IC 175th Anniversary
April 2024 Events:
Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving
April 28, 2024, 11:30 a.m.
Our 175th anniversary year is coming to an official close on May 15. It is hard to believe the year has passed so quickly! It has been an exciting, energizing, and sacred communal time. In celebration of the past 12 months of shared events, a special concluding Mass will be celebrated on April 28 at 11:30 a.m. followed by the crowning of Mary on Green Street. Join us in this Liturgy of Thanksgiving as we recall the many blessings of the last twelve months, the people who shared in our celebration, the bonds which have been formed, and the promise of the future of our Parish, our Collaborative, and our community. A souvenir program book will be distributed to all parishioners as a reminder of this year of faith, fun, and fellowship.
March 2024 Events:
St. Joseph's Day Dinner
March 16, 2024
The St. Joseph’s Day Dinner celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph, also known as the La Festa di San Giuseppe, which is on March 19. This feast day honors the foster father of our Lord. There will be a raffle and door prizes. Enjoy an evening of entertainment by the Holy Jammers! Menu: antipasto, garden salad w/ homemade Italian dressing, bread, Italian wedding soup, pasta with meatballs, Italian pastries, beverages
Foundations of our Faith: An Evening with Rabbi Alex Matthews
March 19, 2024
Rabbi Alex Matthews of Newburyport’s Congregation Ahavas Achim led Immaculate Conception parishioners in exploring the foundations of our Catholic faith through
an introduction to the history, symbolism, and beauty of the Passover and Seder. It was a standing room only crowd who joined Rabbi Alex Matthews in St. Louis Hall for a presentation on the holy holiday of Passover, or Pesach, the paschal sacrifice and the significance of the Seder meal.
Rabbi Alex shared scriptural references and anecdotal stories on the rituals and symbolism of this important holiday and discussed the different foods and meaning on the Seder plate. In response to the many questions received, he also offered informational resources for those interested in learning more.
National Eucharistic Revival Events
December 28, 2023 and March 21, 2024
Bishops across the country have organized a National Eucharistic Revival, urging parishes on the local level to host events that celebrate Jesus’ Real Presence. Immaculate Conception Church accepted the opportunity to host National Eucharistic Revival events, which included an evening of sacred music, personal witness talks, the opportunity to
receive the Sacrament of Confession, and a Holy Hour of sacred silence in Adoration of the Holy Eucharist. Food and fellowship followed the events.
February 2024 Events:
World Marriage Day: HRIC Celebrates World Marriage Day
February 10–11, 2024
World Marriage Day is observed annually on the second Sunday in February. This observance began in 1983 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a grassroots effort to support couples in strengthening their marriages. In 1993, Saint John Paul II pronounced his official blessing for the day. In 2024, the theme for World Marriage Day and National Marriage Week, is Love Beyond Words.
A general blessing and vow renewal for married couples will be offered by Fr. Morin at the 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. Ann on Saturday, February 10 and at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on February 11 at Immaculate Conception. All are welcome to join in praying for the beauty of sacramental marriage in the eyes of Christ.
December 2023 Events:
Novena to Mary
You are invited to begin your Advent preparation with a nightly Novena to the Blessed Mother at Immaculate Conception Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. on November 29 and concluding on December 7. All are welcome to these evenings of testimony, music, reflection, and prayer.
Anniversary Mass
Friday, December 8, 5:30 p.m. Mass: Join us for the 175th Mass for the Feast of Immaculate Conception. A beautiful liturgy will be celebrated by Bishop Hennessey in honor of our patroness. Then head down the street to the Mission Oak Grill for the 175th Gala!
Anniversary Gala
Friday, December 8, 7:00 p.m.: Anniversary Gala at Steeple Hall, Mission Oak Grill
Join fellow parishioners at the Gala for hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, cash bar, music, and dancing to celebrate 175 years of faith and service. Tickets are $50/ person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets will be on sale following all weekend Masses until sold out.
Mass with Cardinal Séan
Sunday, December 10
11:30 a.m. Mass: His Eminence Cardinal Séan O'Malley will celebrate Mass in honor of the 175th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception
12:30 p.m.: Meet and greet the Cardinal in the IC School gym.
November 2023 Events:
Vespers (Evening Prayer), Thursday, November 2, 2023, 6:30-7:00 p.m.
