December 12/13, 2020
My dear parishioners,
This Sunday evening at 5:30pm we are in for an incredible treat. In lieu of an in person Christmas Pageant, the Religious Education Office has spearheaded an IHM Christmas Pageant Video for the whole parish! Deanna Ricciardi and her daughter, Gabriella, have been coordinating, filming (socially-distanced!) and putting it all together. Look for it Sunday, December 13th at 5:30pm on the parish website (www.ihm-parish.org).
We are more than halfway to Christmas, and don’t you look forward to the part of Advent when the hymn ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ plays out on a daily basis? Beginning on the 17th, our focus shifts from the Second Coming of Christ to His Birth in Bethlehem with the singing of the “O” Antiphons. "The Roman Church has been singing these antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah” (www.usccb.org).
To prepare IHM for Christmastime, this week there will be an all-day deep cleaning of the church and main floor of the rectory, which will include the adoration chapel, sacristy, choir loft, confessionals, entrances and offices, conference room, parlor, dining room, common areas, staircases and hallways. Therefore, the church will close at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 15th, Wednesday, December 16th and Thursday, December 17th. Please try to conclude as much of the regular rectory business as possible by noon on those days. Emergencies and urgent business will be accommodated.
Your generosity to the upkeep of the Church has made such a preparation for Christmas possible - Thank you!
Thursday from 7:30-8:30pm in the church will be IHM College Evening for friendship, prayer and discussion. A Flocknote College Group will be created this week for ease of communication and distribution of discussion topics.
The Parish Council will convene again in January.
Speaking of deep cleanings…Do consider making a good Confession this Advent. We plan on utilizing the Adoration Chapel and the Sacristy this year. Dates and times are as follows:
Saturday, December 19th
- Briefly following the 8AM and 9AM Masses.
- 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM
- 12:00 noon until 1:00 PM
- 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM (7:30 PM outside Rosary and 8-9 PM Holy Hour to take place, too)
It began on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and will extend to the same feast in 2021.
Stay tuned for a Parish Novena to Saint Joseph!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Msgr. Luke Sweeney
Advent Reflection Series 2020:
Assuming a Body - Preparing for the
Nativity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ
Join us on Monday evenings for a Holy Hour from 8-9pm for a 20-30 minute reflection each week. They will be live-streamed and then available in the archived section for those who may wish to watch at another time.
UPCOMING DATES & TOPICS:
December 14th - The Grace of Christ We Live: Meekness in a Fallen World
December 21st - The Powerful Union of Our Prayer: Thy Will be done, on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
December 21st - The Powerful Union of Our Prayer: Thy Will be done, on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
IHM CHRISTMAS MASS SIGNUP
CLICK HERE to access the 12/10/2020 Flocknote from Msgr. Luke Sweeney. Please use this link for the IHM Christmas Mass Ticket Sign Up to reserve your tickets. If you find that your Mass of choice is at capacity, please use the IHM Christmas Mass
Waiting List Sign Up.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS BASED ON OUR FAITH:
ST. BONIFACE WAS THE CREATOR OF
THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE
For thousands of years, the evergreen tree has been a sign of hope and life. For ancient people, it was a reminder in the winter that sunlight and good weather would come again. For Christians, it's a reminder that Jesus came to bring us the hope of eternal life.
While sixteenth century Germans are said to be the first people to bring Christmas trees into their homes, St. Boniface, an eighth century Catholic missionary to the Germans, is credited with creating the first Christmas tree. This happened one Christmas Eve when he chopped down a large oak tree that the Germans used for pagan worship. He pointed to a nearby evergreen tree, saying that it represented peace and eternal life. He told the crowd of Germans to gather around evergreen trees in their homes in a spirit of kindness and love, to commemorate the child Jesus.
In the early 1800s, German settlers brought the Christmas tree tradition to Pennsylvania. The rest of America adopted the tradition in 1846, and slowly but surely the Christmas tree gained popularity. Now, Christmas trees are seen in homes and on display all over the world. Their beauty and light remind us of the hope we have in Jesus.
(Taken from the Dynamic Catholic website)
SUNDAY, DEC 12/13 MASS SIGNUP
If you missed the Mass Signup that went out in Monday's Flocknote, please use the signup below.
IHM Public Masses Sunday December 13, 2020
Please follow safe distance protocols - Wearing a mask in church is required - There will be no sign of peace, holy water, missalettes or Bulletin - Please follow directions from ushers and observe signs about seating - Eucharist may be received in the hand, with no glove - While we have hand sanitizer available in the church, it might be wise to bring your own as well. - If you are feeling sick or anxious, we recommend watching the Mass online.
IHM Saturday Dec 12, 5:30pm
IHM Sunday Dec 13, 8:00am
IHM Sunday Dec 13, 10:00am
IHM Sunday Dec 13, 12:00pm
THANK YOU FOR ALL MAILED IN AND ONLINE WESHARE DONATIONS!
If you plan to contribute online using WeShare for your recurring IHM contributions, and would like to discontinue receiving mailed envelopes, or if you have any questions or comments about envelopes or WeShare, please use the simple contact form below.
RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT COLLECTION
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
“Every dollar makes a difference in covering our expenses,” says a Trappist abbot. Hundreds of US religious communities struggle to provide for aging members because most senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests served for little pay. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps these communities bridge the gap, offering support for medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please be generous.
WINNER OF THE 50/50 RAFFLE AT IHM
The winner of the Booster for
November 2020 is:
Miss Susan Holten
For the amount of $183.00
Congratulations!
IHM 2021 CALENDARS
ARE AVAILABLE AT
THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS
Please use the envelope provided in your envelope packets for donations for our Christmas flowers. You may also donate through WeShare. Your donation can be made in memory of a deceased loved one. Thank you!
GIVING TREE
Please take a gift tag, purchase a NEW GIFT and return it unwrapped under the Giving Tree by Sunday, December 13. Gifts are for the Dominican Sisters Family Health Agency in the South Bronx; Paradise House, a residence for people with SPECIAL NEEDS on the Grand Concourse, HOPE Community Services, a food pantry, soup kitchen and social service agency in New Rochelle and some local families.
HIGH SCHOOL OF RELIGION NEWS
WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US!
The IHM High School of Religion will meet on Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:00pm. The HSOR is open to all high school students. Come see why our students say it is “A night out in the middle of the week.”
For more information please contact Nancy Vericker at IHMSOR@IHMScarsdale.org.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
The Parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary, together with the children of Religious Education present a virtual movie night premiere of:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 at 5:30PM
Live from your home, with a special surprise guest appearance!
Please note, our new email address is IHMSOR@IHMScarsdale.org.
HOPE COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN
NEEDS YOUR HELP
A few of our parishioners cook for the HOPE Community Supper Program. We are looking for new volunteers, and due to the current situation, the need for this service is greater than ever. We cook in our homes and deliver to the Church one to two times a month, It is then picked up and delivered to HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle (www.hopecommunityservices.org). We do this every third Friday, and also the occasional 5th Tuesday of the month.
If cooking is "not your thing" but you would like to help with shopping for other food items, that is also needed. If you think you may be able to help, please contact Lynne Richy at (914) 772-8348 to sign up or to ask questions.
NEXT HOPE SOUP KITCHEN Drop off: FRIDAY, December 18 by 12 NOON – if you have perishable food and can bring close to noon, please do so.
PRO LIFE CORNER
“And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe in her womb leapt.” The first person in the world to welcome Jesus, to recognize Him in the womb of His own mother was a child, John the Baptist. How wonderful - God chose a pre-born child to recognize His Son!
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR CHRISTMAS?
We all know that sucker-punch-to-the-stomach feeling when we rush out of the door at last second and forget to pack the one things we absolutely needed… if only we had taken one small moment to pause and think.
Take a moment today to reflect on what’s taking up space in your heart. Distractions? Anxiety? Sin? Take it with you first to prayer and then to confession. Let us avoid allowing mindless clutter to take up the space in our hearts that is set aside for Christ alone.
MEAL TRAIN AT IHM
We have started a Meal Train in order to provide some assistance with dinners for the Sisters in the House of Prayer. If you are interested in helping out, please email danilestrange@optonline.net for additional details. Thank you so much!
Every two weeks the Archdiocese publishes our newspaper Catholic New York. We receive several copies of each issue and unfortunately many copies wind up being discarded. Please take a copy of Catholic New York when you see it at the doors of the Church. It is full of information about the Church in New York and throughout the world. If you would like to receive it free of charge at your home it can be mailed directly to you if you are a registered parishioner. Please email your name and address to the Parish Office at ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org.
Parishioners who attend DAILY MASS, can sign up to receive an email each day for the readings of the day. If you would like to subscribe to the emails for the daily readings, Click HERE
For THIS SUNDAY's Readings, December 12/13, 2020, The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Click HERE
Please be advised that you can print them out at home or you can use your phone or tablet to follow along with the readings in church or at home.
SUNDAY, December 13, 2020
Third Sunday of Advent
5:30PM - Michael Anthony Magardino
8:00AM - Mario Bonavita
8:00AM - Mario Bonavita
10:00AM - Lucy Enrico
12:00PM - Christopher J. Murphy
12:00PM - Christopher J. Murphy
The weekly intention for The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary will be offered privately by the Pastor
MONDAY, December 14, 2020
St. John of the Cross
6:45AM - William Falco
9:00AM - Josephine & Domenico Pezzella
9:00AM - Josephine & Domenico Pezzella
TUESDAY, December 15, 2020
6:45AM - Dominick Zarola
9:00AM - Mary Russo
9:00AM - Mary Russo
WEDNESDAY, December 16, 2020
6:45AM - Anthony & Julia Tagliamonte
9:00AM - Rose Racanelli Trotti
9:00AM - Rose Racanelli Trotti
THURSDAY, December 17, 2020
6:45AM - Catherine Urso
9:00AM - Jack & Anthony Esposito & Rae Vasso
9:00AM - Jack & Anthony Esposito & Rae Vasso
FRIDAY, December 18, 2020
6:45AM - Richard Di Filippo
9:00AM - Brother Timothy Murphy
9:00AM - Brother Timothy Murphy
SATURDAY, December 19, 2020
8:00AM - Theresa M. Sullivan
9:00AM - Brian Daly
9:00AM - Brian Daly
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Louis Ranucci
Angela Lifrieri
Laura Hernandez
Nicholas Di Marzo
Anthony Guiliano
Barbara Grossberg
Teresa Tocco
For all those suffering with the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
Joseph Piscopo
Lorraine Paulis Montrone
Rev. Gerard P. Travers
Deacon Cristobal Rodriguez
Permanent Deacon Albert Loeffler
All Victims of the Virus
KIDS KORNER
Please see this week's "Kids Korner"
prepared by our bulletin publisher, Bon Venture.
BULLETIN ADVERTISEMENTS
The printing of our Church Bulletin is sponsored by the advertisers on the back pages. Until public masses resume, please check out the advertisements below.
Thank you to our local merchants for
supporting our electronic bulletin!
EMAIL: IHMCHURCH@IHMSCARSDALE.ORG
914-723-0276
