Parish Name: Immaculate Conception
Location: Malden, Massachusetts
Founded: 1854
Diocese: Boston
Pastor: Father Richard Mehm
Number of Parishioners: More than 1,600 families
Parish website: www.icmalden.com
What makes your parish different from other parishes?
Immaculate Conception is the friendliest parish around. The staff and clergy make efforts to meet and greet everyone and make all feel like VIPs. The music at IC offers everything from High Mass choral music and chant to kid- and youth-friendly choirs, with the gifts of the parishioners being put to use in leading musical prayer. The parish has a charism for teaching and learning, and faith formation for the entire parish is at the forefront. Each year the entire parish teaches and learns based on a theme. That theme is considered in their religious education programming—a lively, fun, creative and formative Generations of Faith program—and all their ministry groups. The parish’s youth ministry is vibrant and welcoming to young people of all ages and ages of faith. All the young people are encouraged to use their gifts in leadership at the parish. This parish is hospitable, encouraging, and joyful.
What’s the most distinguishing characteristic of your church building?
The main worship space holds 1,100 people. The nave is lined with scenes from the mysteries of the rosary. It’s a very large space full of marble and terrazzo but has no pillars—no obstructed-view seats here! It has a beautiful stained glass depiction of the Immaculate Conception over the choir loft. The stained glass windows were designed by Jean Jacques Duval, New York, 1963. Mr. Duval was the designer of the stained glass windows that adorned the Chapel at the Vatican Pavilion at the World’s Fair in 1963. Our deacon, Rev. Mark Rumley, recently sent Mr. Duval an e-mail to thank him for his design of our stained glass windows here at IC where he wrote, “When the light comes through the windows in early morning it gives the feel of multicolored spiritual fingers reaching down to touch the prayerful.”
Who is your most interesting parishioner, and what makes them so interesting?
There are so many good people here. Virginia Ruane stands out as a parishioner who has been active and generous with her gifts for the parish. She (at over 90 years old) serves as a lector, has served on the Parish Council, has spoken at Youth Ministry and Generations of Faith events, and loves to be at IC. She is never without a smile, and has seen it all! Virginia just started a new avocation of writing pieces for the local senior newspaper, and she is a spiritual cheerleader for people of all ages at the parish.
What’s the most popular event, ministry, or holiday tradition at your parish?
Generations of Faith was started more than 10 years ago, and the parish has benefited from this new way of envisioning and presenting faith formation. The saying among the staff is “It’s not about the kids!” which means they see the parents as the primary educators of their children. They put their efforts toward supporting parents’ faith and growth so they can share it with their own kids. They are not afraid to have fun, to invite people into leadership, to try new things and new ways, even while staying faithful to their main message—the kerygma.
If we asked parishioners what they love most about the parish, what would they say?
People talk about the feeling of welcome that they feel at IC and the joyfulness. They say that there is something for everyone at IC, and they always mention the Youth Ministry.
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