Immaculate Conception Clarksburg

Immaculate Conception Clarksburg Mass Schedule
8:00 am Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri
7:00 pm Wed
4:30 pm Sat
8:00, 9:15 (Spanish), 11:00 am Sun This latter place took Clarksburg as its mission.

The State of West Virginia was not a year old when Our Parish came into being. The Diocese of Wheeling was still very long and Clarksburg was yet a small town. It would seem pertinent to devote some time to the city wherein our Parish is located and the Diocese of Wheeling of which we are a unit. There is a tradition that a trapper named John Simpson visited the present site of Clarksburg in 1764.

However it was not until 1772 that Daniel Davisson, who acquired four hundred acres of land within which the present city is located, made a permanent settlement. The settlement received its name from George Rogers Clark, who had become a famous Indian fighter. It became recognized as a town by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1785 and became also the County Seat of the new Harrison County. Clarksburg, at first, consisted of small groups of log cabins, huddled closely together for greater protection from Indian raiders. It is interesting to find a fortification nearby, called Nutter's Fort, to which the settlers fled at the slightest sign of danger. The fort no longer exists but it is pointed out that the old Roosevelt Wilson High School is built within its palisades. By 1796 Clarksburg had almost 40 houses, a courthouse, and a jail. Later it possessed a post office and received mail passing East and West. An event happened in 1824, which was destined to bring fame to the city. Thomas Jonathan (Stonewall) Jackson was born in a log cabin in the present Main street between Third and Fourth streets. The building of the northwestern Turnpike in 1836 was a blessing to Clarksburg, especially when a system of stagecoaches was established. But the wonder of the age dawned with the arrival of the first Baltimore and Ohio Railroad train in 1856. This date is of very special interest to us, because as we shall see, it was to be the occasion of the establishment of our parish eight years later. Parishes, such as we know today with well defined boundaries, were practically unknown in our diocese at that time. God only knows how many private homes became temporary churches when mass was celebrated in them to accommodate the people of the vicinity. Clarksburg before 1864 was one of these "missions," cared for by priests coming intermittently from places as far as Brownsville, Pa., Cumberland, Preston County and Weston. Soon after it became evident that the Catholic population was growing. A priest came from Weston once a month and celebrated Mass in private homes. Finally Bishop Whelan decided that the time had come to establish Clarksburg as a parish, with a resident priest. Father Daniel O'Connor, who was the pastor at Weston, resigned and was appointed pastor of Clarksburg. It is noted that before the coming of the railroad in 1856 there is no evidence of Catholic life here. The Irish workers, who had built the railroad in its westward extension from Baltimore to the Ohio River, were the first Catholics to come. They had been recruited in the west of Ireland, principally from the counties of May, Galway, and Roscommon. They had been pauperized by the Great Famine of earlier years and were glad of the opportunity to escape the miserable conditions under which they had been forced to live. They brought nothing with them, because they had nothing to bring. They possessed however, a sturdy manhood and a deep attachment to the Faith. When Father O'Connor became pastor of Clarksburg, he found nothing here but, as he tells us, a fenceless grave yard which had been donated by Major James Jackson. It is interesting to note that this cemetery was later abandoned and is now Jackson Memorial Park on the East End of the City. The new pastor set himself immediately to the task of building a church. Property was purchased from Major James Jackson on the East Side of Elk Creek. The actual site chosen for the church was on the junction of Pike and the present Sandy Boulevard. Father O'Connor tells us that the bricks used in the building were made on the grounds to the number of two hundred thousand. Begun in 1864, the Church was completed and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under the Title of her Immaculate Conception, August 5, 1865. Father O'Connor notes that the total cash for grounds and Church did not exceed $12,000.00. This was a goodly sum in those days, contributed by workers who were few and poorly paid. It is Father O'Connor's boost as well as his tribute to the generosity of the parishioners that the debt was liquidated within a year.

First Friday Adoration is back on it's regular scheduled time, tomorrow, June 5, from 4-5 pm. Msgr Paul will be hearing...
06/04/2026

First Friday Adoration is back on it's regular scheduled time, tomorrow, June 5, from 4-5 pm. Msgr Paul will be hearing confessions during this time as well. We hope you will join us.

