Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 522 Main Street • P.O. Box 399 • Marydel, Maryland 21649-0399

Phone: 410-482-7687 • Fax: 410-482-7253 www.iccmarydel.org

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Friday 9:30-12noon, Closed Wednesdays

Because of the limited size of our staff, hours are subject to change. It’s best to call first.

January 13, 2018 – Baptism of our Lord

Eucharist of the Lord’s Day

Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. (in Spanish)

Weekday Eucharist Thursday 7:00 p.m. (in Spanish)

Holydays of Obligation As announced in the bulletin

Reconciliation After the Sunday morning Masses,

Thursday evening 6:30pm And by appointment at any reasonable time

Pastoral Care and Liturgy Very Rev. James S. Lentini, V.F., Pastor Rev. Idongesit A. Etim, Parochial Vicar Rev. Timothy J. Brady, Parochial Vicar Father Mano Salla, Parochial Vicar

Deacon James M. Tormey, Sr. Deacon Sherman Mitchell, III

Christian Formation Mrs. Alicia Poppiti, D.R.E. Hispanic Ministry Mrs. Arline Dosman

If you or someone you know is in need of financial assistance, please call

St Vincent DePaul (302) 670-6702

The Sacraments

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process in which adults and children of catechetical age join the Catholic Church. Please contact Deacon Sherman Mitchell III, our R.C.I.A. Coordinator, for details at 302-492-0753.

Parents wishing to present their children for Infant Baptism must participate in an orientation session. Please call the parish office at 410-482-8939 for details.

Please contact Alicia Poppiti at 410-482-8939 about the preparation of young people for Confirmation, or about children’s first reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

Couples planning Matrimony meet with the Pastor or one of the Deacons at least one year in advance of the wedding date they are considering. Please call the parish office to arrange for this meeting.

Pastoral Care of the Sick: The Anointing of the Sick is appropriate for anyone faced with hospitalization or a serious challenge to health. When a hospital admission is planned, please arrange to receive the Anointing here beforehand, if at all possible. Our lay ministers to the sick bring Holy Communion to those unable to come to Mass for any length of time. Please call the parish office to arrange for these services.

Your Pastor, Deacons and parish staff members are always happy to speak in confidence with anyone who senses a call to ordained ministry or religious life.

Dear Parishioners,

From the First-Things-First Dept. – The answers to last

week’s Christmas Crossword can be found at the end of

this column.

Extra Seasoning. Well, this weekend we celebrate the

Baptism of the Lord, and thus, we end the Christmas season

for this liturgical year. While the world around us

seemingly finished its celebration on December 26th, we

continued, in faith, to share in that joy of the coming of our

savior for 19 more celebratory days! And, not only did we

celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, but also his Holy

Family, Mary’s Motherhood, His manifestation to the

Three Kings (Epiphany), and, today, His Baptism by St.

John the Baptist. However, in this column, on this

weekend, I would like to focus our attention back to

December 25 – the start of the Christmas season. I often

note that St. Anastasia, who is mentioned during the

praying of the Roman Canon, has her feast day on

December 25. Thus, in addition to being gypped out of

birthday gifts, poor St. Anastasia is also never the recipient

of a memorial at Mass.

Eighty-sixed on the 25th. This got me to thinking: Is St.

Anastasia alone in this Christmas lock-out? Well, I’ll end

the suspense: The answer is no. There are 19 saints

(including one group of Martyrs) who are observed on that

day, to wit: St. Adalsindis, St. Alburga of Wilton, St.

Anastasia, Blessed Artale, St. Basilée, Blessed Bentivoglio

de Bonis, Blessed Diego de Aro, St. Eugenia of Rome,

Blessed Fulk of Toulouse, Blessed Jacopone, St. Jovin,

Blessed Maria Therese von Wüllenweber, Blessed Matthew

of Albano, Blessed Michael Nakashima Saburoemon,

Blessed Nera, St. Peter Nolasco, Blessed Peter the

Venerable, St. Romulus of Berry, and the Martyrs of

Nicomedia. Each of these holy men and women have their

feast day on December 25 and, thus, are often overlooked

in the annals of Christendom. In this column, I’ll highlight

the lives of four of these 19 saints and take you beyond the

Christmas tree!

