8:30 am: Michael Kozakewich 11:00 am: People of the Parish
Pastor’s Ponderings Habemus Papam??? As I write this Pastor’s Pondering on Tuesday the Cardinals have entered their first day of the conclave to elect a new Pope. By the time this bulletin appears we may have one. It is hard to think days ahead when you don’t quite know what the future will bring. But that is what we do to the best of our ability when we sit down and make plans for our lives whether we are speaking of our personal life or our life as parish. I was visited this week by our Vicar, Father Mark Ward, who tells me that the Vicars throughout the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston have been instructed to begin discussions with local pastors about future leadership and staffing in light of the diminishing number of available priests and resources. It is something that we have been discussing “informally” for years and so it is a bit of a relief to hear that discussions are now beginning to take place at decision making levels. Just as we wait to see what the Holy Spirit and the Cardinals produce from the conclave in Rome, we on the local scene, wait to see what the Holy Spirit reveals as the plan or path for the Church in Harrison County. Vatican-watchers and more attentive Catholics may all have their own pick for future pontiff. This is only speculation on our part, but sometimes it is good to speculate. It prepares us for inevitable changes. The same is true on the local level. What would you speculate about the future of the Catholic Church in our area? If the number of priests in the very near future were reduced by 50% or more, how would YOU staff our Diocese, our county? If the expenses of everything continue to rise how would YOU finance, structure, manage everything? Will we be able to maintain everything we have? These are discussions that must be had in order for the best plan for the future to arise. On Monday Sr. Maria and I were able to visit with Monsignor Sadie and some of his staff about the Sisters of the Infant Jesus who hope to be arriving shortly after Easter to eventually join the pastoral team in Charleston. He took us on a tour of his latest building, a day care for children from 6 months to 3 years old. The childcare and childhood education opportunities, schools, affiliations with Wheeling Jesuit, High Rise for the Elderly, and Cemetery there have truly made the place a “Cradle to Grave Parish.” We are excited to work with them and share ideas in the Church in West Virginia. I know when Monsignor arrived at Sacred Heart, they had 8 parking spaces. They probably have as many parking lots now! As our new parish center begins to rise and progress we commend all to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us listen to the signs of the times and “vision” for the future of the Church here in our area. It is time to “think outside the box.” New circumstances, new Pope, new converts and new generations bring fresh thinking. We treasure the past and proceed with faith into the future the Lord has laid out for us. “Habemus Papam!!” Sooner or later, the shout and the vision will come true. Blessings, Fr. Casey
Page 1 and 2: FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 17, 2013
Page 3: A Guide Through Lent from Saint The

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