Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
My dear friends,
With one week to go before the Solemnity of Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus Christ, there are many details to address in our lives. With the seeming crushing nature of "getting it all done" in time, may we remind ourselves of the following:
- our identity as beloved children of God and who we are in the Christian life: priest, religious, husband/wife, child, etc.;
- take time to foster the necessary relationships from our identity (with God in prayer, with family in presence, etc.);
- may our actions flow from who we are and the fundamental relationships that we need to sustain what our mission in life is.
Please see below for the details of our Christmas Mass schedule (no reservations). The following Masses will be live-streamed: Christmas Eve (4PM, 9PM and 12 Midnight) and Christmas Day (10:30AM). As you received in your envelope mailing a Guide to the Sacrament of Confession, do make it a point to take advantage of Reconciliation Monday here at IHM (4:00-8:00PM) or another parish in the Archdiocese of New York.
As is custom here at IHM, weekday Eucharistic Adoration from 9:30AM - 1:00PM will be suspended this week leading up to Christmas and the week following (12/20-12/31). This will include Reconciliation Monday evening weekly Rosary and Holy Hour.
The only Holy Hour scheduled to be offered will be on Monday, December 27th following the 8:30AM Mass. In January it would be good if we could increase hours of daily Adoration from 9:30AM until 7:00PM allowing for those who are tied up during the day to have an opportunity for some silent time with the Lord.
Some Thank You's are in order:
- To the Parish Council's One Community Committee, chaired by Tara Ritchie, for a wonderful eve of Carols and (take-home) Cocca after the Vigil Mass on December 4th.
- To Annette DiCarlo for the donation of a noble wooden stand for placing various announcements, usually Funeral announcements, near the statue of the Blessed Mother.
- To our Religious Education Program and IHM School who have presented a number of Christmas Pageants the past two weeks.
- To our CYO Basketball Coaches under the coordination of Greg Doyle, who have brought the teams together for practices in preparation for games to begin January 15th.
- To Paul Doyle and all the Midnight "Runners" with volunteers and benefactors of sandwiches, toiletries and clothing/jackets/blankets for another good run on December 11th.
- To Nancy and Joe Vericker with Elise Kuhn and Ray Mechmann for coordinating the HSOR Christmas Service Project, Singing with the Sisters at Marian Woods in Hartsdale!
If you are hearing some bells and chimes at the church once again, it is not in your head! Hurricane Ida knocked out our former system and this past week, thanks to our insurance, a new system has been installed. We will be programming it before it will be up and running fully.
Santa is not the only one walking across the rooftops ... our Repair and Rebuild work addressing the slate, the copper flashing and lightning rods hopes to be completed by the end of December. That will then complete the masonry work around the church and rectory, including the church bell area in the façade, woodwork around the church, particularly the side church entrances near Post Road, the outside grotto/statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the frames of the stained glass windows, repairing the interior water damage below the rose windows and painting the 2 side interior transepts. What will remain to be done are the lower church windows. Our R+R Committee, the PPM Contractor, Aramark Project Manager and Architect have been evaluating and reevaluating various proposals for the lower windows as they proved more challenging to be replicated given manufactures' capabilities, supply chain issues and pricing. We hope they will be replaced in April or June with new windows that will be insulated.
Have a blessed 4th Sunday of Advent!
In this Edition:
- IHM Christmas Schedule
- Reconciliation Monday, December 20th
- What does the Advent Wreath Actually Symbolize?
- HSOR Christmas Service Project Photos
- WeShare Donor Matching Program through December 31st
- Be a Knight Before Christmas
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Christmas Schedule
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday, December 18th | 9:00AM, 4:00PM - 5:00PM
Monday, December 20th | 4:00PM - 8:00PM
Christmas Eve Masses
Friday, December 24th
4:00PM*
6:00PM
9:00PM
12:00 Midnight Mass
Christmas Day Masses
Saturday, December 25th
8:30AM
10:30AM
12:00 Noon*
8:30AM
10:30AM
12:00 Noon*
(no evening Mass or Confession)
Holy Family Sunday Masses
Saturday, December 26th
7:30AM
9:00AM - Family Mass with Children's Liturgy of the Word
10:30AM
12:00 Noon
Octave of Christmas Masses
Monday - 8:30AM
Tuesday through Thursday - 6:45AM & 9:00AM
Friday - 8:30AM
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
(not an obligatory Holy Day this year)
Friday. December 31st
Friday. December 31st
Confessions: 4:00-5:00PM
5:30PM - Vigil Mass
Saturday, January 1st
9:00AM
12:00PM
5:30PM - Vigil Mass
Saturday, January 1st
9:00AM
12:00PM
No Evening Mass or Confessions
Regular Sunday Mass Schedule for Epiphany, January 2nd
* No social distance available at these two masses;
an overflow Mass will be offered if needed in the school auditorium.
- Seating is on a first come-first serve basis; no reservations are required this year
- Eucharistic Adoration December 20-24 and December 27-31 is suspended
- Rosary and Adoration on Monday evening, December 20th, is suspended due to Confessions
- A Holy Hour with Rosary will follow the 8:30AM, December 27th Mass in lieu of the evening time to honor the holiday.
