IC Blessings
February 1, 2022
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
--1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Rest In Peace
Judy Beeson, wife of Richard Beeson
Rosalba “Rosie” Hammann, wife of Tim Hammann




Eternal rest grant to them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
CATECHIST SALMA ARANDA IS OUR PARISHIONER OF THE MONTH
“I’ve lived in Hendersonville all my life,” says Salma Aranda, “and I’ve been a member of Immaculate Conception Parish since I was a 3 year old!” Salma is currently a catechist in the level one Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Salma began helping our Faith Formation Director, Claudia Yepez, in 2016 while she was preparing for her Confirmation. “I started out helping Mrs. Claudia by making copies of things she or one of the catechists needed for their class,” she explains. When Claudia needed help in the classroom for other catechists, Salma became a teacher’s aide or assistant in the classroom.
“I watched and listened and learned,” she remembers. “I wrote down everything I saw and heard the catechists do,” she says with a smile. Salma loved the way the kids took something small, and turned it into something big with drawings or a song. “I just loved how the kids interacted with the Word of God,” she explains.
When Claudia asked her if she would like to teach a class by herself, she said an enthusiastic “Yes!! I was so excited,” she says, “and the most exciting part is that the kids were actually helping me to get closer to God!” Salma finds it a mystery how young children have a better understanding of God than adults. She found that the children asked questions that never entered her mind. When they asked her a question that she didn’t know the answer to, she would go home, “do some research and ask Claudia for help.”
When she went back with an answer to their question, she felt good. “I don’t know all the answers to their questions,” she admits, “but that’s okay because I’m learning with them.” Salma finds that her students encourage her to read the Bible and pray more. “I love working with the smaller children,” she says, “because they are so honest –they say whatever is on their mind!”
Salma has personal experience with young children every day as the mother of a 3-year-old son, who keeps her busy all the time, and can ask interesting questions. Salma appreciates living with her parents and 3 sisters to help entertain, and answer her son’s questions!.
“I love the Hendersonville area,” Salma says enthusiastically. “It’s so peaceful and full of life!” Living at the top of a mountain makes it even more quiet and peaceful for Salma. She enjoys being outdoors, especially when playing with her son, one of her favorite things to do! Salma also likes to read in her free time.
Her favorite thing about Immaculate Conception is that the parishioners care a lot about the children learning about God. She also likes how the parish community always helps out anyone in need. “I am really thankful to Claudia and the other catechists,” she says, “for supporting me and helping me become more connected to God.”
The Art of Civil Discourse
By Brian Pusateri
People can’t seem to agree on anything anymore. Have we lost the art of civil discourse? The devil hopes we have. The word devil means “to divide.” The devil uses every tactic possible to pit us against each other. We see hatred, anger, division, and hostility everywhere. 
The political divide between conservatives and liberals is stark and uncompromising. Illegal immigration is a volatile issue. Socialized medicine versus private health care is a scorching hot topic. And unfortunately, the issue of race is often thrown into the debate, adding gasoline to the fire.
And, if worldly divisions are not enough today, the division within Christianity itself is often on the front page of the paper. Many denominations have been split over the gay marriage issue.
More recently, the topics of mask wearing, and vaccines have set family member against family member, neighbor against neighbor and friend against friend.
Catholics also appear to be split over several issues. Discussions on the topic of abortion have hit a fever pitch. There is a divide over the “Ordinary Form,” versus the “Extraordinary Form,” of the Mass. Catholics are even split over those who either like or dislike Pope Francis.
With all of this division, some people simply want to hide inside the walls of the church, safely away from the secular world on the outside. We cannot and must not do this. We are Christ’s agents for change in the world.
In James 3:8-10 we read, “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.”
To combat this bitter divisiveness, we Catholics need to dig a little deeper into the storehouse of God’s love. In John 17:22 Jesus prayed “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” Jesus commanded us to not only love our neighbor as ourselves, but to also love our enemies.
To love is to will the good of another. We need to bring this back into our dialogs and debates. It is possible to be reasonable, interested, and supportive, even when we disagree.
We need to seek out common ground. We need to listen more and talk less. We need to ask more questions in order to understand the other person’s point of view. We need to recognize emotions. We need to tone down hurtful rhetoric. And we need to accept, that on some issues, we must agree to disagree, but we must do so without being disagreeable.
Finally, we should always seek God’s guidance in prayer before we speak. Our Heavenly Father wants us to bring His Son into this divided world. Satan wants us to fan the flames of chaos and division. We have a choice. Which will we do? 
Do You Know How and Why Music for Our Masses is Chosen?
A few years ago, in a U.S. Catholic magazine survey, “eighty percent of those questioned said that music at Mass was very important to them. However, only thirteen percent were totally satisfied with the music that they have and actually sing.” Another survey found that the hymn Christians liked best was “Amazing Grace.” It was also the hymn that they liked the least! Those results were primarily because of a lack of understanding about liturgical music, and the individual’s personal preferences.
