My dear friends,
We continue to beseech the intercession of Saint Joseph during this year dedicated to him by our novena of prayers leading up to his March 19th Solemnity. The prayer to conclude our Sunday Intercessions is the one Pope Francis has provided. For this year, should we consider a more prominent placement of the statue of St. Joseph in the church?
This Week is dedicated to Catholic Schools! Our parish is blessed to be entrusted with a Catholic school as an integral part of the faith community. Going back to the tremendous tradition started by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, a convert and foundress of the Sisters of Charity, who began the first Catholic School in the USA, IHM seeks to further the mission of Christ and His Church through solid formation of our students in the faith and of their entire persons. I would like to thank our Principal, Mrs. Tracy Keelin, for her wholehearted dedication to IHM School, as well as to all the Teachers and Staff who work to keep everyone safe with in-person learning.
February 2nd marks 40 days since the Nativity of our Lord - the Feast of Jesus' Presentation in the Temple by His Mother Mary and St. Joseph. Since Jesus is the Light of the World, the Church blesses Candles on this day (Candlemas Day). It is also dedicated to Consecrated Life in the Church - women and men who have responded to a Vocation to allow the light of Christ to shine more intensely in the Church and in the world. A special thank you to our own Sisters of Charity in the House of Prayer, Sr. Nancy Kellar and Sr. Mary Tommasino, for their consecrated presence and witness here at IHM! Let's keep praying for Sr. Mary's (and Fr. Lynch's) health.
We are happy to welcome back Centering Prayer to IHM on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. Due to social distancing, it will be held for the foreseeable future in the church. All are welcome. I kindly ask that we avoid entering or exiting the church during this hour to allow for the necessary silence and recollection. Your cooperation is appreciated.
February 5th and 6th is First Friday and First Saturday. Therefore, next Saturday, Confessions will be offered both before (8:00-8:25 AM), as well as after, the 8:30 AM Saturday Mass.
Last Saturday, the Coordinator of our parish's Pro-Life group, Joe McCourt, Carlos Germosen, our seminarian serving his pastoral year here at IHM, and I participated in a Rally for Life up the road in White Plains. Catholic New York picked up on it here. It is important that our parish have a comprehensive response to the evil of abortion in truth and charity: in concrete donations to Mothers in Crisis and in prayer and acts of sacrifice, in an openness to life in marriage and families and in the willingness to be witnesses for Life in our communities, in good formation of ourselves and in calling for the legal protection of the unborn.
From Sunday afternoon through until next Sunday evening Carlos Germosen will be on Retreat. Please pray for a grace-filled experience for him. This Sunday at the 12 noon Mass, he will share a reflection with us after Holy Communion.
A blessed Feast of St. Blaise - by his intercession may the pandemic be brought to an end and we be kept safe and in health!
SUNDAY, JAN 30/31 MASS SIGNUP
If you missed the Mass Signup that went out in Monday's Flocknote, please use the signup below.
IHM Public Masses Sunday January 31, 2021
Please follow safe distance protocols - Wearing a mask in church is required - Please follow directions from ushers and observe signs about seating - At this time the Archdiocese of NY recommends that Holy Communion be received in the hand. If you are ill or have any symptoms of the Virus, please know that Mass is available online.
IHM Saturday Jan 30, 5:30pm
IHM Sunday Jan 31, 8:00am
IHM Sunday Jan 31, 10:00am
IHM Sunday Jan 31, 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.
YEAR END STATEMENTS
Year end statements will be mailed out this month to parishioners who contributed $500.00 or more in the year 2020. If anyone else should require a statement, please call the Parish Office 914-723-0276 after 12 noon on weekdays.
Our parishes are places of deep encounter with our Eucharistic Lord and with one another. Did you know you can support financially vulnerable parishes with a gift to the Cardinal’s Appeal? Click here to learn more.
The Feast of St. Blaise - February 3
In honor of the Feast of St. Blaise this year the Blessing of Throats will be done through the Final Blessing this weekend on Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31. On February 3, the Blessing of Throats will be done at the weekday Mass through the Final Blessing at the end of Mass.
INTERESTED IN DEEPENING YOUR PRAYER LIFE?
The IHM Centering Prayer Group is returning this Wednesday, February 3 . Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina (Prayerful Reading of Scripture) will take place in the Church from 1:00-2:00PM for proper distancing. Come join us! New members are welcome, but we ask that people respect the necessary silence during this hour each week. For more information call Elise Kuhn at 914-725-4728.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2021
JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 6
National Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, will take place Jan. 31 to Feb. 6. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.
As many of you know through your own experiences, Catholic schools have played a pivotal role in forming the minds of our children. A Catholic education promotes a lifelong commitment to faith, prayer and virtue, giving young people the tools and confidence to succeed in life. Our parish is part of the Catholic School Region of Central Westchester, which is currently spearheading multiple initiatives to help ensure our schools are fully equipped to meet the challenges of today. In the spirit of National Catholic Schools Week, please learn more about your Catholic school region and how you can help by visiting www.adny-cw.org
February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is set aside in our Church as
a special day to pray for men and women in consecrated life. Saint Pope John Paul
II instituted the World Day for Consecrated Life more than 20 years ago.