- The following Masses will be live-streamed: Christmas Eve (4:00PM, 9:00PM & 12 Midnight) and Christmas Day (10:30AM)
- IHM Christmas Offering Envelopes are available at the doors of the Church
- 2022 Calendars are also available at the doors of the Church. A heartfelt Thank You to Tom Di Carlo of Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home, Scarsdale and Alan Benedict of Westchester Funeral Home, Eastchester for donating our 2022 Calendars.
- The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 27th in observance of the Christmas Holiday
For up-to-date information, please visit the Parish website, www.IHM-Parish.org or call the Rectory (914) 723-0281
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, School & Religious Education Program we wish our parish family A Merry Christmas!
RECONCILIATION MONDAY
December 20th | 4:00PM - 8:00PM
The Archdiocese of New York will once again observe Reconciliation Monday during the Advent Season. Celebrate God’s Mercy. While IHM will offer the Sacrament from 4:00 PM until 8:00PM, many parishes in the Archdcioese will have availability from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM and from 6:00 PM until 8:00PM. Please check each parish for exact times.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!
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
Rest.
Rest. It’s ok to rest! In fact, it’s a law of growth, whether in nature or in our bodies’ health, that rest is an essential component for recovery.
In the quiet soil, life grows. And in the quiet soil of Advent, we’re asked to stay and wait a little longer, allowing Christ to take root and grow in us.
Mary waited and trusted in the Lord, and when it came time to act, as we hear in the reading this Sunday, she acted in haste, not delaying in visiting her cousin Elizabeth who would bear John the Baptist.
While it’s tempting to cram in every last-minute item for the Christmas feast this week, it's important to find time to be still and meditate on this great mystery that God became man.
Rest. And let God do the work.
In the quiet soil, life grows. And in the quiet soil of Advent, we’re asked to stay and wait a little longer, allowing Christ to take root and grow in us.
Mary waited and trusted in the Lord, and when it came time to act, as we hear in the reading this Sunday, she acted in haste, not delaying in visiting her cousin Elizabeth who would bear John the Baptist.
While it’s tempting to cram in every last-minute item for the Christmas feast this week, it's important to find time to be still and meditate on this great mystery that God became man.
Rest. And let God do the work.
"May our hearts be like the manger that held the Eternal One, who became so little to turn our poverty into true wealth and joy!"
Questions for Additional Reflection:
- Do you find it difficult to rest?
- Is it easy or difficult for you to trust that God is at work and in control?
- What's one thing you can do to slow down this week and allow time for prayer?
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.
We congratulate the following children who were baptized in the month of December, 2021. We also extend congratulations to their families!
Emmett David Clark
William Joseph Knowles
Zoe Hunter Piard
Oliver James Piletto
What Does The Advent Wreath Actually Symbolize?
One of the most famous Advent traditions is the Advent wreath. There is much rich symbolism to be found in this beautiful tradition.
The Advent candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. Each Sunday of Advent we light another candle as we get closer and closer to Christmas - the moment Jesus brought light into our darkness.
Three of these candles are purple and one is pink (or rose). The dark purple also reminds us of darkness and marks a time for prayer and waiting. The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent which is called Gaudete Sunday, meaning ‘Rejoice’ for the time of Christmas is near.
The circular shape of the wreath reminds us of our God, who has no beginning or end, as well as His endless love for us. The evergreen leaves that make up the wreath remind us that God gives us the gift of everlasting life through Jesus.
Download and print out this coloring sheet to decorate your very own Advent Wreath as a family! As you you color the leaves and candles, remember their deeper meaning.
Pictured below is the High School of Religion (HSOR) Christmas Service Project.
Members sang for the Sisters at Marian Woods on Sunday, December 12th. Thank you to all participants!
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Centering Prayer Group meets every Wednesday in the Parish Library from 1-2PM. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, contact Elise Kuhn at 914-725-4728.
- 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!
RESPECT 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!
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 18/19, 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 19, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Advent
7:30AM - Joseph Flanagan
9:00AM - Mario Bonavita
10:30AM - The Deceased Members of The Ciero Family
10:30AM - The Deceased Members of The Ciero Family
12:00PM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
MONDAY, December 20, 2021
6:45AM - JoAnn Murphy
9:00AM - Armando & Angelina Frusciante
TUESDAY, December 21, 2021
St. Peter Canisius
6:45AM - JoAnn Murphy
9:00AM - Ricardo Rodriguez
WEDNESDAY, December 22, 2021
6:45AM - Ercole (Alfio) De Benedictis
9:00AM - JoAnn Murphy
THURSDAY, December 23, 2021
St. John of Kanty
6:45AM - Frederic Wolff, Jr. & Frederic Wolff, III
9:00AM - JoAnn Murphy
FRIDAY, December 24, 2021
Christmas Eve
8:30AM - Thanksgiving & Special Intentions
4:00PM - Larry Holten, Sr. & Larry Holten, Jr
6:00PM -
6:00PM -
9:00PM - Sr. Pauline Cinquini
12:00AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
SATURDAY, December 25, 2021
Christmas Day
8:30AM - Frederic Wolff III
10:30AM - Deceased Members of The Grogan & Vaccaro Families
12:00PM - Corinne Zanzano
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
Fabiola Rincon
For all those suffering from the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
Matthew Lestrange
Mary Lynch
Judith Kaplan
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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