IC Newsletter

IC Blessings

January 1, 2022

A NEW YEAR’S WISH for 2022!

As we begin the New Year of 2022, this is our wish for our family, friends, and even those we haven’t yet met:

We wish you 12 months of love and trust in God,

52 weeks of peace and contentment,

365 days of happiness and joy,

8760 hours of hope for the future,

525,600 minutes of service for others,

and 31,536,000 seconds of closeness to God, family and friends.

Have a blessed and happy New Year!!

Rest In Peace

Elaine Cross

Margaret (Peggy) Hausladen

Lou Konsler

Eternal rest grant to them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

A 20 -Year Celebration Of Being Peacemakers!

As we reflect on the old year, and look ahead to a new year, many of us wonder if we did or could have made a difference in someone’s life. Parishioner Diane Salkewicz, OFS doesn’t have to wonder. There was a 20-year reunion of an Immaculata sixth grade class on December 17, 2021, to renew and celebrate their Pledge of Peace and Tolerance made in 2001 with the guidance of Mrs. Salkewicz, their then religion teacher.

“It all began when I was asked to substitute for the sixth grade Religion class at Immaculata Grade School, three days a week,” Diane explains. “Having taught Catechesis for 35 years, I was looking forward to being in the classroom again,” she shares, “and then I met the class.” The 15 students were a mix of new students, students who had been together for years, different backgrounds, and contrasting personalities. For the most part, they really did not like the new “make-up” of their class, and were a definite challenge to the teachers at the start of the new school year.

With the help of the Holy Spirit and the support of the Immaculata faculty, Diane set out to make a difference in the class. She interwove lessons on peace and tolerance to the Religion curriculum. “I used every resource I could find from teaching seminars and videos, personal experiences, Scripture, and prayer,” she recalls. The young students responded favorably, and the class was “transformed”. As a class they decided that they wanted to be peacemakers, not just for that 6^th grade year, but also for life.

Together the students wrote a “Declaration of Tolerance” and on December 17, 2001, they gathered in the Chapel with Fr. John Salvas, their parents, and the entire Immaculata School faculty to sign their pledge to be lifetime peacemakers. “That was just the beginning,” Diane says. “Later as 8^th graders they helped survey the younger grade students asking them about bullying and how to prevent it in the school. They made posters, had essay contests, shared experiences, and brought an awareness of peace and tolerance to the school community in a week-long ‘Peer Power for Peace’ program hosted by Immaculata School.”

The following year, they asked if they could renew their pledge on December 17^th, the original date of their pledge. “Since then,” Diane says proudly, “a group of them have come together on December 17^th each year to renew their pledge.”

In this past December, the group celebrated the 20^th Anniversary of their pledge. Those who could come in person gathered at the retreat house, which Diane has on her property. Those who could not be physically present joined the group to renew their pledge and reconnect via a Google Chat.

“As the years have gone by, our group has gotten smaller,“ Diane says. “One of the group members has passed away and we’ve lost contact with a couple of them, but we’ve also had friends and parents of the group join us on occasion, which is a blessing.” Many of the groups members are working in service related positions. Several are married and two of the girls just had babies. “It continues to be a wonderful journey of faith and love and peace,” Diane reflects.

Declaration of Tolerance

In remembrance of my peace pledge of 2001

I wish to reaffirm today my sincere desire to

Promote & pray for peace. As a peacemaker,

I will continue to follow the example of Jesus

In my words and actions by always showing

Respect for every person and all of creation.

To fulfill my promise, I will try:

*to promote understanding, acceptance and

care of every individual.

*to be aware of the needs of others and help

in any way I can.

*to speak out for those who are mistreated,

neglected or excluded.

*to set a good example of peace and tolerance

for my family and friends.

*to expand my circle of friends and my

knowledge of all cultures and peoples.

*to pray for peace and for each other.

6th Grade Immaculata School 2001 - Peace Class of 2001

Covered Bridges As A Model For Being Peacemakers

One of the most effective images parishioner Diane Salkewicz, OFS, uses when teaching or giving retreats on peace and tolerance is that of a covered bridge. “I have always loved covered bridges,” Diane admits. “Luckily my husband Doug shares my interest in them, and is always willing to take a detour when traveling to see one.”

A covered bridge is much more than just a bit of history and pretty scenery for Diane – it’s a model for all of us to be peacemakers in today’s world.

