ICC-Pulaski ...Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Pulaski,TN

09/25/2026

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Immaculate Conception Parish
A welcoming Catholic community in the beautiful hills of Tennessee.
Gathering as one family in Christ.
Find our bulletins & weekly homilies on our website iccpulaskitn.com

09/19/2026

Hi,

Below is Father's homily for tomorrow.

Remember that Religious Education for our children starts tomorrow at 9:30. EVERYONE (including parents) needs to come into the church for a short presentation called: "Circle of Grace", then the children will be dismissed to go to their respective classrooms. Class will be finished at 10:30.

There is a Parish Council Committee meeting immediately following Mass tomorrow.

Father will be blessing our teachers during Mass tomorrow, as well.

Have a blessed day.

Peace, JoAnne

25th Sunday of the year, Cycle. A. 2026.

The Readings for today invite us to look beyond human standards of fairness and discover the astonishing generosity of God's love. While we often think in terms of merit, reward and comparison, God acts according to mercy, compassion and boundless grace.

Today’s First Reading from Prophet Isaiah speaks of the disconcerting message that God’s ways are not our ways. God has his own way of dealing with us that may not always please us. We human beings try in vain to create God in our image but God is not like us; human beings often judge by appearances and calculate what people deserve. God however, sees the heart and continually offers forgiveness and new beginnings. His mercy always exceeds or expectations.

The invitation of Jesus is to become perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. This does not mean that God is a dictator who has no concern or love for His people; rather, it means God invites us to share in His nature and is extremely extravagant in His love, mercy and affection. This is proved beyond doubt through the parable in today’s Gospel.

This parable can be compared to the story of the Prodigal Son. When the prodigal son returns home to the unconditional and forgiving love of his father, the eldest son cannot stomach it. He uncharitably labels and despises his younger brother and refuses to come home. In today’s parable the laborers are angry and arguing with the owner, not because they are underpaid or unpaid, but because the latecomers are paid an equal amount. This according to them, is injustice and they begin questioning the owner of the vineyard.

When the full-timers complain to the owner, he insists, “I do you no injustice”, and he adds a rider, “I am free to do as I please with my money, am I not?” To this question, the complainers can answer only in the affirmative. The owner has one more thing to say which reveals the very heart of the parable: “Are you envious because I am generous”.

The parable is ultimately about God's generosity in granting salvation, something we can never deserve, but which is given to us so freely and unconditionally because of the love He has for each one of us. At the literary level of the narrative we tend to focus on hours and wages. At a deeper level, this is a story about God's ways and His justice: What God is offering is not wages but salvation which is the same for everyone. The land owner's generosity reflects God's generosity towards the sinner who responds to His invitation, whether early or late.

How do we fit into the parable? Jesus came to establish the kingdom of Heaven and to redeem us all. We are children of one Father, who awaits us with open arms. The beauty and the most encouraging part is that we can come to this kingdom whenever we are called. The late comers are asked, “Why do you stand here idle all the day”? The answer, “Because no one has hired us”. Jesus does not get into the details of why they have not been called or hired, whether they are useless or lazy people or belonging to some other class, caste, or race, etc. They are simply hired. They are willing to come into the vineyard. Jesus challenges us to celebrate every person who comes to God, regardless of when or how they answer His call. The Lord never stops inviting people into His Vineyard. No one is too old, too broken or too far gone to receive His mercy. As long as life remains, God's invitation remains open.

The parable gives us a precious insight into God’s magnanimity. He wants us to be his partners in the Kingdom and to enjoy His presence. It does not matter when we respond to His invitation. No one has any advantage over anyone else when it comes to God’s kingdom. The truth of the matter is: God offers salvation to all out of His own magnanimity and compassion.

When all is said and done, what is the reward, if we are to translate this parable into the reality of our life? Jesus Himself; Jesus gives Himself wholly, fully to each of us. St. Paul praises “fruitful labor”; he even boasts of his own. He says, “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain”. Like Paul let us respond to God's call to be a part of His mission and Kingdom.

09/09/2026

Hi,

I forgot to put Father's homily at the bottom of the last message. Here it is:

24th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Cycle. A. 2026.

While Pope Benedict XVI was imparting his blessing from the Vatican Balcony, a fanatic drew a pistol, aimed at the Pope and pulled the trigger. But the gun did not fire. Guards seized and imprisoned the sniper. Brought before the Pope, the gunman expressed regret that the gun had failed to go off. The unruffled Pope said: “I will tell you why your gun failed. You were in the crowd and I had blessed you also, my son. Return to your home; your wife and children must surely have heard of this and will be worried.”