St. Anastasia: Burning Love. St. Anastasia’s story is

mainly relayed to us from the ancient writings called the

Acts of Saint Chrysogonus the Martyr. Of noble birth, she

was widowed young, and spent her time and money

assisting persecuted Christians. While in Illyria (western

Balkan peninsula) visiting St. Chrysogonus, a priest

imprisoned for practicing his faith, she was likewise

imprisoned. Under Roman Emperor Diocletian’s harsh

decrees against Christians, St. Anastasia, who would not

recant her faith, was taken to the island of Palmarola (off

the west coast of Italy) and was burned alive for being a

Christian. The Church of Sant'Anastasia al Palatino (in

Rome) was dedicated in her honor in the 4th century. Until

the mid-1960s, St. Anastasia was commemorated during

the Christmas Mass at Dawn, each Christmas Day. St.

Anastasia, pray for us.

Gee, It’s Quiet! Bl. Bentivoglio de Bonis was born in 1188

in San Severino Marche, Italy. For those fans of Medaglia

d'Oro coffee, you will note that like the "g" in Medaglia,

the "g" in Bentivoglio is silent. Imagine, a silent "g" -- we'd

never do such a thing in English, RIGHT? Anyway, Bl.

Bentivoglio became a fervent disciple of St. Francis, and

became one of first -- if not the first -- Franciscan Priest.

He was model of humility, obedience and charity. Once,

when inflamed by the Holy Spirit while preaching to the

people, it is said that a luminous star appeared in his

forehead that made his whole-body shimmer and shine with

pure light. Many miracles were attributed to him, and he

brought many people to conversion to the faith. He passed

from this life on December 25, 1232 and won his Medaglia

d’Oro (Gold Medal) from God, and now shares eternity

with the saints in Heaven. Bl. Bentivoglio, pray for us.

Incensed by Incense. At Nicomedia, several thousand of

the faithful had gathered for Mass on the day of our Lord’s

Nativity. Christian-hating Roman Emperor Diocletian

heard about this gathering and ordered that the doors of the

Church to be closed, and fire to be kindled around the

building. He also ordered that a vessel filled with incense

be placed in the entranceway to the Church. His henchmen

then announced that any who wished to escape the burning

Church should come to the entranceway, burn incense to

Roman god Jupiter, and they’d be allowed to leave in

safety. All the Christian present shouted with one voice that

they preferred to die for Christ, then worship a false god.

And on that December 25, 304, those Christian martyrs

earned their reward and were born into heaven on the

anniversary of the day Christ was born into the world. Holy

Martyrs of Nicomedia, pray for us.

A Man called “Crazy Jim” (This is Not

Autobiographical). St. Jacopone started out as a decadent,

wealthy, and worldly man named Jacamo. He was married

to a holy woman named Vanna (though this one did not

turn letters on Wheel of Fortune). After Vanna was killed

in an accident, Jacamo learned his wife had always prayed

that one day he’d abandon his wealth and his worldly ways.

To honor her wishes, he gave up all his wealth and became

a beggar. His friends nicknamed him “Jacopone” (meaning

“Crazy Jim”). He went on to join the Franciscan order,

where he lived an utterly ascetic life of poverty. After some

ups and downs with the Franciscans, he spent his final

years writing Latin hymns; the most famous of which is the

“Stabat Mater” (which is sung between the Stations of the

Cross). He died on December 25, 1306, during Midnight

Mass. Whether or not his envelope made it into the

collection basket, only the Franciscans know for sure! St.

Jacopone, pray for us.

So, as we wrap up this Christmas season, let’s take a

moment to remember those holy men and women blessed

to share a sacred day with the Lord whom they loved so

very much. Saints of Christmas Day, pray for us!

