Lent 2021 Immaculate Conception Church - Somerville, NJ
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Immaculate Conception Church
35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 725-1112
www.immaculateconception.org
Lent 2021
Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2021
Transformed by Christ’s Body & Blood
Sent on a Mission to
Light a fire in the heart of the Church
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
What an interesting time in our world and for our Diocese! This past year has been a challenging one for many
because of the pandemic and all of the uncertainty it has caused. We have all been impacted and we pray for those
who have lost loved ones. Yet, I am reminded that one of the greatest blessings of my life is to serve here as Bishop of
Metuchen. I am so grateful for the generous, faithful people like you who partner with me in doing Christ’s work in
this wonderful diocese. Together, let us continue to respond to the great mission of the Church that Christ has entrust-
ed to us as his disciples in 2021.
Through the intercession of Our Virgin Mother of Guadalupe we consecrated our Diocese to Jesus. Now, in the
worldwide Year of Saint Joseph, we are reminded that he was entrusted to protect and provide for Jesus and Mary—so
has he been given to provide and protect the family of the Church. We are blessed to have this special opportunity this
year to reflect more deeply upon the virtues of Saint Joseph, and to come to understand more profoundly how God’s
loving providence plays itself out in our everyday lives, even amidst obstacles and adversity. Saint Joseph led the holy
family with radical trust in God. It is our prayer and hope that we increase our love for Saint Joseph, imitate his virtues
and seek his intercession so that he leads us to conversion and to continue to be part of the great mission of Christ!
The pandemic has created circumstances that made it difficult to request financial support as I realize so many
have been negatively economically impacted; however, we are entrusted, just as Saint Joseph was, to meet the
ever-growing needs and our commitment to a healthy, servant Church and to make Christ and His healing message
known. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal enables us to advance our efforts in evangelization and catechesis, advocacy for
the dignity of human life, and effectively ministering to people of varied ethnicities and languages. We have funds
dedicated to Catholic Charities which provides basic necessities and counseling services for those struggling with the
hardships of life. Among many other critical needs, your gift to the Appeal also helps provide for the spiritual and
educational formation of our seminarians.
It is because of your love for Christ and the Church that I ask you to join me in being Transformed by Christ’s
Body and Blood, to make a contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in proportion to your income, and continue
our Mission to Light a Fire in the Heart of the Church. Be assured that every dollar raised, without exception, will go to
support the ministries listed in this brochure.
My brothers and sisters, thank you for your faithfulness to God and the Holy Family, as well as to our Church of
Metuchen. Thank you for your ongoing generosity. Please know that you are in my prayers; and I ask for your prayers
for me in return. May Saint Joseph guide us to radical trust in God, generous service and holiness of life and may we be
Transformed by Christ’s Body and Blood as we are Sent on Mission to Light a Fire in the Heart of the Church.
With renewed best wishes, I remain
Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen
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Please note: Some events may be subject
to change in light of the developing situa-
LENTEN tion of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Any
INSTRUCTIONS — changes will be published on our website
2021 and in future bulletins.
So that the Church of Metuchen Ash Wednesday ~ February 17
may be spiritually one in a common observance of The liturgical observance of Lent
Lent, the following days of fast and abstinence are to begins with the imposition of ashes.
be observed by all Catholics of the Diocese who enjoy We're given the challenge that Jesus
the blessings of good health: puts before us in the Gospel of Mark:
“Turn away from sin and be faithful to
the gospel”. (Mark 1:15)
1. The days of fast and abstinence are Ash
Wednesday and Good Friday.