The Liturgy of this Sunday centers on one of the most difficult, yet, transformative demands of Christian life - forgiveness: God's mercy towards us becomes the measure of how we are called to treat others. The Readings challenge believers to abandon resentment, revenge and bitterness, and instead embrace compassion rooted in divine mercy.

Today’s Readings touch upon two things: (1) The First Reading and the Gospel warn us against all forms of anger, wrath and hatred against our neighbor. They emphasize the fact that unless we forgive our neighbor we cannot enjoy God’s forgiveness. The Second Reading speaks highly about the sublime nature of forgiveness.

It was Jesus’ infinite love and mercy that led Him to die for us. His death on the cross not only redeemed us but also united us with God and we became brothers and sisters. We are reminded by St. Paul that, being united in Jesus as brothers and sisters, we must show mercy to everyone who hurts us. The very exhortation, “to live and die for the Lord” is a reminder to imbibe Jesus’ infinite mercy.

Willian Shakespeare, greatest dramatist all time, regards mercy as a sublime quality of God. “It blesses him that gives and him that takes”. Both the giver and the receiver of mercy are thus enriched. A sinner may be severely punished by the laws of the State but a simple gesture of forgiveness shown by the victim can mend the relationship between the offender and the victim.

Love, kindness, compassion and magnanimity are aspects of forgiveness. Then true sign of Christianity is love and the power of love is forgiveness. Forgiveness should be permanent, not occasional. The quality of love is sweet but that of mercy and kindness is sweeter. One feels more enriched when one forgives than when one is forgiven.

History also teaches us that love and forgiveness prevail ultimately. The vengeful nature of few persons has resulted in gory warfare and great catastrophes. But do they occupy important and immortal positions in the annals of History? Where do they stand in comparison to paradigms of forgiveness like Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, etc., who have become sources of light and icons of inspiration to the whole of humanity? These people achieved, with a few simple acts of forgiveness and kindness, what great emperors could not achieve with their whole might of vengeance and cruelty.

Forgiveness is a powerful divine remedy for the evils of the world. It has been proved that hatred and grudges towards others are the main reasons for many human ailments. Grudges and vengeance never let internal wounds heal. But when we forgive others, we not only mend the broken relationships but also facilitate the free flow of Jesus’ love to everyone, including ourselves. And this brings about integral healing.

In this world which considers revenge, cruelty and callousness as necessary ingredients for success in life, Christians should be living examples of forgiveness, tenderness and kindness. We should also be able to say with St. Paul, “If we live…..we are the Lords”. We belong to Christ and we are to conform ourselves to Him. The decision to live and die for the Lord will enable us to assimilate Jesus’ forgiveness, kindness and compassion. The number 77 represents the limitless nature of God's mercy towards us - so we can make it represent ours to one another.

09/09/2026

Hi,

I know that this is early, but Jay and I will be driving through the night on Thursday to Wisconsin. We will return sometime on Tuesday morning.

Father will NOT be having Mass on Monday, but WILL have Mass at 11 on Wednesday.

Next Sunday is a Parish Council meeting after Mass.

Tomorrow is Mike Rekasis' surgery. This is a very serious surgery to remove most of his right leg. PLEASE pray HARD for him for a successful surgery AND for total, complete recovery AND lessening of his excruciating pain.

Have a blessed day.

Peace, JoAnne

09/08/2026

Hi,

Mike Rekasis just texted me and said that he appreciates ALL of the prayers being offered for him. The doctors have decided that he needs his right leg amputated, so the surgery will be on Thursday. Please pray for a successful surgery, total healing and that his excruciating pain will be gone. THANKS!!!

Have a blessed day.

Peace, JoAnne

09/07/2026

Hi,

We, as a parish family, need to storm Heaven for Mike Rekasis. He was sent back up to Vanderbilt last night. He was delirious and incoherent (maybe due to an UTI or electrolyte imbalance???). Anyway, he was progressing with his physical therapy, now that will be pushed back. PLEASE PRAY HARD FOR MIKE!!!!

Thanks.

