COME LET US ADORE HIM
IC Blessings
December 1, 2021
Rest In Peace
Frances “Fran” Ackley
John Holland, husband of Anne Holland
Rosemary Klotzbach, former longtime parishioner of Immaculate Conception 
John Mazzochi, husband of Joyce Mazzochi
Nancy Noesen


Eternal rest grant to them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
MARIAN DAYS 2021
Immaculate Conception Parish will be celebrating Marian Days this year as we move into the Advent season and are reminded almost immediately of our Mother Mary and her Immaculate Conception. We are celebrating this important day and following days with Mass, Adoration, Rosary, Benediction and talks for several days. Please join us, December 7 - December 10.

Day 1 – Tuesday, December 7 
Opening of Marian Days 2021 
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception  
Vigil Mass – 5:15 p.m. 
***
Day 2 – Wednesday, December 8 
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 
(Holy Day of Obligation) 
Masses: 9:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m. 
Adoration – following 12:10 Mass 
Rosary – 5:00 p.m. 
Benediction – following Rosary 
Talk “Mary in Advent” with Father Cook and Joshua Johnson– 5:30 p.m. 
***
Day 3 – Thursday, December 9 
Memorial St. Juan Diego 
Mass - 12:10 Mass 
Adoration – following Mass 
Bi-lingual Rosary – 6:00 p.m. 
Benediction – following Rosary 
Talk “St. Juan Diego” with Deacon Sig Della Valle – 6:30 p.m.
*** 
Day 4 – Friday, December 10 
Closing of Marian Days 
Advent Weekday Mass – 12:10 p.m. 
Adoration – following Mass 
Rosary – 5:00 p.m. 
Benediction – following Rosary 
Talk “Our Lady of …” with Father Cook – 5:30 p.m. 
Closing Mass – A Votive Mass of Our Lady 
Celebrant Father Torres – 7:00 p.m. 
ADVENT - CHRISTMAS - NEW YEAR SCHEDULE 2021-2022
The Nativity of the Lord ~ Holy Day of Obligation

Christmas Eve ~ Friday, December 24th
We will not have 12:10pm Mass
2:00pm ~Vigil Mass
4:00pm ~ Mass
6:00pm ~ Night Mass

Christmas Day ~ Saturday, December 25th
We will not have Confessions, 4:00pm or 6:00pm Mass
Mass Schedule: 8:00am, 10:00am & 12:00pm (in Spanish)

Sunday, December 26th ~ Feast of the Holy Family
Mass Schedule: 8:00am, 10:00am & 12:00pm

Pastoral Note: Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Christmas &
Sunday, December 26th. Each celebration is to be observed by a separate Mass.
***
Friday, December 31st
We will not have 12:10pm Mass on Friday, December 31st
Adoration & Confessions: 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Vigil Mass: 5:15pm
Holy Hour (Adoration): 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Benediction: 7:00pm

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God ~ Saturday, January 1, 2022
No Confessions on Saturday, January 1st
Mass at 9:00am
PLEASE NOTE: The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation this year.
***
Sunday, January 2nd
Vigil on Saturday, January 1st at 4:00pm & 6:00pm (in Spanish)
Sunday, January 2nd
8am, 10:00am & 12:00pm
UPCOMING EVENT
Rosary to the Prince of Peace to keep Christ in Christmas
Dec. 11th - 12:00 noon
in front of Our Lady of Hope outside the church
Contact Becky Jansen at 828-595-9197 for more information
All of us at IC Blessings wish you our readers a Blessed Christmas. We hope you enjoy the Christmas memories, traditions and recipes shared by our parishioner's.
Why is Christmas Important to Me?
This seems like such a simple question, yet I find my answer to be quite complex. As a young child, I remember the thrill of awaiting Christmas morning, and wondering what gifts would be under the tree. During those early years, we also went to one of our grandparent’s home for a big Christmas dinner. I particularly remember my Grandpa Gilliam, who was a Methodist Minister. He loved to cook for large gatherings, wearing his big chef hat and spreading happiness with his infectious big smile. Everyone had such a grand time at these large gatherings.
As a teenager, I became very active in church youth activities. One was the youth choir, and I remember singing at special worship services during the Christmas Season, and the youth occasionally put on a skit with a Christmas story theme. The thrill of receiving gifts on Christmas Day remained, but I also began to learn the joy of giving gifts to my family members and close friends.
But then came the college years, when I drifted away from going to church. And as more time passed, my relationship with Jesus had almost disappeared. By the age of 32, I was married with two beautiful daughters, and my wife Susan was pregnant. I had a very successful business. On paper everything seemed perfect, yet something was seriously missing. One Saturday I went to the yellow pages looking for a nearby church, and the next day I went to one. The following week, listening to a sermon on John 3:1-6, I gave my heart and soul to the Lord.
Since that incredible experience, I have had the deeply humbling opportunity to grow in my faith. I went from not knowing Jesus, to a personal relationship that trusts Him wholly, and relies on Him fully. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, I enjoy the Peace that passes all understanding, the Hope that is derived from the promise of eternal life in Heaven, and the love that spurs me to care for and serve others in need. It has been 40 years since the day that I experienced my spiritual birth, and it has been incredible.
So what does Christmas mean to me? It means everything, because Jesus is everything to me! May you have a truly blessed Christmas Season.