This Sunday is the Feast of Corpus Christi, Latin for Body of Christ. As Catholics, we celebrate the real presence of J...
06/04/2026

This Sunday is the Feast of Corpus Christi, Latin for Body of Christ. As Catholics, we celebrate the real presence of Jesus. Part of our celebration is to process through the church neighborhood with Father holding the monstrance under a canopy. We stop at several homes of parishioners to pray. Please join us for this beautiful event. We end the procession with ice cream!

06/04/2026

A lot of people see images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus but never stop to ask what all the symbols actually mean. ⤵️

The devotion to the Sacred Heart focuses on the love of Jesus Christ for humanity. It reminds us that God's love is not distant or abstract. It is personal, sacrificial, and still offered to us today.

❤️‍🔥 In the image, the Heart itself represents the real Heart of Jesus and His human love united with His divine love.

❤️‍🔥 The flames above the Heart symbolize the burning love Jesus has for every person. His love is alive, active, and always reaching out to us.

❤️‍🔥 The Cross on top reminds us that His love led Him to Calvary. The Sacred Heart is inseparable from Christ's suffering, death, and sacrifice for our salvation.

❤️‍🔥 The crown of thorns wrapped around the Heart represents the wounds caused by sin and the rejection of God's love. It reminds us that Jesus willingly endured suffering for us.

The Sacred Heart also reminds us of something many Catholics have forgotten. Jesus does not simply ask to be admired. He asks to be loved in return. Sacred Heart devotion includes acts of reparation, offering prayers, sacrifices, and love in response to the sins, indifference, and ingratitude that offend His Heart.

❤️‍🔥 The wound on the side of the Heart points to the lance that pierced Christ's side during the Crucifixion (John 19:34). The Church has long seen this wound as a sign of the mercy and grace that flow from His Heart.

❤️‍🔥 Many Sacred Heart images also show rays of light coming from the Heart. These symbolize the blessings, mercy, and graces that Christ pours out upon the world.

❤️‍🔥 One detail people often miss is that the Heart is visible outside His chest. This is meant to show that Jesus is holding nothing back. He reveals His Heart openly and invites us to respond to His love.

The Sacred Heart is ultimately a question.

Will we return the love that God has already shown us?

When you look at the Sacred Heart image, which symbol speaks to you the most:
the Cross, the crown of thorns, the wound, or the flames?

06/04/2026

The Saint of the Day is brought to you by Dynamic Catholic.

JUNE 4 | CONFESSION (PT. 2)
Saint Francis Caracciolo
A.D. 1563–1608

What first comes to mind when you think of confession?

For Saint Francis Caracciolo, it was joy.

Francis had experienced the joy of going to confession himself, when he was young and battled serious illness. He promised that if he survived, he would dedicate his life to God. After Francis was miraculously healed, he followed through on his promise. And as he entered the religious life, Francis found the joy of confession. So much so that he wished he could just hear confessions already, as he wrote to a friend: “I still cannot hear confessions, since one needs dispensation to do it before the six months after ordination."

Perhaps this joy is why Francis joined the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, the patron saint of joy. Once Francis could finally hear confessions, it is said that he could read the hearts of those in his confessional, and already knew what they would confess.

Saint Francis Caracciolo understood the joy of confession. Do you? How do you feel when you think about going to confession?

There are a few common feelings and misconceptions around confession. Let’s address them today so we can unlock the joy Saint Francis Caracciolo found in this incredible Sacrament.

First, we’re afraid of going to a priest who knows us and will recognize our voice. We say, "If he knew my sins, he would never talk to me ever again." But let’s not kid ourselves. We’re not that original. We’re not going to tell him anything he hasn’t heard before.

Then, we've got a culture out there that says you don't need to go to confession. Our culture tells us you don't need to go to confession because sin and evil don't really exist. If you believe that sin and evil don't exist, watch your ten o'clock news tonight. Sin and evil are real and they affect us all.

