DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MASS? Are you able to explain the mass to your non-Catholic friends and relatives? Do you really understand why we do what we do? If you would like to be truly articulate about your Catholic faith, join Father Joe Ciccone, Ed Bell, our new director of liturgy, and the Adult Faith Formation team for a short (4 week) course in Liturgy Literacy beginning Wednesday, January 14, at 7:30pm, in the parish hall. Watch the bulletin for details. 

OUR PARISH CELEBRATES THE RITES OF ACCEPTANCE AND WELCOME. Sunday, January 18, 8:30am Mass. These inquirers have been meeting with us for sometime now, and they are ready to declare their intention to undertake a serious study of the Catholic faith. During the rite, inquirers are signed by the cross of Christ, and take the first step toward becoming full members of the Catholic Church. As a community, we extend our hands in welcome over the catechumens and the candidates and promise to pray and support them as they continue to discern God’s call to them. It is a tribute to the vitality of our community that we are celebrating our FOURTH rite of welcome and acceptance since Easter, 2007. Please give our catechumens and candidates a warm and heartfelt welcome.

NEWCOMER’S DINNER. On Sunday, January 18, at 5:00pm, newcomers to our parish will be welcomed at a potluck dinner in the parish hall. Invitations have been mailed to SIXTY-ONE newly registered households since April of 2007. Other parishioners are also invited. If you received an invitation, please let us hear from you. If you did not receive an invitation, but would like to attend, please call the parish office (522-1508) and leave your name, address, and contact information. We want to become better acquainted with those who have joined us recently, and we want to celebrate the new.

The ICWG will meet on Monday, January 19, at 7:30pm, in the rectory dining room.  Any interested persons are invited to attend. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Mass and March, Monday, January 19, Mass at 8:00am followed by light breakfast and parade. Please join us to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  We will have a special Mass at Immaculate Conception at 8:00am.  Our youth will help with the liturgy and parishioner Dr. Elvyn Davidson will speak.  A light breakfast will be served in the parish hall.  Everyone is then invited to meet at 9:45am at our own Calvary Cemetery to form a parish group to march in the MLK Jr. parade, which steps off across the street. 

Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner & Karaoke, Friday, January 23, 5:00pm - ?, IC Parish Hall  

HEALING PRAYER GROUP. We will not meet in January.  Please join us Sunday, February 1, after the 11:30am Mass.  

COUPLES RETREAT for married and dating couples. Saturday, February 7, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Chattanooga, TN sponsored by the Office of Family Life & Adult Christian Living. This couples’ retreat, “God’s Divine Affirming Love,” will be presented by Jim and Joy Pinto. Jim is a Pastoral Associate with Priests for Life.  He and Joy have been married for 29 years; and are blessed with four children and seven grandchildren.  The Pintos live in Fairfield-Birmingham, Alabama and are members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.  The program will begin with a luncheon and conclude in time for couples to attend the 5:30pm vigil Mass before going on their personal dinner date.  Cost for the retreat is $30 and includes lunch.  For info, contact Dale at 865-584-3307.  To register, visit www.dioceseofknoxville.org and look for Family Life Events under “Ministries and Outreach.”