Immaculate Conception Church

Dear parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish and friends,

In December of 2018 we began to celebrate the 150th Jubilee Year Anniversary of the founding of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, a church whose rich history is woven into the fabric of Braidwood.  Let us be truly grateful to Almighty God for all that He has done for us past and present. One hundred and fifty years as a parish community is such an amazing thought.

Think especially of the generations before us and all the faith, hope and charity they had to accomplish the building up of the parish. Let us remember them with our prayers so that the Lord may, if he has not done so already, take them to His heavenly home. Imagine the earliest of settlers…riding to church on a horse and buggy, caretakers having to arrive hours before Sunday morning Mass on cold winter days to load the coal burning stoves for heat. Imagine the two old beautiful churches that were built and unfortunately burned down prior to the one we now reside in. Imagine the feelings they had on the days they watched their churches burn to the ground. But imagine the enthusiasm and hope and stewardship they all had to begin again and build even a more beautiful Church for God and themselves. Imagine the hardship and financial sacrifices parishioners had to go through during the great depression of the early 20th century. See in your mind and heart their trust and resolve given to them from God through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Yes, just think of these past historical happenings and try and envision what the future will be for us if we are truly faithful, good stewards and evangelists spreading the Catholic Faith to our children and those around us. I hope this 150th year has been a year of remembrance, reflection and thanksgiving. May we always be grateful for the generations before us and mostly may we give God the glory that is His due.

Thank you, Almighty God for giving us our Catholic Faith through Your Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, too, for raising up the generations of faithful Catholics who have passed on this parish to us. Thank you for the clergy and religious and so many others who worked so hard these past years, over a century ago, to bring us the Catholic Faith through word and action. For them we are truly grateful for they through faithful discipleship passed on to us the Catholic Faith and the parish we have today. Help us, O God, to grow in holiness. O God, may the Holy Spirit pour forth grace on this local Church, that we may continue, with the rest of our Catholic brothers and sisters, continue the saving work of Jesus Christ through Word, Sacrament, and charitable service. May everything we do, both now and in the years to come, be for your glory and for the sanctification of all. We ask these prayers through your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord yesterday, today and forever. Amen. Holy Mary, Mother of God and the Immaculate Conception – Pray for us!

Blessings and prayers, Father Robert Noesen 

SUNDAY:       9:30 AM
THURSDAY:  8:30 AM