“Originally,” Diane explains, “the bridges were uncovered and were called plank bridges. Their function was to connect two bodies of land that could not otherwise be joined. The first objective of a peacemaker is to connect persons who cannot unite with others for any number of reasons – culture, finances, religious beliefs, politics, etc.

The second similarity came when, early on, horses became leery of crossing the bridges because they could see and hear the rushing water so sides were added to the bridges to dispel the horses’ fears. Likewise, the role of a peacemaker is to dispel the fears that are at the very root of prejudice, exclusion, and hatred.

Lastly, with no means to protect the bridge’s wooden floor, the planks began to rot quickly, so the bridge was covered with a roof to protect the entire structure. Similarly, the greatest role of a peacemaker is to protect the alienated, the frightened, the poor and needy, those who are hurt by prejudice and hatred.”

It’s amazing how a simple, wooden covered bridge can teach us such an important lesson of peace and tolerance!

Christmas Gifts For Teens

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! This parish community is so supportive and generous. Thank you! Emily received over $3000.00 to shop for these teens and several parishioners took teens themselves to shop for. Wow, what a great blessing. Thank you for your help in making Christmas a little brighter for these “unaccompanied” teens & youth in our community. May God truly bless you for your generosity and goodness!

Christmas - Our Season of Giving

Christmas is a Season of Giving for many of us. As good stewards of the gifts God has bestowed upon us, we want to share our gifts of time, talent and treasure by helping those in need. Many of you donate to our Good Samaritan Fund every month to help our neighbors in need. With your Good Samaritan donations, and in working with local partners, we have been able to assist those with many different needs in our community. In addition to gifts of food, clothing, rent, utility payments, and shelter, we have also assisted the most vulnerable low-income and uninsured residents in living healthier lives through medical care, mental health care and pharmacy support. Your Good Samaritan donations also assist local residents in overcoming barriers such as food insecurity, homelessness, and lack of transportation, and also help those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse.

Your donations to our Good Samaritan Fund continue to impact those in need in our local community exponentially through our parish and the charities with whom we have partnered. Our Stewardship Committee thanks you for sharing your gifts of time, talent and treasure to help our neighbors during our Season of Giving. God bless you.

Immaculate Conception Stewardship Committee

Immaculate Conception Women's Guild

Mary Lou Varnes was selected for Woman of the year for 2020 for organizing the luncheons at the Guild meetings for 5 years. She signed up lunch teams and decorated tables with a different tablecloth and centerpiece each month. She also served two years as Corresponding Secretary and three years as Vice President.

Our 2021 Woman of the Year is Pat Durako. She has run the Jewelry department at all our sales, both rummage and Christmas for at least five years. She also served two years as Recording Secretary and a year as Treasurer on our board. Next year she will be serving as President.

God of The Universe – An Audience of One

When we hear or read John 3: 16 “For God loved the World so much that He gave His only Son...,” it is only natural to think about the greatness, the enormity of our God, after all He truly is the Creator of our world, the universe.

At the same time, He is a very personal, loving God, who speaks directly to us on an individual basis, sometimes in unique ways.

As we celebrate the New Year 2022, I am struck by the unique way in which He spoke directly to Mary sending the Angel Gabriel to her at The Annunciation. (Luke 1: 26-38). She was an audience of one! I Thank God for her “Yes”!

As you ponder your New Year resolutions, let me encourage you to make it your first priority to take quite time on a daily basis in order to “listen for the voice of God speaking to you." There are many instances in scripture where Jesus speaks directly to an audience of one. I’ve listed a few for you to read and reflect upon praying that they speak God’s love directly to you.

When you read the scriptures, put yourself into the conversation by asking yourself and praying to the Holy Spirit asking Him to “Please show me how this applies to my life”. Keep in mind that “Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) and He desires to have a personal conversation with you.

Usccb.org - New American Bible

Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well. John 4:4-30.

Jesus Speaks with the Tax Collector-Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10.

Jesus Speaks with heals the blind man. John 9: 1-7.

Jesus Speaks with Nicodemus John 3: 1-8.

Jesus wants to speak to you! Matthew 11:28 -30.

God Bless you and yours.

Dave Coe

Need Prayer? Have a question? Please contact me at ambassadordhc@gmail.com