Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Newsletter — August 2021

Immaculate CONCEPTION Catholic Church Contents: 2 Formation Transformed Through Christ 3 What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?

4 Meet Parishioners John and Mary Wallin: Finding Home in Our Parish 6 Prayer Shawl Ministry Offers Love and Comfort to Those in Need 7 The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass AUGUST 2021

Youth Fest:

KICKING OFF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH A GREAT DAY OF FUN

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alling all youth of the parish — if you don’t have plans on Aug. 28, you do now!

Youth Fest is back on for Aug. 28, after a break in 2020. All sixth through 12thgrade youth are invited for a day of fun, fellowship, and faith.

“This is such a fun day to kick off Youth Group for the year,” says Youth Director Christie Powell.

In 2019, more than 200 youth attended Youth Fest kicks off the year of the all-day event. There’s a band, games, food, Youth Group events.

Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration. Christie acknowledges that coming to Youth Group can be scary or intimidating — so this is a low-stress and fun way to get introduced to the program and make new friends.

“I know it can be hard to get to know people, but I want to invite all of you to this event,” Christie says. “It’s such an amazing day. I’ve seen God work. I love it.”

The day of fun culminates with Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, where the Blessed Sacrament is displayed on a special altar, flanked with candles and made to look like the burning bush.

“This is a great way to start the year,” Christie says. “When we focus on Jesus, amazing things can happen.” continued on page 5

Immaculate CONCEPTION Formation

Transformed Through Christ “Jesus not only calls people to him but also forms them and sends them out in his service.” FROM STEWARDSHIP: A DISCIPLE’S RESPONSE

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his month, we are emphasizing the third pillar of parish stewardship — formation. Formation is the process of studying Christ’s teachings and incorporating them deeply into our lives.

It is a lifelong effort by which we “put on Christ” (Rom 13:14) and are “transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Rom 12:2).

Above all, our formation should include studying Scripture and Church teaching. It should also include discussion with other Catholics and honest self-assessment. Its goal is to “discern the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2).

Because formation helps us understand God’s will, it therefore leads naturally to good stewardship. When our minds are transformed through Christ, we become like Him — as Christ gave His life for us, so we give our lives to others.

Formation is not just an individual task. Instead, it is a communal responsibility that, when applied, will further help Immaculate Conception to grow as a stewardship parish. Each one of us has an inherent need to give — to move from “selfishness to selflessness,” as the Diocese of Wichita’s document The Pillars of Parish Stewardship aptly

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states. Formation is a process of spiritual growth, and it leads to a deeper understanding of loving others as God loves us.

Naturally, then, our Catholic formation should not end upon celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation or turning 18 years old. Formation is a formidable task that we as Catholics should participate in for the duration of our lives. It involves “education of the mind and conversion of the heart” (The Pillars of Parish Stewardship), and helps us to lead the stewardship way of life rather than just understand it.

Why not make formation a part of your renewal to Christ? Start off by reading 10 minutes of Sacred Scripture a day, or by studying a chapter of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on a daily basis. Read a biography of your favorite saint for an example of an individual who lived as a disciple of Christ, and use this person as a role model when tending to your daily tasks. Keep an eye on our weekly parish bulletin for faith formation opportunities at the parish. Before long, your commitment to formation will lead you to naturally live the Catholic faith and understand stewardship in ways that you never imagined before.

A Letter From Our Pastor

What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?

Dear Parishioners,

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e are called to be the disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is our calling — stewardship is the way we are to live the life we have been given. I don’t think we believers would or should argue the point. It begins with our Baptism and our new life as members of the Church. There are no questions about it, even though we may not always remember that we have been called to discipleship — it is a lifelong process, and we are all works in progress.

But please remember, we are God’s “works” that evolve moment by moment, day by day, and year after year.

To get more specific, we need to not only understand that stewardship is the expression of discipleship, but it is also the way in which we are to live our life. It is not a program — it is a way of life. I suppose at least once in our lifetime, we have been asked, “What are you going to do with your life?” Usually, that will happen at graduation, and how many of us have followed the path we thought we would at that time in our life? Perhaps we replied with a certain profession that may have interested us at the time. But there is always more to our answer than the title of a profession, just as there is more to our lives than just breathing.

How do we use the gifts God has given to us? How we do so will define the life we live for God and the Church. That is our call to discipleship. It is how we should understand stewardship.

Many people ask me why I am so convinced that stewardship is a way of life. The simple answer I give is always the easy one and the most practical. My life as a faithful steward makes sense. The story of Christianity is filled with people like you and me who wonder and desire how to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is what we are to do with our lives. Our attitude must be formed to spend the time and the talents we have, to do our part for God’s Church.

When does that become our priority? When does

it become our way of life?

These are the questions any believer must ask themselves when we think about our relationship with God, His Church, and the people around us. But, throughout my time in life as a priest, stewardship as my way of life makes sense and is more than possible with what God has given me to work with. It is the same with each of us. I am grateful for what God has given me and thankful I can live my life as His disciple. I say that not just as a priest, but as a baptized member of His family. I am thankful my parents brought me to be baptized a Christian and begin a life that would lead me, like all of us, to be the disciple we are called to be.