A liturgy of the Church known as Evening Prayer will be offered in honor of all souls, ending with a candlelight litany of our ancestors whose faith built IC and who are buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Etched in glass or chiseled in stone are 139 names to whom we owe a prayer of gratitude for what they left us 175 years later. Oremus.
Place: IC Church
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Time: 6:30pm-7:00pm
Adoration will immediately follow Vespers (Evening Prayer). A Holy Hour of sacred silence will end with Benediction at 8:00 p.m.
Place: IC Church
Date: Thursday, November 2
Collaborative Mission, November 13-15, 7:00p.m., IC Church
Father John Anglin, OFM, author, missionary priest, and renowned preacher will present a three day mission, Awakening our Faith in these Challenging Times. November 13, 14, and 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church.
Father Anglin, a Massachusetts native and rabid Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox fan, will preach on themes of God’s love, forgiveness, and healing at the Mission as well as at Mass on November 11 and 12. He will also preach at daily Mass at 9:00 am on the Mission dates. Refreshments will be served following the last evening of the mission.
All are welcome to attend these evenings of prayer, music, presentation, and reflection. Join us as we prepare for the coming of Advent.
October 2023 Events:
IC Harvest Fair, Saturday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
All Saints Children's Pageant, October 29
The pageant will be held at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on October 29. Students will dress as a saint and assist in some way during Mass.
September 2023 Events:
Interfaith Choir Concert
September 24, 2023 Immaculate Conception Church 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Join us as we celebrate the bond of shared music at a concert featuring church choirs from the City of Newburyport.
All are welcome to attend this interfaith program of sacred music, hymns, and spirituals performed by church choirs of Newburyport.
Audience members will have a chance to join in singing as well!
IC Church Tours Free Miniseries, Mondays, September 11, 18, & 25
Enjoy three spiritual walk-n-talks designed to awaken gratitude to God and to our visionary forebears. See seeds of faith intentionally planted as efficacious spiritual prompts in 2023. Each of three 1-hour sessions (each presented 3X) has a different theme. (Funerals will preempt the 9:30 a.m. session. Please check the Collaborative calendar.)
Part I: History/Architecture/Motifs: Hear how architecture supports unique Form & Function in all 7 areas of IC Church. Discover religious motifs embedded everywhere in wood, wool, tin, marble & glass. Bring your cellphone & curiosity!
Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Part II: Saints/Pastors/Benefactors: Meet the team! Who were the architects, painters & founding pastors that bequeathed us this Neo-Gothic worship space? Recognize OT & NT Biblical Saints amid 2nd Millennium patron Saints standing guard as we pray 175 years later. Note: Mini bios meet sacred silence regarding IC's mostly anonymous ancestors.
Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Part III: Jewish Roots/Catholic’s Big 7: What we do best—Sacraments! Grasp how all we do fulfills the Hebrew Law God gave to Israel and Jesus gave to Christianity! Part III will blend architecture, motifs, holy vessels, sacred spaces, holy entourage & our priestly lay roles. Sacramental signs, rhythms, postures, and our vocal response matter!
Sept. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
August 2023 Events:
IC float in the Yankee Homecoming Parade, August 6
Immaculate Conception featured a float in the Yankee Homecoming Parade as part of the continuing celebration of the 175th Anniversary. On a spectacularly beautiful day, 45 marchers, in royal blue anniversary tee shirts, accompanied Father Harrison and the Immaculate Conception 175th anniversary float in the Yankee Homecoming parade. Our entry was led by bagpiper Tom Welch and the float was complete with banners, a mural of the church and continuously pealing church bells. HRIC ministries were joyfully and creatively represented with a variety of posters promoting the good work done in the communities served by our Collaborative.
A special thank you goes to David Watson for the use of his truck and to Lou Venezia for his trailer and his extraordinary carpentry skills. And, a big shout out to Parade Committee members Jonathan Temple, Ann Messina, Mary Bragg, Kate Prescott, Bonnie Durante, and Suellen Welch for developing this beautiful entry for our 175th anniversary! <Click here to view photos.>
July 2023 Events:
Berry Festival, Food Drive, and Church Tours during Yankee Homecoming, July 30
Berry Festival, Church Tours, and Spectacular Weather! What a wonderful start to Yankee Homecoming at IC on the weeekend of July 30.
