January 18, 2024

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Sunday of the Word of God 

On September 30, 2019, Pope Francis issued the letter “Aperuit Illis” (He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, Luke 24:45) establishing the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time “to be devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the word of God.” (#3) “Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.” (#2).  

As believers in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, we take inspiration and guidance from the written Word of God in the Scriptures. While the Holy Father has called for this one Sunday to emphasize the celebration of the Word of God, we must constantly celebrate, study, and disseminate the Word of God in our lives. A love for the Bible and its content should be in the minds and hearts of all Christians. It is important to prayerfully read a couple of verses daily so that the Word of God may touch our hearts and transform an ordinary day into the day in which God speaks to us. Many ask what passages I should read, Pope Francis invites us to begin with the Gospels and to even carry a pocket edition of the Gospels with us so at different moments of the day we allow the Word of God to touch us and transform us. Those who have smartphones can read the daily gospel from apps such as “Evangelizo.” Or you may visit the page.

May the Word of God in his full richness fill our hearts.

We will be inviting all present lectors to come to the front for a blessing. We encourage everyone to bring their Bibles for a special blessing.

Immaculata News

Dear Immaculate Conception Parish Community, 

We are thrilled to announce that the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship (NCOS) has expanded its scope. Starting in the spring of 2024, the program will now be able to assist all families in paying for tuition and fees at Immaculata Catholic School. As always, we warmly welcome and encourage all parishioners to consider applying to Immaculata and to take advantage of this fantastic scholarship opportunity.  

For roughly the past decade, the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship has served students in Immaculata and other parochial and private schools in North Carolina by providing tuition assistance for eligible families interested in parochial or private education. At Immaculata, the program has served dozens for the past ten years and has provided invaluable tuition support for our families. This fall, the program was expanded and, beginning in the spring of 2024, all K-8 Immaculata families will be eligible to apply for the NC Opportunity Scholarship (NCOS).  

Summary of Changes for the 2024-2025 school year include: 

• Removal of the income cap for families to receive the scholarship; now all North Carolina students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be eligible for the Scholarship regardless of income (Note: Pre-K students will remain ineligible for this program). 
• Prior public-school enrollment is no longer a requirement for eligibility for the scholarship; both new and returning Immaculata families may apply!  
• A student’s scholarship amount will be based on household income. 
• Scholarship amounts will likely range from approximately $3,000 to approximately $7,000. 

Meals for the Hungry: January 20

Please drop off food at Immaculate Conception Kitchen between 4:15 and 5 PM.

Please consider helping in this month's Meals for the Hungry on Saturday, January 20th. Thank you for your generosity in feeding those in need. We ask that food donations be delivered in disposable (i.e., aluminum) pans and that each donation be enough to feed 15 people. Donations can be dropped off at the Immaculata kitchen (attached to the school). Food will be kept warm and cold as necessary until transport to Urban Ministries on Liberty Street, where meals will be served in person.

Virtual Bible Study: January 23

Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Zoom. Our next study begins on Tuesday, January 23, and will be the Book of Exodus, using the New Collegeville Bible Commentary. New members are welcome. Contact Karen Poglitsch if interested.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Ecumenical Prayer Service and Fellowship

Join us on Wednesday, January 24 at 5:30 PM here at IC as Durham Congregations In Action (DCIA) and its members, together with Duke Divinity's Center for Reconciliation, host an ecumenical prayer service and fellowship. A light reception and fellowship will follow the service. The event will be bilingual (English and Spanish) and is open to the public.

Ash Wednesday Schedule

6:15 AM - English

8:15 AM - School Mass

Noon - English Mass

5:30 PM - Bilingual Mass

7:00 PM - Spanish Mass

Volunteer Opportunities

The New Year is a great time to start again! Maybe this year you would like to get more involved in the parish! There are so many opportunities to do so. A few opportunities are listed below:

Bereavement Committee

We want to start up the Bereavement Committee again. This Committee would provide a reception in the gathering space after funerals. You can be part of the team that sets up, serves, cleans up, or drops off food. 

Love Fund Ministry

Would you like to help those in need? We are looking for a few more volunteers to get involved in this ministry. If you want to learn more about it, contact Margie.

Helping a parishioner

We have an older couple who have been part of our community for a long time. They have been experiencing severe health issues. They could use some help. They live in North Durham. If you would like to learn more about this, contact Margie.