Dear Parishioners,
As Catholics, we are called to be members of One Body in Christ. During the season of Lent, our journey of faith unites us as we share one another’s joys and sorrows. Evidence of our unity can be seen in all our parishes as we minister to each other. Examples include:
- 6,000 faithful volunteers support God’s work in our parishes
- 24 International Priests serve one-third of our parishes
- $1.2 million in direct material assistance was provided by parishes’ Saint Vincent DePaul Societies and Catholic Charities to people in need last year
Here, at Immaculate Conception, through our ministry programs, we have helped to meet the needs of the bereaved, poor, and homebound. Our welcome ministry reaches out to those who are new to the parish. Our RCIA program supports those who desire to receive the sacraments to be fully initiated into the Faith. Our parish’s adult formation and catechesis continue for those who want to understand their faith deeper while building relationships with other members of the parish through programs like Theology on the Vine, Christian Mothers/Women’s Guild, and the Men’s and Women’s Immaculata groups.
In 2022, $105,175.00 was returned to our parish and helped to support our local disadvantaged through the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. We also installed new parking lot lighting around the Administration building. Our church organ project and church exterior door project were delayed due to supply chain issues, however, both projects are now underway and should be completed by spring.
This year, our goal is to raise $101,224.00 over our Diocesan target of $148,776.00, or a total of $250,000.00, so we can continue to develop Immaculate Conception cemetery for future needs. Our intention is to add new signage, visitation parking, trees, and ground cover throughout the cemetery. The landscaping will include improvements in the new Genesis sections and along the creek line. With the addition of our new columbarium for cremains and the development of the new sections, we will provide 600 burial spaces for our parish families.
As we come together to form One Body in Christ, I am truly grateful for your past support and prayers and humbly ask you to consider making a gift to the 2023 Diocesan Lenten Appeal.
Kindly make your gift online at www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/OneBody or return the lower portion of the letter mailed to your household with your gift using the enclosed envelope. Your gift can be made over 10 months. Pledge cards can also be returned to the parish office, placed in the weekly collection basket, or mailed directly to the diocese using the envelope provided in your packet.
I pray for God’s special blessings upon you and your family, so that your hearts will be filled with faith, hope, love, and joy as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
Yours in Christ,
The Reverend John A. Moineau
Pastor
Our DLA Stewardship
For 2023, our parish goal is to raise $250,000.00. This goal would help us in two ways: First to meet our Diocesan Target of $148,776.00 which would be used on the diocesan level to support the international priests, seminarian’s education, faith formation programs, Catholic Charities, and other diocesan ministries. Secondly, the remaining $101,224.00 will be used here in our parish to aid the needy of our region with a $10,000.00 donation to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. The remaining monies will be used to continue the development of Immaculate Conception Cemetery for future needs.
Our intention is to add new signage, visitation parking, trees, and ground cover throughout the cemetery. The landscaping will include improvements in the new Genesis sections and along the creek line. With the addition of our new columbarium for cremains and the development of the new sections, we will provide 600 burial spaces for our parish families.
Your gift to the Diocesan Lenten Appeal will enable us to fulfill the above projects. In the past 8 years, our active participation in DLA has been between 35%-42%. In 2022, 36% of our parishioners donated to the DLA. Let us make 2023 the year we increase our participation by giving a gift to help both the diocese, our parish, and our cemetery on the corner.
Listed below is a summary of parish projects that were paid for with funds raised through our participation in past Diocesan Lenten Appeals…$690,937.04.
2022
- Renovations & upgrades to our church organ hardware and software system
- Replacing three of our church exterior doors
- Installing parking lot lighting
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation
2021
- Refurbished church pews
- Replaced pew & kneeler cushions
- Brickwork on Admin Building steps
- Addressed long-standing water problem in Our Lady’s Plaza
- Repaired the Regional Senior Youth Building
2020
- Installed a new HVAC system and upgrade the antiquated electrical system on the 3rd floor of the Administration building
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation.
2019
- Church video and sound system upgrade
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation
2018
- Air Conditioning installed in Our Lady’s Plaza
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation
2017
- Paving of back and lower parking lots.
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation.
2016
- New kitchen floor installed in Our Lady’s Plaza.
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation.
2015
- New tables for Our Lady’s Plaza.
- Chapel lighting replaced.
- Saint Vincent De Paul – $10,000 donation.
2014
- Reconstruct and pave main parking lot.
- New church A/C units.
- Our Lady’s Plaza LED screen