Peace, JoAnne

09/03/2026

Hi,

Father George called me this morning at 5:30 requesting prayers for his travels. He arrived in Dallas, but due to delays, he missed his connecting flight. The next flight out was cancelled, so he is still in Dallas, waiting to leave sometime this morning. He is quite distraught and worried that he might become sick from all of this. He has requested prayers for his safe travel this morning to Huntsville AND that he does not become sick. THANKS!!!

Have a blessed day.

Peace, JoAnne

09/02/2026

Our own ICC Young Adult parishioners and UT Southern students participating at the Student Club Meet and Greet on the green! What a wonderful way to let the university students know about the Catholic Faith and to possibly join the ICC Young Adult group with Kristen Keenan Pfeiffer.

08/29/2026

Hi,

Below is Father George Panthananickal's homily, even though he will not be with us.

This Sunday is Father George Velloorttil's last Sunday with us. He will be here for Monday 9 AM Mass, but he leaves for his next assignment on Tuesday. There will be NO Mass on Wednesday of this week. However, we will have OUR Father George back for Sunday, September 6.

There is a brunch after Mass tomorrow with donuts, breakfast casseroles, French toast, quiches, pigs-in-a-blanket, and other goodies. Plan to come and enjoy this meal with the parish. Father George V. will also bless the teachers and students during this time.

Next Friday is First Friday, so we will have Adoration from 7-8 on Friday, September 4.

Have a blessed day.

Peace, JoAnne

22nd Sunday Ordinary, Cycle. A. 2026.

A young man came home to his beloved and knocked on the door of her house and a voice came from within asking, “Who is there?” He replied, “It's me.” But the voice answered. “The house is not big enough for both of us.” And the door remained closed. The young man called once more, “Dear it's me, please open up, I am here.” But the door remained shut. Then the young man withdrew into the forest and prayed and fasted in solitude. A year later, he returned and knocked once again at the door and once more the voice asked, “Who is there?” And the young man replied, “Dear, it's you.” The door then opened and the young lover went in.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews probably from personal experience, wrenched out this enigmatic but true statement. “It is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God.” The prophets are classic examples of those who have fallen into the hands of God. Of all the Old Testaments prophets, it is Jeremiah who experiences most acutely the pangs of such an experience. He, of course, does not consider his experience as passively falling into the hands of God. Feeling cheated, he boldly accuses God of deception. Jeremiah resists, but he is too feeble for the strong seducer God, who invariably prevails. It is abduction and seduction in one action.

What made Jeremiah feel so dejected and deceived? It was the burden of his God-given mission. His mission was to call a spade a spade, by pointing out rottenness, corruption in high places, in sacred sanctuaries, among people who were supposed to be shining paragons of virtue, champions of justice. And so when he cries out “Violence and destruction!” He is mocked and ridiculed by the powerful and their mercenary minions.

For a shy, sensitive soul like Jeremiah to be a prophet of God’s vengeance goes totally against the grain. He is too innocent for the malicious machinations of his high-placed adversaries. Groaning under the pressure of his menacing mission, he naturally feels compelled to give it up, give up talking the name of and speaking in the name of the Lord. He is tempted to ask, “Why expose oneself to such perils?” Seal the mouth and retire into a quiet place in peace.

But no, he cannot. The seducer God is so strong and His grip firm and unrelenting. The Spirit that God has breathed into the prophet mercilessly urges him on and suffocates him if he does not speak out boldly what God wants him to speak out. Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, Jeremiah laments in most prophetic tones and in utter exasperation, spews out violent bitter, angry words. “Cursed be the day I was born….why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?”(20.14-18). It is a classic death wish, the passion of a reluctant prophet.

The prophetic mission of Jeremiah was typically his offering of himself as a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” as St. Paul says, in the Second Reading today. And in today’s Gospel Jesus predicts His own passion, death and Resurrection, and He demands from His followers renunciation of self, even of life. It is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God! Every Christian shares in the prophetic mission of Christ. It is the case all the more with priests and religious.

If we are honest with ourselves, we have also probably felt like Jeremiah at times! “God, I followed your will and Church teaching and yet, here I am, suffering! Being persecuted! That’s not fair!” we might say. “Fair” is not a part of the Gospel message, though love and mercy are. Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary was not fair - and it did not end persecution and suffering - but it brought life. Through God’s mercy and love, it meant that suffering would not be the end of us. Jesus’ temptation to avoid his passion and death was real. Indeed, wishing to avoid difficulties is not wrong itself. Of course we would like to avoid suffering, but we cannot always do that. Suffering is given meaning through its acceptance and offering up in union with the redemptive suffering of Christ.