The choice of the day is intentional: "This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the
world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ
to all peoples." (USCCB)
a special day to pray for men and women in consecrated life. Saint Pope John Paul
II instituted the World Day for Consecrated Life more than 20 years ago.
The choice of the day is intentional: "This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the
world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ
to all peoples." (USCCB)
HOPE COMMUNITY SUPPER PROGRAM
& FOOD PANTRY
As you may be aware, HOPE has been delivering non-perishables to senior citizens since the beginning of the pandemic, besides providing their usual cooked meals (which are now packed and picked up, instead of being served on premises). All items for this food pantry are appreciated, with special emphasis on the following: cereal, rice, pasta and canned vegetables. They also need toiletries, (especially toilet paper) and laundry detergent. Consider asking friends and neighbors to join you in this endeavor!
Non-perishable donations can be dropped off at the rectory (Monday-Friday from 10AM - 5PM). Please mark donations HOPE Soup Kitchen. Your donations are much appreciated by so many people in need. You can text or telephone Lynne Richy (914-772-8348) if you have any questions.
PRO LIFE CORNER
What better way is there to respect life in all of its stages than by adopting a homeless child? Be the light in darkness for them. If there is room in our heart,
there is room in your home and we make adoption affordable. To learn more contact Downey Side Adoption at Grace Episcopal Church (33 Church Street, White Plains, NY 10601) Contact: Sr. Elizabeth Engel, O.P. 732-359-8434 or Kimberly Frink 212-714-2200
there is room in your home and we make adoption affordable. To learn more contact Downey Side Adoption at Grace Episcopal Church (33 Church Street, White Plains, NY 10601) Contact: Sr. Elizabeth Engel, O.P. 732-359-8434 or Kimberly Frink 212-714-2200
HOLY NAME SOCIETY'S ANNUAL RETREAT
The Holy Name Society (HNS) chapters of IHM, Annunciation & Our Lady of Fatima are organizing their Annual Retreat. Mr. Damian Wach, President of Our Lady of Fatima's HNS, has provided the following information for those men who wish to participate:
The Retreat will be held on Saturday, Feb.27, from 9AM until 12:30PM as a Virtual Retreat on ZOOM. The theme will be, "The Supremacy of Christ in the Midst of Spiritual Warfare." Msgr. Brennan, who had served at IHM a number of years ago, will once again be the Retreat guide & main speaker. Bill Winnis will also provide a talk on "Spiritual Warfare."
For those interested in participating in this year's Zoom Retreat, please contact Mr. Wach as soon as possible. He may be reached by phone (973) 204-3691 or by email damian.wach@pgim.com
HOW CAN I FIT MORE PRAYER
INTO MY BUSY DAY?
“Pray constantly” sounds challenging but it doesn’t have to be. Actually, busy days offer many great opportunities for prayer if we know where to look. Consider these suggestions:
Pray throughout the day. Consider praying the Rosary on the way to work, saying grace before lunch, offering a quick “I love you,” or praying for guidance for important decisions. Even job-related tasks can become “prayer in action.” Fifteen minutes a day. Good friends know text messages can’t replace being together. It’s the same with God. He loves us and wants our company. Aim for 10-15 minutes a day. Thank God for your blessings, meditate on Scripture, offer him your day, or simply enjoy his company. It’s the love that counts. For her love and humility, Jesus commended a poor but generous widow for her small donation (Mark 12:43-44). Sometimes, we have little time or energy for “good prayer.” Remember, what pleases God is not the elegance or number of our prayers, but the love with which we offer them.
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, January 30/31, 2021, 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, January 31, 2021
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:30PM - Colette Hoey
8:00AM - Ellen Joan Kelly
8:00AM - Ellen Joan Kelly
10:00AM - Jean & Baby Dominick Paladino & Johnna Paladino Roca
12:00PM - The Benedict & Fernandopulle Families
12:00PM - The Benedict & Fernandopulle Families
The weekly intention for The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary will be offered privately by the Pastor
MONDAY, February 1, 2021
6:45AM - Denis Mahoney
9:00AM - Vito Costa
TUESDAY, February 2, 2021
The Presentation of the Lord
6:45AM - JoAnn Murphy
9:00AM - Gerald P. Connolly
9:00AM - Gerald P. Connolly
WEDNESDAY, February 3, 2021
St. Blaise, St. Ansgar
6:45AM - Jean-Francois Lacoudre
9:00AM - Gene & Bella Panessa
THURSDAY, February 4, 2021
6:45AM - Msgr. Edward M. Connors
9:00AM - Mila Aurora & The Wirtz & Gonzalez Families
FRIDAY, February 5, 2021
St. Agnus
6:45AM - Pasqualina Cava
9:00AM - Charles & Ellie Colantuono
9:00AM - Charles & Ellie Colantuono
SATURDAY, February 6, 2021
8:30AM - Pasqualina Teresa Cava
5:30PM - Angelo Zeolla
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
Vincent Greco
Gina Cocciolillo
Daniel Strauss
Carmine Gagliardi
Giuseppe Fontana
Christian Hansen
Jack Powers
Msgr. Pat Keenan
Sr. Mary Tommasino, S.C.
Fr. Thomas Lynch
For all those suffering with the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
John Lelia
Maria de la Cruz
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
