Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
My dear friends on this Christmas weekend,
The angel said to the Shepherds:
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
A blessed Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ to you!
While the Christmas Scripture readings from the Mass at Night above (typically called Midnight Mass) will be proclaimed at all of our IHM Masses, the Church offers a total of four rich Scriptural and theological readings for Christmas Eve, the Mass at Night, the Mass at Dawn and the Mass during the Day. If not before coming to Holy Mass for the Nativity, then perhaps this week of the Christmas Octave, I encourage you to reflect on these readings set-by-set to come to a fuller appreciation of the Mystery of Jesus we celebrate. Click here for links to each of the four sets of Christmas readings.
Last weekend we had the joy of blessing your figurines of the Baby Jesus. At the parish you will notice a new Nativity set on the corner of Boulevard and Post Road. The previous outdoor Church Nativity set, in memory of a father of one of our parishioners, had some figures beyond repair and others that would never survive this wind. The remaining figures (Magi and Camels) will be placed on the Epiphany. This Nativity is transitional. I would like to gather a small group of interested parishioners to explore a more permanent set for future years, that would be of sufficient size, weight and presentation to withstand the wind, be doable on a slight hill and to shine forth our love and devotion for our Savior Jesus Christ, Blessed Mary and Saint Joseph.
Thank you for all you do to build up our Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Community - it is one of the three signs that the grace of Jesus is at work in our lives. The Mass and the other six Sacraments are meant to (1) make us holy and prepare us for heaven, (2) to give us the capacity to glorify God and (3) to build up the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.
This past Monday's Religious Education Christmas Pageant and gathering afterwards in the lower church was a powerful way to prepare as Catholics for Christmas! Once again, thank you to Mrs. Laura Covais, Mrs. Deanna Ricciardi, Mrs. Angela Waterhouse, Mrs. Marie Tedesco, Mrs. Theresa McGinley and the Catechists for all your love and hard works and to all the students who acted, read and sang for making our faith visible! It was impressive to behold the gathering (check it out below!).
In January it is our hope to offer our Catechists an Epiphany celebration and some continuing formation.
Thank all of you for your Time, Talent and Treasure offered to the life of the Parish for the love of God and service to our neighbor both within and outside the parish. Your generous gift of your time, skills and financial resources (particularly through our Christmas Offertory) allows for the support of the parish, growth in programming and services, and the possibility of meeting all our obligations in these economic times.
Thank you for your sacrificial offerings!
May I highlight our February 25th 2023 Gala celebrating the 95th Anniversary of our Parish School and supporting the same IHM School! Perhaps this may be a great way to commemorate a former teacher or an alum by your participation and to support Catholic Education!
To the Saint Veronica Guild and the Choir, under the Direction of Dr. Laurie Adamo, thank you for all your hard work preparing for this magnificent celebration of the Lord's Birth this weekend! We all look forward to being caught up in awe and wonder through worship, song and the beauty of the church at the Mystery of our God becoming man in Jesus Christ!
A blessed Christmas Day and Octave of the Nativity from
Msgr. Luke Sweeney - Pastor
Father Thumma - Parochial Vicar
Sister Nancy - House of Prayer
Sister Anna - House of Prayer
Sister Theresa - House of Prayer
Mrs. Elise Kuhn - Trustee
Mr. Mark McCarthy - Trustee and Chair of the Finance Council
Mrs. Eileen Tobin - Chair of the Parish Council
Mrs. Tracy Keelin - School Principal
Mrs. Laura Covais - Coordinator of Religious Education
Mrs. Nancy Vericker - HSOR Coordinator
Mr. Ray and Mrs. Brenda Mechmann - RCIA Coordinators
Mrs. Liz Reyes - Business Manager
Dr. Laurie Adamo - Director of Music and Organist
Mrs. Joanne Tormey - Parish Secretary
Mr. Frank DeSimone - Parish Receptionist
and all the Personnel, Staff and Volunteers of the Rectory, School, Religious Education Program and various Parish Committees!
Immaculate Heart of Mary Christmas Schedule
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday, December 24th ONLY at 9:00AM
Christmas Eve Masses
Saturday, December 24th
4:00PM (Family Mass)
6:00PM
9:00PM (Choir, Brass Ensemble and Soloists)*
12:00 Midnight Mass (Brass Ensemble and Soloists)*
Saturday, December 24th ONLY at 9:00AM
Christmas Eve Masses
Saturday, December 24th
4:00PM (Family Mass)
6:00PM
9:00PM (Choir, Brass Ensemble and Soloists)*
12:00 Midnight Mass (Brass Ensemble and Soloists)*
Christmas Day Masses
Sunday, December 25th
8:30AM
10:30AM (Choir, Brass Ensemble and Soloists)*
12:00 Noon (Brass Ensemble and Soloists)**
Sunday, December 25th
8:30AM
10:30AM (Choir, Brass Ensemble and Soloists)*
12:00 Noon (Brass Ensemble and Soloists)**
*Christmas Hymns 25 minutes before Mass begins
**Christmas Hymns 15 minutes before Mass begins
For up-to-date information, please visit the Parish website,
www.IHM-Parish.org or call the Rectory (914) 723-0281
- IHM Christmas Offering Envelopes are available at the doors of the Church
- The following Masses will be Livestreamed: Christmas Eve (4:00PM, 9:00PM & 12 Midnight) and Christmas Day (10:30AM & 12 noon)
- There will be no "overflow" Mass offered this year.