Yours in Christ, Fr. James Lentini, Pastor

ANSWERS TO CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS: 4. O HOLY NIGHT; 6. DAVID; 9. WISE MEN;

10. STEPHEN; 12. OCTAVE; 13. FRANCIS; 15. TROUGH;

18. MATTHEW; 21. DAVINCI; 23. DAWN; 25. BREAD; 26.

CIRCUMCISION; 28. BE AFRAID; 32. CASPAR; 34.

BETHLEHEM; 36. MANIFESTATION; 37. CARD; 38.

MELCHIOR

DOWN: 1. GOLD; 2. WORD; 3. JESUS; 5. CENSUS; 7.

INNOCENTS; 8. ANNUNCIATION; 11. JOSEPH; 14.

ADAM AND EVE; 16. HEROD; 17. FRANKINCENSE; 19.

STAR; 20. INCARNATION; 22. BALTHAZAR; 24.

JULIUS; 25. BIRTH; 27. MOTHERHOOD; 28. BAPTISM;

29. ABRAHAM; 30. SYLVESTER; 31. TURKEY; 33.

CAKE; 35. MYRRH

MASS INTENTIONS:

Sunday, January 13

8:30 Erma Neudecker

11:00 Thomas James Brady

Misa en Español 1pm

Thursday, January 17

7pm Misa For the People

Sunday, January 20

8:30 Erma Neudecker

11:00 JoAnn Baffa

Misa en Español 1pm For the People

COLLECTION TOTALS:

Offertory: $ 4321.50 supplementary: $ 823.00

Second Collection Today: St. Vincent DePaul

Your continued support of the work of your Church is much needed and appreciated

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME & TALENT

Altar Servers

January 20

8:30am Mass – Anna Clancy, Mike Dixon

11am Mass – Joanna Santizo, Vince Haass

Spanish Misa 1pm – Jessica Perez Ortiz, Sofia Ramirez

Lectors

January 20

8:30am Mass – Catherine Beck

11am Mass – Sherry Tucker

Spanish Misa 1pm – Fausto Ortiz, Haydi Fuentes

Eucharistic Ministers

January 20

8:30am Mass – Marilyn Dixon, Julia Moore

11am Mass – Alicia Poppiti, Jim Ward

Spanish Misa 1pm – Dolores Cuin, Carlos Miguel,

Flora Pérez, Genaro Pérez, Antonio Pérez

Collection Counters

Jan 13 Elisa & Tom Costello Jan 20 Tom & Mary McGowan

Jan 27 Robin & Paul Engstenberg

Church Cleaning Crew

Enero 18, 2019 Grupo #6

Santos Juárez, Arturo Ramírez, Eva Bravo,

Herminda Bravo, Paulina Morales, Silvia Ramírez

Enero 25, 2019 Grupo #7

Ovidio Roblero, Natalina Capistran, Fausto Ortiz,

Everilda Pérez, Amanda Salas, Ashley Salas

SCHEDULED EVENTS

Sun, Jan 13 9:40am – SRE Classes in Classrooms

Sun, Jan 13 11am – Confirmation Prep

Tues, Jan 15 6:30pm – 1st Communion Prep

Tues, Jan 15 7pm – Juan XXIII

Fri, Jan 18 6pm – Formación in Hall

Fri, Jan 18 7pm – Band Practice

Fri, Jan 18 7pm – RCIA

Sat, Jan 19 6:30pm – Culto

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY – Meeting Jan 20th between Masses Do you know how to crochet, loom knit, knit, quilt or weave? Would you like to learn how to do these crafts or teach them to others? We would

like to start a prayer shawl ministry in our parish. We would like to gather together in community to support others with a tangible sign of our prayers and support- with prayer shawls, lap afghans and scarves. Please join us in the parish hall next Sunday, January 20th between Masses. If you would like to come, or want to be involved but can't come to our meeting, please contact Peggy O'Meara at joyfulnoise@comcast.net, or please leave a message at 302-653-1006, and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Marriage & Family Life Corner

Parenting Pointer –

If your children are old enough, recount with them

the story of their baptism. Tell the story of your

own baptism as you heard it from your parents.