After a three-year hiatus, the Berry Festival Committee again offered homemade biscuits topped with hand-picked strawberries and blueberries and fresh, homemade whipped cream in very generous portions. People were lining the street for these scrumptious goodies, and they were sold out by 2:00 p.m.! Some latecomers are looking forward to next year’s event. Cheers to Kathie Williamson and her team. We can’t wait for 2024. <Click here to view photos.>
Another highlight of the festival was the very detailed and informative tours of the church hosted by Mary Schmidt. Attendees were treated to not only the history of the church but beautiful descriptions of the stained glass windows, a historical timeline of the church, and some little-known facts about the building architecturally and sacramentally. Do you know where the fossils are? Thank you to Mary for all the hard work and a fascinating afternoon for parishioners and visitors alike. <Click here to view photos.>
June 2023 Events:
Father's Day BBQ, June 17
BBQ Roundup:
Below: Fr. Harrison flippin' the burgers at the BBQ
<Click here for additional photos>
Despite a very soggy day, over 100 parishioners enjoyed an old fashioned Father's Day BBQ in the IC School gym on Saturday, June 17. Entertainment was provided by jazz guitarist Sean Goguen and a special treat of bagpipes by Tom Welch.
Popcorn, cornhole, hula hoops and bubbles provided fun for children and adults alike with a special treat of candy apples and cotton candy provided by Dean Flynn Co. and of Jennifer and Peter Durning.
Many thanks to the HRIC Cursillo community and the numerous volunteers who made this a memorable event.
HRIC BBQ Celebrating Father’s Day June 17
Want to celebrate the Dads in your life in a special way? Then join us for the HRIC Father’s Day BBQ on Saturday, June 17 at 5:00 p.m., immediately following the 4:00 p.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception. Dining will be on the lawn between the church and the parish center. Fr. Harrison will be flipping burgers and dogs. Chips, watermelon, cookies, and brownies will round out the menu. Vegetarian options too. Top it off with iced tea, lemonade, or Father Ray’s special iced coffee. Cornhole, hula hoops, bubbles, and cotton candy for the kids!
Entertainment provided by choir member and WJOP Jazz World DJ, Sean Goguen from 93.5 Joppa Radio. Hosted by the HRIC Cursillo Community, there is no charge for the event.
Mayor Reardon gives a shoutout to Immaculate Conception in his May 18, 2023 "Mayor's Corner" video.
May 2023 Events:
May Crowning of Mary
Please join us on Mother’s Day, May 14, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass to honor and celebrate Mary, our Mother, with prayer, song, and coronation.
Rail Trail Garden Dedication
Saturday, May 20, Clipper City Rail Trail
In the Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Sí, we are all encouraged to care for our common home—our earth. In response, our HRIC Laudato Sí group will dedicate a Rail Trail garden. All are welcome to join us for a dedication ceremony of the HRIC Laudato Sí Rail Trail Garden on the Clipper City Rail Trail in Newburyport. The dedication will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Rail Trail garden. (Meet at 2:00 in the IC parking lot if you would like to process with a group to the site.)
Directions to the Garden on the Clipper City Rail Trail are in the link below. Click here to view photos.
Directions to Laudato Si Rail Trail dedication
Holy Redeemer - Immaculate Conception Adult Choir Concert
Sunday, May 21, 2:00–3:30 p.m., IC Church
Join us in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the IC parish and be inspired by the transformative power of music. Enjoy an afternoon of sacred music, hymns, spirituals and instrumentals performed by the Collaborative Adult Choirs and musicians. A drawing for various raffle items will be held immediately following the concert. There is no admission charge but a free-will offering will be graciously accepted in support of the Music Ministry. Click here to view photos.
March 2023 Events
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
Get your Irish on and join us for a fun time and a traditional Irish dinner!! This is the first in a series of events celebrating the 175th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception Parish.
Date: Friday, March 17
Time: 1st seating: 4:00–5:30 p.m.
2nd seating: 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Place: IC St. Louis Hall
Price: Adults $15, Children under 12 $10
There will be music by the Holy Jammers, raffles, and a few surprises!
Due to space limitations in the hall, there will be two seatings as noted above. Tickets will be sold following all IC Masses beginning the weekend of February 25–26 or stop by IC offices to purchase tickets. You must have a ticket to attend. Click here to view photos.