- 2023 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 2023 Calendars!
- The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday
2022 IHM Religious Education
Christmas Pageant
CLICK HERE read the article that The Scarsdale Inquirer published regarding our Christmas Pageant!
In this Edition:
- Merry Christmas! Octave Schedule
- What Did The First Christmas Really Look Like?
- Christmas Flower Donations - please return as soon as possible
- IHM College Group Thank You
- The Scarsdale Nativity in Downtown Scarsdale
- 12 Days of Christmas
- Feast of the Holy Family - Friday, December 30th
- FORMED Watch Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well - complimentary during the month of December
- Bible Study at IHM will now be meeting on Tuesdays from 7:00PM-8:30PM
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Upcoming Community Events. All are Welcome:
- IHM Development Fund Gala | February 25, 2023 - DETAILS BELOW (sponsored by the IHM Development Committee)
- IHM Development Fund Gala | February 25, 2023 - DETAILS BELOW (sponsored by the IHM Development Committee)
- Liturgical Ministries sign up for Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors and Ushers
- Senior Parishioner seeks small apartment in Parish
Octave of Christmas Masses
Monday - 9:00AM Mass
9:30-10:30AM Eucharistic Adoration with Confession
Tuesday through Friday - 6:45AM & 9:00AM Masses
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Saturday. December 31st
Confessions: 9:00am & 4:00-5:00PM
5:30PM - Vigil Mass
Sunday, January 1st
9:00AM
10:30AM
5:30PM - Vigil Mass
Sunday, January 1st
9:00AM
10:30AM
12:00 noon
(There will be no 7:30am Mass)
- Eucharistic Adoration: Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2 from 9:30-10:30AM
- Except for the above days and times, Eucharistic Adoration will be suspended from December 23rd through January 2nd. Regular hours will return on Tuesday, January 3rd (Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays 7:15am to 1:00PM, Fridays 7:15AM to 8:00PM and Mondays 7:15AM to 9:00PM). Please sign up for additional hours so that we may increase availability.
- 2023 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 Rectory Office will observe the following schedule changes:
- Monday, December 26th CLOSED in observance of the Christmas Holiday
- Tuesday & Wednesday December 27th & 28th from 9:00am until 5pm
- Thursday, December 29th from 9:00am until 3:30pm
- Friday, December 30th from 9:00am until 1pm.
- Saturday, December 31 from 9:00am until 1pm.
- Monday, January 2nd CLOSED in observance of the New Year's Holiday.
- School and Religious Ed Offices will be closed until Tuesday, January 3rd.
Sunday, December 25, 2022 | Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord | John 1:1-18
Friends, our Gospel for Christmas day is the Prologue to the Gospel of John. In many ways, it is the entire Gospel, indeed the entire Bible, in miniature.
Let’s turn to the central passage: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The word used in Greek here for “dwell” is Eskenosen, which means literally, “pitched his tent among us.” Don’t read that in a folksy way. It is meant to call to mind the tabernacle of the temple.
The Word becoming flesh is God coming to dwell definitively in his world, undoing the effects of sin and turning it into what it was always meant to be. Notice, too, what we see in the wake of this tabernacling: “And we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”
So John is telling us that Jesus is the new Eden, the new temple, the restored creation, the realization of God’s intention for the world. And our purpose is not simply to gaze on this fact with wonder, but rather to enter into its power: “From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace.”
Bishop Robert Barron
Let’s turn to the central passage: “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The word used in Greek here for “dwell” is Eskenosen, which means literally, “pitched his tent among us.” Don’t read that in a folksy way. It is meant to call to mind the tabernacle of the temple.
The Word becoming flesh is God coming to dwell definitively in his world, undoing the effects of sin and turning it into what it was always meant to be. Notice, too, what we see in the wake of this tabernacling: “And we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.”
So John is telling us that Jesus is the new Eden, the new temple, the restored creation, the realization of God’s intention for the world. And our purpose is not simply to gaze on this fact with wonder, but rather to enter into its power: “From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace.”