Marriage Moment –

Even if you've already broken some New Year’s

resolutions, recommit to putting your beloved first -

in words, in acts of kindness, in attention.

Knights of Columbus

Next meeting

Tues, January 22

7pm Meeting

in the Knights Hall

All members are encouraged to attend. Membership

is open to men 18 years of age or older who are

practicing Catholics. For more info, contact Grand

Knight, Bruce Kelley (302) 502-6040 or

kelley29@comcast.net. Follow us on Facebook @

Knights of Columbus Council 12509

CATHOLICISM Faith Formation Program

Journey Around the World and Deep into the Faith With creator and host Bishop Robert Barron, you will learn what Catholics believe and why while being immersed in the art, architecture, literature, beliefs and practices of the Catholic tradition. The Catholicism Faith Formation Program brings the beauty, goodness and truth of the Church to life so that you can better understand and share your faith. Bishop Robert Barron is an acclaimed author, theologian and podcasting priest. An innovative teacher of the Catholic Faith who uses the tools of the new media to further the New Evangelization, Bishop Barron is also the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. What: 10+ sessions/10 episodes When: Begins Monday, January 28th, 6:30pm Where: Immaculate Conception Hall Registration: $10, call 410-482-8939 or email dre@iccmarydel.org

FROM THE DRE’S DESK

School of Religious Education 9:40am-10:50am

Registrations for the 2019-2020 School of Religious Education year will be out in early February.

Sacramental Prep:

Confirmation Prep: Today, Sun, Jan 13th 11am in

Hall.

1st Communion Prep: Tuesday, January 15th at 6:30pm-

7:30pm in the Church.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK Baptism of the Lord

Theme: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Question for Children: What are some things you can do to please God? Question for Youth: "With you I am well pleased." What are you doing right now that is pleasing to God? How does it feel to live that way? Question for Adults: Name a time when you felt your actions were pleasing to God.

El bautizo del Señor

Tema: "Tú eres mi querido Hijo; contigo estoy satisfecho." Pregunta para los niños: ¿Qué pueden hacer para satisfacer a Dios? Pregunta para los jóvenes: "Estoy muy complacido contigo." ¿Qué estás haciendo en estos momentos que hace que Dios esté satisfecho? ¿Qué sientes cuando vives de esa manera? Pregunta para los adultos: Nombren una ocasión en que sintieron que sus acciones satisfacían a Dios.

End of Diocesan Sesquicentennial celebration sellout of Catholic Priests of the Diocese of Wilmington, on the 150th Anniversary of

its founding. A great gift for Christmas or birthdays in the New Year. On sale now for $15 (included S&H) Available at Angel Crossing Store in Elsmere(302-654-3232) or by contacting petermanpublication@gmail.com or 302-225-7498.

Saint Thomas More is now accepting

applications for the 2019-2020 school

year. Affordable, quality, Catholic

education!

Financial Aid Application

Deadline: TOMORROW - Jan. 14, 2019

A Catholic high school education at St. Thomas More

Academy does not have to be out of reach solely for

financial reasons. STMA families are eligible for both

local and diocesan needs-based financial aid. Apply for

aid online at https://factsmgt.com/parent-

resources/grant-and-aid/ If you are interested in spending

a day at STMA or learning more about STMA, we

encourage you to visit us in person or through our

website www.saintmore.org

Are you being called to the priesthood or religious life?

Find out more about the priesthood at www.diocesanpriest.com Find out more about the religious life: religiouslife.com. Let us help you to discover God’s plan for your life. E-mail: vocations@cdow.org or Call us: (302) 573-3113 today!

