June 11, 2013

Welcome to Immaculate Conception Parish Web Site

This is my last entry in this section of our parish web site because I am being transferred from pastorship in Elkton-North East to pastorship in Rehoboth, Delaware.  Yes, the beach is where I am going.  As a matter of fact, the church and facilities are about two blocks from the ocean.  

It is normal for priests to be moved in assignments.   I have been in a leadership role at Immaculate Conception Parish, as administrator and pastor, for nearly twelve years.  Needs throughout the Diocese create posts that have to be filled.  For example this month, three priests are retiring and two priests are being assigned outside of the Diocese.  I am going where I am most needed.  Father Anthony Giamello is coming to Immaculate Conception Parish as administrator.  Changes officially take place on June 27th.

I thank everyone who assisted me in my ministry here.  In particular the priests, deacons and religious and the staff of our parish.  Indeed they are wonderful people who work hard in serving our parish.  Nothing would be sufficient without any one of them.  To all parishioners and friends of the parish I also extend my fondest appreciation; for you make the parish who we are.  The Body of Christ is evident in our litugies, programs, committees, etc.  I ask you to keep up the good work.

I am excited about my new parish of Saint Edmond in Rehoboth.  I hear nothing but good about this wonderful place and its people.  Parting and starting are never easy but that is the way of life.  I know that I will find what we all look for…at the beach.  It was on the seashore of Galilee that Jesus called His first apostles.  It was on the water that Jesus walked and called Peter to do likewise and it was on the beach of Tiberias that the Resurrected Lord cooked a meal for His apostles and commissioned His disciple to “feed my sheep.”  Yes, the Church started at the beach.

Until we meet again!  

Father Joe  

Sunday nights in Spring & Summer

May

5th   SERVICE OPPORTUNITY – We’ll be marking the Fair Hill Race track bleachers with Section, Row and Seat numbers. Soda and pizza provided! Meet us at the Fair grounds at 6:00 PM. Call Ruthie at 443 350 4627 if you need directions or a ride. Parents welcome!

12th  Mother’s Day – no gathering

19th   Join us for our parish celebration of Pentecost Sunday with 4:00 PM Mass at Old Bohemia church in Warwick, MD just 13 miles south of Elkton. See the bulletin for details. Parish picnic to follow on the grounds at Old Bohemia. Click [here] to see pictures of this historic church.

19th  6:00-8:00 PM we’ll have Tacos and stuff envelopes at the parish center. We need LOTS of help. Bring a friend!!

25th (Saturday) REMINDER: Lots of help is needed at the Fair Hill Races. If you can help, please [email] Kristin Lewis ASAP! Thanks.

26th   Memorial Day Weekend – no gathering

June -

2nd   Gathering 6-8 PM. Current 8th graders are welcome!

9th   Graduation weekend – no gathering

16th  Father’s Day – no gathering

23rd

30th 

July

7th   No gathering – July 4th week.

14th  See you at 6:00 PM in the parish center youth room.

21st   No gathering. Work camp week.

28th  No gathering. Sleeping.

August

NO gatherings in August. See you at the Leaders Today Leader Tomorrow (LT2) conference! Click [here] for details. Students who will be high school sophomores, juniors or seniors NEXT year are encouraged to attend. Sign up today!

Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) went back to the drawing board and partnered with a professional to make this year’s youth leadership institute better than ever.

If you are already a great leader or would like to become one, let us hone your skills and make them great.

Here is just a glimpse of what you will experience:

• Learn to be intentional about leadership style and the choices available in any situation
• Gain insight to strengths, personality, views, and interests that guide decisions
• Label, understand, and manage conflicts that arise
• Improve how you lead in school, your parish, and in the world

With a series of activities, workshops, and hands-on learning, you will leave the conference understanding the leadership styles of others and how to foster commitment, not compliance. You will get to choose the workshops that most interest you and enjoy “down time” in the evenings, experience powerful prayer services (that you will help lead), and the special event that follows Mass with Bishop Malooly (more about that later).

