Give thanks to the LORD,
for He is good, His love is everlasting.
My dear friends,
After the beautiful weather for the celebration of Easter Sunday last week, the Octave of this most momentous mystery of our salvation has been an interesting ride! From rain and damaging winds (I hope people's homes are fine) to yesterday's earthquakes to then Monday's exciting solar eclipse, may I suggest that Sunday's Feast of Divine Mercy is a beautiful moment for us to find peace in the turbulence of nature, let alone the upheaval our world and society is experiencing.
Since March 25th fell on Holy Week, the observance of the Annunciation (when Blessed Mary received the Archangel Gabriel's invitation from God to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God) is moved to the day after we conclude the Octave of Easter, that is this Monday.
Our faith is really lived in the light and reality of these two Sacred Mysteries: the Incarnation when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Annunciation-Christmas) and the Paschal Mysteries of the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection (Holy Week and Easter).
Allow me to highlight a few of all the Thank You's I hoped to express at Easter on behalf of Fr. Thumma, the House of Prayer, and the Rectory Staff - to the Saint Veronica's Guild who are tireless at seeing to the beauty and seasonal nature of our sanctuary, Marian Chapel and Christ the King Altar - the beautiful Easter Flowers help us enter into this sacred time of year! To our Servers, Lectors, Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers and to all who volunteer their time and abilities at IHM from the Finance and Parish Councils to those organizations and groups that build up the spiritual life of the parish, minister to the social and corporal needs of the community and to those who help run our vibrant and dynamic sports and youth programs. To our IHM parish school and Religious Education Program. Last, but not least, to Dr. Laurie Adamo, our Parish Music Director, who always brings together a magnificent ensemble of musicians and singers, including our own cantor, Elizabeth Farnum, and IHM Choir, for a truly exceptional experience of the mysteries of Holy Week and the glory of Easter!
Thank you for your continued support of IHM, particularly through the Easter collection, that will remain open for a little more time.
Know that the Rectory Office will be closed today as we do not have coverage. For emergencies, please call 914-723-0276 and our Answering Service will connect you to a priest.
Sunday, April 7th, will be the annual Scarsdale 15k and 4 mile races. The route is from Wayside Road (Scarsdale High School area) to White Plains between the Bronx River Parkway and Route 22. Click here for more information should it impact your travel.
I am still looking for a Library Coordinator volunteer so that all we have to offer after putting the catalogue online can also be experienced in person, too!
Along those lines, we have wonderful and dedicated parishioners and volunteers who see to the weekly, periodic and seasonal collection and administration of goods, clothing, food, items for those in need from the food pantry, to Cornerstone, to Midnight Run to the Giving Tree, to the Baby Bottle collection and Baby Shower, to the Christmas Toy Drive and Easter Baskets, and an excited group of students in HOPE Circle. Through you, IHM is able to move mountains and live the divine love of God for our neighbor. From time to time, I am asked for help on an ad hoc basis (such as now for a senior parishioner who will need a ride to her PT three times a week from April 15th for recovery after an operation). It would be very helpful to have an interested group of such IHM volunteers, who want to serve in such targeted ways and who have availability. Please reach out to me if interested!
We are excited for the upcoming IHM School Classes of the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s Reunion on Saturday, April 20, 2024! Mass at 5:30pm & Reunion to follow.
The next Midnight Run will be on April 27th. Donations and volunteers are needed.
Have a blessed Divine Mercy Sunday and consider our afternoon Confessions at 2pm or Holy Hour at 3pm to honor this day and receive the full measure of peaceful blessings from Jesus! Feel free to venerate our relic of Saint Faustina in the Marian Chapel. I leave you with a quote from her Diary (entry 699):
My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.
In this Edition:
- Divine Mercy Sunday is Sunday, April 7th
- IHM School 2024-2025 Registration is now open
- IHM Religious Education 2024-2025 Registration will open on Tuesday, June 4th
- IHM School Classes of the 80s, 90s and 00s Reunion - Saturday, April 20th
- Cardinal Dolan to Visit the Holy Land as Chair of Catholic Near East Welfare Association
- IHM Upcoming Events:
- School of Community - Communion & Liberation - meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM in the IHM Rectory
- Seasons of Hope - a 6 Week Catholic Bereavement Series at St. Pius X Parish (Scarsdale) starting on April 25th
- The next Midnight Run will be on April 27th - donations and volunteers are needed
- “Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity: The Mystery of Christian Prayer" Symposium at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie on August 8th-11th
- IHM Continuing Events:
- Check out the IHM Rectory Library - library card signup and access to the online catalog below
- Eucharistic Adoration at IHM
- Check out the IHM Rectory Library - library card signup and access to the online catalog below
- Community News:
- Stepinac Theatre presents Catch Me If You Can on April 7, 14 and 21
- Catholic Widows and Widowers of Yonkers Anniversary Luncheon will take place on April 18th
- Iona University to host Antisemitism in America: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives presentation on Tuesday, April 16th at 7:30PM
Divine Mercy Sunday is this Sunday, April 7th.