Retrouvaille is a peer ministry of volunteer couples

who can help a couple re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together, just as they have done in their own marriages. Retrouvaille

can help heal a marriage, as it has for tens of thousands of couples throughout the world. The next program begins on the weekend of February 8-10 at the

Family Life Center in Malvern, PA. Additional weekends will be held in April and August. For more information, or to register for one of our weekends, visit our web site at: www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 1-800-470-2230. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

History of the Diocese of Wilmington Get your copy today of the Illustrated History of the

Diocese of Wilmington. Cost is only $30 for this hard

cover—glossy paper—336 pages, full color throughout.

Stop by the Parish Office for your copy today. Also

available is a soft cover graphic book for only $12.

Columna del párroco padre James Lentini 13 de enero, 2019. Queridos feligreses,

Del Departamento de Lo Primero es lo Primero: las

respuestas al Crucigrama de Navidad de la semana

pasada se encuentran al final de esta columna.

Tiempo Extra. Pues bien, este fin de semana

celebramos el Bautismo del Señor, y así, terminamos el

tiempo de Navidad para este año litúrgico. Mientras el

mundo que nos rodea parecía haber terminado su

celebración el 26 de diciembre, ¡continuamos, en fe,

compartiendo esa alegría de la llegada de nuestro

Salvador durante 19 días más de celebración! Y, no solo

celebramos la venida de Jesucristo, sino también su

Sagrada Familia, la Maternidad de María, su

manifestación a los Tres Reyes (Epifanía) y, hoy, Su

Bautismo por San Juan Bautista. Sin embargo, en esta

columna, este fin de semana, me gustaría centrar nuestra

atención en el 25 de diciembre, el inicio del tiempo

navideño. A menudo tomo nota de que Santa Anastasia,

a quien se menciona durante la oración del canon

romano, celebra su fiesta el 25 de diciembre. Por lo

tanto, además de no recibir regalos de cumpleaños, la

pobre Santa Anastasia nunca recibe memorial en misa.

Ochenta y Seis en el Día 25. Esto me hizo pensar: ¿Está

Santa Anastasia sola en este bloqueo de Navidad?

Bueno, voy a terminar el suspenso: la respuesta es no.

Hay 19 santos (incluido un grupo de mártires) que se

observan en este día, a saber: St. Adalsindis, St. Alburga

de Wilton, St. Anastasia, Beata Artale, St. Basilée, Beato

Bentivoglio de Bonis, Beato Diego de Aro, Santa

Eugenia de Roma, Beato Fulco de Toulouse, Beato

Jacopone, San Jovin, Beata María Teresa de

Wüllenweber, Beato Mateo de Albano, Beato Miguel

Nakashima Saburoemon, Beato Nera, San Pedro

Nolasco, Beato Pedro el Venerable, San Rómulo de

Berry y los mártires de Nicomedia. Cada uno de estos

santos hombres y mujeres celebran su fiesta el 25 de

diciembre y, por lo tanto, a menudo pasan por alto en

los anuales de la cristiandad. En esta columna, resaltaré

las vidas de cuatro de estos 19 santos y te llevaré más

allá del árbol de Navidad.

Santa Anastasia: Amor Ardiente. La historia de Santa

Anastasia se nos transmite principalmente de los escritos

antiguos llamados Hechos de San Crisógono Mártir. De

noble nacimiento, ella era viuda muy joven, y pasaba su

tiempo y gastaba su dinero ayudando a los cristianos

perseguidos. Mientras estaba en Rusia Illyria (península

de los Balcanes occidentales) visitando a San Crisógono,

un sacerdote encarcelado por practicar su fe, ella

también fue encarcelada. Bajo los duros decretos del

emperador romano Diocleciano contra los cristianos,

Santa Anastasia, que no se retractó de su fe, fue llevada a

la isla de Palmarola (en la costa oeste de Italia) y fue

quemada viva por ser cristiana. La Iglesia de Santa

Anastasia al Palatino (en Roma) fue dedicada en su

honor en el siglo IV. Hasta mediados de la década de

1960, Santa Anastasia se conmemoraba durante la misa

de Navidad en la Misa de la Aurora, cada día de

Navidad. Santa Anastasia, ruega por nosotros.