Then we've got another group of people who say, "I confess to God, but I don't need to go to confession to a priest." This comes from both Catholics and non-Catholics. If you ask them why, they say, “Because me and Jesus, we're buddies. I just tell Jesus my stuff, and he forgives me.”

It's a nice idea, isn't it? The only problem with that one is, it doesn't work. As human beings, we have a phenomenal ability to deceive ourselves. We can convince ourselves of all sorts of crazy stuff. That's why this "me and Jesus" thing doesn't work. That's why Jesus didn't set it up that way to begin with.

All these misconceptions about confession lead us to miss out on the amazing joy of the Sacrament that Saint Francis Caracciolo—and just about every saint—experienced.

What’s your relationship with confession at this time in your life? Is it time you discovered, or rediscovered, the joy of this great gift?



WHAT ARE MY FEELINGS AROUND CONFESSION AT THIS TIME IN MY LIFE? WHAT’S PREVENTING ME FROM EXPERIENCING THE FULL JOY OF THIS SACRAMENT?

I joyfully look forward to my next confession.
Feast Day: June 4

Also Known As: Saint Francis Caracciolo, Confessor

Patron Saint of: Naples Italy and Italian Cooks

Canonized: May 24, 1807

Canonized By: Pope Pius VII

Thank you Sr Berita!!!
06/03/2026

Thank you Sr Berita!!!

WHO IS A SACRISTAN?
The Hidden Guardian of the Sanctuary

“Long before the congregation arrives and long after everyone leaves, someone has often been quietly preparing, caring, and serving behind the scenes. That person may be the sacristan.”

Every Mass requires preparation.

The sacred vessels must be arranged. The vestments must be ready. The altar must be prepared. The liturgical books must be in place. The sanctuary must be orderly and reverent.

Most Catholics naturally notice the priest, deacon, altar servers, readers, and choir.

Yet there is another important ministry that often works quietly in the background: the sacristan.

Though rarely seen by the congregation, the sacristan plays a vital role in helping ensure that the Church’s liturgical celebrations are carried out with dignity, order, and reverence.

1. WHO IS A SACRISTAN?
A sacristan is a person entrusted with the care of the sacristy, the sanctuary, and many of the sacred items used during the Church’s liturgical celebrations.

The sacristan helps prepare everything necessary for Mass and other liturgical functions.

Depending on the parish, the sacristan may be:
* a priest
* a religious brother or sister
* a seminarian
* or a trained layperson

While the role varies from parish to parish, the goal remains the same: to help ensure that the liturgy is celebrated properly and reverently.

2. WHAT DOES A SACRISTAN DO?
Many of the tasks performed by a sacristan happen before the congregation even enters the church.

A sacristan may prepare:
* the chalice and sacred vessels
* the altar linens
* the Roman Missal
* the Lectionary
* the vestments for the clergy
* the cruets containing wine and water
* and other items needed for Mass
After the liturgy, the sacristan often helps ensure that sacred vessels are properly cared for and that the sanctuary is returned to good order.

Though these duties may seem simple, they contribute greatly to the beauty and dignity of Catholic worship.

3. WHY IS THE SACRISTY IMPORTANT?
The word sacristan comes from the word sacristy.

The sacristy is the room where sacred vessels, vestments, liturgical books, and other items used in worship are kept and prepared.
It serves as the preparation area for the liturgy.

Just as a family prepares a table before an important meal, the Church prepares the sanctuary before the celebration of the Eucharist.

The sacristan helps oversee much of that preparation.

4. THE LITURGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE SACRISTAN
The Church teaches that the liturgy should be celebrated with reverence, beauty, and proper order.

While the priest presides over the sacred mysteries, many practical details must also be attended to.

The sacristan helps ensure that:
* sacred items are available
* liturgical norms are respected
* the sanctuary is properly arranged
* and the celebration proceeds smoothly
In this way, the sacristan quietly supports the Church’s public worship.

5. THE SPIRITUAL IMPORTANCE OF THE SACRISTAN
The ministry of the sacristan is not merely about organization.

It is also an act of service offered to God and His Church.