Ashes will be distributed at:
2. All other Fridays of Lent ar e Mass: 6:30am, 8:30am, 12:10pm, 7:00pm (Bilingual
days of abstinence. Mass). Liturgy of the Word with distribution of
ashes at 3pm and 4:30pm. All services will be in the
3. From the Evening Mass of the Lord's main church. Parking lot will be available for
Supper on Holy Thursday until the parishioners all day on Ash Wednesday.
celebration of the Easter Vigil on the
evening of Holy Saturday, the Easter fast
should be observed so that, with uplifted
and welcoming hearts, we may be ready to
celebrate the joys of the Resurrection. This Daily Eucharist During Lent
ancient tradition, intimately connected with
the Rites of Holy W eek and the Order of Saturday Evening: 5:00pm
Christian Initiation of Adults, is Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am,
encouraged, especially in those places 11:00am in English
baptizing catechumens at the Easter Vigil. 1:00pm Spanish
Monday—Thursday: 6:30, 8:00am Daily
The obligation to fast applies only to Catholics Friday: 6:30 & 8:30am
between the ages of 18 and 59. To fast in the
Saturday: 6:30 & 8:00am
Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full
meal during the day so as to experience hunger.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, the Blessed Sacrament
The obligation of abstinence affects all Catholics is exposed for Adoration all day in the main church
who have reached the age of 14. Abstinence in the from 9AM-3PM. Plan on a visit to church for
Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat and all some quiet time of prayer during Lent.
meat products.
The obligation of fast and abstinence, as a whole,
is a serious obligation. While failure to observe any Easter Duty or Easter Precept
penitential day in itself may not be considered serious,
the failure to observe any penitential days at all, or a Catholics are obligated to receive the Eucharist at
substantial number of them without good cause, least once a year, between the first Sunday of Lent,
would be considered a grave matter. Those unable to February 21st, and Trinity Sunday, May 30th. Those
abstain for a valid reason on any given Friday of Lent conscious of serious sin are obligated to celebrate the
are asked to perform some other penitential act, or to Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) before receiving
abstain on another day. May all our Lenten Holy Communion.
prayers, fasting and works of mercy help us prepare us
to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord with renewed
minds and hearts. Please follow all safety precautions
when visiting the church, i.e., wear your
face masks, and keep 6 feet apart.
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Eucharistic Adoration
Stations of the Cross
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for Ad-
We will continue the time-honored oration in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel
tradition of walking “The Way of the every week as follows:
Cross” every Friday at 7:00pm in
English (except Good Friday—when it
will be at 7:30pm). Spanish Stations of the Cross will be Tuesday 8:30AM—3:00PM
at 7:45PM every Friday. Friday 9:00AM—3:00PM
February 19 The Way of the Cross/Divine Mercy Note—No Eucharistic Adoration on Good Friday, April
February 26 The Way of the Cross l 2nd.
March 5 The Family Way of the Cross We encourage people to stop by for some quiet time of
March 12 Marian Stations of the Cross reflection and prayer. Spend 5 minutes or an hour in the
presence of our Eucharistic Lord.
March 19 The Way of the Cross l
March 26 The Way of the Cross l
April 2 5:30pm Stations of the Cross (in Spanish)
7:30pm Stations of the Cross
Sacred Music in a Sacred Space
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
(Confession) Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 4:30pm
In the spirit of Lenten renewal, we reevaluate our lives
and ask our merciful God for forgiveness. Confessions
will be heard: Join the Immaculate Conception Choir,
Children’s Choir accompanied by chamber or-
Every Saturday of Lent from: chestra and organ as we present our annual
2:00 - 3:00pm program of uplifting and inspiring choral
(Except Holy Saturday) music. A free-will offering will be taken.
AND
Exposition & Reconciliation on Tuesday,
March 23rd from 7-9pm.
Special Parish Celebration
Note: No Confessions on Holy Saturday.
2021
Msgr Joseph Celano will
celebrate the Sacrament of
Confirmation on the following
Corporal Works of Mercy for Lent dates: 4/12, 4/13 and 4/14 and
4/16 at 7PM in Church.
* Preparing or serving food for SHIP’s Galley Friday, March
4th located at 87 East High Street in Somerville.
