Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Third Sunday of Advent
My dear friends,
We are more than halfway to Christmas and that is why we focus on Rejoicing - Our Lord Jesus is near and as a sign of this, we light the rose candle of the Advent wreath! We hope to have coffee and donuts after the 9:00 AM Mass tomorrow - stay tuned for confirmation!
This year it is wonderful to see in-person Christmas Pageants return - do watch one of the recorded Livestream presentations from this past Monday or Wednesday on our website from our 3rd grade Religious Education students!
We are more than halfway to Christmas and that is why we focus on Rejoicing - Our Lord Jesus is near and as a sign of this, we light the rose candle of the Advent wreath! We hope to have coffee and donuts after the 9:00 AM Mass tomorrow - stay tuned for confirmation!
This year it is wonderful to see in-person Christmas Pageants return - do watch one of the recorded Livestream presentations from this past Monday or Wednesday on our website from our 3rd grade Religious Education students!
Next Sunday, December 19th at the 9:00 AM monthly Family Mass, a blessing will be offered for all the images of Baby Jesus that you will place in your home Nativity scenes for Christmas. All children are invited to bring with them their Baby Jesus from the family Manger for this blessing.
We have been blessed for three and-a-half months to have the beautiful consecrated presence of Sr. Ana Chiara and Sr. Marguerite Marie of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ here at our Parish and at the House of Prayer. This Sunday will be their last full day with us before heading to their new missions. At this Sunday's 10:30 AM Mass we will have a proper opportunity to thank them for their presence at IHM, at our School, with Religious Education and in our neighborhood. From a grateful parish, thank you Sisters!!
When you receive this electronic bulletin, I will be in Michigan offering the Funeral Mass for my Aunt, Patricia Benedetto. She was my Mother's (only) sister and a daily communicant. Our family was blessed to have had a chance to celebrate her 90th birthday this past August. Please excuse me from the Saturday Vigil Mass, but know that I expect to be back for all the Sunday Masses and our HSOR's Christmas Service Project - Singing with the Sisters at Marian Woods!
In your charity, would you kindly offer a prayer for my Aunt Pat's repose and for her wonderful family? Thank you.
A blessed Sunday to you and your loved ones!
In this Edition:
- Giving Tree at IHM - by Sunday, December 12th
- Operation Cornerstone Thank You
- Letter from Cardinal Dolan: Retired Religious
- Did you know all Catholic newlyweds can meet the pope? (Aeteia.org)
- WeShare Donor Matching Program through December 31st
- Be a Knight Before Christmas
GIVING TREE AT IHM
Please take a gift tag, purchase a new gift and return it unwrapped under the Giving Tree by TODAY, Sunday, December 12th. Gifts are for the Dominican Sisters Family Health Agency in the South Bronx; Paradise House, a residence for people with AIDS on the Grand Concourse, HOPE Community Services, a food pantry, soup kitchen and social service agency in New Rochelle and some local families.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We will be sorting Giving Tree items in the Rectory on Monday, December 13thh after the 9AM Mass. Much help is needed!
ADOPT A FAMILY
There are several local families in need this Christmas. If you would like to adopt one of these family and provide gifts, please email Dotty Meehan at dotmeehan@aol.com.
WORD ON FIRE | ENGAGE
Joy!
The liturgical color for this week is rose (or pink) as a reminder to “wake up!” It’s a call to snap out of complacency and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord, to prepare ourselves with JOY! “Cry out with joy!” we hear in Isaiah 12, for “the Lord is in our midst,” writes Zephaniah.
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! Joy goes beyond mere moments of happiness that come and go.
In our Sunday Gospel we hear that John the Baptist brought good, joyful news to his followers:
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! Joy goes beyond mere moments of happiness that come and go.
In our Sunday Gospel we hear that John the Baptist brought good, joyful news to his followers:
“...one mightier than I is coming!
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!”
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!”
Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of joy this Advent and may we all be witnesses of that joy.
"We have seen the true Light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith."
Questions for Additional Reflection:
- How is Joy different than Happiness?
- Have you ever experienced real joy? Even in a time of suffering or trial?
- What's one thing you can do to live joyfully this week?
MASS SEATING
1. Striving to best accommodate all seating preferences at our Masses: the School side of the church has no seating restrictions on distance and masks are optional, most of the Carman Road side offers social distancing and we ask all to wear masks on that side of church, and the Adoration Chapel offers an environment for those who are uncomfortable being in the main body of the church with unmasked individuals, therefore social distance and required masks are in order.
