st 31 Sunday in Ordinary Time 31 October 2021 Immaculate ...

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

31 October 2021

Immaculate Conception Parish

Fairbank, Iowa 50629

Today’s Readings Deuteronomy 6:2-6 Psalm 18:2-51

Hebrews 7:23-28

Mark 12:28b-34

PASTOR’S PARAGRAPHS 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

October 31, 2021 How do you describe love? What does it mean? Since it is a mystery, this is tough, but the saints can help us. And it is appropriate as we approach All Saints’ Day to look to them for help in understanding this mystery. The best definition of love comes from St. Frances de Sales, who tells us love is “the movement of the will toward the good.” Love is the great motivator; it is an act of free will in which we pursue what is good. God is the source of love. There are so many confused ideas about love out there. If we want to know what it is, look to Jesus Christ and the Gospel He preached.

The first reading from Deuteronomy commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength. This means being single hearted, inflamed by love, and willing to use all our power to grow in love. A great practical test of love is, “How am I doing with the first three Commandments?” Do I have any false gods (money, power, land, fame, technology, relationships)? Is God a central part of my life or an inconvenience? Do I respect and honor His holy name? This means avoiding swear words and using God’s name in vain. Do I worship and rest on the Sabbath? This means spending time at Sunday Mass and avoiding unnecessary work (even at harvest time! See Ex. 34:21). Sunday is the Lord’s Day, not a catch up day or a work day. It is a day for rest, recreation, and renewal.

The Gospel reading is a response to a question, “Which commandment is first?” There were 613 choices in the Jewish Law! Jesus provides a clear and concise answer: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and then love your neighbor “as yourself.” This means

to love your neighbor by recognizing the image of God in him (her). We love when we care about others, listen to them, assist them, try to understand them, be with them, and go the extra mile for them. Love of God is like the vertical beam of the Cross, taking us to new heights; love of neighbor is like the horizontal beam of the Cross, stretching out to embrace others. The Cross is complete when our love embraces both God and neighbor.

An ideal second reading would be taken from St. Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians (13:4-13). Here he lays out the qualities of love. Love is patient, kind, humble, other-seeking, truthful, honest, hopeful, enduring, and unfailing. Moses in Deuteronomy tells us to love God first, Jesus tells us that love embraces our neighbor, and Paul lists the qualities of love. He shows us HOW to love God and neighbor. Note that Paul does not mention “God” or “neighbor.” That’s because these qualities apply to both God and neighbor. The month of All Souls begins on Tuesday. We are offering three Masses that day for the souls of the faithful departed. By tradition, one Mass is offered for a particular intention, a second is offered for all the souls in Purgatory, and the third is offered for the Holy Father’s intention. These Masses and private prayers for our deceased loved ones are beautiful expressions of love. The All Souls’ Envelopes contain names of individuals we wish to remember on All Souls’ Day and in Masses throughout the year. In addition, a cemetery visit shows our loved ones how much we care for them. They are part of the Church too, and they need our prayers. Let us demonstrate love for God and neighbor this November by the prayerful attention we give to our neighbors living in this world and those who have gone to the next world.

God bless you. Fr. Ray Atwood [email protected] 319-283-9577

you

Ma

With Waverly, IA 5

Lord, We Lift Up to You in Prayer…. Brett Delagardelle, Eric Schmidtke ,Dave Chase, Charlie Corey

Marci Willey, Ron Babinat, Lindsey Ernst, Diana Snyder

Connor Franzen, Michael McDonough, Leo Wickman,

Mary Ellen Youngblut , Sherry Duffy, Don Brandt,

victims of hatred, racism, violence, natural disaster; terrorism,

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.

Communion To Our Sick Or Homebound Ministry: contact Michelle Weepie 319-635-2428 or Bob Byersdorfer 319-635-2330

I C Parish Prayer Chain Hotline: Please contact

Vivian Rourke at 319-238-3225 (V) or 319-238-2083 (M)

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. Please contact Deacon Jim at 319-509-1210 for scheduling details.