* Serving food on the Mobile Soup Kitchen, Wednesday,
March 2nd. On May 1st at 9:00am and
* Contribute to the monthly penny collection. 11:30am our Parish will
* Consider becoming involved in one of our Social Ministry celebrate First Holy
Programs! Communion in Church.
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† † Holy Week 2021 † †
The Sacred Triduum
Passion (Palm) Sunday ~ March 28th
Lent ends as we enter the Easter Triduum. We join
We begin Holy Week with the blessing and procession in Christ’s death and resurrection. All are strongly
with palms. We honor Christ as King as we reflect on His encouraged to join in every Triduum event.
Passion and Death.
The Triduum is a single
The Mass schedule is: celebration of the paschal
mystery presented over three
Saturday: 5:00pm (English) days under different aspects.
Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, & Christians remembering is more
11:00am, (English) than retracing the Lord’s steps
& 1:00pm Spanish during His last days in Jerusa-
lem. At the Holy Thursday Eu-
charist, the Church is already
drawn into the whole event of
Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Good Friday celebra-
Monday of Holy Week ~ March 29 tion of the Lord’s passion is austere but never sad, for the
risen Lord already reigns triumphant. On Holy Saturday,
Holy Eucharist: 6:30am & 8:00am the Church waits for the celebration of Christ’s resurrec-
tion and its own at the Easter Vigil when the Spirit
hovers over the waters of the font and the community of
faith drinks deeply again of the mystery of Jesus’ passage
Chrism Mass from death to life. (Roman Missal)
St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen
Monday, March 29th at 4:00PM
In our cathedral in Metuchen, the
priests of our diocese renew their
commitment to priestly service and
the Bishop blesses and consecrates Holy Thursday, April 1st
the Holy Oils: the Oil of Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:30PM
Catechumens (used for Baptism);
the Oil of the Sick (used for
Anointing of the Sick); and the We commemorate Jesus’ parting gifts of love: the
Sacred Chrism (used at Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, His continual presence; the Priesthood,
Orders, and the blessing of church walls and altars). His care and concern for us; and Christian Service,
Parishioners are encouraged to attend. our call to continue Christ’s ministry.
Tuesday of Holy Week ~March 30 The Mass of the Lord’s Supper
calls us to service enables us to
Eucharist: 6:30am, 8:00am give alms, and “watch one hour”
Eucharistic Adoration 8:30am —3:00pm with the Risen Lord. Eucharistic
Choir Rehearsal 7-10:00pm—Church Adoration after 7:30pm Mass
until Night Prayer at 11:00pm in
the main Church.
Wednesday of Holy Week ~ Mar 31 The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will
be bilingual.
Eucharist: 6:30am, 8:00am,
12:10pm Communion Service
¡Esta Santa Misa será bilingüe!
11:00PM Night Prayer (Church)
Holy Thursday Morning ~ April 1 No overnight Adoration
Morning Prayer: 8:30am – Main Church
(Church law forbids a morning mass.)
5
† † Holy Week 2021 † † Just Got FORMED
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5:30pm Stations of the Cross (Spanish)
7:30pm Living Stations of the Cross (English)
No Eucharistic Adoration today.
Holy Saturday ~ April 3
By ancient tradition, Mass is not
celebrated on Holy Saturday. We
keep watch at the tomb in solemn
prayer. Pray for those who will be
baptized and welcomed into our
Church as they spend this day in
prayerful reflection.
