I will sing of your salvation.
My dear friends,
Please be safe, since when writing this column, the forecast calls for a Nor’easter to the area Friday into Saturday. Please check on neighbors, friends and relatives - especially the elderly and those with disabilities during this storm and after.
The celebration of Catholic Schools Week will begin for us at Sunday’s 12noon Mass! Students from our parish school will be readers and servers. This annual week is a moment for us at IHM to come to a deeper appreciation for the blessings that Catholic education offers. We are graced to have a parish based Catholic school and I know that it is and has been a wonderful experience for so many parish families and individuals. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Tracy Keelin, our Principal, for all her hard work, enthusiasm, faith and ideas to continue to make our school a wonderful blessing and family community. Thank you to our incredible school parents and families, the dedicated faculty and staff, and our hard working maintenance team for all they do to provide the Catholic formation and environment for the students to flourish. And thank you to the students for the joy you particularly bring to me and the parish by your presence and life.
For part of the Pastoral Year, our seminarian has had the opportunity to teach in the school. It is a blessing both ways. Allow me to congratulate Vincent Castaldi on receiving an important step before future Diaconate Ordination, a step called Admission to Candidacy for the Diaconate and Priesthood, that was conferred on him at Dunwoodie Seminary back in November. Also, in mid January, Vincent passed his driving exam, and in the Bronx no less! Congratulations on Candidacy and on your new License, Vincent!
I believe February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of the baby Lord Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph, used to be the end of the Christmas Season in the old liturgical calendar (40th day from Christmas). It is also called Candlemas Day because Jesus is the Light of the World coming in as God to the Temple. On that day we bless candles (feel free to bring them to the daily Masses for the blessing). It is also a day the Universal Church celebrates and gives thanks to consecrated women and men who are light shining in our Church and world. We are blessed with consecrated women and men in our own parish, in particular: Sr. Nancy Kellar and Sr. Theresa Chen in the House of Prayer, the Christian Brothers at Iona who frequent our daily and sometimes Sunday Masses, and those who used to be at IHM - Sr. Mary Tommasino, Sr. Bernadette, Sr. Gloria, Sr. Anna Chiara and Sr. Marguerite Marie. We thank God for the gift of their consecrated witness that helps us know God is close to us and loves us by the gift of our own Baptisms.
Please know that both Holy Water fonts (next to the Baptismal Font and at the back door of the Sacristy, where the priests prepare for Mass) have been filled up and are blest. You may always fill up a container from them. Please have some Holy Water at home for regular use as a sacramental calling down God’s blessings upon you and your families.
Have a wonderful Sunday and don’t shovel too much!
National Catholic Schools Week 2022
Entering its 48th year of national recognition, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week from January 30th to February 5th this year!
Catholic education is a pillar of evangelization for our communities and our world, forming young men and women holistically as persons: morally, intellectually, athletically, and spiritually. Catholic school teachers, coaches, and administrations challenge millions of students to engage in critical learning, teamwork, and ultimately to embrace the challenge to become saints.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK AT
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL
We completed our first service project for Catholic Schools Week. We collected over 200 bags of dirt and attached them to hand made cards. We once again worked with Deborah Bracken and United for the Troops. We are so proud of students and the support they show for our service projects! God bless our Troops and our school!
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: LOOKING AHEAD
"Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others."
In this Edition:
- National Catholic Schools Week is January 30 - February 5
- 2022 Mass Intentions are NOW ONLINE!
- The 2021 Contribution Cut Off Date is January 31, 2022
- Thank you from United for the Troops
- Introducing Enlighten, from Fordham University & the Archdiocese of New York
- Public Square Rosary Rally, Saturday, February 12th at 12:00pm
- 2022 Cardinal's Stewardship Appeal: A Message from Cardinal Dolan
- St. Joseph's Seminary to host "The Historical Jesus: An Overview" on February 3rd
- Archdiocese of New York seeks longest married couple (65+ years married)
IHM'S 2022 MASS INTENTION BOOK
IS NOW ONLINE!
For those who wish to request a Mass Intention for 2022 online, please click here.
All requests will be subject to approval.
WORD ON FIRE | ENGAGE
Love Never Fails
This Sunday's readings seem to be a strange mixture of topics and disjointed themes, but the line that runs from its start to its end is love.