In offering our very selves as a living sacrifice, St. Paul says, we worship God and we can be transformed, becoming more and more holy as we are evermore united to the will of God.

08/02/2026

Hi,

As I said last week, Father George Panthananickal gave me his homilies for the entire time that Father George V. is with us. I intend to send the ones he gave me each week for you to enjoy.

Tomorrow is our parish picnic. Father Jerry Kopel will hear confessions from 3:30-4:45, vigil Mass at 5 PM, followed by our parish picnic. The church is providing the burgers and hotdogs, there will be a cake honoring EVERYONE who had something special this past year, OODLES of side dishes (bring one if you plan to come) and games. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parishioners and get to know those who are new to our parish.

We will still be having our regular Sunday Mass the next day, as well. However, the vigil Mass meets the obligation for the Sunday Mass.

Keep praying for Mike Rekasis, Lisa Lambert, Janie Hill, and Kathy Grindrod's upcoming surgery next week. THANKS!!!

Have a blessed day.

Peace, JoAnne

18th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Cycle. A. 2026.

The British celebrity Malcolm Muggeridge saw compassion actualized before his very eyes and that made him do something he had sworn he would never do: he became a Catholic. He said his change of heart was brought about by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He confessed: “Words cannot express how much I owe her, she showed me Christianity in action. She showed me the power of love. She showed me how one loving person can start a tidal wave of love that can spread to the entire world”.

Jesus is able to satisfy the needs of everyone. He can provide it without anyone’s help, but He wants us to co-operate with Him by giving Him what we have, even if it is only a little. He will do wonders with it, provided we give Him all we have and all that we are. We see in today’s Gospel Jesus asking His disciples to give the hungry crowd something to eat. He was compassionate to and thoughtful of the people who had come to listen to Him. Jesus indeed knew that His disciples had only a little food with them. Yet he told them to give the crowd something to eat. With a sense of utter helplessness they told Jesus, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” Jesus asked them to bring them to Him, to work the miracle of multiplication of bread and fish.

This miracle has a very great lesson for us. We human beings, however poor we are, can be instruments of a miracle. Jesus will work wonders, provided we bring Him what we have; He will work wonders through us if we let Him to do it by our self-surrender, by offering our talents and gifts to Him. The five loaves and two fish could have remained the same if the disciples were not willing to give them to Jesus. Therefore none of us should think we have nothing to offer. Alone we can do nothing, but we and Jesus can do much. Place what you have in the hands of Jesus; He will accept your poverty, bless and multiply it, and give it to you to distribute just as He did with the apostles. Is that not good news to you?

No one could blame us today for our inability to multiply bread as Jesus did. But how many of us can claim to be free from selfishness, which prevents us from sharing? Bob Geldof, who organized the “Live Aid” concert, showed what could be done when people share. He said, “All we did was tap a reservoir of compassion that was already there.” Like Jesus’ first disciples, who at first preferred that the people went back to their villages to look after themselves, we too shy clear of the challenge of Christian loving. This often happens because, like the disciples in the story, we feel we have little or nothing to offer. But Jesus can take what little we have to offer, bless it and give it back to us so that we might bring fullness to those whose lives we touch.

The enemy of true discipleship is superficiality. We are constantly invited to “spend our money” on distraction, which only hides our true need from ourselves. At Mass, we thank God for providing us with Heavenly food. As Jesus changes the Eucharistic bread, so He also transforms us into Eucharistic people. But do we still realize the urgency of Jesus’ command: “Give them some food yourselves!” Why wait any longer? How long are we going to tolerate so much waste, while people struggle to get minimal food just to survive? Now is the time to do something. It is estimated that 1,000,000 people die every day from lack of food and malnutrition.

When we start calculating, measuring and counting, we never have enough. When we share, what we have, even if it is very little, it becomes enough to satisfy many and there is always more than we need. Jesus is inviting each one of us to cooperate with him in working miracles by sharing what we have.

We celebrate the Eucharist in “memory of Jesus” and do receive great spiritual nourishment. But it should also motivate us to do something to transform the world. The Eucharist should keep us in tune with the needs of our world, with His compassion for the crowds and with His command to be servants to one another. You and I are called by Jesus to “give them something to eat.” The question is: “Are we willing to give to Jesus what He asks from us and let Him work a miracle with it?”