Liturgical music allows the congregation and community to participate actively in the liturgy. Music has the power to communicate the messages and emotions that words alone cannot always convey. Singing is an elevated form of speech able to inspire and support members of the congregation, and bring focus to significant liturgical moments.
Here at Immaculate Conception, a great deal of thought, time, practice and prayer go into the choice and execution of music at our Masses. “It is definitely a group effort,” says Karen Milford, a Sunday Mass cantor. She, Karen Kater, and Jane Ward, all cantors, began working with Fr. Cook to bring music back into the liturgy following the Covid shut down of Masses. They started with basic music that was sung a cappella. Several months ago, they were able to expand the music choices when Frank Argento joined them as organist.
Along with the purchase of the Breaking Bread readings and music books at the entrances to church, resources are provided to give suggested hymns based upon the specific readings and prayers for each Sunday of the liturgical year. Online resources also provide guidance for appropriate and meaningful hymns. The cantors’ group uses these to help select the music for weekend liturgies which they practice at their weekly Wednesday sessions.
Here at Immaculate Conception, an opening and a communion antiphon is sung. “Antiphons are part of the Order of the Mass, “explains Karen Milford.
“The text (or refrain) comes from a psalm and helps to emphasize a theme or message usually from the readings and Gospel.”
At the end of Mass, a Marian Anthem is sung as a way to honor our parish namesake, the Virgin Mary. Each anthem corresponds to a particular liturgical season.
The six lead cantors agree that the most moving experiences they have singing at Mass is when many faith-filled voices have joined together to praise God through song. They encourage our parishioners to take a Breaking Bread book as they enter church, and join in singing the hymns posted on either side of the sanctuary. “We hope you’ll join us in making a joyful noise of praise at Mass,” they encourage.
The cantors want to thank everyone who has supported the music ministry by singing, sharing kind words to them after Mass, and by your prayers. 
If any parishioners have experience cantoring for a Catholic Mass, and would like to join our cantors’ group, please stop by and talk to any of the cantors singing at that Mass.
Souper Bowl of Caring
The Souper Bowl of Caring reminds us during the Super Bowl to share with our community to help those in need.
On February 12th and 13th, the Knights of Columbus will be collecting food for IAM. The traditional offering is a can of soup and a cash offering to help feed those in need in Henderson County.
We will be collecting all food items that can help feed a family in need, from pasta and sauce to rice and beans. Pick a meal you like and donate the ingredients for a family.  
In addition to the traditional meals, IAM is now serving our Latino community as well. 
Suggested items for donation:
Can Tuna
Can Chicken
1lb Bags of White & Brown Rice
Can Fruit
Can Pasta Sauce
Can Pasta Meat Sauce
Ramen Noodles
Can Black & Pinto Beans
1lb Bag of Black & Pinto Beans
Can Pickled Jalapeno
Bag Moderna Noodles
Bag Masa Flour
Toiletries and Paper Goods
Deodorant
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
 "Cash Donations are always accepted. Please make checks out to IAM. Thank you for your generosity and caring."
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry started some 10 years ago led by Margaret Stephen, then President of the Immaculate Conception Women’s Guild, and Donna Benning, a talented knitter and quilter. The ministry has a small number of regular members who are very dedicated and passionate in creating the shawls and lap robes. The knitters weave prayers of God’s love and healing to body, mind and spirit. It is our wish that you will use the shawl as a mantle of love. Wrap it around you when you feel down, whenever you feel a need for love and comfort.
Since its inception, the ministry donated many shawls to local organizations such as Four Seasons Hospice, Council on Aging, Dialysis Center, the Pardee Cancer Center, St. Gerard House, Immaculate Conception parishioners, and individuals within our community. Knitting gave us peace and purpose during the lock-down due to COVID. Over the years we have donated 65 to 70 shawls a year. 
The last couple of years we have enjoyed great support from our parishioners and friends in terms of yarn donations, knitted and/or crocheted shawls and lap robes. In the past we have also received some monetary support from the IC Women’s Guild. We very much appreciate your generosity and support, and could not reach our yearly shawl goal without you. Thank you!!
Should you have any yarn which you are no longer using, please consider donating it to this ministry. The ministry is solely funded by the regular members; they buy yarn, create shawls, and donate to those in need. 
The ministry meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10AM in Room 1 (Library) year round. Should you have any interest in joining us, please come to a monthly meeting or contact Barbara Guenther at 693-9914, gag4242@att.net or Mihoko Knudsen at 290-0128, mihoko0148@gmail.com for any further information. **All members are not present in this photo.
Immaculate Conception Women's Guild Installs New Board Members
The Immaculate Conception Women"s Guild had their Installation of new board members during the 12:10 Mass on January 20, 2022. The Women's Guild is an organization of dedicated parishioners who foster relationships and serve the community. They are a prayerful, fun and hard working group of women and are always welcoming to new members. The Guild meets on the third Thursday of each month in the St. Francis room after the 12:10 daily Mass. Come to a meeting. You just might want to join!
Left to Right: Libby VanLandingham, Corresponding Secretary; Jane Mathews, Recording Secretary; Pat Durako, President; Joan Demadona, Vice President; Peggy Sabol, Treasurer.
Snow Storm IZZY - January 16, 2022
Immaculate Conception Church
208 7th Avenue West
Hendersonville, NC 28791 

Church Office
611 North Church St.
Suite 101
Hendersonville, NC 28792

We are a joyful Catholic community of disciples of Jesus Christ, moved by love, to seek the lost and the broken and bring them home