2. During the School Year until the Sunday before Memorial Day 2022, the Sunday Mass schedule is as follows: 7:30 AM (no music), 9:00 AM (Family Mass), 10:30 AM (Adult Choir Mass) and 12:00 noon.
IHM 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 above.
The initial requests for the 2022 Book are being processed. After these are completed, another opportunity will be given for more requests. Stay tuned!
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS
Please use the envelope provided in your envelope packets for donations for our Christmas flowers. Your donation can be made in memory of a deceased loved one. Please print clearly. Additional envelopes are available at the doors of the Church or the rectory and should be returned before December 24th.
CLICK HERE if you would like to make your donation through WeShare.
Thank you to Sr. Ana and Sr. Marguerite for their presence here at our Parish and House of Prayer for the past 3 months!
Operation Cornerstone Thank You
Thank you to IHM parishioners, IHM school, and IHM Religious Education Program for all of the gifts and cash donations for Operation Cornerstone. A special thank you to Knights of Columbus Rev. John A. Keogh Council 2108 for their generous donation. This was our first year working with United For The Troops, which proved to be a great success. With your donations, they were able to pack 89 packages to send to the troops overseas. The troops will enjoy receiving these packages, just in time for he holiday season!
December 12, 2021
Season of Advent
Year of St. Joseph
Dear Friends in the Lord:
Recently, Pope Francis noted that "there is no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel." As we approach the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection - an appeal that benefits some 26,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests - I am reminded that senior religious never retire from their vows. Instead, the prayer and ministry of older religious are an ongoing witness to the Gospel.
In their younger years, they laid the foundation for Catholic schools, parish religious education programs, hospitals and works of mercy. Today, many serve in volunteer ministry. Others are frail and need assistance. Yet all remain committed to their vocations, accepting the limitations of aging and embracing the opportunity to spend more time praying for our Church and world.
Your gift, which will be collected today offers support that helps religious communities provide loving care for older members while ensuring younger ones can continue the good works from their elders.
Pray with me for God's continued blessing on all our women and men religious. Rest assured, they are praying for us. To learn more about the collection and whom it supports, visit www.retiredreligious.org.
With gratitude and prayerful best wishes to all for a blessed Advent season, I am,
Faithfully in Christ,
+Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
Archbishop of New York
Did you know all Catholic Newlyweds
can meet the pope?
Article from Aleteia.org | Theresa Civantos Barber | 12/4/2021
There’s a picture hanging in my living room of my husband and I meeting Pope Francis. It’s always one of the first things guests notice: “Is that you and the pope?!” Most people are surprised to find out that any Catholic newlywed couple can meet the pope. You just have to get to Rome with your wedding dress.
It’s a custom called Sposi Novelli, meaning “newlyweds” in Italian. The concept is that all Catholic couples are invited to have the pope bless their marriage in person.
The Sposi Novelli blessing is well-known among European Catholics, but much less so among Catholics from other parts of the globe. But there’s no reason it shouldn’t be well-known worldwide. The audience is free and the process is straightforward. But do be aware of a few things before you go …
- Go on a Wednesday within two months of your wedding: The Sposi Novelli blessing takes place at the conclusion of Wednesday General Audiences at the Vatican. Because it’s specifically for newlyweds, you have to have been married within the past two months to sign up.
- Reserve tickets ASAP: You can reserve tickets through The Pontifical North American College. You’ll want to reserve tickets as soon as you buy your flights to Rome. Then when you get to Rome, you will visit a specific office (not the College itself!) to pick up your tickets. Check the website for full details, but here’s some of what they say about tickets.
- Tickets for papal events such as the Wednesday General Audience or papal Masses can be requested by emailing us at visitorsoffice@pnac.org. Tickets for all events are free of charge.
- Tickets for the Wednesday Papal Audience are available for collection at our office on Via dell’Umiltà, 30, near the Trevi Fountain, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the evening before the audience. Tickets must be picked up in person either by you or your representative. Unfortunately, this office is unable to mail, deliver, or e-mail tickets. If you are running late and will not be able to come to our office before 4:00 p.m., please call or email us. The times for collection of tickets for Papal Liturgies will be indicated in the personal response pilgrims receive from our office.
