My dear parishioners,
To be in a parish preparing to celebrate Christmas Masses with you is a true grace and a particular joy - thank you for your gracious welcome these past months!
Many people are working on a host of details to help make this Nativity of Jesus as prayerful, joyous and safe as possible. Allow this column to review and inform you of a number of them. As always, we ask your flexibility, understanding and cooperation to ensure a beautiful moment of communion with God and with one another Christmas Eve and Day.
Many people are working on a host of details to help make this Nativity of Jesus as prayerful, joyous and safe as possible. Allow this column to review and inform you of a number of them. As always, we ask your flexibility, understanding and cooperation to ensure a beautiful moment of communion with God and with one another Christmas Eve and Day.
- Our church just underwent a deep, three-day cleaning thanks to your generosity to the maintenance of the parish each month. The church is also sanitized daily, including before weekend and Holy Day Masses. Please adhere to social distancing protocols, wear a mask inside the church, refrain from contact with others outside your household, use hand sanitizer, know that the church will be ventilated and cooperate with the directions of the Ushers. Our seating capacity has been reconfigured to adhere to health directives (50% max seating with groups distanced 6’ apart), while attempting to accommodate as many as possible.
- You will be seated as per the number you registered. Please ensure that all in your number have no symptoms of Covid-19 and are compliant will all New York State health directives regarding proper quarantines.
- Except for the handicapped entrance on Carmen Road, all will use the main entrances of the church on Christmas. At the dismissal of Mass, please use the Exit closest to you and avoid congregating particularly indoors.
- Thank you to all who registered. To clarify all changes, wait lists and questions, a final list of all registered for Christmas Masses is published below. Please notify the rectory of any cancelations. In order to avoid any unfortunate situations, YOU MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED and have YOUR CONFIRMATION TICKET with you. While the main entrances of the church will open 30-40 minutes before Mass, please arrive by at least 20-30 minutes before Mass to take advantage of the beautiful music. Know that your reservation/registrations will cease at the time of the start of Mass on Christmas as they will on Sundays from now on, so please avoid tardiness.
- The following Masses are at capacity and are closed to further registrations (4:00 PM in the church and a 2nd Mass at 4:00 PM in the School Auditorium, 6:00 PM, 9:00 PM Christmas Eve and 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon Christmas Day).
- For any who missed an opportunity to register for Mass, the following Masses have a limited number of spaces: 12 Midnight can fit a handful more individuals, couples or families of 3 and the 8:00 AM can fit a handful of families 4-6 in number.
- Our core of regular and new ushers would appreciate 2 more ushers per Mass for all Christmas Masses and three for the 12 Noon. Please consider Ushering at the Mass you will be attending already and email the parish by Monday for more information (ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org).
- Know that all Christmas Masses in the church will be live-streamed via our parish website. For those who were unable to register for a Christmas Mass or would prefer a venue of a smaller number of participants, consider that the Catholic Church celebrates Christmas for 8 full days - until January 1st, the Solemnity of Blessed Mary, the Mother of God. Please consider coming to sung Masses with Christmas Music on Sunday, December 27th (Vigil 26th) for the Feast of the Holy Family, the Holy Day of Obligation January 1st (Vigil December 31st) or to two special Masses 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 29th and 12:00 noon Wednesday, December 30th (sign-ups to follow). Know that there are also the regular daily Masses during the Christmas Octave at 6:45 AM and 9:00 AM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
After Christmas I would like a renewed parish effort to reach out and to connected with as many of the homebound due to sickness, age, infirmity or, particularly in these pandemic times, safety and sensitivities. Whether though a regular visit to offer the Sacraments (Confession, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion), a brief visit outside at their door, a phone call, utilizing Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who are within a household or a social bubble to bring the Holy Eucharist to properly prepared persons, and other brief opportunities of Holy Communion Outside Mass at the parish, I believe that it is important to complement prayer in the home and online Mass viewing with receiving the sacraments or other forms of blessing. Although understandable in many circumstances, it breaks my heart to hear that so many have not received Jesus sacramentally since March 2020. More information will follow.
Please contact the Rectory for any questions or clarifications regarding Christmas Liturgies.
A blessed Fourth Week of Advent and may prayer be an essential preparation for the Christ Child each and every day.
In Christ,
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 DATE & TOPIC:
December 21st - The Powerful Union of Our Prayer: Thy Will be done, on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
- IHM College Evening will be suspended on Thursday, December 24
- Adoration will be suspended on Friday morning, December 25
- The Parish Office will be closed on Friday, December 25 in observance of Christmas Day
- IHM 2021 Calendars are available at the doors of the Church
- Religious Education News: On behalf of the faculty and staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Religious Education Program, we wish all of our Religious Ed. Families and our parish families a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Dear IHM Families,
This Christmas season, as we slow down and have more time to take it all in, let us reflect on the positives of this year. Families spent more time doing simple things together such as movie and game nights; arts and crafts became cool to do again and the family dinner table was once again the place everyone came together at night. When we couldn’t be together in person, we formed “bubbles” and “pods” with family members, close friends and neighbors. We learned how to Zoom and connected with friends and relatives.
During the past week in the school building , the Christmas spirit came alive in the children. Songs playing in the classroom, drawings hung on the wall, and students performing scenes of the Nativity, brought back the awe and wonder that got lost in the world around us.
