Immaculate Conception

May 20, 2020
  
Dear Parishioners,
 
            We are most excited to announce that as of Friday, May 15, 2020, we were able to increase our numbers allowed in the Church for all Masses.  Praise God for the blessings we have received and continue to receive.

         Please note the following important changes for Parish life were effective Friday, May 15, 2020.  They are in compliance with the directives from the State Fire Marshal:

• The regular weekend and daily Mass schedule continues, and up to 150 individuals are allowed in the church during any Mass.  No one should have a problem finding a seat.

• For the benefit of all, ushers will assist with quick entry to and exit from the church Vestibule before and after Masses.  Please be attentive not to congregate so that we can comply with safety measures provided to us.  We may visit outside the front doors of the church so long as we respect distance.  

• Seating is arranged in accordance with social distance requirements. 
• For those receiving Holy Communion, communicants will maintain 6 feet distance while in line approaching the altar (unless walking with family).

• On weekends, those who would like to receive Holy Communion outside may gather by the front doors of the church 15 minutes before Mass ends.  Please maintain distance from each other. 

• Live-streaming of the Saturday 4:00 P.M. Mass will continue as it has been via Facebook and at www.icsulphur.org.  The dispensation to attend Mass is still in effect for those who prefer to stay at home out of an abundance of caution. 
• “Just a Thought” will continue on Thursdays at 3:00 P.M.on Facebook and at www.icsulphur.org.
• Confessions in the Youth Hall on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday will continue.
• Those wishing to drop off their Offertory envelopes may continue to utilize the mail slot on the office door, across from the Youth Hall, or you may wish to bring them to Mass in the usual way.  I am grateful to God and to you all for such generosity.

In gratitude and affection,


Father Tim Goodly
Pastor

WELCOME TO

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH SULPHUR

Hello Parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish,
          
           My name is Garrett Broussard. I am very excited to be assigned to this parish for my summer assignment under the guidance of Father Tim Goodly.  I am currently in my third year of priestly formation. This fall I will enter t theology.  That means that I have approximately four more years until priestly ordination. My home parish is Our Lady of Good Counsel.
I am a native of Lake Charles. I graduated from Barbe High School.  I
finished my college studies at McNeese where I studied biology and exercise physiology.

        I look forward to working in the parish. I have heard such great things about the faith-filled vigor of the parish. I know it will be a wonderful opportunity for me as I continue to discern God’s will. I am also confident that I will have many opportunities for personal growth, so that I may someday become the man God asks me to be. Thank you for your patience with me. I look forward to meeting you.
 
Until then I remain,
 
 
 
Respectfully yours in Christ Jesus,
Garrett Broussard

FROM FATHER TIM GOODLY

During this time of waiting,
I encourage you all to phone or text relatives and friends
who may be feeling overwhelmed. 
If you are the leader of an organization,
I encourage you to check on your members.
Prepare family meals together.
Teach a child how to bake or cook.
Eat together.
Watch a movie together.
Play games together.
Stay informed but keep the news to a minimum.
Pray and breath deeply, calling upon the name of Jesus
Support your local business and Church as best you can.
Know that you all are in my prayers
and I am remembering you all at Mass.
I am confident that we will get through this together.
God is good and so are you.
God bless.
 

I would like to thank all of you who have been so generous in continuing to tithe to God and the Church by mailing your envelopes, dropping them off at the office, or sending your offering through your bank.  This assists us in continuing to provide ministry to our parishioners and outreach to needy families.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

For those who prefer to give online, I ask that you go to I SUPPORT MY PARISH, using the following link:  http://www.lcdiocese.org/resources/support-the-diocese
 

March 25, 2020
The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

My dear people of God, 

As we continue to heed medical and government advice to help keep our parishioners safe from COVID-19,  so many have expressed their sincere gratitude for our televised Mass on Sunday and the many parishes that are offering Masses, Way of the Cross, Adoration, prayers and guidance and other spiritual opportunities through the use of technology.  This allows parishioners to be reminded that this medical emergency is occurring during the Season of Lent when we are called to devote ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 
In prayer we seek the Lord, by fasting we practice moderation, and through almsgiving we serve the poor and marginalized and address the many needs of our parishioners.

This is a time for us to take seriously the Gospel call to bring the message of Christ to the world. The Church's mission is essential.  I am pleased to report that Catholic Charities and other services of our Diocese will continue to help those in need and that our parishes and our Diocese will continue to address spiritual and material needs, especially in this time of uncertainty.

To address material needs, we must remember that the call to almsgiving continues even in times of emergency, just as the business and expenses of our church parishes continue. This truth is most apparent now when we find so many of our brothers and sisters in great need.  I understand that many of our parishes have online giving already in place, and I urge you to take advantage of that opportunity to give or to mail in your offertory envelopes and donations, if you prefer.  To assist those who do not have online giving already established, we have made that option available for all parishioners on the Diocese of Lake Charles website at http://www.lcdiocese.org/resources/support-the-diocese.  If you access “Support My Parish,” you will have the option to select your parish and properly direct your donation. To assist our parishes, I am dispensing all parishes from the Parochial Assessment (Tithe); these funds will remain in the parishes to help them to meet pressing needs during these troubling and uncertain times.

Please be assured that during this time you and your families have been constantly present to me in my thoughts and prayers and remember the assurance our Lord has given to us: “I will never forsake you or abandon you” (Heb. 15:5; Deut. 31:6).
Asking the intercession of Our Lady Star of the Sea, I remain,

Devotedly yours in Our Lord,


+Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

• Confessions will be heard on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. and Saturday afternoon at 2:45 P.M. -3:45 P.M. in the Youth Hall.  Please honor social distancing of 6 feet or more.

• In light of Governor Edwards Stay at Home order, if you have questions that can be answered over the phone, please call the Church office rather than come in person in order to practice 6 feet social distancing.

• “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”  Isaiah 41,10

• “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in Me.”  John 14, 1-2

• “Jesus, I trust in You.  Jesus, I trust in You.  Jesus, I trust in You.”   Saint Faustina

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