“‘Father’ is the noblest title a man can be given. It is more than a biological role. It signifies a patriarch, a leader, an exemplar, a confidant, a teacher, a hero, a friend.” – Robert L. Backman

Beulah Gay Yohman, Wife of Anthony (Tony) Yohman

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

CONFESSION CANCELED: Due to the priests being away for the Ordination of our New Deacons on Saturday, June 4th, and Ordination of our New Priests on Saturday, June 18th, confessions those mornings are canceled. Confessions will be held as normal on Saturday, June 11th and 25th.

A rosary of reparation will be held Friday June 10th after the 12:10 Mass and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It will be outside in front of Our Lady of Hope. We will pray in reparation for public Masses being said that support and promote things that are contrary to the teachings of our faith under the name of “pride Masses”; these Masses are being said in different cities throughout the country during the month of June, the month of the Sacred Heart. Let us stand in unified devotion to the Sacred Heart. Becky Jansen 828-595-9197.

Parishioners Jorge and Consuelo Cancellieri have made many moves in their life together – not just from house to house but from country to country,

Jorge was a Chemical Engineer with Gillette, and his job took him from Argentine to Spain, the United States, and China. When he retired in 2001, the couple moved to Spain where they lived until 2008.

“We had come to the Hendersonville area several times over the years to visit some very good friends of ours who retired here,” Consuelo explains.

“We liked the area and decided to move here in 2008. We knew it was a good decision when we left our parish in Buenos Aires, Immaculata Concepcion, and joined Immaculate Conception here,” they agree. “Old memories and good new experiences have made us feel at home here.”

They still own an apartment in Spain where their 3 sons, 2 granddaughters, and many relatives live, “So we go back every year for several months.”

Consuelo was an elementary school teacher for several years before starting a career in advertising at a production film company where her main role was organizing the participation of Argentine commercial spots to the Advertising Film Festivals in Argentina and Europe.

Since moving here, the couple have been active parishioners at Immaculate Conception. Consuelo volunteers at the Attic on Wednesdays and Saturdays. “Since I speak Spanish, I mainly translate for our Hispanic families,” she says. She is a member of the Women’s Guild, and helps count the weekend collections.

Jorge has offered lectures at Blue Ridge Community College on different subjects such as Climate Change, History of Inventions, Life in China, etc. Consuelo has participated in the Immaculate Conception’s Peace and Justice Ministry. Together the couple has volunteered at the Migrants Fair.

Jorge relaxes with gardening and carpentry, “Especially wood turning,” he says. Consuelo loves doing puzzles, and studying languages. Together they enjoy attending symphonic concerts, traveling, and “We love watching movies – in theatres!” they clarify.

The Altar

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the altar: 

“On the altar, which is the center of the church, the sacrifice of the cross is made present under sacramental signs. The altar is also the table of the Lord, to which the People of God are invited” (No. 1182).

The name altar is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “place of sacrifice”. Every Catholic Church is built for the altar, the most important part of the church to which everything else is subservient. Even before churches were built, the altar has been part of the religious service. Until the fourth century Christians held the services in private, away from the notice of the Roman authorities, and the altar was often a simple wooden table or chest.

In the early Church once services could be held publicly altars were built on the sites of martyrs’ graves. As more churches were built, relics were contained in or buried under altars, a practice that still occurs today. The relics contained in our altar are:

Pius X, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Benignus, Marytr, and St. John Vianney.

The top of the altar, called the mensa, a Latin word for table, traditionally has been made of stone. The altar is consecrated by a bishop and becomes the symbol of Christ: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Mt 21:42).

If you attend the 4pm Saturday Mass or the 8:00am Mass, you may recognize this young man with the mustache who serves at both those weekend Masses. He is Morgan Davis, a 20 year old Hendersonville native.

Several years ago, as a teen, Morgan became interested in the Catholic faith. “As someone who loves history, I began reading about the Catholic beliefs, traditions, rituals, and long history,” Morgan explains. That led Morgan to joining the RCIA program, and becoming Catholic.