Every chalice prepared, every vestment arranged, every candle checked, and every altar linen cared for can become an act of devotion.
The sacristan reminds us that not every ministry takes place in front of the congregation.

Some of the most important acts of service happen quietly and without recognition.
Like Saint Joseph, the sacristan often serves faithfully behind the scenes.

6. WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD A GOOD SACRISTAN HAVE?
A good sacristan should possess:
* reverence for the Eucharist
* attention to detail
* reliability
* humility
* respect for sacred objects
* and a love for the liturgy
Because sacred vessels and liturgical items are entrusted to their care, sacristans should approach their duties prayerfully and responsibly.

Their service helps foster a spirit of reverence throughout the parish.

7. WHY SHOULD CATHOLICS APPRECIATE SACRISTANS?
Many Catholics may never realize how much preparation takes place before every Mass.
Yet much of that preparation is often made possible by the quiet dedication of a sacristan.

Their ministry helps ensure that the faithful can worship in an environment marked by dignity, beauty, and proper order.

Though they may not stand at the altar or preach from the ambo, their contribution remains an important part of the Church’s liturgical life.

IN SUMMARY: A QUIET MINISTRY OF SERVICE
The sacristan is entrusted with the care and preparation of many of the sacred items used in Catholic worship.

Through their service, they help ensure that the Church’s liturgy is celebrated with reverence, order, and dignity.

Their work may often go unnoticed, but it plays an important role in supporting the worship of God and the spiritual life of the parish.

The ministry of the sacristan reminds us that faithful service is not measured by visibility but by love, dedication, and reverence.

Today, reflect:
Do I appreciate the many people who quietly serve behind the scenes to make the celebration of Mass possible?

“Some ministries are seen by many. Others are seen mainly by God. Both are valuable in the life of the Church.”

If this helped you understand Catholic life better, share it and tell us:

Did your parish have a sacristan when you were growing up?

SOURCE:
General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)
Code of Canon Law
Ceremonial of Bishops
Church Teaching on Sacred Liturgy
Guidelines for Parish Liturgical Ministries

Be Prayerful. Be Inspired
©Catholic Dailies

06/03/2026

We’re Hiring!

Notre Dame is seeking a qualified teacher for Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics. This position may be part-time or full-time for candidates with secondary Math certification.

Join a faith-filled school community dedicated to academic excellence and student success. ☘️

06/03/2026

The Saint of the Day is brought to you by Dynamic Catholic.

JUNE 3 | SACRIFICE
Saint Charles Lwanga
A.D. 1860–1886

The history of Christianity is paved with sacrifices large and small that echo the love of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross in every place and time. Self-denial and sacrificing for the sake of others is a rich theme that runs through the lives of the saints.

Saint Charles Lwanga is no exception. In fact, his sacrifice was so great his story can be hard to read, but it brought forth amazing fruits.

Lwanga was a page in the court of King Mwanga—you might remember this king from our reflection on May 27.

King Mwanga was a pe*****le. Saint Charles Lwanga, a Christian baptized by missionaries, protected the boys of the court from the king’s sexual advances. This angered the king, but Lwanga was able to maintain his position in the court. That ended when two young Christians were condemned to death, and Lwanga baptized them before their ex*****on. Lwanga was then arrested along with all the other Christians of the king’s court. The king tried to coerce them into renouncing their faith, but not a single one gave in. Furious, the king condemned them all to death. In all, 45 Christian martyrs were killed by Mwanga.

After being marched to their spot of ex*****on, Lwanga was separated from the others so that he may be burned to death. Lwanga asked if he himself could arrange the wood. His ex*****oners allowed it, and once he had assembled the wood, he took his place upon it. The fire started, but Lwanga stayed amazingly calm, speaking only twice. The first was when he said, “It is as if you are pouring water on me. Please repent and become a Christian like me." The second was at the very end, when he used his final breath to say, “Oh, God.”

Saint Charles Lwanga sacrificed himself for others and for the truth of his faith. And what fruits did his sacrifice bring?

