Len

5th Sunday of Lent

18 March, 2018

Immaculate Conception Parish

Fairbank Iowa 50629

Today’s Readings Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:3-15 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33

“If a grain of wheat dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24) Death is hard: the death of a loved one, the death of dreams, and the daily dying to self. But Jesus promises that when united with Him, even death and suffering can be fruitful. Find comfort in His words today.

Lenten Book Study Matthew Kelly’s book “Perfectly Yourself” sessions are held immediately after Mass in the meeting room of the Hall. Today’s session pgs141-176.Join us! Last Session, Mar 25 will be pgs 176-210 “What Are You Here to Give”

Please join us for the Stations of the Cross

Today, Sunday, March 18 at 10:15AM after Mass. Our 2nd Grade children will be leading the stations.

Please join us for the Stations of the Cross

this Wednesday, March 21 at 7:45PM in the church. Our Confirmation youths will be leading the stations.

Catholic Charities Asks You to Help - Did you know

that Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque holds no government contracts for funding, as compared to similar agencies across the U.S., which rely on budgets comprised of two-thirds public funding. This makes your contribution to the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal all the more critical! Learn more at www.CatholicCharitiesDubuque.org.

Lenten Petitions Vase: You are invited to write down your personal petitions/intercessions for Lent and drop them in the vase located next to the cross. All the petitions will be offered up at each Mass during Lent. Bring your worries & cares and drop them into the ‘well’ of God’s Love, Hope, and Mercy. Paper and pens are on the small table next to the door. .

I C Staff ~ Fr. Ray Atwood, Pastor ~

IC Parish Office on Wednesday Mornings after 8AM Mass Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743

Sacred Heart Rectory 319-283-9577 email: dbq151@dbqarch.org

~ Deacon Jim Patera ~ Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743

~Jennifer Ciesielski, IC Secretary/Bookkeeper~ I C PARISH OFFICE PH: 319-635-2211

located at 405 Fairbank St I C Parish Office hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00AM–1:00PM

Mailing address: P O BOX 505 FAIRBANK IA 50629 email: icfairbank@gmail.com

website: http://icfairbank.weebly.com/ Archdiocesan website: www.dbqarch.org

~Dan & Lynda Cutsforth, DRE & Youth Ministry~

DRE OFFICE PH :319-635-2211 located in the Parish Center at 405 Faribank St

Mailing address: P O Box 505, Fairbank IA 50629 Dan email: dcutsforth@dunkerton.k12.ia.us

Lynda email: cutsforthlynda@yahoo.com

~Tammy Kaufman, Facility Rental Coordinator~ PH: 319-404-9071 or email tammy.kaufmanic@gmail.com

Marriage Building Blocks

HOMILY NOTES: What did I hear that I would like to remember

or think about later?

Lord, We Lift Up to You in Prayer…. Leo Beierschmitt, Kevin Coffin, Fr. Anthony Sloan, Mary Ellen Youngblut, Pat Miller, Don Reiter (Angie Auel’s

father), Sr. Barbara Rastatter, LoE Miller, Jim Kaufman Sr., Mary LaRue, Sherry Duffy, Don Brandt, victims of hatred, racism, violence, terrorism, natural disaster; and all in our parish, our community, and our hearts who are suffering and in need of Christ’s healing touch May they know His loving Presence in the eyes, hands and hearts of those who give them care.

May our prayers for help and healing rise like incense to our God of hope, love and mercy.

Contact the parish office to have a loved one here in our prayers, or to have a name removed

COMMUNION TO OUR SICK OR HOMEBOUND Ministry:

contact Diane Wenger at 319-269-2553 or Michelle Weepie 319-635-2428 I C PARISH PRAYER CHAIN HOTLINE: Please contact

Dorothy E. Duffy (Mrs. Jack) at 319-929-4788 SACRAMENT OF THE SICK ~ Anointing for the seriously ill or dyng, call the Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743,

or if having surgery speak with Father Atwood in the Sacristy before or after Mass BAPTISM CLASS FOR PARENTS: All parents who wish to have

their child baptized at Immaculate Conception parish are required to attend a baptism class prior to scheduling the baptism. The next scheduled class is Saturday, May 19 in the Sacred Heart Parish Center, Oelwein, at 8:30AM with Deacon Jim. I C CEMETERY – contact the parish office FUNERAL DINNERS: Group #3: Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec

We provide desserts & serve a catered meal FOR RENTAL OF THE PARISH CENTER contact Tammy Kaufman to inquire about renting the parish center.

