Immaculate Conception, Glenville

To read Member Bios - please click on a name below

Nicholas H. Bomba
Judith A. Brodeur
Sean J. Caron
Rev. Jerome R. Gingras
Kim D. Klementowski
Hank Maddalone
Deacon Michael P. Melanson
Thomas McGuinness
Maria L. Morris-Groves
Luke Nally
Claudia O'Brien
Bob Ottaviano
Madeleine Smith
Helen Smrstik
Kelly Stiffen
Terry Topka
Ketryk Wilder

The Pastoral Council has had our monthly meetings on the 18th of May and June 15th.  In May we welcomed Carmel Lavergne, President of the Rosary Alter Society and Joe Aglio, President of the St Vincent De Paul Society.  Both joined with us to share information regarding each of their ministries. Immaculate Conception is surely blessed to have such wonderful and dedicated folks who provide so much to not only our faith community, but to our community in general.  The Rosary Alter Society has raised money to support such charities as SICM, Hospice, Birthright, Community Human Services, Joan Nicole Prince Home and even St. Vincent De Paul Society.  The women of this ministry also pray the rosary for funerals and for residents at their request of Glendale and Baptist nursing homes.  Carmel has brought to our attention the increased need for newer members to assist them in their works of charity.  If you are a woman searching for an opportunity to be of service or volunteer in your community and have some fun doing it, I encourage you to contact Carmel.
 
Joe Aglio shared with us the essence of the St Vincent De Paul Society.  He explained that membership is by invitation only and consists of a maximum of 12 men and women in a conference.   The conference reports to a council, which includes conferences from St. Luke’s, St Paul’s, St Joseph’s, St. Madeline Sophie and Immaculate Conception parishes.  Their purpose is to help the needy and less fortunate.  With the economic downturn the members are busier than ever.  After referrals for appropriate assistance such as the Department of Social Services, WIC (through social services) or HEAP, the Society may be able to provide short term assistance with rent, utility bills and even food.  The members prepared roughly 180 boxes of food this past Thanksgiving and Christmas alone. These boxes are from food drives that are carried out during various times of the year.   Did you know that all money collected in the poor boxes goes to the St. Vincent De Paul Society?  

The Ministry Leaders of the Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Greeters, Cap Capello, Derek Hayden, Pat and Tom Kuster, joined us at our June meeting. What a pleasure it was to discover all that is entailed in serving the Mass.  I think most of us do not realize how important the laity is to the Mass.  We may even take for granted what occurs each weekend in front of us or perhaps some of us may feel that we are not worthy to be part of it.  During our meeting each of the Leaders unanimously shared a need for additional help.  If you have a desire to assist in the most essential part of our faith, please contact theses Ministries Leaders, and God Bless each of them for their dedication.

The Council is continuing to meet throughout the summer months as we work towards designing the long- term and short- term goals and objectives to meet our Parish needs.  As was announced at Mass and in the bulletin we will be discerning for a new student member.  We ask for prayers to the Holy Spirit for guidance to our Youth members as well as those young people discerning.   

I encourage all of you to continue to providing feedback to the Council whether via email or our suggestion box in the gathering space on what we as a Parish are doing well, and any concerns you may have regarding Parish Life. 

Just a few words to all those Parishioners and their families who have and still are working toward maintaining our ability to worship the Lord freely…..  Thank you. May your personal sacrifices never be in forgotten or in vain.  God Bless you and our entire Nation during this Independence Holiday.

“For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters.  But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh: rather, serve one another through love.” Gal. 5:13.

Yours in Christ,
Claudia O’Brien

Service

Christ calls all of us into service for each other, to works of charity and justice.  This is a basic tenet of our discipleship and was shown by Jesus throughout his public ministry.  Christ has shown us that while we work to eliminate social injustices, we are to take care of those in need.  We are to serve them, as Christ served his followers.

Stewardship

We are the stewards of all God’s creations.  Responsible stewardship requires us to graciously offer our God-given gifts and resources to each other.  We bestow our time, talent and treasure to our parish and our community.  To the extent possible, we take responsibility for all that God has entrusted to us.

Community

Community is the parish life element that draws us together to love, to grow, to celebrate and support one another, our parish and our community.  By giving of ourselves to the other parish life elements, we are drawn together in our faith to form the bonds of community.  This community, by reaching out to serve others, shows that everyone fits in here, that there is always a place for anyone.

Word

The Word of God is essential to deepening our faith.  We help to build our community of faith by our interaction with the Word.  This interaction can be listening to His Word in celebration of the Gospel; teaching His Word to our youth and adults; or sharing it with our family, friends or community.  All of these ways help us grow in our love for God and to understand His nature. 

Worship

Worship encompasses so many aspects of our faith life.  Among these are personal and communal prayer; evangelization; the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist and other sacramental and liturgical rites.  The parish’s spiritual life should exalt its mission, give expression of its faith to the community; and show its commitment to advancing the Kingdom of God. 

Evangelization

This word encompasses all the ways in which we bring forth the message of Christ Jesus – proclaiming the Gospel; sharing our faith with family, friends or the community.  Evangelization is an essential mission of the Church and its parishes.  Each Parish has its own special way to evangelize.  Evangelization is paramount in our call to bear witness to Christ; to practice our faith exuberantly; to share our faith and invite others to do so as well; and to change society.

Leadership

For the Pastoral Council to be effective, there must be a shared leadership between the clergy and the laity, calling forth the gifts of [en]visioning, planning, empowering and evaluating.  In order to fulfill/realize the Parish Mission Statement, these gifts must be given in service of the community.  Although Fr. Jerry, ultimately, bears the authority and responsibility for the parish, the gifts of the laity are important in service of the parish.  Fr. Jerry and the Pastoral Council work together, each with their own leadership style, gifts and talents toward fulfilling the Parish Mission.