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 |
|
|
IC Blessings
June 1, 2021
|
|
God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree, the warmth of a summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea, the generous soul of nature, the comforting arm of night, the wisdom of the ages, the power of the eagle’s flight, the joy of a morning in spring, the faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity, and the depth of a family need.
Then God combined these qualities and when there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete - and so He called it DAD.
|
|
SUSAN BOYKIN-PARISHIONER OF THE MONTH |
|
Susan Boykin, a member of the new Parish Stewardship Council, moved to the Hendersonville area 4 years ago from Black Mountain. “Prior to that,” Susan explains, “I lived in Clermont, FL. My husband was a Walt Disney employee, and when he passed away, I decided to move back to the area where I grew up, which was South Carolina. The strong craft tradition in Asheville drew me to North Carolina and Hendersonville.”
Since joining Immaculate Conception Parish, Susan has been busy serving on the Finance Council since 2018, and being a counter. She is a member of the Planned Giving Committee, was a Facilitator for the first Compass Catholic Ministry session, and volunteered with Bounty of Bethlehem. She has been a Eucharistic Minister, and worked in the offices of her previous parishes.
Susan loves to knit and has been handweaving for 26 years. She’s woven over a dozen priest’s and deacon’s stoles, and several chasubles. “To be able to do that has been very special and meaningful to me,” she remarks. She also knits with a group at Carolina Village that makes Project Linus blankets and hats for Head Start students, and is a member of the Western North Carolina Fiber and Handweaving Guild.
During the pandemic, Susan has enjoyed live streaming with her brother as he celebrates Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in New Orleans. “My brother, Stephen Rountree, SJ, retired from teaching Philosophy at Loyola University several years ago, and moved to parish ministry. One of my nieces is a member of his parish,” she says proudly.
In her free time, Susan admits that she reads constantly and “listens to audiobooks while I knit and weave.” She also enjoys hiking, and is “so happy to live near the Blue Ridge Parkway!”
As a member of the Stewardship Committee, Susan recognizes that we all have talents and skills – gifts that God will help us utilize in our parish community. ”I hope we can help people identify how they can contribute,” she says. “I love the warm and welcoming parish community,” she continues. “The Church community can become your family when you most need them.”
|
|
WHAT BEING CALLED. “FATHER” MEANS TO ME
by Fr. Christian Cook
|
|
The reality of being a “father” hit me shortly after ordination to the Priesthood. When I was called “Father” for the first time, it was a humbling, and awe-filled moment. I knew then that, much like any father, I would be counted upon, leaned on, and sought out by those for whom I am a spiritual father. Much like a Dad looking upon his first-born child, there is an unbelievable happiness that comes with being called “father,” but also an awareness of the awesome responsibility that comes with the title. When I told others that I was going into the seminary, and possibly becoming a priest, many said, “Oh, but you will never have children!” While that is true, I have truly experienced what it is to be Father.
It is interesting to note that until about the year 400, bishops were commonly called “papa,” from which the word ”pope” comes, and we know that title is now reserved only for the Holy Father. In monasteries, the abbot is the guardian, and spiritual father of the monks who live there. The word “abbot” comes from “abba,” the Aramaic Hebrew word for “father.” Although in a more literal sense it is to be translated as “dad.” In the Middle Ages, the mendicants – the Franciscans and Dominicans – became known as “fathers” because they cared for the spiritual, and physical needs of all God’s Children. This is some of the background, which has led to all priests now being customarily addressed as “Father.”
As I grow as a Father, I realize the great responsibility that goes along with the blessing of being called to fatherhood. Like the father of children, I have come to know that a father must be a lot of things to many children of God. I have to be a good listener, teacher, and storyteller. There are moments in the life of my family that I need to be kind, loving, consoling, and yet, in another moment I have to be prepared to challenge, correct, and give penance to the spiritual children entrusted in my care.
What is very interesting to me, as the years of my fatherhood unfold, is that in a typical family, the children grow up, go off to college, perhaps get married and have children of their own. There are family Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, weddings and funerals. In my fatherhood, those things can all happen in one week! And my fatherhood repeats those family events for decades – in fact, for my entire life as a “Father!”
I am truly blessed to have been called for Fatherhood, and to experience what it means to be a dad, a papa, a father. I join with all our families in celebrating Father’s Day this June to honor what it means to be a Catholic father in this day and age. Fatherhood is tough, as all dads realize. But it is a calling from God, a vocation in every sense of the word – whether that vocation to fatherhood involves a wife and children, or whether it is a spiritual fatherhood involving a parish and God’s flock. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers!
|
|
|
Should Fr. Cook Shave his Beard?
|
|
|
|
Welcome Margie and Andy Scott |
|
We are Margie and Andy Scott. We've been married 51 years and have three children and nine grandchildren. We spend a lot of time traveling to visit them. We have lived in Connecticut, the San Francisco Bay area, Houston and Singapore. My 103-year-old mother lives close by at Lake Pointe Landing and enjoys coming for visits at our home.
When we decided to retire to North Carolina, we picked western North Carolina. We particularly like the gorgeous mountains, the friendly people and all the outdoor activities that are available. When we found Flat Rock, it just felt like home to us.