Bishop Robert Barron
Explore the goodness, truth, and beauty of the Faith
Our parish has gifted you with full access to the entire library of Word on Fire's feature-length films, and short engaging series through Word on Fire Digital. Click the button below to browse all titles and watch on-demand.
Merry Christmas!
The Word has become flesh and made his dwelling among us! Emmanuel means "God is with us"! Let us rejoice and be glad!
Let us pray for one another, our families and friends, our Church, and the entire world that all may know the love of Christ and join us in our celebration today!
"No one, whether shepherd or wise man, can approach God here below except by kneeling before the manger at Bethlehem and adoring him hidden in the weakness of a new-born child" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #563)
Consider watching this video about Christ's mission, the reason behind our celebration of Christmas itself, from Bishop Barron's series The Creed:
"Today our Savior is born... sadness should have no place on the birthday of life... You have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God's kingdom!"
What Did The First Christmas Really Look Like?
As Advent comes to a close, one of the best ways to prepare for Christmas is to revisit the story of the Nativity - the true meaning of Christmas.
You can read the story of the first Christmas in both the Gospel of Matthew (1:18 - 2:12) and the Gospel of Luke (2:1-20). What better way to end the season of Advent than to take time as a family to read about the Holy Family!
You can read the story of the first Christmas in both the Gospel of Matthew (1:18 - 2:12) and the Gospel of Luke (2:1-20). What better way to end the season of Advent than to take time as a family to read about the Holy Family!
We can get so used to all the secular images of Christmas that we can easily forget what it really looked like. As fun as it is to celebrate with presents and elves, reindeer, and Santa - the first Christmas was even more incredible!
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.
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 25th.
The List of Memorials will be published next weekend.
IHM College Group Thank You
The IHM College Group held a Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the HOPE Community last week. We thank all those who donated and participated in this event!
The Nativity
in Downtown Scarsdale
by the Scarsdale Creche Committee
12 Days of Christmas?
Believe it or not, the Christmas party is just getting started!
For we Catholic Christians, Christmas is not one day but a SEASON that spans 12 days between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men, on the feast of the Epiphany.
So even though you may be burnt out after enduring the planning and festivities of Christmas since Halloween, don't throw out that tree just yet!
We have plenty of days of feasting left!
"Love the crib of the Child of Bethlehem... stay close to him, and be sure that Jesus is in the midst of your hearts more than you could believe or imagine!"
Feast of the Holy Family -
Friday, December 30th
Jesus, Mary, & Joseph: Pray for us!
Why does family matter?
God could have entered our world any way that he wished. So why did he choose to enter as a baby into a human family?
"The Christian family is a communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2205). If we are made in the image and likeness of God, then we are made in the design of and meant for family. We can't escape it.
All the best movies and stories involve, at some level, a family. We know the pain, too, when family is dysfunctional or how it can be a wounding environment, but God is always desiring to pour out his healing mercies and grace when we ask for his aid.
Today we honor and ask for the intercession of the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and ask that we can ground our own families in God's grace and peace.
Consider watching this video from Bishop Barron about the mystery of the Trinity in which every family takes its mold and finds its calling:
"May Christ the Lord, the Universal King, the King of Families, be present in every Christian home as he was at Cana, bestowing light, joy, serenity, and strength.”
IHM BIBLE STUDY - Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
The IHM Bible Discussion Group meets on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30PM in the lower Church. The group will discuss the Gospel According to St. Matthew.
If you have any questions please call Tom & Rosemary Roche at (914) 725-1148.
IHM DEVELOPMENT FUND
95th GALA ANNIVERSARY
February 25, 2023
Mulino's at Lake Isle
More information below
We are looking to expand the involvement of our parishioners in four important Liturgical Ministries:
- Altar Server - Grade 4 to college-aged
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion - Adult
- Lector - High School and older
- Usher - Adult
Please consider getting involved, your service will help our parish and offer you the opportunity to grow in a specific way in your faith. Support and training will be provided for all interested persons.
You may use the buttons below for more information to and to submit an interest form. We will contact you in a few weeks with an update.
FOLLOW IHM PARISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Social Media helps parishioners stay up to date through interactive posts that highlight the happenings of the Parish on a public platform. Please show support by using the links below to follow us!
CLICK HERE to follow us on Instagram
CLICK HERE to follow us on Facebook
Senior female parishioner seeks a small apartment or studio in the parish. Rent under $1,000/month. For information call Dotty through the
Rectory (914-723-0276).
- IHM Women's Prayer Group: Weekly prayer gatherings for women are offered each Thursday from 7:00-8:00PM in the Church Library. For more information, please contact the Rectory (914-723-0276 or ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org).
- Bible Discussion Group on the Gospel of Matthew: Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in the lower church. Refreshments served. Call the Rectory this Tuesday for next scheduled discussion.