Doug Miller
A CHRISTMAS TRADITION
Of the many beautiful Christmas traditions our family has celebrated over the decades, my personal favorite is the feast of the Epiphany of Jesus, at the very end of the Christmas season. Through the years, we have shared our Epiphany celebrations with each new generation of our family; with faith formation students; friends and our many employees. So year after year, we always anticipate each treasured custom, following the reading of the biblical story with the children. We then decorate our home with meaningful symbols (the 3 gifts of the Magi, a very large star and iconic tapestries both indoor & outdoor) - all in preparation for the blessing of our home on the feast itself. We especially enjoy sharing with our grandchildren, the wonderful spiritual significance of all the details of the story (the meaning of the 3 gifts, the significance of the star, and that Jesus came for ALL peoples.) Everyone, it seems, also looks forward to reading the legend of “The Other Wise Man” (or watching the movie) and celebrating with a King Cake afterward, truly a treat for every age! This Advent, our eldest grandson is so excited to go with us to see the play “The Other Wise Man” and we hope this will be yet another annual tradition for all the younger “grands“ as they grow older.

Diane Salkewicz
Memories of Christmas Past
I grew up in a family of five daughters, being the youngest.
A few days before Christmas we went as a family to choose our Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, after dinner, we decorated the tree. My Mom was usually busy in the kitchen getting things ready for our Christmas dinner, but Dad was “hands on”, and only he could put on the lights. (Remember the series lighting? If one bulb burnt out, the whole string went out.) The decorating fell to my four older sisters and me. We were so careful at first but towards the end, instead of hanging each piece of tinsel carefully, we would grab a handful and throw it towards the tree!
With the tree decorated, we took a rest until about 11:15pm when we got dressed and headed for Midnight Mass, always a Solemn High Mass with lots of singing. We were usually home by 1:30am, and then off to bed so Santa could come.
Mom always fixed a very special Christmas breakfast while we opened our stockings. Then after breakfast we finally went to the tree where Dad passed out the presents. We each got one present and it was usually just what we wanted.
Eventually the living room was cleared of paper and ribbons, opened gifts were displayed under the tree, and we awaited our Christmas dinner guests. Besides our immediate family of 7, Christmas always included good friends, some cousins, and in later years, boyfriends.
I have such fond memories of my childhood Christmases. We didn’t have a lot in material things, but we had a great family life enhanced by a very strong practice of our faith.

Rosemary Hagerott
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
It was Christmas Eve. Don and I had decided to go to a late evening dinner with our daughter, Christine. This was a special occasion as the other family members were busy with their own families and it was rare there were only three of us home. At a recent prayer meeting, one of the priests had told me that Inisfada, a St. Ignatius Jesuit Retreat House in nearby Manhasset, NY, was celebrating Midnight Mass and he invited us to attend. We had never been inside, although we had passed it many times, and as a young teen, I even rode my bike with friends onto their hallowed grounds. We were very excited to get that invitation! Dinner was as enjoyable as we hoped, and we lingered over the meal, enjoying the beautiful Christmas decorations and our special time together.
We arrived on the grounds with the magnificent stone castle-like edifice. This had once been an estate filled with grandeur. We were welcomed into the beautiful entrance by several priests. A large fireplace with sparkling flames warmed the room. Several people were gathered and we joined in the conversation. We were called into the chapel by tinkling bells, and the Mass began. What a pleasure to be with these spirit-filled
people! At the end of Mass we walked to the parlor and there on a table was a nativity in a large creche with a simple roof of brown paper - nothing ornate but very humble. Baby Jesus had arrived. A perfect ending of a perfect Christmas Eve: Three of us invited to
this special place; an intimate chapel; the surprise of seeing baby Jesus in the Creche! Heartwarming and Magical. Lively, happy moments were shared on our ride home.

Loretta Franz
A CHRISTMAS Tradition
When the children were very young, we were focused on the Jesse Tree in Advent. We created an ornament for every day and read the scripture that accompanied that day, then we talked about it. The ornaments were made from a red or green foam that had a stenciled image that represented the story of the day on it. Each was colored by hand by a child or me that first year. We would gather branches from fallen limbs in the yard to create the tree to hang it on. We did this for several years.

