About our parish

Immaculate Conception Church is a faith community dedicated to the teachings of Jesus Christ and example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We seek to continually strengthen our relationship with God and with one another, and heed the call to respond to the needs of our time. We welcome you to worship with us, and invite you to share your unique gifts and talents.

MINISTRIES AND VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Please contact our office if you are interested in any of the below ministry or volunteer opportunities:

ALTAR SERVERS

Servers assist the presider during the parish liturgies. Anyone from 4th grade level to adults are welcome.

ART & ENVIRONMENT

This group designs, creates and maintains the liturgical environment for the various seasons and feasts in the Church year. It is responsible for the environment of the entire worship space, and strives to help parishioners encounter God in all that they meet when gathering as a community.

CRAFT SHOW

Immaculate Conception Church sponsors one of the largest and best attended craft shows in the area. It is one of our biggest fundraisers. Proceeds from the show fund many improvement projects around the parish. Craft vendors fill 80 booths and tables with a variety of wonderful items. The show takes places annually on the first Saturday of November.

EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY

The IC Emergency Food Pantry serves people who have a great need for food in the greater Grand Traverse Area. The pantry is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and also by appointment. Due to the generosity of the Immaculate Conception Faith Community, we serve over 6,000 people in need each year.

Volunteers and donations are always needed:

  • Evening Workers

    Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

  • Food Transportation

    From church to pantry, following all weekend Masses.

  • Monthly food and/or monetary donations

    "Take out Sunday" is once a month with a listing of items needed. The list is printed inside the bulletin.

  • Food donations

    Grocery carts are in the main entrances to church to receive food donations throughout the week.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

EMHCs are called and commissioned to minister the Body and Blood of Christ at the Eucharistic Liturgy and to bring Christ's presence to the sick and homebound.

FAITH FORMATION

  • Liturgy of the Word for Children

    • Sundays all year during the 10AM Mass

  • Wednesday Faith Formation

    • K-5th: 6PM-7:30PM, September through May

  • Vacation Bible School

    • Ages 4-4th Grade: June

  • Family Sacramental Process

    • Workshop format preparing students and families for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist

  • RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

    • Tuesdays 7-8:30PM
    Various Adult Formation and Seasonal Gatherings throughout the year.

  • Junior High Youth Group

    • 7th and 8th Grade: Wednesdays 6:30PM-8PM
    9th-12th Grade: Wednesdays 4:30PM-6PM
    (September through May)

FUNERAL LUNCHEON MINISTRY

The Funeral Luncheon Ministry consists of 175 volunteers. The team consists of Luncheon Leaders, Callers, Workers and Donors. Four teams rotate to provide a beautiful luncheon following funerals and a compassionate outreach to grieving families.

HEALTH MINISTRY

The mission of the Health Ministry Program is to assist the Immaculate Conception faith community in its efforts to enable members of the congregation to live full, abundant and healthy lives. In doing so, it seeks to respect the dignity and worth of each person and to enhance the individual's capacity to assume primary responsibility for his/her own health.

  • Home Visitation for those who are homebound, sick or recovering from a temporary illness
  • Health Education opportunities
  • Bereavement Ministry
  • Rite of Anointing within Mass twice per year
  • Blood Drives every three months
  • Blood Pressure Screenings
  • Eucharist to Pavillions weekly
  • Eucharist to Munson Hospital twice weekly
  • Welcoming the newly baptized

LECTOR MINISTRY

It is a lector's honored task to proclaim the revealed Word of God to the gathered assembly. The ministry of lectors requires not only reading skills, but inner holiness, spiritual preparation and loving imitation of the Word.

MUSIC MINISTRY

  • Adult Choir

    • Sing weekly at the 10AM Mass and Holy Days. On the first Sunday of each month, the choir rotates to a different Mass time. Rehearsal: Thursdays 7PM-8:30PM

  • Cantors

    • Lead the singing at Masses where the choir is not present. Proclaims the psalm and various other ritual music. Rehearsals are arranged with the director.

  • Bell Choir

    • Rings handbells at Masses with the choir.
    Rehearsals - Thursdays 6PM-7PM

  • Seasonal Choirs

    • For Christmas, Lent and Easter. Times vary and are announced each year.

  • Instrumentalists

    • Those who play any sort of instrument are welcome.

  • Funeral Choir

    • Enhances the Funeral Mass with song and presence.

VOLUNTEER MINISTRY

There are numerous opportunities to help with various needs and occasions throughout the year:

  • Hospitality Planning
  • Sunday Coffee and Rolls
  • Church and Hall cleaning
  • Church flower watering
  • Outdoor flower gardening
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Sewing/Knitting/Crocheting