The conference is August 6-9, 2013 at the Wilmington Sheraton South and costs $185 per person for rooming, food, conference materials, and more. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are encouraged to attend. To sign up, please [email] Ruthie Patterson or call our Youth Ministry office at 410 392 3551.

 An Epic Adventure for Pre-School (ages 4 & 5) and Elementary students who have completed grades K thru 5.   Come be part of Wild Games, Fun Experiments, a Bible Adventure and enjoy Incredible music and Yummy Snacks.                                                                                                                           

This adventure will take place June 24-28th from 6 to 8:30pm

 Call the Religion Office at  410-392-3551 or email re@iccparish.org  for more information or to volunteer.  Parish Teens ages 14 And above are most welcomed and encouraged to volunteer.

Click [here] to download the registration form.  Mail or drop off completed form to the Religion Office in the Parish Center at  455 Bow Street, Elkton, Maryland  21921.

Service opportunities listed below are open to students in Grades 7-12, college students, and adults. FAMILIES are encouraged to serve together!

Please call or email the contact person listed for each opportunity, before you arrive on site. Information listed here is updated periodically and subject to change.

Service opportunities coordinated by the Youth Ministry office, and not on parish grounds, require a consent form for all 7-12th grade students. Please download [this form] and bring it to the parish office or the worksite location.

Date: Postponed till Spring….
Time: 10:00 AM – ?
Location: West Main Street, Elkton
Task: Paint the front porch and stain a small deck for a senior parishioner. Consent form needed.
Contact: Ruthie Patterson, Youth Ministry office 443 350 4627 or [email]

Service opportunities offered by local agencies and organizations require direct contact between participants and the organization.  Parents of school-age students are responsible for arranging volunteer opportunities for their children. Transportation, chaperones, etc. are not provided by Immaculate Conception Parish.

Date: Mondays through Thursdays (ongoing; good opportunity for summer, holidays and other non-school days)
Time: See contact info. Please contact in advance for time.
Location: The Settlement House, 168 E. Main St, Elkton (across from the Post Office)
Task: Help with lunch
Contact: Mrs. Kathy Chamberlin 410 398 7299 or [email]

Dates:  Friday, July 26, 2013
Time: 11:30-1:30 PM
Location: Elkton Community Kitchen, 209 E. Main Street (Elkton Presbyterian Church)
Task: Help with lunch, set up and clean up
Contact: Mrs. Kathy Chamberlin 410 398 7299 or [email]

Date: Saturday, May 25, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Fair Hill Race Track
Task: A variety of opportunities are available throughout the day. Email to learn more.
Contact: Mrs. Kristin Lewis [email]

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Our diocesan Youth Ministry office provides information on additional service opportunities locally and throughout our diocese. Please see [this link] for more information.

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Every week our parish Outreach ministry provides food for hundreds of hungry men, women and children.

For both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays we pack food baskets for 90-100 families.

How can you help? Easy. Participate in our Annual Food Drive.

Fill a bag with non-perishible food items, and drop it off at Immaculate Conception or St. Jude churches or the Parish Center any time theses buildings are open.

At this time our pantry is in desperate need of ALL food items, including the following:

• mac & cheese
• baked beans
• soup
• instant potatoes
• rice a roni
• fruit
• cereal
• pasta

In North East, join us at Saint Jude Church after the 9:00 AM Mass the first Sunday of every month.

In Elkton, join us in the school cafeteria after 10:15 Mass on the following Sundays:

October 7, November 4, December 9, 2012
January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, 2013

Need Service hours? Come early and help set up. Stay for a while and help clean up. Many hands make light work!

All are welcome!

Flocknote will allow parishioners to receive text messages, emails, and phone calls from our parish staff and those involved in parish ministries and activities. It was designed by Catholics for Catholic parishes, schools and organizations.

Flocknote will be our new parish registration tool (coming soon on the parish web site.)

For existing parish members, your Flocknote registration will allow us to update our information and will give you the opportunity to subscribe to any lists you like.

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