Immaculata Publishing: Life at Immacculate Conception

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:28:54 GMT

<b>IMAGES OF ST. THERSE</b>

Here at Immaculate Conception Parish in Union, Mo. we have in the Church a small statue of the Saint of Lisieux which stands above the confessional overlooking the body of the Church itself. Opposite the statue of St. Therese is the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, which is above the confessional on the other side of the Church.

Below is a group of photos of the St. of Lisieux. They are to remind us of the holiness of the life of St. Therese and it is for this purpose that they are presented here. The Catholic Church teaches that the relics and images of the Saints can unite us to those to whom they remind us of. In the same way. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that the sacred image is a means to unite us to the saacred person it depicts as the robe of the King reminds us of the King

St. Therese and Celine

This is a picture of the two youngest sisters next to each other; Therese and Celine were the closest to one another. St. Therese was very instrumental in bringing Celine into religious life.

St. Therese at the Pillar in the Convent

St. Therese At Her Death

St. Therese said that she would ask Our Lord to continue so spend her eternity doing good works on earth. In the following days after her death many miracles were worked attested to her intercession.

St. Therese near a Cross

St. Therese to Sr. Marie of St. Joseph, Sept. 1896

"It will never be revealed to creatures on earth, but when the Lamb will open teh book of life, what a surprise for the heavenly court to hear proclaimed with the names of missionaries and martyrs those of poor little children who will have never performed dazzling actions...

St. Therese as Joan of Arc

A Picture of Young St. Therese from 1896

St. Therese at Fifteen

St. There at Twelve Years of Age

St. Therese in Her Religious Habit at Lisieux

St. Therese Washign Laundry With Religious Sisters

Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux

May St. Therese consinue to pray for all of her spiritual children and guide them to the eternal dwelling with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May she intercede for us with the Most Holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Corpus Christi

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 14:31:01 GMT

THE PEOPLE GATHERED TOGETHER People gather together at Immaculate Conception to share their very faith with one another in the Eucharistic Lord. How can we put into words the presence of Divinity. 'This is My Body.' It IS HIS Body, adn we are His Body thru sharing in His. IP CRL

My God, My God why have you abandoned me?'

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 13:21:05 GMT

What is Sincerity? 'Learning to Love Thru in Our Daily Martyrdom' 'Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.' Deep in our hearts, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts, yet the suffering of our lives for Christ means pouring it out daily. As much as we receive the daily bread, Who is Christ, so we are called to share it with others. This sharing is a cup of blessing containing both sorrow and joy; it is a sorrow because we are light for the world thru it, but it is at the same time a cup of joy for Christ has promised his victory thru it. The middle ground of our daily martyrdom comes at the expense of individual choices for Christ in the less than infinite possibilities that they can take. Here at the liturgy we share in in that communal martyrdom in the Church of Jesus Christ; tha tdaily martyrdom is entering into the 'do this in memory of me.' With Fr. Matthew Mitas and the faithful that gather together, reciting the prayers of the Church and listening to the Word of God we are renewed in this desire to 'lay down our lives for others,' for a friend,' who is Jesus Christ.' This morning we entered more deeply into Passion week. The words of the Gospel are clear about the element of betrayal in the Christian tradition; the element of light and darkness that each Christian has to face becomes very evident today in the liturgy. Though it is personified in one of the disciples it does not come keep us from understanding that the element of betrayal is always possible to every man: 'Jesus knew what was in their hearts.' It is only in following Jesus, the 'way, the truth, the life,' that we are freed from betrayal. 'Do you also want to go away, ' Jesus once said to his disciples. 'My God, My God why have you abandoned me.' These words are the one who has been betrayed not only by a friend but by everyone, excepting those few who stood by his Cross. Here at Immaculate Conception we join with one another is accompanying Jesus thru his passion; in preparation, this week we are meeting for Rosary after 7a.m. Mass and other devotionals. Immaculata News Correspondent CRL

Catholic Bishops

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 16:44:03 GMT

Sunday, Passion Sunday Live from Immaculate Conception Parish Union, Mo. 'Jesus Enters Jerusalem' The Church Must Follow The Church was packed again this Sunday morning at 9a.m. mass; the Holy Week choir sang joyful yet extolling songs to the Lord of Glory as it commemorated his entry into Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Assisted by Deacon Jerry Becker, Fr. Matthew Mitas ascended the altar to give his Christian witness to the Lord of Glory. Assisted by faithful servers and the faithful of the Union area, the faithful followed closely the passion narrative as it was recounted step by step. 'Are you not one of them.' 'I do not know the man!' Peter said. Can we think of a more mournful occasion as we ascend with Our Lord to the altar of His Cross on this Passion Sunday. The Church the worldover sits solemnly at his side waiting for his sacrificial death, which brings us life. Yet, how many of us or which 'one' of us could not say in some way say: 'I do not know the man!' Surely we are all called to repentance as we enter into this most Holy of weeks. We wish , with all of our hearts, to say, what we wanted with a pure and undivided heart, yet it is impossible without grace on our side. We hear Jesus say, 'Do not be afraid, it is I.' Catholics in America have a great responsiblity to choose to live for Christ in the Market Place of our lives. What a great good when brothers dwell together in harmony. Here at Immaculate Conception Parish we are fortunate since Fr. Matthew Mitas is a faithful Priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis under Archbishop Raymond Burke. Together with the other clergy we form a bond of unity and strength among members with the entire Church. When Our Holy Father came here he presented to the faithful here a rich image of daily martyrdom by his own witness n his pontificate, tacitly giving all of us a source of fidelity to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in his faithful Church. We are not alone, we are accompanied with those who have gone before us. Let us keep faithful vigil with Our Lord. IP correspondent and reporter 'Religious View in the Church in St. Louis' CRL

St. Joseph Patron of Universal Church

Sat, 19 Mar 2005 15:16:13 GMT

Live From Immaculate Conception Parish Union, Mo. Solemn Celebration of St. Joseph Head of the Holy Family Today we celebrated St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church. I was very happy to remember him, since he has done so much for my life. I think that it was at Carmel that I first was introduced to him, since St. Teresa of Avila had a great devotion to him. Fr. Matthew Mitas, our pastor spoke very highly of him and recounted his vitrues and offices in relation to the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Now who wouldn't be amazed at the responsibilities of this man. When we consider him during the Catholic Liturgy, and remember him as we did today [ FR. Mitas recited the Litany of St. Joseph after Mass at the altar] then St. Joseph is quite a light in relaiton to both Jesus and Mary. The Liturgy today brought profound Peace to my soul, especially after Communion. To believe that we receive the Body, Soul, Blood and Divinty of Christ into our souls, how can we not come as spotless before Our Lord, but I am not spotless. In fact, after Mass, I found myself considering my sins and had to go to confession. This is a profound consideration, since grace enlightens our souls and means that we must change for others. I cannot look at others, but I have to take control of myself. Fr. Mitas gave some wise counsel to me and as always confesison brings abundant grace to our souls. Many things disturb us, but nothing disturbs us more than infidelity to our true selves: 'know thyself.' Thank You, Divine Lord, IP CRL

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 13:17:37 GMT

Today at the Liturgy I felt a very secure presence of the Divine Lord, but it is that presence which is compassionate towards all his creation, towards all of his children, towards all of his that he died for regardless of the state of their souls; at the same time there was that presence of his which communicates himself to thos ehwo want to walk closley with him and bear his Cross in their souls for others. It is this Love which Jesus has for others that allows us to call Him Lord, for how could the Lord of the House not love the things and the persons who serve Him in one way or another. Lastly, there is that love which is the very Mercy that pours itself out on others and all the others as the Scriptures say: 'He holds all things together in Himself.' There are so many faithful here in Immaculate Conception, who knows the state of souls better than Jesus?