If you wish to make a donation toward the Easter flowers

please complete the form below and put it in the collection, mail, or bring to the office no later than Wed. March 28. In Memory of______________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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In Honor of________________________________________

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Contact Name & PH:________________________________

_________________________________________________

Amount enclosed: $____________

Congratulations and Welcome! William Nicholas Weepie Infant son of Nick & Chelsey Baptized Saturday, March 10, 2018 at IC

Stewardship in His Name….

“If anyone would serve me,” says Jesus in today’s Gospel, “let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be.” In what way is Jesus inviting me to follow Him? What service is He asking of me? See John 12:26

I C March Calendar Mon Mar 19 Parish Life Mtg 3:00PM

Mon Mar 19 March Group Church Cleaning 6:30PM

Wed Mar 21 Parish Center Cleaning 8:30AM

Fri Mar 23 IC’s Fish Fry in the Legion Hall 5-7:30PM

Thurs Mar 29 – Holy Thursday Mass at IC 7PM

Fri Mar 30 – Good Friday Services at IC Noon

Sat Mar 31 Parish Center Private Rental all day

This evening, Sunday March 18 @ 6:30PM Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Date Night - Last one of the season I C FISH FRY Sign-up sheets are at the back of the church Have you signed up yet?

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS Sun Mar 18 8:30AM I C Patrick Shannon

Sun Mar 18 10:30AM SH Jackie Link Scott & Bob Link

Mon Mar 19 8:00AM SH Dennis Mark Shumaker Wed Mar 21 8:00AM I C Edward Kleitsch Stations right after Mass Thur Mar 22 8:00AM SH Lucille Polark Stammeyer Fri Mar 23 8:45AM SH Robert Kime Fri Mar 23 5:00PM SH Bruce Jessen Sat Mar 24 4:30PM SH Deceased Stasi/ Troupe Family Sun Mar 25 8:30AM I C Frances Trebon Allen &

Al Matthews Sun Mar 25 10:30AM SH For the People Rosary 8AM each Sunday

~MINISTRY SCHEDULES~ SUNDAY, March 18 at 8:30AM 5th Sunday of Lent Lector: Bridget Stark EMHC 2 Hosts & 2 Cup :Joe & Dianne Rubino

Elaine Zimmerman, Duane Schmidtke Servers: Brock Kleitsch, Trevor Sauerbrei Cantor: Tony Salisbury Organist: Roxanne Erhardt Gifts: Zimmerman Family Money Counters: Duane & Renae Fenske, Rex & Glenda Kane SUNDAY, March 25 at 8:30AM Palm Sunday Lector: Brenda Bodensteiner EMHC 2 Hosts & 2 Cup: Deacon Jim, Lori Beierschmitt

Michelle Weepie, Anita Destival Servers: Kaylee Kleitsch & Melody Kayser Cantor: Kim Weepie Organist: Roxanne /CHOIR Gifts: Adam Kaufman Family Money Counters: Tom Kleitsch, Susan S & Mary Ann K.

HOSPITALITY PEOPLE FOR MARCH 2018

Richard Rundle, Chad Van Daele, Mitch Sauerbrei Donny Schmit, Collin Schrader

Our sympathy and prayers …….….

