Pre-Marriage Programs

It is the directive of the archdiocese of Chicago that each couple planning marriage attends a Pre-Cana program, or an established parish program. The schedules of the archdiocesan programs are available from the priest or deacon.

Besides the marriage preparation program, there are follow up sessions with the minister preparing the couple for their marriage.

Contact: Rectory 773-775-3833

Adult Baptism and Renewal

Immaculate Conception Parish invites the unbaptized and non-Catholic to participate fully in the life of the Church through a process called the RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The process is yearlong with the more formal sessions beginning in September. The participants celebrate Baptism, or profess their faith, celebrate Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil (the Saturday before Easter). The process leads to a renewal of the entire parish because it involves the parish community over a length of time. If you have a neighbor, friend or relative, or if you are interested yourself, please call the rectory.

Contact: Sr. Judy David 773-775-3833

Centering Prayer

Our Centering Prayer group meets weekly during the seasons of Lent, Eastertime, and Advent in the Monastary Chapel.

Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer. While this type of prayer can be done individually, we find that gathering with a group of people we find the encouragement to pursue this form of prayer. It also gives the members an opportunity for further input on a regular basis through tapes, readings and discussion.

Contact: Penny Jaworski 773-775-1339

Bible Discussion Club

Understanding the Holy Scriptures supports a deeper spiritual life. The opportunity for Bible study is provided through the Bible Discussion club. Participants have to be of college age or older. Its moderator is Fr. Eric Meyer, C.P. who has a Doctorate in Theology. Beginning in September the group chooses a book of the Old or New Testament that they wish to read and discuss. Another book is chosen in January. The club does not meet in July or August. The club gathers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., usually in the Rectory Assembly. The version used is the New American Bible (NAB). This is the same version that is used at Sunday Mass.

Contact: Fr. Eric (773-775-3833, Ext 203) for further information.

Infant Baptism Program

It is the directive of the archdiocese of Chicago that a pre-baptism program is required in each parish. A pre-baptism program for parents provides for an opportunity to understand the sacrament of Baptism, discuss the process of faith sharing and strengthen the family’s commitment of the Church.

Immaculate Conception parish policies include:

1. Two preparation sessions are to be attended before the Baptism takes place. Session one is held on the first Tuesday of the month and session two is held on the third Tuesday of the month. The sessions begin at 7:30 p.m.
   
   
2. Godparents are invited to attend the sessions if at all possible.
   
   
3. If a family from another parish wishes to have their child baptized here, the family needs to obtain a letter of permission from the parish in which they are registered. It is strongly recommended that the child be baptized within the community where the family worships, for these are the people who support and nourish the faith of the child.
   
   
4. If a second child is baptized, and there is a two-year lapse since the first instructions, the parents are required to attend the sessions again.
   
   

Baptisms are celebrated on the third Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. With the whole Church we joyfully join in welcoming children into the Christian community here at Immaculate Conception. Though Baptism confers such great gifts, it is not a final stage in God’s generosity towards us … it is only a beginning.

Contact: Sr. Judy David 773-775-3833

Bible Discussion Club

Immaculate Conception Parish has a “Bible Discussion Club” that has been meeting weekly (Wednesday evenings, 7:30 p.m., mostly in the Rectory Assembly) for many years (since the Fall of 1987).

Our membership (college age and older) continues to evolve. Feel free to join us for a serious reading and discussion of the Bible, and in-depth, adult sharing of the faith, its challenges for both thought and action. This year (2006-2007) we will begin on Wednesday, September 6th, in the Rectory Assembly, at 7:30 p.m. (we try to end at 9:00 p.m.), with the BOOK OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, looking at ourselves as Church in the 21st century in the light of the first-and-second generation Church reflected in the Book of Acts.

Bring with you a copy of THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE. This is the official Bible of the American Catholic Bishops; and this way we all have the same text of the Bible.

A Women’s Bible Discussion Group, made up of women from Immaculate Conception and Saint. Juliana’s meets on Monday mornings, at 10:00 a.m., alternately at Immaculate Conception and Saint Juliana’s. The women’s group will meet for a first time at Saint Juliana’s, on Monday morning, September 11, 2006. The Women’s Bible Discussion Group of Immaculate Conception and Saint. Juliana’s will also be reading and discussing THE BOOK OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES in the translations of THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE.

Contact: Father Eric Meyer – 773-775-3833