Centered in faith and worship, the ministries and organizations of Immaculate Conception Church seek to assist parish members of all ages in entering a full and active participation in the life and worship of the Catholic Church. We seek to accompany the young, the middle aged and the elderly in continuing to encounter Christ through the Sunday Eucharist, the Sacramental life of the Church and the care and concern that we should offer to each other and to those who stand in need. Our ministries and organizations serve not only to meet the needs of the parishioners but also to assist all parishioners in looking out into the wider world in order to participate in the command of Christ and of the Church to “go out into the world”. If you wish to participate in any of these ministries, please contact the parish and let us know of your desire to serve.

Catechumenate(RCIA): This experience is for persons living within the parish boundaries who are unbaptized and who wish to become Catholics. This program is also intended for those who have been baptized in another faith but who wish to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. This program also ministers to those baptized Catholics who have not yet made either or both their First Eucharist or Confirmation.

Run in conjunction with Holy Name Parish in Providence, this program begins in the early Fall and continues through Easter. It is at the Easter Vigil that candidates are received into the Church and complete their sacramental initiation. The Catechumenate meets approximately twice a month. Each candidate is usually accompanied by a sponsor. The sessions of the Catechumenate are meant to assist individuals in their own personal journey of faith and to inform them of the tenets of belief which the Church holds. The place of the Word of God in the lives of the faithful is central to this experience.

Religious Education: Immaculate Conception runs a very extensive religious education program. Classes are for students in Grades 1 through 10. All classes are held in the Parish Center and School.  Schedules and registration forms are sent out in early August

All our religious education teachers and aides are volunteers. We are always ready to welcome new teachers who are willing to receive the proper training and assist our young people in an ever-deepening awareness of their faith and preparation for the reception of the sacraments.

Baptism: In the Sacrament of Baptism, parents seek to have their children initiated into the life of faith as members of the Catholic Church. In so doing, parents willingly and freely accept the serious obligations of raising their children in the life of faith. We wish to give parents all the assistance we can in accepting this responsibility.

Parents and godparents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation program which is offered several times throughout the year. The programs runs on 2 consecutive Thursday evenings. Couples are urged to take part in this program before the birth of their child. Expecting couples should call the parish center to register for the program. The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated on the last Sunday of every month at 1:00 PM.

First Penance: In accordance with Diocesan regulations, students in Grade 2 are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before they receive their First Eucharist. The program of preparation is run in conjunction with the program of preparation for First Eucharist. As sacramental preparation is a parish community function, children attending parochial school must attend religious education classes for First Penance.

First Eucharist: First Eucharist is celebrated in May with the children who are in Grade 2 of the Religious Education Program. The program of preparation is run in conjunction with the program of preparation for First Penance. As sacramental preparation is a parish community function, children attending parochial school must attend religious education classes for First Eucharist.

Confirmation: Confirmation is celebrated each year in May with those students who have completed the two-year preparation program and are at least in Grade 10. The program of preparation includes classes, the completion of community service projects and participation in the confirmation retreat program. For those in the 1st year of preparation the retreat program involves a one-day retreat. For those in the 2nd year of the preparation program, the retreat is a weekend retreat. Both retreats are run on a Peer Ministry Model which means that the retreats are conducted under the guidance of the Director of the Confirmation Retreat Program by students who have already made their Confirmation. This program of preparation assists candidates to receive the gift of the Spirit and to assume their role as adult members of the community of faith.

Marriage: Couples who wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage are asked to make an appointment with the pastor. The first meeting should take place at least 10 months in advance of the wedding (a year is preferable). At the initial meeting a date will be chosen and the couple will be introduced to the program of preparation. This program is determined by the Diocese and makes every attempt to assist the couple in insuring that their married life will be as rewarding as possible. Marriages are normally celebrated on Friday or Saturday afternoon. The parish does not celebrate the sacrament of marriage on Sunday.

Care of the Sick and Dying: The Sacrament of the Sick is intended for those who are seriously ill or who are about to undergo serious surgery. When a person is in need of receiving this Sacrament the parish should be called immediately.

When a member of the parish is close to death, the parish priest should be contacted so that the individual may receive the Sacrament of the Sick and, if possible, Holy Communion.

Communion is brought to the sick and shut-ins of the parish every First Friday. Also, Eucharistic ministers bring communion to the sick every Sunday following the 8:30 AM Mass. If you, or anyone you know, is housebound and cannot attend Mass, please contact the parish to arrange for reception of communion in your home.

Hospitals are visited regularly each week. Please notify the parish when you are to be hospitalized, or if someone you know is to be hospitalized.