To the extended Family of Carol Brandt, wife of Lauren, mother of Greg (Lynette) Brandt, sister of Marilyn Steggall, and sister-in-law of Don & Glenda Brandt. Carol entered eternal rest Thursday, March 8, 2018 at home. To Diane & Maury Shields and extended families for the loss of Diane’s sister-in-law, Ruth Bellmer. Ruthie entered eternal rest Thursday, March 8, 2018. To the extended Family of Dan Shannon, brother of Colleen (Joe) Bovy, and brother-in-law of Susan Shannon. Dan entered eternal rest Sunday, March 11, 2018 To the Family of Mary Martins, mother/grandmother of Doug & Janice Martins & children, wife of Don, and sister of Wilma Haberkamp. Mary entered eternal rest Sunday, March 11, 2018

Mary’s funeral will be here at IC Monday, March 19 at 10:30AM To the extended Family of Tami Kleitsch, wife of Jim Kleitsch, mother of Derek & Dana, daughter-in-law of Loyola Kleitsch, sister-in-law of Susan Shannon, Craig, Tom, & Mary Ann Kleitsch, and Jean Sauerbrei. Tami entered eternal rest Monday, March 12, 2018 Those we love remain with us,

for love itself lives on. Cherished memories never fade

because one loved is gone.

Those we love can never be

more than a thought apart,

for as long as there’s a memory they live on in our hearts.

Parish Financial $upport Report March 11-15 Budget $ 2043 Capital Campaign Offertory 154 Memorial $10 Youth 5 Pledge Installments 3092.50 Regular Building Fund 110 Parish Center Debt Env 10

Thank You!

Dear Padre

Bible Study April 3 – May 8 Join Carma Schmidtke for a 6

week Bible Study on understanding the Holy Spirit. The book by Kevin Perrotta is “Moved by the Spirit” God’s Power at work in His people. Sessions will be in the IC Parish hall Tues mornings from 9-10:30AM or Tues evening from 6:30-8:00PM. If you are interested or questions call or text Carma @ 319-240-2495 or email mkcarma@gmail.com Books will need to be ordered so please let Carma know as soon as possible if you are interested. Cost of the book is $12.

Background on today’s Gospel John 12:20-33

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from the Gospel of John. Chapter 12 of John’s Gospel is a preparation for the beginning of the passion narrative to follow. Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead—an important sign in John’s Gospel, which inspired many people to believe in Jesus. This event also marks the turning point in Jesus’ conflict with the Jewish authorities. John’s Gospel tells us that the Sanhedrin met after this event and made plans to kill Jesus. In the 12th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus is anointed at Bethany and enters Jerusalem in triumph. We again see evidence of the significance of the raising of Lazarus to this event; John reports that the crowds also gathered to see Lazarus.

Following his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus predicted his suffering, death, and Resurrection and prepared his disciples to believe in the salvation that his death would accomplish. Using the metaphor of the grain of wheat, Jesus presented the idea that his dying would be beneficial. He also taught that those who would be his disciples must follow his example of sacrifice. This theme will be repeated in John’s account of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of how they must serve one another.

The final section of today’s Gospel might be read as John’s parallel to the agony in the garden. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John does not record Jesus’ anguished prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before his arrest. Although comparable words are found in today’s reading, Jesus gives a confident response to the question he raises when asking God to save him from his impending death. After announcing his conviction that it is for this purpose that he came, a voice from heaven speaks, as if in answer to Jesus’ prayer. This voice, like the one heard at Jesus’ baptism and at Jesus’ Transfiguration—events reported in the Synoptic Gospels but not in John’s Gospel—affirms that God welcomes the sacrifice that Jesus will make on behalf of others. In John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that this voice was sent for the sake of those who would believe in him.

In today’s Gospel, we also hear Jesus speak about the cosmic framework against which we are to understand his passion, death, and Resurrection. Through his death and Resurrection, Jesus conquered Satan, the ruler of this world. In this way the world is judged, but the judgment is not condemnation. Instead, through Jesus’ dying and rising, salvation is brought to the world.

From Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Area Happenings! Play 500 & Euchre on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:30PM at Parkview Assisted Living

Mum’s the word…..

My wife and I had words, but I didn’t get to use mine.

God made man before woman so as to give him time to think of an answer for her first question.