8:30am Morning Prayer
with food blessing
8:00pm Easter Vigil Mass
NOTE: There will be no 5:00pm Mass on Holy
Saturday. The ONLY Mass is the 8:00pm
Vigil. No Confessions Today
Easter Sunday ~ April 4
Mass Schedule
Saturday in English:
8:00pm ~Easter Vigil
Sunday in English:
7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am
1:00pm ~ Spanish Mass 6
Camp Fatima
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Mission 2021
All people need a place to meet friends, play and
Building Houses of spend time with their peers. Unfortunately, a place like
this is often difficult for mentally/physically handicapped
Hope in Appalachia adults to find because they have special needs that re-
quire individual care. For 30 years, Camp Fatima of
Over the course of the past New Jersey has helped special adults. For 4 weekends a
seventeen summers, more than year, 2 this spring, Camp Fatima, free for all campers
720 students and chaperones and their families, provides a unique experience for
from Immaculate Conception handicapped adults. No adult is excluded because of
have embarked on a mission that financial status. Some of our campers live in institutions
has changed their lives. These year-round and this is their one opportunity to get away
individuals participated in the Wayne County Work and do all the activities they love. Please keep in mind
Camp, located in the poverty stricken Appalachian that Camp Fatima (non-profit in every sense of the word)
Mountains of West Virginia. is staffed completely by VOLUNTEERS who do not
receive a cent for their endeavors. Even those who or-
Once again, this summer, 30 students and 10 ganize Camp Fatima DO NOT get paid for their efforts.
chaperones from our parish will participate in Mission It is an extraordinary, magical place where miracles hap-
2020 by traveling to West Virginia to build and repair pen throughout the weekends year after year. Your ef-
homes for those most desperately in need. forts truly make the miracle of Camp Fatima happen. The
next scheduled weekend for this spring are April 16-
Starting February 20-21, 2021, a replica of the April 18th, 2021. Thank you. Please contact Jeanine
first home built by Houses of Hope will be displayed Cavanagh at 725-1112 x1126 if you would like more in-
in the back of the church. Pictures of the various formation. Please see the bulletin for other ways you
Work Camp projects and volunteers from our Parish can support Camp Fatima.
and High School will also be displayed. If you are
interested in making a contribution to Mission 2021
and the Houses of Hope initiative, kindly take a “saw
tag” from the display. You can choose from among
tags specifying cash donations for a variety of
building supplies. Perhaps you could donate the cost
of a box of nails ($5) or insulation ($25) or a sink
($65) or a window ($100). Please place the tag, along
with your donation in the amount specified, in an Food Collection
envelope and return it in the collection basket or bring
it to the Parish Center (35 Mountain Ave - Monday – Donating food to our food pantry is a good
Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00pm). Please make checks way to offer alms for those less fortunate.
payable to “Immaculate Conception Church, Food is collected the third weekend of every
Appalachia Fund”. All donations should be returned month. The dates during Lent are February
by Monday, March 29th, 2021. 20th/21st and March 20th/21st . Please
consider the needs of the poor.
Typically, the houses our students
repair in Appalachia are shacks,
cabins and trailers, many of which do Penny Collection: For over 21 years,
not have what we would consider our penny collection has been converting
basic necessities, such as running your generous contributions into relief for
water, heat or electricity. To many the poor and the hungry. The idea is that
of our “mountain friends”, these are by taking small donations from many individuals each
month, we will be able to gather sufficient sums that can
“luxuries”. In choosing to be a part
make an impact on improving the lives of the poor. 100%
of this effort you will not only be improving the of these donations goes directly to fund SHIPs pro-
physical conditions of these people's lives, you will grams, Thank you. Our next Penny Collection, the first
also be sending a message of hope and love. weekend of the month during Lent are March 6th and
For more information regarding Mission 2021 or 7th and April 3rd and 4th. We encourage you to keep
Houses of Hope, please contact Jeanine Cavanagh at a ‘pennies for the poor’ jar/can in your home and make
the Immaculate Conception Social Ministry Office, this collection a family ministry. Together we can con-
vert our individual “spare change” (and spare dollars)
908-725-1112 ext. 1126. into an answer of Christ’s call to care for the
poor. Please be aware we are unable to accept foreign curren-
cy; the counting machine cannot process these coins.
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Easter Sunday – April 4th
Christ is Risen!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Easter Masses:
Saturday, 4/3
8:00PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, 4/4
7:30AM, 9:00AM, & 11:00AM
Spanish Mass, 1:00PM
Jesus Christ is Risen Today!
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