A Message from Fr. Jason Stone
The upcoming days include two reminders of the presence and reality of angels. Tuesday, September 29th is celebration of the Archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. This Frieday, October 2nd is the memorial of guardian angels, The angels have a valuable role to play as helpers in our spiritual lives. We all give thanks for our guardian angels, especially after near misses, but how often do you seek the assistance of the angels in your prayers?
The Archangels are celebrated in a special way because we know a little of their personality through their presence in scripture. The Archangel Michael is best known for his appearance in Revelation 12 in an epic battle in which he defeats the dragon. Michael is often invoked in prayer as a defender, and I have found that the prayer to him “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle” is a powerful prayer to use on those days when I feel like I am fighting the dragon. Gabriel is best known for announcing to Mary, God’s plan for her to be the mother of the Messiah. Gabriel is the patron of those who work in communications. He is a good choice of intercessor for our young people who are discerning God’s call for their lives and for all of us as we daily struggle to hear where God is calling us to serve him. Raphael (appears in the book of Tobit as a guide for Tobiah on his journey which ends with him meeting his wife. Parents, please explain to your children that he was known as an angel before everyone associated his name with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!) Raphael’s help is good to seek whenever you are traveling. Also, he is a good intercessor for those preparing for or journeying on the road of marriage. We pray for St. Michael’s protection after the final hymn of most Masses. Please stay to the end of the hymn and pray for St. Michael’s help before you leave Mass.
Our knowledge of angels does not end with the three Archangels, as there are many other angels. In fact, each of us has one, not just to protect us from accidents, but as Pope Pius XII writes, “Everyone, no matter how humble he may be, has angels to watch over him. They are heavenly, pure and splendid, and yet they have been given us to keep us company on our way: they have been given the task of keeping care
ful watch over you so that you do not become separated from Christ, their Lord.”
Let us remember to include the angels in our prayers. Their intercessions and help is an invaluable resource in our spiritual lives. I encourage you to pray to your guardian angel this week, using this or another prayer: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen.
Fr. Jason Stone
Stay Connected
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE:
Saturday: 8:00 am, 5:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am, 11:00 am and Spanish Mass, 2:00 pm
Daily Mass:
7:00am
Rosary:
Tuesdays at 1:30pm
Monday & Thursday after 7am Mass
Confessions:
Saturdays beginning at 4:00pm before 5pm Mass
Eucharistic Adoration:
Wednesdays 7:30am-12:30pm
with Benediction at 12:30pm
Thursdays 6:00pm Spanish prayers
Happening this Week:
Monday, September 28
6:30 pm IC Book Club; Narthex
Tuesday, September 29
1:30 pm Rosary
Wednesday, September 30
7:30 am Eucharistic Adoration (until 12:30pm)
5:30 pm Religious Education classes
7:00 pm OCIA classes begin; St. Angela Room
Thursday, October 1
Respect Life Month
1:00 pm Stitchery; Narthex
6:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration with Spanish prayers
Friday, October 2
National School Custodians Day
4:00 pm ICS Dine Out Fundraiser; Country
Farmhouse
7:00 pm First Friday Adoration; Church
Saturday, October 3
ICS selling Fri ‘Yay’ tickets following Mass
10:00 am Blessing of Animals; outside Church
Sunday, October 4
Respect Life Sunday
ICS selling Fri ‘Yay’ tickets following Mass
10:00 am Children’s Choir Practice; Church
11:00 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word; School
Noon AFF—The Perfect Prayer; St. Angela Room
Noon Adult Youth Leader mtg; Church
3:15 pm Morris Life Chain; Living Word Bible
Church
6:30 pm IC Book Club; Narthex
Tuesday, September 29
1:30 pm Rosary
Wednesday, September 30
7:30 am Eucharistic Adoration (until 12:30pm)
5:30 pm Religious Education classes
7:00 pm OCIA classes begin; St. Angela Room
Thursday, October 1
Respect Life Month
1:00 pm Stitchery; Narthex
6:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration with Spanish prayers
Friday, October 2
National School Custodians Day
4:00 pm ICS Dine Out Fundraiser; Country
Farmhouse
7:00 pm First Friday Adoration; Church
Saturday, October 3
ICS selling Fri ‘Yay’ tickets following Mass
10:00 am Blessing of Animals; outside Church
Sunday, October 4
Respect Life Sunday
ICS selling Fri ‘Yay’ tickets following Mass
10:00 am Children’s Choir Practice; Church
11:00 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word; School
Noon AFF—The Perfect Prayer; St. Angela Room
Noon Adult Youth Leader mtg; Church
3:15 pm Morris Life Chain; Living Word Bible
Church
Save the Dates!