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:09:28 GMT

I always find the childrens liturgy encouraginh. I think it is becaause I can be a child before the Lord. Actually it is difficult to be a child again after you have grown up the wrong way for a while. IP CRL

YOU MADE ME AND YOU KNOW ME

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 13:00:16 GMT

My reflections this morning on Ps. 139 +The Lord always gives us what we need interiorly if not exteriorly. +Interiorly we can be united always; exteriorly accidentally thru circumstance. +Interiorly he has perfect knowledge of us adn communicates it to us; +There can be a great price to pay for just being yourself before God: SIMPLY. +It requires great virtue to accept yourself as He has made you. + To know yourself perfectly is reconciled with the truths of the Gospel: 'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.' +How do we do unto others as we would have others do unto yourself? +I FEAR THE INAUTHENTIC DOCTRINES OF OTHERS. +I FEAR THOSE WHO HIDE THEMSELVES AWAY FORM THE LIGHT OF CHRIST. IP CRL

COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND I WILL REFRESH YOU

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 17:31:48 GMT

Union, Mo. Immaculata Publishing is now making its Corpus Christ Newsletter available to local parishioners at Immaculate Conception Parish in Union, Mo. by door-to-door visitations of the parish family. When I place my trust in God and spend time with Him in adoration it soothes the soul. His presence is deep and lasting and refreshes more than any joy I can conceive. Why? Because he made us and we belong to Him. Even the Psalmist says this: "Where can I go from your presence? If I climb the heavens you are there. If I go to the depths of the sea you are there. You know when I sit and when I stand." [Ps. 139:+] But, we say, this is today? No, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love.' Can we conceive of an everlasting love. I mean a love that has no end; that had no beginning-FOR US, SINNERS ALL! Welcome to Jesus Christ! AND Welcome to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Christ instituted this sacrament on the last supper for our good and he as the Faithful Witness of God's Love remains with us. We adore you O Christ and we bless you , because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Even when evil grasps us, we are free. WE know it: 'The truth will set you free.' What is this truth? 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.' So I enjoy my tabernacle visits here at Immaculate Conception. I enjoy coming into his presence and adoring him every Tuesday for the whole parish after the children's litury to 7:30 p.m. or daily when I have a chanve. Also as an extension of this adoration it is a blessing to share with others in the parish about the presence of God in the Eucharist. IP CRL

THE DIVINE LITURGY

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 12:54:58 GMT

The Lord Jesus Knows how to speak to ou rhearts in the liturgy. Today it became very clear to me that I can't justify my existence before God. Today it became clear to me that to be at the liturgy is an unparalleled gift of grace. Today it became clear to me that I have nothing to rely upon but God and grace. It is a gift because it comes from He who needs nothing. It is a gift because we have to receive it freely; it doesn't force Himself. A gift can only be given to someone who doesn't or hasn't earned it. A gift is something that no one can take advantage of; it is a gift. A gift has to be appreciated; mos to of all, the GIVER. IP CRL Thank you, God the Father. Thank you, God the Son THank you, God the Spirit Thank you, Blessed Mother Thank you, Angels and Saints Thank you, Holy men and women and children.

WORSHIP THE LORD NOT THE PRIEST

Sun, 13 Mar 2005 17:02:17 GMT

Many times we go to Mass for other reasons other than to worship Almighty God; as far as myself I find that here at Immaculate Conception. Fr. Mitas is a real big put on when it comes to bringing in the high rollers but the lowly and the unfortunate I feel that he may not be in touch with. I feel particularly at Mass there is the surprising difference even within myself that I expect something fomr the priest which the humanity of this person chosen by God and the Church just cannot give. Worship has to be deeper than seeing someone who does good actions and speaks sweet sounding words but may be or may not be for the Lord. This I cannot judge, but I can judge my own reactions to others and especially my wanting to enter into the Divine Liturgy as I should with the proper dispositions. This morning I experienced this that there is something that it awry with the theology of the Church as it is presented by this priest, but that the Spirit is saying something different to the people of God. I don't know what this means but I have to trust in my experience and understanding and judgement and take the responsibility on myself to search ever deeper for Christ presence int eh liturgy for myself; no one can do that for me or for anyone else. IP CRL

