Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

09/06/2026

St. Bernard of Clairvaux on Love

We recently celebrated the memorial of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux on August 20th. For today’s pastor’s column, I’d like to share a sermon of his on love:

Love is sufficient of itself, it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice. I love because I love, I love that I may love. Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him.

The Bridegroom’s love, or rather the love which is the Bridegroom, asks in return nothing but faithful love. Let the beloved, then, love in return. Should not a bride love, and above all, Love’s bride? Could it be that Love not be loved?

Rightly then does she give up all other feelings and give herself wholly to love alone; in giving love back, all she can do is to respond to love. And when she has poured out her whole being in love, what is that in comparison with the unceasing torrent of that original source? Clearly, lover and Love, soul and Word, bride and Bridegroom, creature and Creator do not flow with the same volume; one might as well equate a thirsty man with the fountain.

What then of the bride’s hope, her aching desire, her passionate love, her confident assurance? Is all this to wilt just because she cannot match stride for stride with her giant, any more than she can vie with honey for sweetness, rival the lamb for gentleness, show herself as white as the lily, burn as bright as the sun, be equal in love with him who is Love? No. It is true that the creature loves less because she is less. But if she loves with her whole being, nothing is lacking where everything is given. To love so ardently then is to share the marriage bond; she cannot love so much and not be totally loved, and it is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists. Or are we to doubt that the soul is loved by the Word first and with a greater love?

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You are in my daily prayers.
God bless you,
Fr. VanDenBroeke

09/01/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟖𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

Tuesday, September 1st, is a very special day for our community.

On September 1st, 1941, our current church was dedicated. Because the dedication of a church is such an important event in the life of a parish community, it is celebrated as a Solemnity in that church.

Thus, I invite you to join me for Mass to celebrate the solemnity of the dedication of our beautiful church.

In addition to the regular 8 am Mass on Tuesday, we will have a special Mass at 6:30 pm with a VanDenCookie reception to follow in the church basement.

08/30/2026

Seminarian: Jackson Simon

It is with great joy and pride that our parish will have its first seminarian in 46 years! Jackson Simon is entering St. John Vianney College Seminary this weekend to begin discerning a call to the priesthood.

Our last seminarian was Fr. Michael Skluzacek, who was ordained in 1980.

Jackson is the son of Paul & Cassy Simon, and is 20 years old. He went to Holy Cross Catholic School through 8th grade, and Bethlehem Academy for high school. He has taken some college classes at the University of Mary in Bismark, and also at Dakota County Technical College.

A good sign of a healthy and flourishing parish is that it produces religious vocations. So it is a great encouragement to me for us to have a young man from our community discerning the priesthood.

The seminary has a twofold purpose. One is to help the seminarian discern if God is truly calling him to the priesthood. And the second is to begin preparing him for this vocation.

The seminary achieves these goals through four main “pillars of formation”, or ways that a man is formed to become a priest. They are: spiritual, human, intellectual, and pastoral. Spiritual formation helps him to develop his prayer life and union with God. Human formation helps him grow in virtue and avoid sin. Intellectual formation helps him grow in knowledge. And pastoral formation helps him in learning how to minister to others. Each of these four pillars is essential to forming a good priest.

College seminary can also be expensive. St. John Vianney College Seminary is at the University of St. Thomas and that is where the seminarians take most of their classes. The Archdiocese pays for room and board, but the college tuition is left up to the seminarian to pay for himself. I therefore encourage you to consider making a donation to Jackson to assist him in paying for his schooling. To do so, please contact the Simon family directly, or bring a check or cash to the parish office in an envelope with his name on it, and write checks directly to Jackson. Thank you for your support.

I encourage you to pray daily for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, and especially to keep Jackson in your prayers.

You are in my daily prayers too.
God bless you,
Fr. VanDenBroeke

08/23/2026

5 Great At-Home Date Ideas

I came across a great article online about 5 great at-home date ideas for couples. For my pastor’s column today, I’d like to share that article.

This article is published by Zeale – “Zeale is a project of CatholicVote, America's top Catholic advocacy organization leading the fight for faith, family, and freedom. The aim is to inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of their faith in public life.”

They are a great website for Catholic news and faith. I especially encourage you to consider signing up for their daily newsletter called: The Loop. You can find more information here: https://zeale.co/theloop/today

You are in my daily prayers.
God bless you,
Fr. VanDenBroeke

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5 Great At-Home Date Ideas

Regular date-nights are an important way for couples to rest and reconnect, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to plan them. Whether you’re on a tight budget, you can’t find a good babysitter, or your infant is breastfeeding around the clock, there are seasons of life where at-home dates are a better option!

But if you’ve had your share of takeout-and-a-movie nights, here are some creative alternatives. So tuck the kids into bed, grab the baby monitor, turn off your phones, and head to your living room.

1. Dance together
There’s nothing like slow dancing with your beloved while jazz plays softly. If you’re not typically one to dance, or if you just want to polish up, you can check out YouTube tutorials on an easy slow step like a rumba or foxtrot.

2. Poetry night
Crack open that volume of poetry you haven’t touched since college and take turns reading out loud to each other. After each one, talk to each other about what lines struck you and why. You don’t have to limit yourself to sonnets! You can explore dramatic ballads, humorous limericks, or even an epic poem.

3. Board and card games
Card games are a great option if you have a competitive streak! You can also break out the board games for a hands-on, screen-free night.