- Charismatic Prayer Meeting at the House of Prayer: On Mondays at 7:30PM in the Chapel. PLEASE BE ADVISED: The Thursdays of Prayer will not be continuing at this time.
- 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).
- The College Evenings: After gathering Toys for HOPE Community Services, all IHM College-age students will be invited to a January gathering. Please contact the group's Coordinator, David Pereira, or the Co-Coordinator, Katya Drohan for more information (ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org). CLICK HERE to sign up for the email list.
- The Centering Prayer Group meets on Wednesday's at 10:00AM in the Church Library. Newcomers are always welcome. Meetings last around 45-60 minutes. The format includes: 20 minutes of Centering Prayer (a silent prayer form in the Christian contemplative tradition in which we seek to open our minds and hearts to the Divine Life within), Lectio Divina (a prayerful reading of Scripture) and a brief discussion. For more information, contact Elise Kuhn at 914-725-4728
- Boys 11 to 17 are invited to Join Immaculate Heart of Mary Boy Scout Troop 2 Scarsdale. Visit Boy Scout Troop 2 in the IHM lower Church (201 Boulevard, Scarsdale) on Thursday evenings at 7:30PM. Do you want to canoe, camp, go white water rafting, rock climb, repel . . . all while using life skills like first aid and CPR? Then come try us out! For more information, contact info@troop2scarsdale.org. A Boy Scout is 11 years old or has completed the fifth grade but is not yet 18.
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 24/25, 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.
SATURDAY, December 24, 2022
Christmas Eve
8:30AM - Sister Pauline Cinquini, SC by Sr. Nancy and the House of Prayer
4:00PM - Catherine Murphy, JoAnn Murphy and Christopher Murphy by Patricia MacGillivray
6:00PM - Larry Holten, Sr. & Larry Holten, Jr. by Anna and Susan Holten
9:00PM - Peter Adamo by Anthony & Laurie Ricigliano
12:00PM (Midnight Mass) - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
SUNDAY, December 25, 2022
Christmas Day
8:30AM - Frederick Wolff III by Mary Wolff
10:30AM - The Living and Deceased Members of the Saint Veronica Guild
12:00PM - The Deceased Members of the Grogan & Vaccaro Families by Johanne Grogan
MONDAY, December 26, 2022
St. Stephen
9:00AM - Giovanni Mastronardi by Martin & Antonella Kilkeary
TUESDAY, December 27, 2022
St. John the Apostle & evangelist
6:45AM - Deceased Corio Family Members by Deirdre Corio
9:00AM - Jean Savoye by Nicholas Savoye
WEDNESDAY, December 28, 2022
Holy Innocents
6:45AM - Mariano & Rosa Pansarella by Anthony & Sebastiana Tagliamonte
9:00AM - Carmine & Maria Antonia Gizzo by Gerardo & Maria Giordano
9:00AM - Carmine & Maria Antonia Gizzo by Gerardo & Maria Giordano
THURSDAY, December 29, 2022
St. Thomas Becket
6:45AM - Father Ed Connors by John P. & Maureen Gorham
9:00AM - Catherine Murphy by Patricia MacGillivray
FRIDAY, December 30, 2022
The Holy Family
6:45AM - Fernando Rosado by Tom & Donna Telegades
9:00AM - Louise Germano by Frank & Annemarie DiCola
SATURDAY, December 31, 2022
St. Sylvester I
8:30AM - Josef & Cecilie Riess by Kathy Riess
5:30PM - Frank & Ann Perri by John and Lisa Perri
SUNDAY, January 1, 2023
Mary, Mother of God | New Years Day
9:00AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
10:30AM - Virginia F. Cimini by Florence M. Galella
12:00PM - Zef Kalaj by Lula Camaj
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Sr. Danielle Baran
Barbara Grossberg
Catherine Rancic Ritiu
Marina Perna
Thomas Lifrieri
Angela Lifrieri
Allison Santo
Nary Sith
Baby Maverick Trainer
James Hannan
Nick Ciampanelli
Louise Ciampanelli
James Micillo
Antonietta Altobello
Frances Galante
Lucille Reynolds
Martin Verendia
Sofia Janer
Joe Caggiano
The Deceased of Our Parish
John Costello
Luann Branowitz
Janet Ann Triano-Beddows
Albert & Millie Pallone
Fr. Randy Soto (Seminary Professor and Weekend Associate at IC in Tuckahoe)
Michael Provenzale
- 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.
Prayer for Healing
Dear Lord, We lift up all those who are
Facing illness Today.
We ask that You would bring Healing,
Comfort, & Peace to their bodies.
Calm their fears
Let them experience the
Healing powers of your love.
Amen.
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