When we were baptized, no one asked us, “What are you going to do with your life?” If my parents and Godparents understood why we were all there, it should have been clear that we are all to be faithful stewards of all that God provides, beginning with the gift of life. That is why stewardship as a way of life is in my mind, heart, and soul. That, too, was a gift from God for which I am most grateful. This is my calling, and “this” is what I am going to do with the rest of my life. What will you do with yours?

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. John Wakube Pastor 3

Immaculate CONCEPTION

Meet Parishioners Jo Finding Home

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e all go through seasons turned 2 years old, Mary rein our lives. Different members the parish sharing a personal, professional, need for lectors at the 5 p.m. and communal responsibilities Sunday Mass. call for our time and attention.

“I’ll never forget as I started So, it makes sense that how we the first reading, our daughter can give back to the faith comcalled out, ‘That is Mommy!’” munity will evolve as well.

Mary says. “As our kids got “The parish is your home,” more involved in school, we says Mary Wallin. “Just like got more involved in helping your home, everyone has chores at school. The school relies on and responsibilities in relation your help, and then once peoto their ability. Everyone can do ple know who you are, you’re something and what they can asked to do other things.” do changes with time.”

John became a Cub Scout Mary and John Wallin met leader and still helps with the through Central Arkansas Scouts, even though their son Catholic Singles in the early is 25 years old now. Mary also 1990s. Mary had moved back helped with the Girl Scouts and Immaculate Conception's John and Mary Wallin to the area, and when she saw was a co-leader with them for the group in the bulletin, she nine years. Over the years, they’ve thought it would be a great way to meet people. served on the PTO, the School Board, and the Pastoral “It was just a fun group that had different so- Council, as well as in other ministries and councils. cial and religious activities,” John says. “We prayed “If you want to start being involved, start small,” and went to church together. The faith was always John says. “Find something that fits with your perimportant for me and Mary. It was how we were sonality and start in some small way to help the brought up and how we formed our lives together.” church, school, and our community.”

They were married in 1992, and in 1998 John During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary and John and Mary joined Immaculate Conception, which greatly missed the faith community, particularly athad been Mary’s parish while she was growing up. tending Mass together and participating in adoration.

They particularly wanted their children to attend “I missed all of the social things that become Catholic school, and at first, they didn’t have much part of your life, like the Men’s Club and the fish time to become involved in parish life. fry,” John says. “You were part of this community, “It took us a few years to be more involved be- and then that was all gone.” cause when we moved here, we had a toddler, one Today, Mary and John are caring for Mary’s on the way, and then another on the way two years mother and have not been involved in parish life to later,” Mary says. “We were both working full-time, the extent that they used to be. They know this also and all that is a lot! And, when I wasn’t working, I gives new people the opportunity to come forward. wanted that time with the kids at home.”

“We started out small, then became super When the youngest of their three children involved, and now have gone back to only being able 4

ohn and Mary Wallin: in Our Parish to help on the weekends,” Mary says. “I still serve as a lector, and John is an usher and a Eucharistic Minister. We’re kind of back to where we were when we had young children because our duties at home have expanded.”

In thinking about the faith community at Immaculate Conception, Mary and John recall all the parishioners who have come before them to build this community and all the people who will carry the parish forward.

“Thank you to the generous and hardworking parishioners who contributed their resources to make a parish and school for us,” Mary says. “No individual can build community on their own. We’re not able to do as much now, and it is someone else’s turn. Thank you to the people carrying on!”

Youth Fest

Gabe Wallin and John Wallin during the transition from Cub Scout to Boy Scout (2007) with Bill Wilde, head of the program at Immaculate Conception

continued from front cover

Christie notes that year after year, the youth say the hour of Eucharistic Adoration is their favorite part of the whole event.

“It’s amazing to see,” she says.

“The kids love it. They are moved to tears. It is super powerful.”

For the 2022 event, Christie has booked famous speaker Sarah Swafford. This year, Christie looks forward to the return of Youth Fest. She loves how it gets the youth excited about their faith and Youth Group.

Youth Group is held 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday nights, starting in September, for youth in ninth to 12th grade.

For youth in sixth to eighth grade, it’s from 5 to 6 p.m. on every other Wednesday. There’s also the Fifth Quarter, which is from 10 p.m. to midnight after football games. Christie also plans gym nights and service events throughout the year.

The youth also attend diocesan events, like the youth rallies.

The day of fun culminates with Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

If you would like more information on Youth Group, please refer to the church bulletin.

You may also contact Christie Powell at christieann78@hotmail.com or 501-977-7343.

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Immaculate CONCEPTION

Prayer Shawl Ministry Offers Love and Comfort to Those in Need

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rom 2009 to the present, our Immaculate Conception Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry has made and given 697 prayer shawls. That’s 697 people who have been either grieving or ill and have experienced being wrapped in the comfort of Christ’s loving arms.

Valerie Gattini coordinates the ministry that ranges from 15 to 20 members.

