Heartfelt Thanks to the Lord
 Greetings!
Salutations! How are you? On this National Holiday I’m reminded of a prayer so simple and yet so sincere that one of my nephews shared with me and the family before having a meal, “Thank you, God, for this food. Amen!” He would enthusiastically say, “Again!” after we would pray the prayer and the family would happily oblige him two or three more times.

Throughout the Books of the Bible in the Old and New Testament there are numerous passages that speak about offering thanks to the Lord including:
“I will thank the LORD in accordance with his justice; I will sing the name of the LORD Most High” (Psalm 7:18)
 
“Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose mercy endures forever” (Psalm 106:1)
 
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Our lives are meant to be patterned after that of Jesus who gave thanks to our Heavenly Father as He nourished the hungry crowds with His Holy Word and the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13-21 and 15:32-39). On this Thanksgiving Day of 2021 we ask that the Lord would help us to be a Eucharistic people, that is to say grateful, in all that we think, say, and do so as to point others to Jesus who is the Bread of Life. At the end of our earthly sojourn we hope to enter into the Heavenly Banquet and joyfully acclaim, “Thank you, God, for this food. Amen!”          
Peace with Christ
Fr. James
Fr. James Daily Video Message

Daily video messages from Fr. James and Masses celebrated by Father James can be found on Facebook, YouTube, our My Parish app and on our website:

Trivia Question of the Week

In the Gospel for Mass on Thanksgiving Day (Luke 17:11-19) which person returned to thank Jesus for healing him of leprosy?

A. The Samaritan
B. The tax collector
C. The jailor
D. The Pharisee 

See the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. James!
November 7 - 18, 2022
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey in faith while walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Sail on the Sea of Galilee, explore the Old City of Jerusalem and have Mass at the most meaningful sites in Christianity. Accompanied by an excellent local guide, learn about the spiritual, historical, and cultural significance of the Holy Land. More information coming soon! magitravelinc.com/holy-land
Enjoy a free subscription to FORMED.org

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  • Go to iccsonline.formed.org and click next
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  • Enjoy and share with others in our local community!

You can watch with your free parish subscription by simply selecting our parish’s name during registration at formed.org/signup.
Immaculate Conception School
We are still registering students for the 2021- 2022 school year. Please contact any of the following with questions – we love to show off our wonderful school!

Jane Bona, 763-788-9065, x 220
Megan Sackmaster, 763-788-9062, x 207
Poinsettia Fundraiser
Sponsored by the IC School Advisory Council

Pletscher’s Greenhouse will offer sales of poinsettias as part of a fundraiser to benefit Immaculate Conception School. Order forms will be available in the church narthex after all Masses this weekend and December 4-5. Payment for plants is due at the time of order. Cash or checks are accepted.

Checks should be made out to ICS/Immaculate Conception School. Online ordering is available here:
We're sure you'll want these healthy snacks and great Christmas gift items this holiday season! Your order can be delivered or you may pick it up at church after Mass. As always, all CCW Fundraiser profits support various worthy causes, primarily our ICC Parish General Fund.
 
We encourage you to order early because our vendor has encountered supply and workforce issues. Look for our new items: Butter Toffee Peanuts, Maple Bourbon Toffee Almonds, and All Sorts Licorice. These are great gift items!

We will be in the church narthex on these dates after all Masses:

November 27 • December 11 • December 18
and at the Bake and Craft Sale on December 4-5.
Immaculate Conception Parish App
Course Description: What does Catholic social teaching look like embodied in our daily lives? This course, co-taught by Colin Miller (Ph.D., Duke, and Director of Outreach at Assumption, St Paul) and Tyler Hambley (M.Div, Duke), seeks to answer this question by offering a compelling vision of a Church deeply engaged with the reality of Jesus Christ by being deeply engaged with the liturgy, each other, our communities, and especially the poor.  Topics include Catholic social teaching; serving Christ in the poor; the Church as a local community; incarnational ministry; caring for creation; and a host of related topics. The course is free, open to all, and will meet weekly on a night TBD for 90 minutes, from January-May, 2022, at Assumption Church in St. Paul. For the full syllabus or with questions, interested parties should contact Colin Miller at cmiller@assumptionsp.org. We will seek to find a meeting time that works for all. 
Answer to the Trivia Question of the Week:
A. The Samaritan
 Immaculate Conception
Church and School
Church: 763-788-9062
School: 763-788-9065
info@immac-church.org | ICCSonline.org
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