From the prophet Jeremiah's comforting words that "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," to St. Paul's famous passage to the Corinthians on how "Love is patient, love is kind," to Jesus revealing his very identity to the people of his Nazarerite synagogue, the thread of love connects it all.
God is love (1 John 4:8) and Jesus is the Divine Word made flesh. He preaches the difficult, challenging, and convicting truth out of love because love never wants us to stay stagnant or stuck in the pits of addiction. Jesus desires our freedom. Some respond openly to this call and others do not, like those who we hear from our Gospel today who drove him out of Nazareth.
Even in the face of difficulty, how am I being called to love today?
What is the truth God is speaking to me, out of love, that I might be resistant to hear?
""The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things."
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.
2021 CONTRIBUTION CUT OFF DATE
Any 2021 contribution envelope that comes in after January 31, 2022 will automatically be for 2022, regardless of the date on the envelope. Parishioner Year End Tax Statements are currently in the process of being finalized.
THANK YOU FROM UNITED FOR THE TROOPS
Dear Msgr. Sweeney & The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary,
It was our pleasure and honor to team up with your generous school and parish and be able to pack and ship 92 gift boxes to our deployed military. Each one was filled with things they miss most from home, greeting cards and the letter you gave us.
Thank you for your help to complete this mission!
God Bless and Happy New Year from all of us at UFT.
Patty & Jim Rathschmidt
Co-Founders
Shed light on your faith
through online courses!
Introducing Enlighten, from Fordham University &
the Archdiocese of New York
Although we participate week after week, sometimes we don’t realize the meaning and origins of what we say and do at Mass and how we are called to live as Catholics. Now, you can deepen your understanding through a joint program of the Archdiocese of New York and Fordham University’s Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education.
Enlighten: Faith Education for Today’s Catholic will expand your knowledge of our faith through online courses.
Course Schedule:
Enlighten course registration opens no later than 10 weeks before each session starts on my.fordham.edu. Registration for each session closes 7 days before the session begins.
Upcoming Sessions:
February 2022 Session – February 7th to March 16th
February 2022 Session – February 7th to March 16th
April 2022 Session – April 25th to June 1st
Learn more or register at archny.org/enlighten
Questions?
Contact the Archdiocese of New York's Office of Adult Faith Formation
Email: AdultFaithFormation@archny.org | Phone: (646) 794-2581
St. Joseph’s Seminary:
Cathedral Prep High School
Explore the possibility of a calling to the priesthood through Cathedral Prep, a program to introduce high school boys to the priesthood in a positive, no-pressure environment. Spend one weekend every other month at St. Joseph Seminary, hanging out with seminarians and priests, learning to pray more deeply, and most importantly learning to look up and listen for God’s call. Get info and apply at nypriest.com
Pray With Us: Public Square Rosary Rally
You are invited to the 2022 PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY RALLY on Saturday, February 12th at 12 noon. It will take place in the North Parking Lot of IHM Church in Scarsdale by the Grotto of Our Lady.
This year as we pray Our Lady’s Rosary and other prayers in her honor, we invoke her blessings on marriage and the family and on our country and the world. This Rally is one of 20,000 rosary rallies, organized by America Needs Fatima, that will take place all over the United States. This is the Saturday closest to February 13th, the day the sun danced at Fatima Portugal. Please make an effort to attend. The Rosary Rally Captain is Carol McAvoy. Please bring your lawn chairs and be there on time.
Please note: in the event of inclement weather we will have the Rally inside the Church from 12:00 noon to 1:00pm.
A Message from Cardinal Dolan
Times like these often raise more questions than answers. When will we be on the other side of this pandemic? What comes next? Or, more practically, how am I going to make the rent or find a job to support my family? The uncertainty that often accompanies these questions can leave us feeling ill at ease or even afraid. While the answers don’t always come as quickly as we’d prefer, as Christians, we are presented with an antidote to the anxiety and fear that sometimes sets in during times of transition and uncertainty. That antidote is our faith – our faith in the One who loves us so much that He laid down his life so that we may live, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our faith calls us to fellowship as a community, both in our parishes as well as our homes. We know we aren’t alone in this journey. We aren’t without support. At Mass, we are sustained by the gift of the Eucharist. And I’m told by so many of you that after going without the Blessed Sacrament during the lockdown, you’ve returned to Mass with renewed gratitude. Our pastors and priests are there to minister to the faithful in moments of spiritual and material need. And when we’re confronting more questions than answers, the life-giving presence of our Lord revives us and gives us the strength to move forward with renewed vigor.
The Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal plays a significant role in helping us minister to the faithful and their neighbors. The Appeal ensures that our faith communities have the necessary support to offer pastoral and charitable outreach to families and individuals in need during this pandemic and beyond. Your gift to the Appeal enables us to sustain financially vulnerable parishes, to provide communities with the charitable assistance they need, to evangelize and educate, to form the priests of tomorrow, and to offer compassionate care for our retired priests. This year’s theme “To Whom Shall We Go?” is a part of scripture so near to my heart that I chose it as my Episcopal motto. It is both a prayer and an answer to much of the uncertainty floating around these days. It reminds us that the answers to the deepest questions of our hearts lie with our Lord who stands with us, just as He stood with the apostles in the Gospel of John 6:68.
Thank you for considering a one-time or monthly gift to the Appeal this year. We are so grateful for your generous support and for your part in helping us bring hope to our communities in these difficult times.
Seminary to host Lecture on
‘The Historical Jesus’
Msgr. John Meier, a renowned scholar of Sacred Scripture will deliver “The Historical Jesus: An Overview” on Thursday, February 3rd, at St. Joseph’s Seminary Prayer Hall in Dunwoodie. Presented in conjunction with the Seminary’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the public lecture begins at 7:30pm following a 6:30pm reception.
CLICK HERE for more information or to RSVP for this event. For additional information, call (914) 968-6200 ext. 8201. The suggested donation is $20.
Search Seeks Longest-Married
Couple in Archdiocese
The Archdiocesan Family Life Office is seeking entries for its annual longest-Married Couple Search for couples living in the Archdiocese of New York and married sacramentally for 65 years or more.
The Family Life Office conducts the search each year in conjunction with World Marriage Day, which takes place on the second Sunday of February each year, to honor longstanding Catholic couples who exemplify what is good about the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The winning couple will be determined by how long the couple is married as of World Marriage Day, February 13, 2022.
To enter the contest email the couple’s name, address, marriage date (month, day, year) and parish along with contact info to kathleen.crayne@archny.org or call 646-794-3182.
Young Adult Outreach: Young Adult Mass
The Office of Young Adult Outreach is pleased to invite you to the February Young Adult Mass on Wednesday, February 2, 7:30PM at St. Patrick’s Cathedral! Adoration and Confessions will be available from 6:30-7:30PM. The celebrant is Fr. Brian Graebe. The guest musicians will be the Metropolitan Catholic Chorale. Mass begins at 7:30PM.
Social to follow at Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant, 14 E. 47th Street. Specials include a dollar off draft beers and house wine. Current NYS restaurant regulations will be observed.
Social to follow at Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant, 14 E. 47th Street. Specials include a dollar off draft beers and house wine. Current NYS restaurant regulations will be observed.
Please follow all signs at the Cathedral for the most updated COVID-19 protocol. Those who are most vulnerable and those who are sick or symptomatic should stay home.
Check out our events on our Facebook here, or email Kaitlyn.Colgan@archny.org for more information.
- 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.
- We prepared a Winter Special Edition printed bulletin for the parish. This serves as an update of the happenings around IHM over the past few months, and looking ahead. The printed bulletin will be available at the doors of the Church while supplies last! A digital copy is also available on our parish website.
- High School of Religion: Our next meeting of IHM's High School of Religion (HSOR) will be by Zoom on Wednesday, February 2 from 7:30-8:15PM, HSOR normally 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!
- 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: 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 will be suspended for the Month of February. The group normally meets every Wednesday in the Parish Library from 1-2PM. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, contact Elise Kuhn at 914-725-4728.
Pro Life Corner
"Justices in the United States believe that their
duty is to uphold the Constitution, but if they do not understand that the
authority of the Constitution itself rests upon the inalienable natural rights
of all human beings, then they not only undermine the Constitution, which they
are sworn to uphold but also turn themselves into wielders of arbitrary power.