In meeting with Morgan through the RCIA program, our pastor, Fr. Cook, recognized someone with a deep devotion and passion for the Catholic faith, and the celebration of the Mass,. He invited Morgan to become a server at Mass - a role Morgan has taken to heart. Along with the 4pm and 8am weekend Masses, Morgan also serves at the Ordinariate Masses which are sometimes held here at Immaculate Conception.

Morgan is a recent graduate of Blue Ridge Community College, and currently works at General Electric. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and looking online for vintage clothing. “I guess that would be a hobby of mine,” he smiles.

The “amazing clergy and liturgical church environment” are what Morgan likes best about Immaculate Conception. “I also like that it’s close to downtown which makes it a part of the community,” he says. “It’s also fairly close to where I live which is convenient,” he adds.

What: Immaculate Conception Women's Guild Annual Rummage Sale

When: Thursday and Friday June 23, 24 -

9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Saturday June 25. - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Where: Immaculate Conception Church - Lower Level - St. Francis Room. 

Proceeds will benefit local charities of the Immaculate Conception Women's Guild.

Come join fellow parishioners for an evening hike at the Carl Sandburg Home National Park on Monday, June 13th at 5:30pm. 

We'll meet at the picnic area next to the restrooms for a reflection and then a medium level hike to Little Glassy. For more information about the trail, visit

https://www.hikewnc.info/trails/carl-sandburg-home-national-historic-site/

Hope to see you there. 

A Parish Life Commission event.

Our Immaculate Conception Parish Stewardship committee is ready for action. After two years of crisis followed by a measured recovery and return to normalcy, we are launching our stewardship plan and we need your help. God has bestowed gifts upon all of us and stewardship is how we show our gratitude to God for these gifts. We have all received unique gifts and talents from God, and it is our duty to discern, develop and use these gifts to honor Him and help carry out His mission. Stewardship is Intentional, Planned and Proportionate Giving in a spiritual way and it becomes a conversion process which changes our lives. It is part of our religious education where as children we learned to share the fruits of our time, talent and treasure. It involves first our time spent with God in prayer and sacrament, followed by time spent in service to others. Stewardship should embrace all aspects of our lives-Family, Church, Community, as we place our trust in God’s will and strive to carry out His mission. 

Over the next few months we will share with you our stewardship action plan and hope to engage your help as we work to implement our plan. Please follow our development in the bulletin and on the Parish App as we continue to invite more parishioners to share God’s gifts with everyone around us. Thank you and God bless you.

--Your Stewardship Committee.

In 1984, Immaculate Conception Parish joined a group of local churches, and community organizations to find a way to provide assistance with basic needs to the residents of Henderson County during times of crisis and financial stress. Their efforts and planning resulted in the founding of the faith based non-profit, Interfaith Assistance Ministry, better known as IAM.

Over the years funding has been provided by grants, and donations from area churches, organizations, businesses, and residents of the County. Many of our parishioners have served IAM as volunteers in the food pantry, clothing closet, as crisis counselors, or on the Board. Today, 34 of IAM”S 186 volunteers are from Immaculate Conception.

This month, IAM opened its new Thrift Store located at 119 Jack Street off of 4 Seasons Boulevard. “The Thrift Store will bring IAM its first permanent source of funding since we opened the doors to assist our neighbors in 1984,” said Elizabeth Moss, Executive Director of IAM.

“Featuring ‘uncommon treasures’ for the common good, every dollar spent at the IAM Thrift Store goes to help someone in need,” explained Moss. “The store offers quality apparel, housewares, furniture, books, art, vintage items and so much more.

There are many ways parishioners can help to support IAM’s mission – you can shop at the Thrift Store, make a financial or food donation, or ybecome a volunteer by calling Amy Lewis, IAM Volunteer Coordinator, at 828-697-7029.