In 1886, when Lwanga and the other martyrs were killed, there were only a handful of Christians in Uganda. Today, Uganda is 84% Christian. On the spot where Lwanga was killed, Christians have built a basilica in the shape of the wood that Saint Charles Lwanga arranged for his ex*****on.

The virtue of sacrifice enhances the meaning of our existence. The ability to set aside our desires and personal preferences, expecting nothing in return, is evidence of the nobility of the human person. Our sacrifices—big and small—echo through history in ways we cannot imagine. Let your selfishness give way to love and you will embrace the sacrifices of daily life enthusiastically. The fruits will be extraordinary.



WHAT IS ONE SACRIFICE I CAN MAKE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY? WHAT FRUIT COULD THAT SACRIFICE BRING FORTH, IN MY LIFE AND IN THEIRS?

I will sacrifice for the sake of love.
Feast Day: June 3

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Clotilda

Patron Saint of: African Catholic Youth Action, Converts, and Torture Victims

Canonized: October 18, 1964

Canonized By: Pope Paul VI

Are you looking for something for your TEEN to do next week??? Youth Volunteers are welcome & needed at VBS. 7th graders...
06/02/2026

Are you looking for something for your TEEN to do next week??? Youth Volunteers are welcome & needed at VBS. 7th graders & ⬆️ are eligible. Please use the registration form so we know to count them in!

https://www.icclarksburg.com/vacation-bible-school

06/02/2026

The Saint of the Day is brought to you by Dynamic Catholic.

JUNE 2 | PERSEVERANCE
Saint Blandina
A.D. 162–177

By the second Friday of January most New Year's resolutions have been abandoned.

Why? Because making a resolution is easy. But following through on our commitments is far more challenging. There is no virtue in beginning. It is easy. Many start, few finish. This is true in almost everything.

Saint Blandina persevered to the end, and even though she was a slave by status, she became a giant of the faith.

During the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, rumors circulated about Christians that they committed cannibalism and other heinous acts when they came together. These rumors were the result of slaves being tortured into giving false testimonies about their masters. The Roman authorities, believing the rumors, gave permission for all Christian citizens who did not renounce their faith to be beheaded, and for all Christian slaves to be tortured.

Blandina was a slave, which meant there was no limit to the torment her Roman captors could inflict on her.

When the local authorities learned of Blandina’s faith, they questioned her under brutal torture. She responded the same way to every question: “I am a Christian, and we commit no wrongdoing.” The torturers eventually became exhausted and had to stop, but Blandina persevered.

Her torturers then brought her to the amphitheater and tied her to a stake, so that crowds could watch her terrible ex*****on. But these spectators saw something they did not expect: Blandina was praying not only for her fellow Christians, but for her ex*****oners themselves.

Then they let wild animals loose in the arena, as was common practice for gladiators to fight. Blandina could only fight with the weapon of prayer, and it seemed to work: The early records state that the beasts did not touch her. Ultimately, her ex*****oners killed her with a gladiator’s sword.

Saint Blandina persevered to the end. Even if the challenges we face are not as dramatic as hers, we still need the same perseverance to be Catholics in today’s world. We need perseverance every day as we strive to become the best-version-of-ourselves.

Acquiring the virtue of perseverance requires both grace and significant personal effort. You can practice it now, by making a commitment to one thing that will help you become who God made you to be. When things get hard, it’s time to persevere. Don’t look at how far you still have to go, look at how far you have come, and consider how your life would be if you had never found this great path you’re on.

Persevere to the end.



WHAT’S ONE CHALLENGE I’VE BEEN FACING IN LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE? HOW IS GOD INVITING ME TO PERSEVERE TODAY?

I will persevere to the end.
Feast Day: June 2—Corpus Christi (2024)

Feast Day Shared By: Saints Marcellinus and Peter, and Saint Eugene I

Patron Saint of: Young girls

Symbols: A Bull

Address

150 South Maple Avenue
Clarksburg, WV
26301

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 3pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 3pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 3pm
Thursday 8:30am - 3pm
Friday 8:30am - 3pm

Telephone

+13046228243

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