4. Wine and charcuterie
For a more relaxed evening, grab your favorite bottle of wine, put some cheese, crackers, and cured meats on a cutting board, and enjoy the chance to catch up with each other. Use these conversation starters to avoid the temptation to merely catch up on family logistics.
• Find an essay or an article of interest to both spouses and pre-read it before date night to discuss over dessert.
• Discuss your spouse’s love language.
• Discuss a podcast one or both of you have listened to recently.
• Dream about an upcoming or far off anniversary trip.
• Discuss what God has been teaching you lately.
• Reminisce about your first date, or your wedding planning, or your honeymoon.
• Natural Family Planning check-in.
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever given? Received?
• Discuss how to build community around your marriage and family.
• If I were to give you an entire day to yourself, how would you want to spend it?
• Discuss what life after retirement might look like.

5. Make a photo album
Sure, we keep most of our photos on our phones, but it’s great for families to have hands-on mementos too. You can order prints from your local drug store, and then laugh and reminisce together as you compile your album.

Hopefully these ideas will give you a chance to enjoy your spouse’s company without the pressure of a fancy date in town. Your marriage is the root of your family, and everyone will benefit from having Mom and Dad happy and connected.

Article source: https://zeale.co/news/articles/5-great-at-home-date-ideas

Today's Catholic news briefing — headlines, saint of the day, and daily readings.

08/16/2026

How to offer each decade of the Rosary – Shorter way

The last few weeks I have shared some simple meditations by St. Louis de Montfort to help with praying the rosary. Today I’d like to share a shorter way that he proposes. To commemorate the life, death and glory of Jesus and Mary in the most holy rosary, and a way to curb our imagination and to lessen distractions.

In order to this we must add a word or two to each Hail Mary (depending upon the decade) and this will help remind us which mystery we are commemorating. This word or words should be added after the phrase “And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus _________”.

Joyful Mysteries
1 – “Jesus incarnate”
2 – “Jesus sanctifying”
3 – “Jesus born in poverty”
4 – “Jesus sacrificed”
5 – “Jesus, Saint among saints”

Sorrowful Mysteries
1 – “Jesus in His agony”
2 – “Jesus scourged”
3 – “Jesus crowned with thorns”
4 – “Jesus carrying His cross”
5 – “Jesus crucified”

Glorious Mysteries
1 – “Jesus risen from the dead”
2 – “Jesus ascending to heaven”
3 – “Jesus filling Thee with the Holy Spirit”
4 – “Jesus raising Thee up”
5 – “Jesus crowning Thee”

As a personal note, I find it difficult to insert these phrases in the middle of the Hail Mary, so I find it easier to say this phrase before beginning the Hail Mary. Thus to say: “Jesus incarnate. Hail Mary…”

Another suggestion that I heard recently in a talk by a Catholic speaker, Patty Schneier, was the idea to offer up each Hail Mary for someone or something connected with that mystery. Thus, for the Annunciation, offer each Hail Mary for someone you know who is with-child. Or, for the mystery of the Scourging at the Pillar, offer each Hail Mary for those you know who are in pain.

I hope this helps you in praying the rosary!

You are in my daily prayers.
God bless you,
Fr. VanDenBroeke

08/09/2026

How to offer each decade of the Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

I recently read a great book by St. Louis de Montfort called The Secret of the Rosary, which is a series of meditations and stories about how powerful the rosary is. There is also a section in the book about how to think about and offer each decade of the rosary. I’d like to share this part for your reflection and use.

Simply pray these short prayers before the appropriate decade of the rosary that you are saying, and try to keep your mind and heart focused on this intention for the entire decade.

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The Glorious Mysteries

First Decade (The Resurrection) – We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy triumphant Resurrection and we ask of Thee, through this mystery and through the intercession of Thy Blessed Mother, a lively faith.

Second Decade (The Ascension) – We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of Thy glorious Ascension, and we ask of Thee, through this mystery and through the intercession of Thy Blessed Mother, a firm hope and a great longing for heaven.

Third Decade (The Descent of the Holy Spirit) – We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of the mystery of Pentecost, and we ask of Thee, through this mystery and through the intercession of Mary, Thy most faithful Spouse, Thy holy wisdom so that we may know, really love and practice Thy truth, and make all others share in it.

Fourth Decade (The Assumption) – We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of Thy holy and Blessed Mother, body and soul, into Heaven, and we ask of Thee, through these two mysteries and through her intercession, the gift of true devotion to her to help us live and die holily.

Fifth Decade (The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) – We offer Thee, O Lord Jesus, this decade in honor of the glorious crowning of Thy Blessed Mother in Heaven, and we ask of Thee, through this mystery and through Her intercession, the grace of perseverance and increase of virtue until the very last moment of death and after that the eternal crown that is prepared for us. We ask the same grace for all the just and for all our benefactors.

Closing prayer:
We beseech you, dear Lord Jesus, by the mysteries of your life, death and passion by your glory and by the merits of your Blessed Mother, to convert sinners and help the dying, to deliver the Holy Souls from purgatory and to give us all your grace so that we may live well and die well—and please give us the Light of your glory later on so that we may see you face to face and love you for all eternity. Amen.

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Unfortunately there are no meditations for the Luminous Mysteries, since they hadn’t yet been introduced in the time of St. Louis de Montfort.

You are in my daily prayers.
God bless you,
Fr. VanDenBroeke

08/03/2026

A special Thank you to the 𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕂𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕞𝕓𝕦𝕤 for their tremendous help at AugustFest. Especially, helping lead setup and takedown, and running the KC Grilling Station!

08/02/2026

A few pictures of what you could take home from the Country Store... come by before 4pm!

08/02/2026

The tents are up, tables are in place, the bakery booth and country store are filling up with goodies and treasures, the cards are shuffled, fun games are ready to be played, the bands are warming up, the grills will be starting....

All that is left is your attendance!!!

Join us for Mass at 10am and then for a full afternoon of FOOD, FUN and FELLOWSHIP! It is going to be a beautiful day with beautiful people at Immaculate Conception!

Bring your cash, or use the ATM on site.