The members have traditionally met from 9-11 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month in Immaculata Hall. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the members have been working from home, but plan to resume in-person meetings this fall.

Admittedly, there sometimes is more conversation made during the meetings than shawls. But the members work faithfully on their projects at home if they don’t complete them during the gatherings.

Besides prayer shawls, the ministry members also make baby blankets and baby hats. Valerie often makes baby hats that are given to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

“The shawls are for someone who is in need of extra comfort and love,” Valerie says. “(The recipients) are

wrapped in something made with love and blessed, like they are wrapped in His arms.”

The members don’t work from a list of requests, but choose what items they want to make. The items are either knitted or crocheted from yarn the members purchase themselves. The shawls are 60 inches long and take about five weeks to make — the caps and baby blankets take less time.

When their knitted or crocheted items are completed, the members take them to Valerie’s home, and from there, she takes the finished items to the church for blessing. Shawls can either be delivered or picked up from Valerie’s or the church office.

“We have a number readily available,” Valerie says. “The shawls are given to people in the parish or other Catholic churches, or to anyone who says they need one. They don’t have to be Catholic, a parishioner, or living in-state. They really are available to anyone who has a need. We know God is with the recipients and we want to help them encounter Him in a tangible way.”

Anyone who can knit, crochet, or is willing to be taught is welcome to join the ministry.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Valerie Gattini at 501-758-1713.

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The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass

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hen young people see a person that intrigues them, that attraction becomes the topic of conversation at every opportunity.

This attraction alters behavior so that we become enthralled with the other and desire to share our enthusiasm.

Imagine if we were more enthralled with the presence of Christ in our lives. Imagine if we fully recognized that Christ is truly present to us in His precious Body and Blood, and present as well in the proclamation of His Word and in the gathering of our community, praying and singing (see Sacrosanctum Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], para. 14). Recognizing the living Christ in all these ways would awaken in us the desire to be with the One who is the object of our most fundamental, pure, and holy attraction to our merciful, loving, and gracious Savior.

If we were to recognize the presence of Christ in these beautiful ways, wouldn’t our desire to be more completely in His presence increase? Surely our desire to be better stewards of our time with the Lord would grow. Our attention to the readings and other prayers of the Mass would bring about within us deeper communion with the One who suffered and died for us. If I recognized that God is the answer to all my pangs of hunger, that Christ is my way to the Father, and that the Holy Spirit works to convert my heart and soul every day, would I not seek to fill that hunger at the banquet of the Lamb?

While active participation in Sunday Mass is an obligation for Catholics, we also will do well to see the lovely, motherly care the Church shows us in establishing that requirement. The Code of Canon Law states clearly in paragraph 1247, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” Sometimes, we might hear that as an overbearing rule. But it might more correctly be understood as our Mother, the Church, helping us learn what is best for us. At

Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed.

He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us. If we truly understood that amazing truth, then how might it affect our lives? How might it affect our relationships? How might it impact our decision to bring our children along to Mass? How might it awaken within us a deeper attraction, fascination, desire for the Lord?

Generally, when we find ourselves fascinated with someone, we do not decide to spend as little time as possible with them. We do not ration our time with them. We want to spend time with them, to see them, to listen to them, to get to know them, to develop a healthy, loving relationship with them.

Considering our reliance on the Lord of life and love, our fascination with His mercy, His goodness, His willingness to call us to Himself, maybe we should ask ourselves about what happens in us at Mass. As I prepare to come to Church, do I find my mind turning to a receptive welcome of the Lord, just as I’ll be welcomed at the door of continued on back cover

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Immaculate CONCEPTION 7000 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

North Little Rock, AR 72116 Church Office: (501) 835-4323 www.iccnlr.org

The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass continued from page 7 Church? Have I dressed for the important weekly (or daily) moment of meeting my King? Do I expect some profound wisdom from God in the readings?

Am I open to correction, to challenge, to affirmation in the readings of God’s Word? Do I intently pray along with the priest presider throughout the Mass? Do I make an offering of my life, along with the bread and wine? Do I genuinely hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ? And do I long for that blessing that sends me on my way with the mission to build the Kingdom?

Instead of worrying about what “counts” when it comes to Sunday Mass, maybe we should work

hard at fostering our love for the Eucharist, our desire for eternal life, our attraction to the Master who calls us into a life of active discipleship. Instead of a merely heavy-handed requirement, maybe we can see more clearly that being at Mass together helps nourish us for a whole week of building God’s Kingdom. Coming with those expectations, desires, and hopes, leaving early when unnecessary would disappear as a temptation instantly. Coming late because other things have taken priority would not typically happen, other obligations notwithstanding. Christ desires our company at Mass, from beginning to end. Let’s draw near to Him.

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. | Sunday Masses: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Daily Mass: Wednesday, Thursday, and First Saturday of the Month at 8:15 a.m.

Confessions: Tuesday: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

ADORATION

Adoration is now being held in the Adoration Chapel. If you are interested in spending time with the Blessed Sacrament, please contact Ramona Bourdo at 501.831.5040, for an available time slot.