SUSPENSION OF ALL PUBLICLY CELEBRATED MASSES/LITURGIES

UPDATE: The bishops of Ohio have suspend temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, through May 3, 2020. This includes Holy Week and Easter. The bishops of Ohio have also dispensed the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass during this period. To read the complete statement, click here.

Palms on Palm Sunday On Palm Sunday April 4 & 5, Blessed Palms will be available outside the doors of the Church On Saturday until 6:00 PM and on Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Palm Sunday, Holy Week and EASTER SERVICES AT IC
Services for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter will be webcast from Immaculate Conception, Ravenna LIVE on nwntv.com as follows:

• Palm Sunday Vigil Mass - Saturday, April 4 at 4:00 pm
• Holy Thursday - April 9 at 4:00 pm
• Good Friday - April 10 at 4:00 pm
• Easter Vigil Mass - Saturday, April 11 at 4:00 pm

Palm Sunday, Holy Week and EASTER SERVICES Online
Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter services will be webcast from St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown per the following schedule. Click here for live streaming:

• Palm Sunday Mass - April 5 at 10:30 am
• Holy Thursday - April 9 at 5:30 pm
• Good Friday - April 10 at 3:00 pm
• Easter Vigil Mass - Saturday, April 11 at 8:00 pm
• Easter Mass - Sunday, April 12 at 10:30 am

Masses during Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter will also be available online live or recorded from many churches around the Diocese. For a complete schedule, click here.

spiritual communionPope Francis told people on March 15, "United to Christ we are never alone, but instead form one body of which he is the head. It is a union that is nourished with prayer and also with spiritual communion in the Eucharist, a practice that is recommended when it isn't possible to receive the sacrament."

Because it is not always possible for everyone to receive at every Mass, the idea of "spiritual Communion" is part of Catholic tradition. We invite Jesus into ourselves when receiving the actual sacrament isn't possible. In the 1700s, St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote a special prayer for spiritual communion:

"My Jesus, I believe you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world, and I hunger to receive you. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, feed my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you."

NOTICE OF SCAM AIMED AT PARISHIONERSSome parishioners at nearby parishes have received text messages "from Father ________" asking them to click on a link to donate to various causes. THIS IS A SCAM, and not sent by the parish priests.

NOTE: As a rule, never supply personal data, credit card numbers, etc. to unsolicited callers, texts, e-mail, or postal mail. If you suspect a donation or payment you made via credit card was fraudulent, contact the credit card company.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Families whose children are enrolled in our Parish School of Religion Program were went a packet of information with home faith formation lessons for the weeks of March 15, 22, and 29. We hope our students and their parents will enjoy going through the lessons together. Completed lessons may be mailed to the parish or dropped in our parish mailbox by the office door. The April lessons will me mailed out the week of April 5.

All other faith formation activities...Youth Ministry, RCIA, Confirmation Preparation, Adult Faith Formation...are postponed. Please frequently check the bulletin or www.icparishravenna.org for further updates and information.

CONTRIBUTIONS We are aware of the financial hardships that are being placed on you during this crisis. However, it is important that you continue with your regular weekly or monthly contributions so that we can pay our bills that continue to come in. Please mail or drop off at the Parish Office your contribution. Thank you for your support.

Reverse Raffle POSTPONED UNTIL JUNE 6 Because of the order regarding the risk involved in public gatherings, the Immaculate Conception Parish Reverse Raffle has been postponed to June 6, 2020. Tickets can still be purchased at the Parish Office while the supply lasts. If you have any questions regarding this date change, please call the Parish Office at 330.296.6434.. Thank you and please stay safe

Crisis Counselor Help LinesFor those who are experiencing stress, anxiety or any other mental health concerns, Town Hall II has a FREE, 24/7, confidential help line: 330-678-4357 (HELP) or text HOME to 741741 to speak to a crisis counselor.

Caritas Cafe AND CLOTHING CENTER closedBecause of concerns over the coronavirus, the Caritas Cafe, located at 206 W. Main St., Ravenna has been closed until further notice.

The Portage County Clothing Center, located at 3377 State Rt. 59, Ravenna is also closed until further notice.

VOCATIONS "Did I not assure you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" Do you believe Christ may be calling you to see the glory of the Blessed Trinity through a vocation to the priesthood, consecrated life or the diaconate? Call Father Scott Kopp at 330-744-8451 or email