I'm New Here

When You Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

When are services?

Weekend Masses

Saturday: 5:00 PM

Sunday: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM

Weekday Masses

Tuesday: 5:30 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM

Thursday: 9:00 AM (School Mass)

Friday: 7:00 AM

When is Confession?

Tuesday: 4:00 PM–5:15 PM

Thursday: 6:00 PM–7:30 PM

Saturday: 4:00 PM–4:45 PM

How do I get to Immaculate Conception Church?

Our parish is located at 1712 Highland Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701. Here is a map.

Where should I park?

The main parking lot across Highland Avenue—directly opposite the church—offers very convenient access for weekend and weekday Masses. Street parking is also available on the surrounding roads. In addition, the school playground lot on Highland Avenue is open for parking during parish events and Masses.

Is there handicap access to the church?

Yes. Handicap access is available through the Sherwin Avenue entrance. The circular drive around the Marian Grotto on Sherwin Avenue includes five designated handicap parking spaces, providing close and easy access to the church doors.

Where do my children go?

Children are always welcome at Immaculate Conception, and they should remain with their parents or grandparents throughout the Mass. We encourage families to sit toward the front pews, where children can more easily see what is happening in the sanctuary and on the altar. This often helps them engage more fully with the liturgy.

To support families, we offer several helpful resources. Please make use of the Praise Packs, available in the Family Room at the back of the church. This space allows parents and children to participate comfortably while still seeing and hearing the liturgy, and it includes a family‑friendly restroom. We also have Children's Bulletins available on the tables at the back of church that offer fun age-appropriate activities that relate to the weekend's readings. There is one for ages 3+ and one for ages 7+.

On Sunday at 8:30 AM Mass, we offer Children’s Liturgy of the Word for children ages 3 through 2nd Grade. All are welcome any weekend—no sign‑up required. After the priest invites the children forward, they gather in Fr. Klink Hall for a lesson and activities based on the Sunday readings. The children return to the church around Communion time.

I’m not Catholic, how do I know when to sit, stand and kneel?

There’s no need to be self-conscious about the postures and responses used during worship. Most visitors just follow the lead of our parishioners. However, our hymnals, located in each pew, provide you with the order of the Mass, the postures, and the words of each prayer. If you don't see a hymnal in your pew, ask an usher, and they will be happy to bring you one.

I’m not Catholic, is it okay for me to participate in communion?

The Eucharist is at the heart of Catholic worship. We believe that at Mass, through the prayer of the Church and the ministry of the priest, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In the eucharist, the whole of Christ – Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity – is sacramentally present under each of the species, the outward appearance of bread and wine. If someone receives only the Sacred host, he receives the body and blood of Christ.  Similarly, if someone cannot receive the sacred host (because of celiac disease, for example), he or she still receives the Body and Blood of Christ when drinking from the chalice at mass.

The Catechism explains that the eucharistic presence of Christ “begins at the moment of the consecration” (CCC 1377).  Receiving Holy Communion is not only a sacred moment of personal devotion; it is also a public sign of full unity with the Catholic Church’s faith, life, and sacramental practice.

For that reason, we ask those who are not Catholic—or Catholics not prepared to receive—to refrain from receiving the Eucharist. This is never meant to exclude or to make anyone feel unwelcome. Rather, it reflects the depth of what Communion means for us: a shared belief, a shared sacramental life, and a shared commitment to the Church Christ founded.

We warmly invite anyone who is not receiving Communion to come forward for a blessing. Simply cross your arms over your chest, and the priest will offer a brief prayer for you. This gesture allows you to participate in the procession and receive a sign of God’s love and care.

If you have questions about the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist or about becoming Catholic, we would be honored to speak with you.

*We offer a low gluten Communion host for those who require/prefer it. Simply stay in 2 center lines during Communion and ask for the low gluten option. 

Am I expected to put money into the offering?

If you are visiting with us, we don't expect you to put money into the offering, and you are welcome to just let it pass you by. If you consider our parish your church home, we'd love for you to prayerfully consider giving to our parish on a weekly basis. You can give by check or cash during the service, or you can give online here. 

I have a hearing problem, is there any special assistance?

Yes! Our church offers headphones for those hard-of-hearing. You may grab one from an Usher when you arrive and they will help you get set up.