720 Liberty St. Clarion, Pa 16214 Phone: 814.226.8433

CHURCH

SCHOOL

RELIGIOUS ED

Pastoral Planning Council

The Council meets the needs of the parish by promoting the physical and spiritual welfare of our parish community and insuring the continued growth of the parish materially and financially. They review and advise the pastor in all policy matters concerning the good of the parish. They are comprised of nine at-large members and the following ex-officio members: the Pastor, and one representative from each of the active organizations within the parish. The nine at-large members are elected from and by the membership of the parish, 18 years of age or older. The term for at-large members shall be three years.

The following standing committees make up the Committees of Council: Liturgy, Education, Finance, Building and Grounds and Social or Special Activities.

Meetings are held on a regular basis, usually monthly at a date and time determined by the Council members. All meeting notices are published in advance in the church bulletin and all members of the parish are entitled and welcomed to attend as observers.

Care and Concern Committee

The Care and Concern Committee is made up of several sub-committees which are available to help parishioners in several different ways. If you would like to join in helping other members of our parish or need help in these areas, call the parish office.
 

Ladies Guild

The Ladies Guild meet on the first Wednesday of the month in the School Cafeteria. All ladies in the parish are welcomed members of this organization.

Finance Committee

As mandated by the Code of Canon Law, Immaculate Conception Church has a Finance Committee, which is entirely appointed by the pastor. The Finance Committee advises the Pastor on all financial matters in the Parish. The Committee reviews the annual report made to the Diocese. It also proposes an annual budget to the pastor. The Council meets quarterly to review the reports and to make suggestions that will effect the fiscal responsibilities of the administration.

Catholic Daughters of America

The largest national organization of Catholic women in the world dedicated to strengthening their spiritual life through Christ and His Church was founded by the Knights of Columbus in 1903 in Utica, New York. With a membership of more than 200,000 in forty-two states and other countries throughout the world, the C. D. of A. strives to embrace the principles of faith, working through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all. Members are encouraged to develop leadership skills, dedication and great enthusiasm for the work of Christ and His church. We are dedicated to our patroness, the Blessed Mother. Our motto is Unity and Charity. We are also pledged to the social and other needs of the Parish, and to intensify patriotism in our country.

The Catholic Daughters meet on the second Monday of the month in the Rectory Basement.

Knights of Columbus

On Oct. 2, 1881, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church on Hillhouse Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Called together by their 29-year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, these men formed a fraternal society that would one day become the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organization. They sought strength in solidarity, and security through unity of purpose and devotion to a holy cause: they vowed to be defenders of their country, their families and their faith. These men were bound together by the ideal of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Christianity to the New World. Their efforts came to fruition with the incorporation of the Knights of Columbus on March 29, 1882. They were Knights of Columbus.

The Order has been called "the strong right arm of the Church," and has been praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to those in need.

Father McGivney's founding vision for the Order also included a life insurance program to provide for the widows and orphans of deceased members. The Order's insurance program has expanded substantially to serve more effectively the Knights' growing membership. Year after year, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest possible quality ratings for financial soundness from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The Order provides the highest quality insurance, annuity and long-term care products to its members, along with many other fraternal benefits.

The Supreme Council is the governing body of the Knights of Columbus and is responsible for the development of the organization as a whole. Supreme Council duties include establishing the Order in new regions and setting up regional authorities, defining and advancing its values and goals, undertaking organization-wide initiatives, promoting awareness of the Knights' mission worldwide, and protecting the families of members through its extensive insurance program. Members working in local, or subordinate councils, however, carry on the majority of the Knights' beneficial work.

The Regular Meeting of K of C is on the second Tuesday of the month in the Rectory Basement. The Fourth Degree meet on the last Tuesday of the month in the Rectory Basement.