Organizations & Ministries

A.C.A. - WORKER The coordinator this year is Dale Schmuke, 583-4120
The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is an annual drive of our whole local Church to address the needs of our charitable and administrative ministries. Each May, the whole Archdiocese works together as a unified Church to raise funds for ministry.
ALTAR SOCIETY The current president of the Altar Society is Mrs. Mary Nipper 583-4495.
All women of Immaculate Conception Parish are encouraged to join the Altar Society. The work of these faithful women is to assist and provide for the needs of the Church. Members volunteer to care for the weekly preparations of the altar and sanctuary for Sunday Worship. Funds raised throughout the year provide needed additions to our beautiful Church building.
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Athletic Association exists in order to support the sports program of the Parish. Among its duties is the responsibility of coordinating coaches for sports programs and scheduling of activities.
CHOIRS To join the 9:00am Sunday choir please contact Sr. Annamary 583-2188
To join the Festival Choir please contact Dennis Brune 583-8733.
Throughout its history Immaculate Conception has been blessed with a rich tradition of exceptional music. Currently there are two choirs. A regular Sunday Choir sings weekly at 9:00am Mass from the Sunday after Labor Day until the Feast of the Solemnity of the Body & Blood of Christ, (Corpus Christi). Rehearsals are each Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:00pm. A Festival Choir is formed for the Liturgies of Christmas, (Midnight Mass), and Holy Week/Easter. Rehearsals are for 6 to 8 weeks before each Festival on Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA  
The women counterpart to the Knights of Columbus, the members of the D. of I. are a service organization who work to assist both the parish and the Catholic faith in its mission. Open to all women who are practicing Catholics, this organization is a fun group with a lot of energy. For more information on membership please contact the current Regent, Kathy Losson 583-4085.
DINNER AUCTION  
Each year I.C. parishioners gather for an evening of fun to raise funds for school and parish. Involved are a Silent Auction, a Super Silent Auction, a delicious dinner, a Super Raffle and finally a fun Oral Auction of items mostly donated by I.C. Parishioners, young and old. Watch the bulletin for information.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION If interested, please contact Mrs. Loraine Brune, 583-1568
An adorer is one person of a prayer team who is scheduled to make a specific holy hour at the same time of day each week in front of Christ in the "Real Presence". This will provide a chance for listening and solitude all in an effort to deepen our friendship and closeness to him.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS If interested please contact Fr. Mitas
Men and women of Immaculate Conception not only help with distribution of Holy Communion during Mass, but are also authorized to bring the Sacrament to the sick at home. Eucharistic Ministers need to be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church and at least 18 years old.
FALL FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
Immaculate Conception School benefits each year from the proceeds of our annual major Fall Fund raiser. All proceeds are used to pay for books and educational materials that benefit the students of Immaculate Conception School and the Parish School of Religion. All School families are expected to support this one-day event by selling raffle tickets, helping with set-up & clean-up, working in booths, and other activities that surround this event.
FINANCE COMMITTEE To learn more, contact Dave Bailey, 583-2405.
The Finance Committee is appointed by the pastor and deals with all matters of parish finance, including fund raising for the parish as well as the archdiocese (ACA). It is responsible for the parish's accountability, maintenance, projects and overall stewardship.
GIFT BEARERS For more information, please contact Mark Voss, 573-484-3670.
During the Offertory at Mass, scheduled volunteers take the gifts of bread, wine and water up and hand them to the Priest. Immaculate Conception parishioners/families are encouraged to become a Gift Bearer.
GOLF TOURNAMENT For more information, please contact Ed Strubberg, 583-9872 or Ted Schroeder, 583-6620.
Immaculate Conception Parish hosts an annual golf tournament in May. It is a 4-man scramble with lunch, dinner and beverages included.
HOME & SCHOOL The president is Shelly Jensen, 583-1712.
Immaculate Conception Home and School Association promotes the involvement of parents in creating a supportive rapport between home and school. An active member is one who volunteers to help coordinate activities designed to improve the school environment. Meetings are held four times a year.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS For more information contact Grand Knight Richard Hertel, 583-3193.
The Knights are a fraternal organization of Catholic men who zealously promote and defend the Catholic faith. Founded in the last century by Fr. Francis McGivney to assist the needs of immigrant families, this international organization continues to provide support to the Church by its charitable endeavors and support of Church teachings. All Catholic men in good standing with the Church are eligible for membership.
LECTORS If interested contact Jennifer Parmentier at the rectory, 583-5144.
Men and women of Immaculate Conception gifted with good public speaking are encouraged to become Proclaimers of the Word for worship at our parish. Lectors read the Word of God, lead the Prayers of the Faithful and make the announcements at weekend, Holyday, and special celebrations. Lectors need to be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church.
LITURGY COMMITTEE  
To address the worship and prayer life of the parish, the pastor appoints men and women with gifts for Liturgical ministry to this committee. The Liturgy committee meets monthly, (except during the summer) to advise the pastor on ways to enhance the liturgical life of Immaculate Conception Parish.
PARISH COUNCIL
Members are all appointed for three year terms of service to advise the pastor. The council meets the third Monday of every month from September to June at 7:00pm in the Teachers' Lounge of the School. Parishioners with ideas or concerns for the well-being of the parish are encouraged to address the council.
PARISH DAY SCHOOL To enroll or to volunteer contact Mr. Tom Stahlman at 583-2641.
Immaculate Conception Parish Day School is an educational institution founded for the purpose of assisting parents in providing a quality education for the children of Immaculate Conception Parish, Kindergarten through Eighth grade, which is distinctively Catholic Education. Immaculate Conception Day School helps children receive the Word of God and act upon it.
PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR) EVENING SCHOOL To enroll or volunteer, contact Deacon Jerry Becker, 583-5144.
The Immaculate Conception Parish School of Religion (PSR) Evening School strives to teach the gospel values to children from First grade through Eighth grade who attend public schools. Its purpose is to educate children and young people to hear and live the Good News, to proclaim it, and to translate that proclomation into action.
PRAYER CHAIN Phone Dorothy Griffin, 583-2807 or Barb Jeffs, 583-5225.
Immaculate Coneption has a group of parishioners that will pray for your intentions if you or someone you know is in urgent need of prayer. Your requests will be prayed for six weeks. If after six weeks you wish to have your request remain on the prayer list, please call again.
PRISON MINISTRY Please contact Mary Ann Unnerstall if interested 583-4092.
The St. Vincent dePaul Prison Ministry of Franklin County has joined Immaculate Conception Parish St. Vincent dePaul Society. We consist of 22 volunteers that go to our Franklin County jail on Highway V twice a week, Thursday nights for one on one talks with people at the jail and Saturdays for Mass or Services with a priest and lay person or several volunteers for Services.
PRO-LIFE COMMITTEE Pro-Life chairwoman is Jean Marquart 583-3259.
All Catholics by baptism are Pro-Life. The committee at I.C. keeps before the parish the sanctity of life, especially the elderly and those waiting to be born. Monies raised through an annual rummage sale go directly to support shelters and organizations providing care to pregnant women needing assistance. The committee also supports the work of Pro-Life on the diocesan and national levels.
QUILTERS
Part of Altar Society		 For information contact Roselyn Barringhaus 583-3209.
Members of the I.C. Altar Society meet weekly to quilt for the annual Quilt of the Month Campaign. Women with sewing ability and those wishing to learn are encouraged to join the women on Wednesday and Thursday mornings in the quilter's room.
R.C.I.A. - CONVERT CLASSES If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, contact Fr. Mitas, 583-5144.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is an opportunity for instruction, dialogue, faith sharing, and growing in community in the Catholic Faith. This prepares a non-Catholic person for full active membership in our community of faith.
RENEW - SMALL FAITH COMMUNITY - GROUP MEMBER If interested in joining a RENEW group, contact Carolyn Reynolds, 584-0639.
The Parish of Immaculate Conception invites all parishioners to celebrate the Great Jubilee called for by Pope John Paul II by participating in a small Christian community once a week for six weeks. Why RENEW? To meet new friends and find support in relationships, grow in knowledge and love of Jesus, to relate our life experiences to scripture and to strengthen our own convictions about our Catholic faith so we can share it more readily and profoundly affect society.
SCHOOL BOARD - DAY SCHOOL For more information, contact Tony Kozemski, 583-1615.
Immaculate Conception School Board's purpose includes establishing the philosophy and goals for the educational programs consistent with the vision and mission of the church; Interpreting and applying the policies established by the Archdiocesan Board of Education; Adding or modifying policies to fit parish educational needs. All recommendations made by the board are subject to pastoral approval. A term on the School Board is 2 years.
ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY Contact LaVerne Schmitt 583-2406.
The tireless work of ministering to the poor among us is carried out in a special way by our parish St. Vincent dePaul Society. Persons with needs are assigned to volunteer members of the society who visit with them, assess the situation and make a response according to guidelines of the organization. New members are welcome.
SERVERS Training is coordinated by Fr. Mitas.
Young men and women are invited to become servers beginning in 5th Grade. After one year, servers advance to Server Level II, after two years, to the Ministry of Sacristan. All boys & girls in 5th Grade and above are eligible to serve for Sunday Mass, Holydays and special celebrations.
SCRIP PROGRAM For more information, call Melanie Blumfelder,583-5355 or Kelly Schroeder, 583-6620.
SCRIP is an ongoing fundraising program where gift cards are used to make everyday purchases at local and national vendors and a percent of the purchases goes back to the school. Individual families are allowed to use a portion of the percent toward their student's tuition at Immaculate Conception Day School or PSR or toward their tuition at St. Francis Borgia High School. Families may also choose to Donate their percentage back to the school's operating budget. Any family can participate in the SCRIP program, they need not have chicdren in school to participate.
USHERS Coordinator of the Usher Ministry is Mark Voss: 573484-3670.
Men and women of I.C. parish are invited to exercise the Ministry of Hospitality for Masses and special celebrations. The ministry involves greeting people as they enter Church, assisting people with seating, taking up the offering as part of the Offertory and distributing bulletins as people leave Church. Any parishioner is invited to join the Ministry of Usher provided they are practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church.
WELCOMING COMMITTEE If you would like to help welcome new families to our Parish, contact Maureen Braun, 583-0114.
The Welcoming Committee meets and welcomes new families to our school and parish.
WESTERN CATHOLIC UNION Parish contact person is Gerry Dueker 583-4683.
Primarily a fraternal life insurance society for the whole family, the WCU supports the parish in many ways and is a worthy organization with many parish members. The current branch of the WCU meets monthly, except during the summer months, but is active in promoting the values of the Catholic faith.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Our WWME contacts are Buddy and Theresa Graham at 583-8369
Marriage Encounter is designed to give married couples the opportunity to examine their lives together...a time to share their feelings, hopes, disappointments, joys, and frustration...and to do so openly and honestly in a face-to-face, heart-to-heart encounter with the one person they have chosen to live with for the rest of their lives. The emphasis is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention.