Let us Lenten Together in Hope
Brother and sisters of Immaculate Conception Parish,
A new lent is fast approaching. We begin the penitential season on March 5 and conclude it with the beginning of the Sacred Triduum on Holy Thursday night, April 17. Lent 2025 is celebrated during the Jubilee Year of Hope. We are all Pilgrims of Hope, the Hope that comes from the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord.
Pope Francis has entitled his 2025 lent message: “Let us journey together in hope.” He points out the first of all it is a journey that we are called to embark as the people of Israel were called to embark the lengthy journey to the Promised Land. Not an easy journey. He calls us to pay attention to those who in our time are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their families. It is a journey where we cannot just remain standing still, immobilized by our fears and hopelessness.
Second, he reminds us that it is not a solitary journey, but one that we do together as a community of believers in a synodal path. Walking side by side with others, never alone in the journey. Celebrating the unity grounded in our common dignity of being children of God. It is walking side-by-side in the same direction attentive to each other in love and patience.
Thirdly, the Pope points out that we are to journey together in hope. The hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5), the hope that comes from the victory of Easter. Death has no longer power; it has been transformed into triumph. We are called to conversion, to hope, to trust in God and his great promise.
As parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish, we undertake this journey together in hope, letting us ask the Lord to unite more closely together our parish community. There is only one parish. A parish that is multicultural, multiracial, that speaks different languages, but journeys together in hope to the encounter with our God. One community of faith, not divided, but blessed by the many different gifts that each person and culture bring. May we embrace each other as we journey together in hope.
Fray Manuel Viera OFM
Pastor
A new lent is fast approaching. We begin the penitential season on March 5 and conclude it with the beginning of the Sacred Triduum on Holy Thursday night, April 17. Lent 2025 is celebrated during the Jubilee Year of Hope. We are all Pilgrims of Hope, the Hope that comes from the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord.
Pope Francis has entitled his 2025 lent message: “Let us journey together in hope.” He points out the first of all it is a journey that we are called to embark as the people of Israel were called to embark the lengthy journey to the Promised Land. Not an easy journey. He calls us to pay attention to those who in our time are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their families. It is a journey where we cannot just remain standing still, immobilized by our fears and hopelessness.
Second, he reminds us that it is not a solitary journey, but one that we do together as a community of believers in a synodal path. Walking side by side with others, never alone in the journey. Celebrating the unity grounded in our common dignity of being children of God. It is walking side-by-side in the same direction attentive to each other in love and patience.
Thirdly, the Pope points out that we are to journey together in hope. The hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5), the hope that comes from the victory of Easter. Death has no longer power; it has been transformed into triumph. We are called to conversion, to hope, to trust in God and his great promise.
As parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish, we undertake this journey together in hope, letting us ask the Lord to unite more closely together our parish community. There is only one parish. A parish that is multicultural, multiracial, that speaks different languages, but journeys together in hope to the encounter with our God. One community of faith, not divided, but blessed by the many different gifts that each person and culture bring. May we embrace each other as we journey together in hope.
Fray Manuel Viera OFM
Pastor
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross in English will be held in the church every Friday of Lent at Noon. Stations of the Cross in Spanish will be held in the church every Thursday of Lent at 6:15 PM. We hope to see you here!
Knights of Columbus Fish Fries
Knights of Columbus are having their fish fries from 4:30 - 7PM. The meal includes Fish, French Fries, Mac & Cheese, Hushpuppies, Cole Slaw.
$15 per plate, child’s plate $8/plate. In person dining and drive thru available. Please come and support our fund raiser events.
March 21st- Holy Infant
March 28th– Immaculate Conception
April 4th - Holy Infant
April 11th - Holy Infant
$15 per plate, child’s plate $8/plate. In person dining and drive thru available. Please come and support our fund raiser events.
March 21st- Holy Infant
March 28th– Immaculate Conception
April 4th - Holy Infant
April 11th - Holy Infant
Adult Ed Session
How can we deepen our faith during this Lenten season?
Join us on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:00 PM in the church as we explore ways to strengthen our faith during Lent. We will discuss traditional Lenten practices encouraged by the Church and the reasons behind them. Additionally, we will have the opportunity for Lenten prayer.
This event will be facilitated by Margie Burton.
Join us on Wednesday, March 19, at 7:00 PM in the church as we explore ways to strengthen our faith during Lent. We will discuss traditional Lenten practices encouraged by the Church and the reasons behind them. Additionally, we will have the opportunity for Lenten prayer.
This event will be facilitated by Margie Burton.
Piedmont Deanery Lenten Penance Services
Prepare for Easter this Lent by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation! The Piedmont Deanery’s annual Lenten Penance Services begin next Tuesday, with multiple priests available for confession. Our service will be in the church on Friday, April 4, at 7:00 PM.
March 19 - St Julia, Siler City at 7:00 PM
March 25 - Holy Infant, Durham at 6:30 PM
March 26 - Holy Family, Hillsborough at 7:00 PM
March 27 - St. Matthew, Durham at 6:30 PM
April 1 - Holy Cross, Durham at 7:00 PM
April 2 - Duke Catholic Student Center at 8:00 PM
April 4 - Immaculate Conception, Durham at 7:00 PM
April 7 - Blessed Sacrament, Burlington at 7:00 PM
April 7 - St. Mary and St. Edward, Roxboro at 7:00 PM
April 8 - UNC Newman Catholic Center at 7:00 PM
April 9 - St. Thomas Moore, Chapel Hill at 7:00 PM
March 19 - St Julia, Siler City at 7:00 PM
March 25 - Holy Infant, Durham at 6:30 PM
March 26 - Holy Family, Hillsborough at 7:00 PM
March 27 - St. Matthew, Durham at 6:30 PM
April 1 - Holy Cross, Durham at 7:00 PM
April 2 - Duke Catholic Student Center at 8:00 PM
April 4 - Immaculate Conception, Durham at 7:00 PM
April 7 - Blessed Sacrament, Burlington at 7:00 PM
April 7 - St. Mary and St. Edward, Roxboro at 7:00 PM
April 8 - UNC Newman Catholic Center at 7:00 PM
April 9 - St. Thomas Moore, Chapel Hill at 7:00 PM
Lenten Regulations
Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, and Good Friday, April 18, 2025, are days of fasting and abstinence. Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence.
Fasting is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.
Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, Church law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted.
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and Catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for Initiation into the Church or the renewal of Baptismal Promises at Easter.
Fasting is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.
Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, Church law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted.
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and Catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for Initiation into the Church or the renewal of Baptismal Promises at Easter.
Prohibition of Floral Decorations
During Lent, it is explicitly stated that the altar should not be decorated with flowers. This practice is intended to preserve the penitential character of the season, emphasizing a time of mourning and reflection on the Passion of Christ. The Roman Missal and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) both affirm this prohibition, highlighting that moderation in decoration is essential during this time.