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 13:00:05 GMT

Daily We Praise Your Holy Name Immaculata Publishing ©2005 REJOICING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT How wonderful it is to rejoice in the Holy Spirit who day by day leads us to this holy altar to celebrate with his holy priests this mos tholy of sacraments, the Holy Eucharist. Who, knowing that Jesus who is TRUE GOD and TRUE MAN, comes to us at the worlds of the consecration, woul not flock to the Church and fall on their faces in adoration. Yet, it is true, it is difficult and requires great sacrifices to all those who choose and carry out in love, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, to unite with the Church in some small way returning thanks for this Mystery of Faith. I feel lost in the liturgy lately, since it is such has such infinite dimensions; I mean, God as its author and perfector and guide. We, the members and Christ the head united in giving God the praise that is his due. Yet, all of us have been given equally the same Body and Blood of Christ. Who can think that they have fully comprehended! It is impossible! God is incomprehensible. Yet, what joy flows form the gift he has given to each of us in making us members of Jesus Christ forever. IP CRL

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 14:29:47 GMT

'How Wonderful it is to Praise the Living God' I do not understand how profound you are my God, yet you have called us to bask in the glory of your splendor daily in the Eucharist. Thank you for this most precious gift! This morning at prayer I came to understand you as the source of all of our joys and hopes. Yes, Ps. 4 praises you in this way, 'Answer me, O God, when I call." IP CRL

Wed, 09 Mar 2005 14:00:16 GMT

Union, Mo. Wednesday, March, 09, 2005 Children's Liturgy Why I like the Children's Liturgy! I like the children's Liturgy at Immaculate Conception because.... It allows me to think like a child befroe God....'Abba, Father" It allows me to pray as a child, 'unless you become liek a llittle child" It allows me to reason like a child, 'The Gospel of the Lord' It allows me to talk like a child to God, 'My Shepherd is the Lord.' After all, Jesus come sot the altar in a littel host, TRUE GOD and TRUE MAN; He comes to us in a little word, 'He who hears you hears me;' He comes into our llittle hearts, 'THE kingdom of God is within you! IP CRL

Tue, 08 Mar 2005 14:32:50 GMT

Union, Mo. Tuesday March 08, 2005 ADORATION HOUR What I marvel at most in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is the Lord's Simplicity. Who can contain the uncontainable or speak adequately of all His Mysteries? Words cannot fathom his Almighty power at work in this Sacrament. Every Tuesday here at Immaculata Conception we have the opportunity to make a time of true prayer before Our Lord. What distresses more than anything is that so m any , even my next door neighbors, are enemies of Christ who is infinitely loveable. They hate whom they do not know only becaus ethey do not want to know Him. And this is across the street from the Church. This only tells me that proximity is not unity. SCHOOL WITH THE KIDS At the same time to attend the Children's liturgy is what I call Divine. When I hear them sing and know their simple faith (they haven't been corrupted by the world), it lifts me to Heaven. I mean, the Lord is so present and we have every age group represented at that Mass. There is not one person, whom I feel not very close to or distant to, that I would not want ot spend eternity with God. I mean I even desire this of my enemies, because I know this is what we really desire. And often I have to surrender to the Divine Wisdom in this regard. IP CRL