- Bring your wedding dress: One last rule is that you’re required to wear “wedding attire” and follow the Vatican clothing guidelines. Some brides opt to leave their wedding dresses at home and wear a different long white dress for ease of packing. I brought my real dress; I figured, why buy two? For the trip, I rolled it up tightly in my suitcase and left the petticoat at home. It actually took up less space than I expected and I felt lucky to have a chance to wear it again. And honestly, it felt pretty fabulous to promenade through the cobblestone streets of Rome in the fanciest dress I’ve ever owned!
The pope doesn’t always individually greet each couple, but he did when we went in May 2013, and we were able to speak to him for several minutes. If you’d like a photo of your meeting with the pope, there are professional photographers at the event snapping pictures, and they’ll pass out their business cards so you can order photos from them.
Finally, here’s a pro tip: Bring an umbrella! You’ll want one whether you get rain or shine. The audiences take place in St. Peter’s Square, which has no cover from either rain or sun. We actually got both kinds of weather the day of our Sposi Novelli blessing: First it rained, and we got soaked. Then the sun came out and beat down on us, and we got sunburned! Learn from my mistake and bring an umbrella. A bottle of water would come in handy, too.
Hopefully this helps you get your own chance to meet Pope Francis and receive a papal blessing on your new marriage! And 10 or 20 or 50 years from now, guests to your home will still be exclaiming, “Is that you meeting the pope?” It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and my husband and I are so glad we did it.
Advent is a time of waiting and preparation.
A time to ready our hearts to
celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Far too often it becomes a time of busyness and stress as we engage in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, decorating, and travel. Instead of rushing towards Christmas, we should wait patiently with anticipation.
One of the best ways to enter into the season of Advent is by prayer. Here is a beautiful prayer you can say with your family as you invite the Lord into this Advent season:
One of the best ways to enter into the season of Advent is by prayer. Here is a beautiful prayer you can say with your family as you invite the Lord into this Advent season:
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Amen.
Oftentimes, the most beautiful prayers are the ones we come up with on our own. Try as a family to write your own prayer this Advent. You can download this template and write your own Family Advent Prayer. Then, post it somewhere you’ll see it, and commit to praying it each day as a family.
What is your favorite Advent song to listen to as a family?
Leave a comment to let us know!
Leave a comment to let us know!
WESHARE DONOR MATCH PROGRAM
The holiday season is one of the largest giving seasons for our church. Our online giving provider WeShare is generously providing a donor match program to help us increase recurring giving. Online gifts help reduce costs and our time spent handling other forms of payment.
For every first gift from a new recurring donor that is added between November 1 and December 31, 2021, WeShare will match that first gift, up to $50, with a maximum match of $1,000 for our church. To be eligible for the matching gift, more than one installment must be set up and the first recurring gift must be transacted by December 31, 2021.
We appreciate your generosity and your support of our church. We prayerfully ask that you consider helping us meet this goal by creating your recurring online gift today.
Visit our WeShare site, ihm-parish.churchgiving.com, to set up your donation. If you need any help regarding WeShare or you have any questions, please use the button below to let us know. Someone from the IHM Rectory will contact you to assist.
Catholic Men: Be a Knight Before Christmas
Attention busy Catholic family men, professionals and students: The Knights of Columbus online membership program allows Catholic men (ages 18+) and their families to enjoy the benefits of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization at their own convenience. In addition to many web-based spiritual resources, online members have access to the top-rated Knights of Columbus life insurance program as well as the option (but not the obligation) to transfer their membership to a local Knights of Columbus council.
Contact Bob Maffucci at 917-319-5525 orrobert.maffucci@kofc.org for a special promo code on kofc.org/JoinUs that will unlock a special no-risk offer of one full year of FREE online membership for those men who join in the month of December. Bob can also connect men interested in traditional membership with the officers of a nearby Knights of Columbus council.
- High School of Religion: The IHM High School of Religion (HSOR) meets in the Lower Church on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:45PM. We invite all high school students to come and see the HSOR is "A night out in the middle of the week!" Some of our activities are: prayers and pizza, scavenger hunt, annual Christmas Party, faith on film & more! Basketball will now be available in the gym after meeting!
- The Centering Prayer Group meets every Wednesday in the Church Library from 1-2PM. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, contact Elise Kuhn at 914-725-4728.
- The College Evenings: After meeting for a discussion on prayer with some food after the Immaculate Conception evening Mass this past week, our next gathering will take place after students return from finals - date TBD! Please contact the group's Coordinator, Daniella Ashman, or the Co-Coordinator, David Pereira for more information (ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org). CLICK HERE to sign up for the email list.