I C Cemetery – contact the parish office

Funeral Dinners: Group #3 Sept, Oct, Nov, & Dec

We provide desserts & serve a catered meal

I C STAFF ~ Fr. Ray Atwood, Pastor ~

IC Parish Office Wednesday Mornings after 8:30AM Mass

Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743 Sacred Heart Rectory 319-283-9577

email: [email protected]

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

Cell phone 319-509-1210

~Glenda Kleitsch IC Secretary/Bookkeeper~

I C Parish Office PH: 319-635-2211 located at 405 Fairbank St I C Parish Office hours:

Mon-Thurs 8AM – 3PM Closed Friday Mailing address: P O BOX 505 Fairbank IA 50629

email: [email protected] 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: [email protected]

Lynda email: [email protected]

Jean Sauerbrei, Facility Rental Coordinator PH: 319-635-9151/ cell 319-296-8459

or email [email protected]

Blessings and Welcome into God’s Family!

Mia LaRue Elliana Rausch Daughter of Vincent Daughter of Ryan & Emily LaRue & Alexis Rausch Both were baptized here at IC Church! Gods Blessings!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Ron Woods – equipment Doug & Janice Martins – truck Dean Mangrich – Skid Loader Bob Bellis Ted Vorwald Collin Woods Joe Kleitsch Duane Schmidtke Scott Buzynski Ian Buzynski Isaac Buzynski Mark Rourke Joe Jans Ronnie Jans Maury Shields Kurt Vorwald Scott Brown Brad & John Welsh

Thanks for the great turnout that helped pick up and hauled away trees debris last Saturday.

Winter Clothing Drive The Atom Bombers 4-H Club is looking for donations

(New or Gently Used) of the following items:

Coats Hats Gloves & Mittens If you are able to help us out, please contact any 4-Her or call Brenda Kleitsch (563-920-1346) by November 14th. Thanks for your contribution to Helping Hands Closet.

Father Paul McManus!! November 2021 Trick & Treat

Mon, Nov 1 SH – 8:30 AM Tonight 5-7PM

All Saints Day IC – 5:30 PM

Tues Nov 2 SH – 8:30 AM

All Souls Day IC – 5:30 PM

SH – 7:00 PM Thurs Nov 4 Parish Life Meeting 9:30AM Sun Nov 7 Daylight Savings Time Ends Sun Nov 7 All Souls Remembrance Ceremony 8:15AM Sun Nov 7 Peanut Butter Collection Sunday Sun Nov 7 RE Annual Education Teacher Breakfast Serving 8 AM – 11 AM NO CCD THAT SUNDAY Menu: Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Sausage, Hashbrowns, Toast, Cinnamon rolls, Milk, Juice, Coffee Sun Nov 14 Hall Rented 50th Anniversary Party Wed Nov 17 Monthly Community Potluck 11:30AM Wed Nov 17 Pastoral/Finance Mtg 5:30PM Thur Nov 18 Staff Mtg at SH 9:00AM

Nov 18-20 2021 NCYC trip to Indianapolis Sat Nov 20 Hall Rented-thanksgiving party Sun Nov 21 KC Omelet Breakfast 9-12:30PM Sun Nov 21 Food Drive – Oran Food Pantry Wed Nov 24 No CCD Class Thanksgiving Break Wed Nov 24 Thanksgiving Eve Mass SH 7PM Thurs Nov 25 Thanksgiving Day – Office Closed Sun Nov 28 No CCD Class Thanksgiving Break

Sun Nov 28 Archbishop Jackels 8:30AM Mass

Dec 5 2021 Live Nativity Scene 4:30PM We Need More People! Multiple Age Groups!!

Psst…..No Adults Have Signed Up Yet!! Contact info: Dan Cutsforth 319-415-1968

Live Nativity Update: We need the following: Prophet Isiah (small speaking part read from script) Prophet Micah (small speaking part read from script)

Angel Gabriel, 3 Magi, Mary & Joseph We also need 6 -8 bales of hay to be brought in and taken away after the event. We could also use more cookie donations.

Please help to make this a parish wide event.

Sun Oct 31 8:30 AM IC Wally & Milly Kaufman

M: Deacon Jim EM: Glenda Kane Lector: Brenda Bodensteiner

Sun Oct 31 10:30 AM SH For the People

ALL SAINTS and ALL SOULS MASS SCHEDULE

Mon Nov 1 8:30 AM SH For the People 5:30 PM IC Donald Thomas Tues Nov 2 8:30AM SH Andrew & Mathilda Michels Fam 5:30PM IC For All Souls 7:00 PM SH For the Intention of the Pope Wed Nov 3 8:30 AM IC Ed Sadler Thurs Nov 4 8:30 AM SH Alice Kauten Fri Nov 5 8:30 AM SH Gladys & George Gerstenberger

Sat Nov 6 8:00AM IC Angie VanDaele Sat Nov 6 4:30 PM SH Patricia Moore Sun Nov 7 8:30 AM IC Clem & Daphine Rourke

M: Deacon Jim EM: Cheryl Kleitsch Lector: Jean Bellis

Sun Nov 7 10:30AM SH Deacon Richard Gehrke

Sunday, November 14 at 8:30 AM Mass M: Deacon Jim EM: Kelly Galleger

Lector: Max Kayser November Ushers and Greeters

Richard Rundle, Greg Beierschmitt Adam Kaufman, Rick Woods

November Congratulatory Celebrations Celebrating 80+Birthdays!!