Mon, 07 Mar 2005 13:39:50 GMT

Union, Mo. Monday, March 07, 2005 ISSN 1553-8257 It is very heard to understand how day after day for certuries now, Christians have met for the Eucharist in such small groups of people as we have today, here at Immaculate Conception. I presume that Christ had this in mind when he instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper. The Eucharist, as it takes place in the Catholic Liturgy is a Sacred Mystery and the Church views all of the actions of the Eucharistic Liturgy as being sacred actions also. For example, the introit, 'I confess to you Almighty God,' the Church dispenses her grace thru these actions, where the people of God confess their sins together with the Priest. [The Church also believes that onece a priest is ordained, whether he is faithful or not, the sacrament is always valid, regardless of the personal life of the Priest.] The Church dispenses grace because as the sacred institute of Christ, the Church is united to Christ as body to the head and thru the actions of the Body the head dispenses grace won by his Sacred Passion, Death and Resurrecion. My experience of the Liturgy goes back to the early 70's when I was able to join the sisters in prayer, and it was those days that put such a profound effect on my life. There is something so awe-inspiring about these actions that even, when I experience a totally silent participation of the Liturgy, there is something so supernatural taking place in the Church at these times. This experience has stayed with me not only here at Immaculate Conception, but also at every parish I have ever been part of. It also coincides with my growth in faith, hope, and charity. As this morning when I attended this Holy Litrugy I felt the pull of the flesh against the spirit and the division in the Mystical Body, for all who attend have some different degree of faith and participation in the Divine Presence of the Lord. Despite the fact that the Liturgy can overall be rather dry and a source of trial for one's faith, for it always calls forth a greater degree of self-gift ot the Incarnate Word who is present in the Church and in the Priest, still there is something that is absolutely uplifting for body, mond, and spirit. Now, none of this will ever make sense unless a person has faith, and when I say faith, I mean just that, the infused gift of faith in Divine Revelation; otherwise, none of this will ever make sense. This faith that we profess, is to some people just a word, like when someone tells me something, I belive it on the word of another. But we have to get beyond the mere human understanding of this word to its divine origins-it is absolutely a gift of God and no one can minic it. It is like trying to minic that you are a rocket scientist, but you only have a first grade education or that you have a law degree from Harvard but have never set foot within a Court Room or never opened a law book. First of all, faith has to come from within in the deepest part of your Spirit. When you practice your faith, you are absolutely vulnerable to God and every other on teh face of the earth; you are at the heart of all creation, you pplace your entire destiny in the hands of God, there is no going bacak, there is only one way forward. Everyone can do whatever they want to you, but it just doesn't matter, since you are there to serve Jesus Christ. The moment that you realize that you are bread for the world and lunch for the worldly, then you start to open the door of faith to the reality that it is-a Mystery of God's Love for Mankind, a Way in which God reveals himself moment by moment to all of us. But more than this way of thinking about Faith, it is YOUR salvation in Christ and it is a key that you have to start to practice moment by moment to make it real. This seems to be sufficient for today! IP CRL

Sat, 05 Mar 2005 08:33:54 GMT

Union, Mo. 3:21 a.m. Saturday, March,05, 2005 It would be easy to drill holes at all the things that a person could wrong in a parish: why he doesn't like the pastor, the people, the circumstances, the apostolates; name it and find wrong with it. When I first came here three years ago I didn't know anyone, and now I know just about everyone in the town and in the parish. But it really doesn't matter, since that is not why i am here. I am here becaus ethis is God's WIll for me and that just about sums it up. Now others can like me or dislike me; interpret my life or not, but it really doesn't matter as long I keep that one reality in my soul. A person can be excited adn enthusiastic and engrossed for several reasons, but none can match that you have found God's Will in your life. Now it is true, I don't particularly like the pastor here, adn it is a struggle to go to Mass daily and accept the fact that even though I've been here neaarly three years he has never addressed me personally just three times, and that was when I was working in his office. But, I have learned to understnad that God's Will surpasses all other joys and sees you thru alot more than surface joys of having lots of friends and recognition and false support can bring. In fact, nothing can substitute for it. The big quesiton I have to face day by day is how's my Love for Jesus Christ? That is the barometer for all other relationships. If I don't have this love for Jesus Christ all else will fail: 'unless the Lord build the house in vain do its builders labor.' IP CRL