¡Caramba, Que Tranquilo! Licdo. Bentivoglio de

Bonis nació en 1188 en San Severino Marche, Italia.

Para aquellos fanáticos del café Medaglia d'Oro, notarán

que al igual que la "g" en Medaglia, la "g" en

Bentivoglio está en silencio. Imagínate, una "g"

silenciosa: nunca haríamos algo así en inglés, ¿verdad?

De todos modos, Bentivoglio se convirtió en un

ferviente discípulo de San Francisco y se convirtió en

uno de los primeros, si no el primero, en sacerdote

franciscano. Fue modelo de humildad, obediencia y

caridad. Una vez, cuando lleno del Espíritu Santo

mientras predica a la gente, se dice que una estrella

luminosa apareció en su frente que hizo que todo su

cuerpo brillara y brillara con una luz pura. Se le

atribuyeron muchos milagros y él llevó a muchas

personas a la conversión a la fe. Pasó de esta vida el 25

de diciembre de 1232 y ganó su Medaglia d’Oro

(Medalla de oro) de Dios, y ahora comparte la eternidad

con los santos en el cielo. Licdo. Bentivoglio, ruega por

nosotros.

Incensado por el Incienso. En Nicomedia, varios miles

de fieles se habían reunido para la misa el día de la

Natividad de nuestro Señor. El emperador romano

Diocleciano, que odiaba a los cristianos, se enteró de

esta reunión y ordenó que se cerraran las puertas de la

Iglesia y que se encendiera el fuego alrededor del

edificio. También ordenó que se colocara un recipiente

lleno de incienso en la entrada a la Iglesia. Sus secuaces

luego anunciaron que cualquiera que deseara escapar de

la Iglesia en llamas debería venir a la entrada, quemar

incienso al dios romano Júpiter, y se les permitiría salir a

salvo. Todos los cristianos presentes gritaron con una

sola voz que preferían morir por Cristo y que adorar a

un dios falso. Y ese 25 de diciembre de 304, esos

mártires cristianos obtuvieron su recompensa y nacieron

en el cielo en el aniversario del día en que Cristo nació

en el mundo. Santos mártires de Nicomedia, ruega por

nosotros.

Un Hombre llamado " El Loco Jacopone" (Esto no es

autobiográfico). San. Jacopone comenzó como un

hombre decadente, rico y mundano llamado Jacamo.

Estaba casado con una mujer santa llamada Vanna

(aunque ésta no giró las letras en la Rueda de la

Fortuna). Después de que Vanna muriera en un

accidente, Jacamo supo que su esposa siempre había

orado para que algún día abandonara su riqueza y sus

formas mundanas. Para honrar sus deseos, renunció a

toda su riqueza y se convirtió en un mendigo. Sus

amigos lo apodaron " El Loco Jacopone". Se unió a la

orden franciscana, donde vivió una vida de pobreza

absolutamente ascética. Después de algunos altibajos

con los franciscanos, pasó sus últimos años escribiendo

himnos latinos; El más famoso de los cuales es el "Stabat

Mater" (que se canta entre las Estaciones de la Cruz).

Murió el 25 de diciembre de 1306, durante la misa de

medianoche. Ya sea que su sobre de la coleta llegara a la

canasta o no, ¡solo los franciscanos lo saben con

seguridad! San Jacopone, ruega por nosotros.

Entonces, mientras terminamos esta tiempo navideño,

tomemos un momento para recordar a aquellos hombres

y mujeres santos que tienen la bendición de compartir un

día santo con el Señor a quien amaron tanto.

Santos del día de Navidad, ¡ruega por nosotros!

Tuyo en cristo

P. James Lentini

Párroco