Nov 4th Wilma Welsh Nov 20th Kay Vorwald Celebrating 50+ Anniversaries Nov 4th Dennis & Cassie Maddigan Nov 11th Howard & Janet Meany Nov 24th John & Ellie Buzynski Nov 27th Ted & Jan Vorwald

Be sure to let the parish office know when you celebrate one of these milestones so that we too may share your

joy!

Parish Financial $upport Oct 24-28 Budget $1777 Offertory $420

All Saints Day and throughout the month of November up to Advent, we set aside special time to honor and remember family members and friends who have gone before us. We invite you to write the names of your departed loved ones upon the pages of our parish Remembrance Book, to be

remembered in our prayers.

We Remember Them

Background on the Gospel Reading

Mark 12:28b-34

Jesus is questioned by a scribe about the greatest commandment. As we continue to read from Mark’s Gospel, our Lectionary skips a chapter that helps

set the context for today’s reading. If we were to read the sections skipped (chapter 11

and part of chapter 12), we would hear about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his cleansing

of the Temple, and the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the chief priests, scribes, and

elders. The context, therefore, for this Gospel is Jesus’ growing exposure before the

Jewish authorities. Jesus is being questioned and tested by the Jewish authorities, yet

the scribe who addresses Jesus in today’s Gospel seems to be an admirer; he is not

testing Jesus.

The question posed in today’s Gospel requires Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. The

Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additional commandments,

numbering into the hundreds. For a devout Jew, adherence to the Mosaic Law is an

expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The ranking of these

commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of the Law.

Jesus was not the only Jewish religious teacher to connect these two commandments,

love of God and love of neighbor. Both of these commandments were central elements

of the religious tradition that Jesus learned from his Jewish community. Indeed, these

commandments continue to be central aspects of contemporary Jewish religious

understanding. Jesus’ response to his questioners proposed an integral connection

between these two aspects of the Jewish Law. Love of God finds its expression in our

love for our neighbor. Many believe, however, that this connection was heard in a new

and fresh way when spoken by Jesus.

The scribe who questions Jesus in today’s Gospel engages in a positive dialogue with

Jesus. He agrees with Jesus’ teaching that the commandments to love God and love

neighbor stand above the commandment to offer worship and sacrifice in the Temple.

With this dialogue, Jesus appears to close the debate with the Jewish authorities. Mark

reports that no one dared to question Jesus further. From Loyola Press Sunday Connection

Homily Notes: What did I hear that I would like to remember or think about later?

Update your information Be sure to update your address, telephone number, and email address if they have changed.

You can make changes thru the mail, collection, phone call to the office (319-635-2211).

Area Happenings: Sun Nov 7, 2021 Bazaar & Broasted Chicken, St. Athanasius Parish, Jesup Dinner served 10:30-1:30PM Adult/ $10, Kids 6-12yrs/ $5, Kids 5 & under/ Free Bazaar in Gym, 10-1pm. Bake Sale, silent auction, raffle; Mass will be at 10:30AM!! Sun, Nov 7, 2021 St Matthew’s Lutheran Fall Dinner Center Inn, Main Street, Readlyn Dinner service 11-2PM Dine or Carry-outs Adults $12.00, age 5-10 $7.00 under 5 free Menu: Turkey or Roast Beef, Dressing, Potatoes & Gravy, Sauerkraut, Fresh Corn, Salad/rolls, Pie/ Dessert

Back by Popular Demand: The Chosen!! Showing Season One in the IC Parish Center!! Beginning at 6:30 PM each night. November 6 – Episodes 1 & 2 November 13 – Episodes 3 & 4 November 20 – Episodes 5 & 6 December 4 – Episodes 7 & 8 All attending are welcome to bring a comfy chair & Snacks for yourself. Please bring a friend. Provided by Faith Formation Committee

.