July 2022 Copy

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Most Rev. Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D
Bishop of Camden Diocese

Fr. Adam Cichoski - Rector

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Parish Mission Statement
Encountering Christ in word, sacrament and in each other, we serve to create hope and peace for our community and world.
Encontrando a Cristo en palabra, sacramento y en unos y otros, servimos para crear esperanza y paz en nuestra comunidad y mundo.

Parish Bulletin

Parish Calendar

Parish Report 2019-2020

Pastoral Report (español)

Welcome Father Adam

The Cathedral Parish of the Immaculate Conception is pleased to welcome Father Adam as our new rector. Prayers and blessing as he shepherds us in the way of the Lord.

When? ¿Cuándo?

Lord, we know you are crying with us. We know you won't give up on us, but we will only get it right when we cooperate more with your love and grace. Help us to do so now. These new "Holy Innocents" should be enjoying their summer, imagining new dreams for themselves, sharing their innocence and zest for life. Guns have ripped their future from them. So, as we surrender them back to you, we pray for their parents, siblings and loved ones. We pray for their surviving classmates and the Robb Elementary School Community. We pray that Congress with have the moral fortitude to put power and self-interest aside and work for the common good. Help us to your holy "mountain to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths. For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations and set terms for many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again." (Isaiah 2: 3-4) Click here to learn the names and stories of those lost.

Buffalo Shooting: When I realized I am part of the problem

I sat down briefly to ponder all the hatred and division in the world. Here are my thoughts after a few minutes of reflection with an emphasis on the Buffalo tragedy brought about by one white supremacist. Click here for English. Haga clic aquí para español.

Via Crucis & Holy Week 2022

On a beautiful, sunny, Good Friday, as a parish we celebrated what makes this day "beautiful" and indeed "good." Here are my reflections of our journey through the streets of Camden. Here is a photo gallery courtesy of Henry Szychulski. Double click the first picture and view as a slideshow. Thanks to Laura, Leyri, Mariannie, Miledys and all the participants in the Via Crucis. Special thanks to the Camden Police. Click here for pictures of Holy Week at St. Joseph's Polish. Click here for Holy Week and Easter Vigil at the Cathedral.

Ukraine needs our Help

No one needs any convincing that the people of Ukraine need our help and prayers. The images that hatred has dealt this country are heartbreaking. It is a war-torn area with an evil man warning "the worst is yet to come." We may ask what it is we can do? Lent offers us three great things: Prayer (do not underestimate the power of prayer to protect those fighting for liberty and their homeland, for those who have lost lives already, and for evil hearts to be converted); Fasting (from some food or other thing that may affect us a bit to be in solidarity with the people of Ukraine); Almsgiving (Bishop Sullivan, while blessing the Rice Bowl containers on Ash Wednesday, mentioned that Catholic Relief Services is already on the ground of Ukraine distributing food, clothing and medical supplies. Parishioners are asking me how they can help. May I suggest donating directly to Catholic Relief Service through this link .

Oblates celebrate Double Salesian Jubilee

The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are celebrating a double Salesian Jubilee from January 23, 2022 to January 24, 2023 marking the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Francis de Sales (1622) and the 450th anniversary of the birth of our secondary founder, St. Jane de Chantal (1572). Their friendship gave us what we fondly call "Salesian Spirituality." This jubilee allows for a renewal of the Salesian life. Our Superior General, Fr. Barry Strong, OSFS, has highlighted three pillars of this jubilee year: to increase knowledge and love of the two saints; to encourage imploring their intercession; and to imitate their virtues and devotion. To read his statement on this jubilee, click here or to view it click here. To learn more about Salesian Spirituality, click here.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Holy and Healthy New Year!

Homilies for Year C help those thirsty in poor countries

Deacon Jim Knipper edits and publishes a book of homilies for the new liturgical year from various homilists of many faiths throughout the states. Each year he chooses a different corporal work of mercy as the title and sends all proceeds to those charities. Click here to see these worthwhile agencies. Your purchase of a book assists these great causes. Jim is Bro. Mickey's publisher, a friend of the Oblates, and a deacon at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Princeton, NJ. You may purchase this book at Amazon.

Parish Pastoral Plan 2021-2026

After some three years, we have finally approved our pastoral plan to guide us theses next five years. Please click here for the plan. If you have talents to assist us in some of these action items, please let us know.

House of Charity 2022
From Many, One Body
De Muchos...Un Cuerpo

The House of Charity: Bishop's Annual Appeal seeks to raise funds to provide care, respect, justice, peace and dignity for every soul in the Diocese of Camden. Support of the 2022 House of Charity – Bishop’s Annual Appeal ensures the vitality of essential Diocesan ministries and programs that sustain the healing, teaching and redemptive Presence of Jesus Christ through the Diocese of Camden. Click here to view the video in English or here for Spanish. Our parish goal is $43,600.
We could use your help. There are many times when we go Catholic Charities and to VITALity Services for help not just with the homeless who come knocking at our door, but also our own parishioners who are in need. They allow us to live our mission statement of creating "hope and peace for our community and world." We have been ruminating greatly about Mother Teresa's comment that "apparently we have forgotten that we belong to one another." Participation In the House of Charity through prayer, promotion and financial support alleviates this issue and helps us to see that indeed FROM MANY...ONE BODY. For more information on the House of Charity, click here to visit their website. Many thanks for helping and recognizing that though many, we are one body.

Resources for Racism

Unfortunately, we are well aware that we are still a racist society. It begins with the individual and then with the community. Click here for a series of articles, books and videos to enlighten us on this issue. Hopefully, it will move our hearts into action.

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Jesús mío, creo que estás presente en el Santísimo Sacramento. Te amo por encima de todas las cosas y deseo recibirte en mi alma. Como ahora no puedo recibirte sacramentalmente, entra al menos espiritualmente en mi corazón. Te abrazo como si ya estuvieras allí y me uno completamente a ti. Nunca permitas que me separe de ti. Amén.

Pope Francis' Prayer to Blessed Virgin on the Coronavirus

O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Oh María, siempre brillas en nuestro camino como señal de salvación y de esperanza. Nos confiamos a ti, Salud de los enfermos, quien en la cruz participó en el dolor de Jesús, manteniendo su fe firme. Tú, salvación del pueblo Romano, sabes lo que necesitamos y estamos seguros de que proveerás para que, como en Caná de Galilea, podemos volver a la alegría y al banquete después de este tiempo de tribulación. Ayúdanos, Madre del Amor Divino, para conformarnos a la voluntad del Padre y hacer lo que nos dice Jesús, quien ha asumido nuestros sufrimientos y llevó nuestras penas para guiarnos, a través de la cruz, a la alegría de la resurrección. Amén.

Bajo tu protección acudimos, Santa Madre de Dios. No desprecies las súplicas que te dirigimos en nuestras necesidades, antes bien, líbranos de todo peligro, oh Virgen gloriosa y bendita.