Annamarie Jakubielski
A CHRISTMAS Tradition
Christmas was much anticipated at our house, beginning with Advent and the Advent Wreath. Several days before Christmas we would decorate our
tree. The ornaments were from family members, friends and those representing a special time or event. Some were passed down from another generation. There was always a star on the top, at times one that was made by one of the children. What wonderful memories we shared while decorating the tree. When finished we would sit back and admire
the tree while drinking some hot chocolate.
We opened our gifts on Christmas morning, (no getting out of bed while it was still dark). All our extended family and friends would celebrate Christmas dinner with us. The main course would vary, but we always had kielbasa with sauerkraut, horseradish carrots and mushrooms. Dessert always included cookies.
My daughter commented that Christmas at our home reminded her of The Three Kings traveling from afar. This year that will be particularly true, as our family will gather from different states to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Florence Quinzel
Christmas Memories
As a young girl growing up in Chicago with my parents, two brothers, and three sisters, there were many memories that come to mind from those Christmases long ago. But my siblings were spread out in various ages with the eldest being nineteen years older than the youngest. My mother was my best friend in the family. No matter what our hardships were, she always put on a happy face for all of her children. But at Christmastime she went all out to make the season a happy one for us. Part of this tradition was the baking of Christmas cookies. Our home was filled with the pleasant odors of chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, and all the other delicious things that went into making these holiday treats. Normally, we were not allowed to eat them until Christmas Eve, but if by chance, one of them broke, and one of us girls happened to be helping Mom in the kitchen at the time, we would certainly be rewarded ahead of schedule with one that was not fit to be served at Christmas Eve.
Later, after I was married, I went to visit my maid of honor who had moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where her husband had taken a job. She introduced me to a new Christmas cookie favorite that even my brother-in-law’s friends love to munch on during their New Year’s Eve skiing trip, along with a few of my mother’s recipes that I still continue to make after 49 years of marriage. Below is the recipe for cherry coconut bars. They are my husband’s favorite!

Peggy Sabol
GOD JUL!
Growing up, my family always spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ (my father’s parents) house. My grandmother was from Norway, and my grandfather was from Sweden so we had a combination of traditions, food, and family togetherness.
In both countries, Christmas is “God Jul!” and food plays a big part in the celebration. We would always go to my grandparents’ house a few days before Christmas Eve to watch grandpa prepare the “potato baloney” as we called it – a sausage made of ground pork and potatoes and seasoning. He would push this mixture through the “skin” until a plump ring of sausage resulted. On Christmas Eve this was boiled and eaten or cut into pieces and fried after boiling.
The Christmas tree was decorated with straw ornaments shaped like animals and people (Norwegian) and heart shaped baskets made of woven construction paper and filled with candies. Both countries had stories of the gnome like Julenisse (Norwegian) or Tomten (Swedish). Both were short and round with long white beards, red stocking caps and carried lanterns. They would protect your home and bring you gifts if you left them enough rice porridge or pudding on the doorstep. If you didn’t do this, they would cause all kinds of mischief. We loved hearing those stories!
The adults would share a drink of potent aquavit, “water of life” before the meal, a Swedish smorgasbord of ham, potato baloney, Swedish meatballs, raisin or lingonberry bread, pickled herring, and of course lutefist, cod soaked in lye before cooking –“Yuk!” was our comment for that.
Our favorite was Risengrynogrot or Risgrot, a rice pudding/porridge with vanilla, cinnamon and an almond hidden inside and dessert in both countries. The one who got the almond was given a piece of marzipan candy and guaranteed good fortune for the coming year. A krumkaker cookie made with a waffle iron would be served with the pudding. That was a “Yum” from us kids!!

Kathy Meersman
Christmas Receipes
Horseradish Carrot Casserole
1 lb. carrots, cut into julienne strips and cooked
1/4 c. carrot juice
2 Tbsp. grated onion
2 Tbsp. horseradish
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. salt
Pepper to taste
1/4 c. buttered bread crumbs
Place cooked carrots in a greased casserole. Combine all other ingredients
except buttered bread crumbs. Pour sauce over the carrots, top with crumbs.
At this point casserole may be refrigerated Bake 375, 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly.
Butter Balls
1 cup butter
2 cups sifted flour
4 tbsp. powdered sugar
1 cup nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
Extra powdered sugar for rolling the baked cookies
Cream butter, add sugar and continue to beat until light. Add vanilla. Add sifted
flour and mix well. Fold in nuts. Shape into small balls, place on ungreased
baking sheet.
Bake 350 for 15 to 18 minutes. Roll in confectionary sugar while
hot.
Cherry Coconut Bars
1 cup of butter
1 ¼ cup of sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 ½ tsp. salt
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup chopped red maraschino cherries
½ cup chopped green maraschino cherries
2/3 cup flaked coconut
6 oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate pieces
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and salt, which have been sifted together. Stir in nuts, cherries, coconut, and chocolate pieces. Spread dough in greased 13x9x2” pan.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 25-30 minutes or until light brown on top. Cut into bars.
Risengryn Grot/Risengrynagrot/Risgrot
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
dash of salt
4 cups milk
2/3 cup sugar divided
2 eggs
2 Tblsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Bring water, rice, and salt to a boil. Cover and simmer 15 minutes until water is absorbed.
Add milk and 1/3 cup sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes till it begins to thicken.
Whisk eggs and 1/3 cup sugar together and gradually stir 2 cups of rice mixture into egg mixture. Return to pan and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and butter and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Sprinkle cinnamon over the top. Delixious!
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