We are happy that the restrictions are over for attending Mass and look forward to being a part of the Immaculate Conception Church community.
|
|
Hallelujah and thanks be to God that our days to be able to come to Mass have been restored.
Many of our ministries are also starting back up including the most “fun” ministry of all, the washing and ironing of our small linens used at Mass.
Our numbers have dwindled so we are in need of help. We will do our best to take care of the linens for the rest of the year, but surely would like some help for next year.
Our schedule would be to pick up and return linens once a week on a rotation depending on the number of ladies that volunteer. Call Agnes Schaeffer at (828)290-3367 for more information.
|
|
The Good Samaritan Attic provides furniture and household items at no cost to those in need.
We are in dire need of drivers and helpers. This requires being available one week of the month to pick up furniture and/or household items from donors, and deliver them to the Good Samaritan attic located in the garages next to Immaculata School. If you are a driver, you will need a pickup truck or trailer. Helpers would assist the driver in moving the furniture.
If you can help with this vital ministry, please contact Margaret Cavagnaro at 280-1298 for further information.
|
|
Have you discovered the spiritual treasures available at FORMED.org? If you haven’t opened your free subscription made available to all Immaculate Conception parishioners, you are missing a real treat. This month’s feature is Who Am I To Judge. |
|
The “Who Am I To Judge” 7 session series features noted author and teacher Dr. Edward Sri. This is a must for families with pre-teen and teen agers, and anyone who would like to know where the “craziness” we see in our country today is coming from and how to engage it with the love of Christ. This beautiful series explains that the way to live a fulfilling and rewarding life is to grow in virtue. Dr. Sri has a way of riveting one’s attention in a way that is compelling and attractive. The series consists of 7 – 30 minute presentations and there are pdf guidebooks available to download for free to guide discussions. Highly recommended.
(To find any of the following, simply enter the title in “Search” on Formed’s home page)
---- ----
Don’t have a FORMED subscription? It only takes a minute to open your free subscription. Simply go to https://FORMED.org/signup and enter our zip code – 28791 in the box - it’s easy from there. (Google Chrome works best for signup). Do you use a ROKU box or a ROKU TV? Download the FORMED Roku app and watch seamlessly.
|
|
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE INTERESTING CHURCH WORDS? |
|
Have you ever heard these interesting – and hard to spell and pronounce – words that we use in the Catholic Church? Let’s see how many you know!
Thurible –This is the metal container in which the incense is burned; It hangs from chains held by the thurifer of course!
Aspersorium – On special occasions, the priest will walk down the aisle carrying the aspersorium which looks like a fancy bucket. In it is the aspergillum, a long handle with a hollow ball with holes on the end. Inside the bucket is holy water which the priest uses to sprinkle on the congregation as a special blessing to remind them of their Baptism.
Ferraiolone – That’s the name of a silk cape sometimes worn by a Bishop or a Cardinal.
Quinquagesima – This is simply the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, the 50th day before Easter!
Baldaccino – You will see this carried by 4 men or altar servers in special processions. It’s a piece of fabric stretched over the top of four poles like a canopy. It’s held over a sacred object that is being carried in the procession – like the monstrance, the fancy golden holder that is used to hold and show the Blessed Sacrament during special times of prayer and reverence.
Decalogue – Because “deca” means 10, this word means the 10 Commandments or rules given by God to Moses to show us how to lead a good life.
There are many other interesting words that are special to our Catholic Faith and traditions. Do you know any that weren’t listed here?
|
|
CUP OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Go On A God Hunt!
|
|
There is a saying, "Every cloud has a silver lining". The pandemic has proven that to be true, let me explain.
About a month ago I was reading about the 10 Lepers in the Gospel Luke17: vs. 11-19. You know the story, Jesus heals them of their incurable leprosy after they asked for mercy, and only one of them returns to Jesus to give Him thanks for his mercy and healing.
That caused me to stop and reflect about what I had not given Him thanksgiving for. So, I went on a daily “God Hunt” reflecting on my past and current situation, the good, bad and ugly events of life.
Frankly, I was surprised, and embarrassed, about how many things I had not said “Thank you” to Him for. However, because of my God Hunt, my faith in Him was increased, I had a continued sense of peace, my joy increased, I have a deeper sense of His continued presence and thanksgiving has become a daily habit.
The Hunt continues. I have set a daily reminder to stop at least three times a day, no matter what I am doing and go on a God Hunt, giving Him thanksgiving in all things. The Peace, Joy of The Lord, with a sense of His presence, continues.
Scripture is replete with many reasons to give Jesus thanks. Review your past and current situation along with the following scriptures about thanksgiving. You will be glad you began your own “God Hunt”.
Psalm 100 v. 1-5.
Psalm 107 v. 1-3.
Psalm 30: v. 11-12.
1 Thessalonians 5:18.
John 3:16.
God Bless you and yours, In His Peace.
Dave Coe
|
|
After prayer shawl members Mihoko and Vivi worked their magic, this baby doll dressed in pink found a good home. |
|
MANNA FoodBank, in partnership with Catholic Charities, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hendersonville, and Hispanic Ministry in the Asheville Vicariate of the Diocese of Charlotte, provided a MANNA Express drive through food distribution on Thursday afternoon, May 13. The event served 116 households and 531 individuals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