Regrettably, this misuse of power occurred in both the Dred Scott decision and
in the Roe v. Wade decision”
PET DRIVE FOR
THE NEW ROCHELLE HUMANE SOCIETY
The Eastchester Rotary Interact Club is collecting items for New Rochelle Humane Society. If you would like to contribute any items listed below, please drop them off on: Saturday, February 12, between 2:00 – 5:00PM at the Eastchester Library.
If you cannot make it Saturday, you can drop off your items any time from February 13-19 at the front doorstep of the home of Theresa Nicholson (69 Webster Road, Scarsdale, N.Y 10583). The Interact Club will deliver the items to Midnight Run location nearby. Thank you!
Cleaning Supplies & Pet Care Items Needed:
Cleaning Supplies & Pet Care Items:
Disinfecting Wipes
Windex
Brooms
Large Garbage Bags
Hand Sanitizer
Laundry Detergent
Pet Safe Ice Melt
Heating Pads
Hot Water Bottles
Dish Soap
Liquid Hand Soap
Paper Towels
Bleach
Small Scrub Brushes
Disposable Gloves
Ziplock Gallon Bags
Snow Shovels
Toys & Food Items Needed:
Stuffed Animals
Plain Yogurt
Canned Pumpkin
Hot Dogs
Dog & Cat Treats
Dog & Cat Toys
Large Dog Kong Toys
Canned Dog & Cat Food (All food donations accepted, but there is a greater need for canned foods)
REQUIRED ANNOUCEMENT ON THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
To report an alleged incident of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, deacon, religious or lay person serving in the Archdiocese of New York may contact the victims assistance coordinator, Mrs. Eileen Mulcahy at (646) 794-2949 or victimsassistance@archny.org. Information can also be found on the archdiocesan website, www.archny.org. In keeping with archdiocesan policy regarding sexual abuse of minors, this announcement is published periodically to ensure that our children remain safe and secure.
- Beginning Experience of the Hudson Valley is inviting men and women of all ages who have suffered the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation to: Coping With Life Alone - a multi-session remote (only) program held on Sundays from 1:00PM-4:30PM beginning January 30th. Registration is required please contact Denise at (845) 325-3147 or Victoria at (860) 993-5469.
- The Saint Pio Foundation, a New Rochelle based charitable foundation (soon to be relocated to Tuckahoe, NY), seeks candidates for the roles of Part-Time Administrative Assistant. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite is required for this position. Spanish and/or Italian fluency is a plus, but not mandatory. Working hours per week: 20 hours. Hourly rate: $20. The part-time assistant will be required to work from the office two days per week (preferably Tuesday/Friday).The rest of the week they may work remotely. Candidates applying for the position shall reside no more than 10/15 miles range from the office. Interested applicants should send an email attaching their resumes, with “Part-Time Administrative Assistant” in the subject line to info@saintpiofoundation.org. To learn more about us, visit www.saintpiofoundation.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, January 29/30, 2022, 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 30, 2022
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Anthony Rauso
10:30AM - Bruce Wagner
10:30AM - Bruce Wagner
12:00PM - Colette Hoey
MONDAY, January 31, 2022
St. John Bosco
6:45AM - Olivia Rodriguez
6:45AM - Olivia Rodriguez
9:00AM - Mary Meschi
TUESDAY, February 1, 2022
6:45AM - Gerald P. Connolly
9:00AM - Anne & Anthony Carrozza
WEDNESDAY, February 2, 2022
Presentation of the Lord
6:45AM - Josef & Cecilie Riess
6:45AM - Josef & Cecilie Riess
9:00AM - Vito Costa
THURSDAY, February 3, 2022
St. Blase, St. Ansgar
St. Blase, St. Ansgar
6:45AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Laurence Broderick
FRIDAY, February 4, 2022
6:45AM - Mila Aurora
9:00AM - Marcilo Testa
SATURDAY, February 5, 2022
St. Agatha
8:30AM - January Remembrance
5:30PM - Edward Benedict
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
Suzie Irwin
Ven & Priscilla Parameswaran
Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Andrews
Ven & Priscilla Parameswaran
Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Andrews
Fabiola Rincon
Frederick H. Bruyns
Catherine Schoetz
For all those suffering from the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
Lucille Mahnen
Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand
Michael Fiore
John Francis Marocco
Martha Kessenkopf
Police Officer Wilbert Mora
Police Officer Jason Rivera
Police Officer Jason Rivera
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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