While we reflect on the birth of Christ in a manger in Bethlehem, we are reminded that Christmas is not about who we gather with or the gifts we give or receive. Christmas is in our hearts. Let us find the birth of our Savior in our hearts and see Christmas through the eyes of our children. May 2021 be filled with happiness, health and prosperity for our entire community.
With Prayer and Gratitude,
Tracy Keelin
Immaculate Heart of Mary School Principal
THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE
Many years ago a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church; firmness to represent the promise of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane – a decoration seen at Christmas time.
However, the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear
SUNDAY, DEC 19/20 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 20, 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 19, 5:30pm
IHM Sunday Dec 20, 8:00am
IHM Sunday Dec 20, 10:00am
IHM Sunday Dec 20, 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
THANKS FOR GIVING!
“We are conscious of the great generosity of the many benefactors who support the Retirement Fund for Religious each year,” says a Catholic sister. “Support from the fund has been a tremendous blessing to our retired sisters.” Thank you for donating to last week’s second collection.
RECONCILIATION MONDAY
December 21, 2020
12:00pm - 1:00pm & 4:00pm - 8:00pm
The Archdiocese of New York will once again observe RECONCILIATION MONDAY during the Advent Season. Celebrate God’s mercy. It’s a great thing to hear about God’s merciful love. It’s even better to experience it – personally. No matter how long it may have been since your last confession – weeks, years or even decades –there is no time to start like during the Season of Advent - to know the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Penance. Seize this moment of grace during Advent. Bring A Friend!
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!
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.
Search Seeks Longest Married Couple in Archdiocese
The archdiocesan Family Life Office is seeking entries in its annual Longest Married Couple Search for couples living in the Archdiocese of New York and married sacramentally for 65 years or more. Held in conjunction with World Marriage Day Feb. 14, in honor of the vocation of marriage and family life around the world, the longest married couple will be determined by how long a couple is married as of Feb. 14, 2021.
Entries must include the couple’s names, address, marriage date (month, day, year), and parish, along with contact information of the person making the submission, to: kathleen.crayne@archny.org or (646) 794-3182.
PRO LIFE CORNER
If our greatest need had been for information, God would have sent us an Educator. If our greatest need had been for technology, God would have sent us a Scientist. If our greatest need had been for money, God would have sent us an Economist. If our greatest need had been for pleasure, God would have sent us an Entertainer. Our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior! Merry Christmas.
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens in Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Bronxville.
- The time commitment is for once a week, between 10:15am and 12pm.
- Pick up is at Lake Isle Country Club (660 White Plains Road)
- if you cannot commit to a regular weekly route, consider becoming a “Substitute“ Volunteer and fill in as needed.
For More Information call Jennifer Jensen @ 914 337 0390 or email jjensen@eastchester.org Home delivered meals is a program of Eastchester Senior Programs & Services. Please help to make a meaningful contribution to your community!
“There is no better exercise for your heart than
reaching down and helping to lift someone up.”
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 19/20, 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 20, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Advent
5:30PM - Pietro Zeolla
8:00AM - Lucia Vaccaro
8:00AM - Lucia Vaccaro
10:00AM - Pat, Rick & Peg Briody
12:00PM - The Deceased Members of The Ciero Family
12:00PM - The Deceased Members of The Ciero Family
The weekly intention for The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary will be offered privately by the Pastor
MONDAY, December 21, 2020
St. Peter Canisius
6:45AM - Jack Michael Rothman
9:00AM - Thomas Murtagh
9:00AM - Thomas Murtagh
TUESDAY, December 22, 2020
6:45AM - Rose & Salvatore Guerrieri
9:00AM - Gene & Bella Panessa
9:00AM - Gene & Bella Panessa
WEDNESDAY, December 23, 2020
St. John of Kanty
6:45AM - Lena Cava
9:00AM - Daniel & Theresa Ryan
9:00AM - Daniel & Theresa Ryan
THURSDAY, December 24, 2020
Christmas Eve
8:00AM - Ralph Della Cava, Sr.
9:00AM - Thanksgiving & Special Intentions for The Murphy Family
9:00AM - Thanksgiving & Special Intentions for The Murphy Family
4:00PM - Larry Holten Sr. & Larry Holten, Jr.
6:00PM - Margaret O’Brien Donohoe
6:00PM - Margaret O’Brien Donohoe
9:00PM - Sister Pauline Cinquini
12 Midnight - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
FRIDAY, December 25, 2020
The Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Day
8:00AM - Frederic Wolff III
10:00AM - For The Parents of The Abbatiello & Carlucci Families
10:00AM - For The Parents of The Abbatiello & Carlucci Families
12:00PM - The Deceased Members of the Grogan & Vaccaro Families
SATURDAY, December 26, 2020
St. Stephen
8:00AM - Mariano & Rosa Pansarella
9:00AM - Hugo Bellingreri
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Louis Ranucci
Angela Lifrieri
Laura Hernandez
Nicholas Di Marzo
Anthony Guiliano
Barbara Grossberg
Michael Daly
Joann Murphy
Teresa Tocco
For all those suffering with the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
Sheila O’Callaghan
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