- Forming a new parish young family group: Any father or mother of a young one who would be interested in some weekly prayer and socializing with other parents of young child(ren), please contact the rectory (ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org or 914-723-0281).
- Spread the word! IHM Class of 1976 Reunion: The Class of 1976 is starting to plan a class reunion for Saturday, April 23, 2022. The tentative agenda is to hold a Mass followed by a dinner/cocktail party with music and lots of reminiscing. If you or a loved one graduated IHM in 1976, please email Kathy LiCalzi Catanzariti or Theresa Vaccaro Nicholson through ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org.
RESPECT LIFE CORNER
Pray for Dobbs
We continue invite you to pray and fast for the upcoming Supreme Court decision concerning Dobbs v Jackson on the 22nd of each month for the next nine months as part of a nationwide prayer campaign. For more information about how your parish can get involved see the ADNY website. In 2018 Mississippi passed a law protecting unborn children after 15 weeks of gestation. The law was challenged and the case, known as Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, was heard by the Supreme Court on December 1, 2021. This is truly a landmark case that could potentially overturn the decision of Roe v Wade. The possibility for future laws protecting the unborn hangs in the balance.
A decision is expected by June 2022. For an excellent analysis of the case, see Ed Mechmann's blogpost.
“Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its
conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of
every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not
afraid!”
- A Catholic Social Widows and Widowers Group, meets on the fourth Monday of the month, at Church of St Pius X, 91 Secor Rd, Scarsdale to honor our deceased spouses with a Mass at 7:00PM in the main church, followed by a social meeting with refreshments, masks are required regardless of vaccination status. We plan activities and have meals at local area restaurants. We welcome all Catholic Widows/Widowers. For inquiries, call 914-715-5817 or email: cww10583@gmail.com.
- The Saint John Vianney Clergy Residence, a home for retired Archdiocesan priests, provides care to our clergy after a lifetime of service to you and the Church. You are invited to support the priests and the Residence by remembering/honoring someone who has had a positive impact on your life through sponsoring a leaf on the Tree of Life located within the Residence. It can be anyone living or Lord: a priest, nun, teacher, family member, or friend. To sponsor a leaf or leaves, please complete the attached form and mail it to 1011 First Avenue - 14th Floor, New York, NY 10022. If you have any questions, call 646-794-3268 or email anthony.piscitiello@archny.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 11/12, 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, December 12, 2021
Third Sunday of Advent
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Gerardo & Antonietta Silvano
10:30AM - Carmine Gizzo
12:00PM - Biagio Catalano
10:30AM - Carmine Gizzo
12:00PM - Biagio Catalano
MONDAY, December 13, 2021
St. Lucy of Syracuse
6:45AM - Mr & Mrs Robert Delany
9:00AM - Silvio Mattucci
TUESDAY, December 14, 2021
St. John of the Cross
6:45AM - Dominic Zarola
9:00AM - Josephine & Domenico Pezzella
WEDNESDAY, December 15, 2021
6:45AM - William Falco
9:00AM - Mary Russo
THURSDAY, December 16, 2021
6:45AM - Ercole Alfio De Benedictis
9:00AM - Anthony & Julia Tagliamonte
FRIDAY, December 17, 2021
6:45AM - Shirley O'Hara
9:00AM - Dominick Zarola
SATURDAY, December 18, 2021
8:30AM - Hugo Bellingreri
5:30PM - Pietro & Rosa Zeolla
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Fr. Thomas Lynch
Fr. Patrick Curley
Sr. Danielle Baran
Louis Ranucci
Jason Bergen
Christopher Kesicke
Barbara Grossberg
Thomas Cori
Rose Kelly
Phil Pinto, Jr.
Suzie Irwin
Ven & Priscilla Parameswaran
Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Andrews
Ven & Priscilla Parameswaran
Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Andrews
Laura Hernandez
Kelly Clark
Fabiola Rincon
For all those suffering from the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
Patricia Benedetto
Joanne Keating Thompson
All Victims of the Virus
- As part of the Communion of Saints and members of the Body of Christ, it is important for us to pray for our sick members and for those who have died.
- If you wish to be included by name, please contact the Rectory (ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org or 723-0276).
- If you are calling for another person, please ensure his/her permission.
- Our parish will keep the name of a deceased parishioner or loved one for 2 weeks on our bulletin and Sunday Mass lists.
KIDS KORNER
Please see this week's "Kids Korner"
prepared by our bulletin publisher, Bon Venture.
EMAIL: IHMCHURCH@IHMSCARSDALE.ORG
914-723-0276
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