Mon., Sept 28 ................... IC Book Club
Month of October ............. PADS collection
Month of October ............. PRC collection
Fri., Oct 2 .......................... First Friday Adoration
Fri., Oct 2 .......................... ICS Dine Out Fundraiser
Sat., Oct 3 .......................... Blessing of Animals
Sun., Oct 4 ........................ Respect Life Sunday
Sun., Oct 4 ........................ Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Sun., Oct 4 ........................ Morris Life Chain
Mon., Oct 5 ....................... Blessing of Animals
Mon., Oct 5 ....................... Rel. Ed. Family Rosary
Sat/Sun., Oct 10-18 .......... ICS Fall Arts Gallery
Sat., Oct 10 ....................... Our Lady of Fatima Rosary
Mon., Oct 12 ..................... Columbus Day
Thurs., Oct 15 ................... ICS Fall Choir Concert
Thurs., Oct 15 .................... ICS Arts Dine Out Fundraiser
Fri., Oct. 16 ....................... Pro-Life Rosary
Sat., Oct 17 ........................ Oktoberfest
Fri., Oct 23 ........................ First Fri‘Yay’ drawing
Sun., Oct 25 ...................... Pancake Breakfast & H.S Teen Event
Mon-Fri., Oct 26-30 ......... Red Ribbon Week
Month of October ............. PADS collection
Month of October ............. PRC collection
Fri., Oct 2 .......................... First Friday Adoration
Fri., Oct 2 .......................... ICS Dine Out Fundraiser
Sat., Oct 3 .......................... Blessing of Animals
Sun., Oct 4 ........................ Respect Life Sunday
Sun., Oct 4 ........................ Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Sun., Oct 4 ........................ Morris Life Chain
Mon., Oct 5 ....................... Blessing of Animals
Mon., Oct 5 ....................... Rel. Ed. Family Rosary
Sat/Sun., Oct 10-18 .......... ICS Fall Arts Gallery
Sat., Oct 10 ....................... Our Lady of Fatima Rosary
Mon., Oct 12 ..................... Columbus Day
Thurs., Oct 15 ................... ICS Fall Choir Concert
Thurs., Oct 15 .................... ICS Arts Dine Out Fundraiser
Fri., Oct. 16 ....................... Pro-Life Rosary
Sat., Oct 17 ........................ Oktoberfest
Fri., Oct 23 ........................ First Fri‘Yay’ drawing
Sun., Oct 25 ...................... Pancake Breakfast & H.S Teen Event
Mon-Fri., Oct 26-30 ......... Red Ribbon Week
Adoration Update Below:
Thank you to everyone who faithfully spends time with Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Your presence and devotion are a beautiful gift to our parish.
As a gentle reminder, the Blessed Sacrament should never be left unattended while exposed. If you find that you are the only person in the church, please remain until someone else arrives before leaving. If you need to leave before someone else arrives, please call the Parish Office at 815-942-0620 so that arrangements can be made.
New Adoration Sign-In & Sign-Out Process
To help us ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone, we are also beginning a sign-in and sign-out process for Adoration. We’ve noticed that the online sign-up links are not always being used, which can make it difficult to know whether someone will be present during each hour.
Beginning now, we kindly ask everyone attending Adoration to sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave. This simple step will help us know that each hour is covered and that Our Lord is never left unattended.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and, most of all, for faithfully giving your time to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Journey 175
Exciting news!!! Construction is officially underway!
Narthex Collections:
Collecting for PADS
Grundy Area PADS is asking for our assistance. During the 25-26 season 52 Grundy residents requested shelter. Because of lack of funding, PADS was only able to provide shelter for 21 households, (31 total people) for a total of 778 shelter nights - spending a total cost of $33,810. PADS does not receive much grant money but relies on community donations to provide services.
During the month of October the wooden box in the narthex will accept donations. Prayerfully consider helping PADS provide shelter to the homeless during the coldest months of the year.
Make all checks to: Grundy Area PADS and write Emergency Shelter in the memo line.
Grundy Area PADS is asking for our assistance. During the 25-26 season 52 Grundy residents requested shelter. Because of lack of funding, PADS was only able to provide shelter for 21 households, (31 total people) for a total of 778 shelter nights - spending a total cost of $33,810. PADS does not receive much grant money but relies on community donations to provide services.
During the month of October the wooden box in the narthex will accept donations. Prayerfully consider helping PADS provide shelter to the homeless during the coldest months of the year.
Make all checks to: Grundy Area PADS and write Emergency Shelter in the memo line.
FIRST FRIDAY MUSICAL ADORATION
Rosary Leaders Needed
October is the month dedicated to the Rosary. We will be reciting the Rosary before each weekend Mass during the month of October.
We are still in search of Rosary leaders for:
9 a.m. Mass on Oct. 11
11 a.m. Masses on Oct. 4 and 25
The same person can do more than one Mass if they wish. If interested in leading the Rosary, contact Bob Black at blackbob412@comcast.net.
Corn Festival Parade
Immaculate Conception School and the Pro-Life Ministry were proudly represented in yesterday's Corn Festival parade.
Respect Life Month
School News
Oktoberfest QR Codes:
Flocknote
myEoffering
Music News
IC is looking for children, teens, and adults to join our music ministry. Consider sharing your gifts as a cantor or musician (training is available). We have a musician apprentice program for young people who would like to get involved in weekend Masses. Our choir season for 2026-2027 will run October through April this year. Age 5-13 are welcome to participate in our children's choir and ages 14-adult are welcome to join our adult choir. Please contact Kaleigh Mattson with any questions: kmattson@ics1.org
Religious Education News
Religious Education Families,
Classes will resume on Wednesday, September 30th at 5:30pm.
If you haven’t already, please join our Parent RE Monthly Newsletter to stay up to date with important announcements and events:
https://ICMorris.flocknote.com/remonthlnewslett
Next Month’s Family Mass: 6th Grade
Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 AM
Classes will resume on Wednesday, September 30th at 5:30pm.
If you haven’t already, please join our Parent RE Monthly Newsletter to stay up to date with important announcements and events:
https://ICMorris.flocknote.com/remonthlnewslett
Next Month’s Family Mass: 6th Grade
Sunday, October 11th at 11:00 AM
Diocese Events