To learn more about celebrating this Feast Day and to experience the special graces of this day, please click here.
"Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy."
Please join us for a Holy Hour in the main Church.
Confessions will be from 2:00 - 2:50PM in the Marian/Adoration Chapel and a Divine Mercy Holy Hour in the main Church
from 3:00-4:00PM (may go slightly longer).
IHM Religious Education 2024-2025 Registration
To enroll in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Religious Education Program a Family must be a registered Parishioner of IHM Church before the start of the new school season. If you need to register with the Parish or inquire about your IHM Parish Registration/Envelope status, please call the IHM rectory or click here to register.
Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year for children in grades Kindergarten through 8th will open on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 12 noon. (We encourage parents to register children in Kindergarten, but this is optional.) IHM Religious Education student registration, including credit card payment, is completed online. Registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
Weekly Classes: In-person classes will be held once a week on Mondays or Wednesdays in the late afternoon or early evening. Specific days and times per age group will be announced before registration opens.
Student Fees for 2024-2025: Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year will be announced before registration opens.
Online Registration for 2024-2025: IHM uses a registration system called Parish Giving. The system open for registration on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 12 noon.
Returning Family: Any Family with a child enrolled in IHM Religious Education Grades K to 7 in 2023-2024 will receive an email request to re-enroll for 2024-2025. The email will provide a link and sign-in information for Parish Giving. A parent/guardian will be asked to sign-in, review family information, add any additional children if needed, select Sessions, and pay the registration fee online by credit card. (Please contact the Religious Education office if you do not receive the email on 6/4/24.)
New Family: Any Family that did not have a child enrolled in IHM Religious Education in 2023-2024 is considered a new family. A link to the new family registration form will be available on the IHM Church website and published in the Bulletin once registration opens.
New Student: Whether you are a Returning Family registering an additional child for IHM Religious Education or a New Family registering a child for the first time with IHM Religious Education, we require a copy of the child's baptismal certificate. (If the Sacrament of Baptism is still needed for the student, please reach out to the Coordinator of Religious Education and speak with the Pastor about registering and making appropriate arrangements for the sacrament. Timing may vary depending upon circumstances and age.) Grades above first grade require proof of previous religious education, and copies of First Communion and First Penance records (grades 3 - 8).
Weekly Classes: In-person classes will be held once a week on Mondays or Wednesdays in the late afternoon or early evening. Specific days and times per age group will be announced before registration opens.
Student Fees for 2024-2025: Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year will be announced before registration opens.
Online Registration for 2024-2025: IHM uses a registration system called Parish Giving. The system open for registration on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 12 noon.
Returning Family: Any Family with a child enrolled in IHM Religious Education Grades K to 7 in 2023-2024 will receive an email request to re-enroll for 2024-2025. The email will provide a link and sign-in information for Parish Giving. A parent/guardian will be asked to sign-in, review family information, add any additional children if needed, select Sessions, and pay the registration fee online by credit card. (Please contact the Religious Education office if you do not receive the email on 6/4/24.)
New Family: Any Family that did not have a child enrolled in IHM Religious Education in 2023-2024 is considered a new family. A link to the new family registration form will be available on the IHM Church website and published in the Bulletin once registration opens.
New Student: Whether you are a Returning Family registering an additional child for IHM Religious Education or a New Family registering a child for the first time with IHM Religious Education, we require a copy of the child's baptismal certificate. (If the Sacrament of Baptism is still needed for the student, please reach out to the Coordinator of Religious Education and speak with the Pastor about registering and making appropriate arrangements for the sacrament. Timing may vary depending upon circumstances and age.) Grades above first grade require proof of previous religious education, and copies of First Communion and First Penance records (grades 3 - 8).
Sunday, April 7, 2024 | Second Sunday of Easter| John 20:19–31
Friends, our magnificent Gospel today declares that there is no greater manifestation of the divine mercy than the forgiveness of sins. We are in the upper room with the disciples, those who had denied, betrayed, and abandoned their master. Jesus comes and stands in their midst. When they saw him, their fear must have intensified; undoubtedly, he was back for revenge.
Instead, he speaks the simple word “Shalom,” peace. He shows them his hands and his side, lest they forget what the world (and they) did to him, but he does not follow up with blame or retribution—only a word of mercy.
And then the extraordinary commission: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus’ mercy is communicated to his disciples, who in turn are sent to communicate it to the world.
This is the foundation for the sacrament of Penance, which has existed in the Church from that moment to the present day as the privileged vehicle of the divine mercy.
Instead, he speaks the simple word “Shalom,” peace. He shows them his hands and his side, lest they forget what the world (and they) did to him, but he does not follow up with blame or retribution—only a word of mercy.
And then the extraordinary commission: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus’ mercy is communicated to his disciples, who in turn are sent to communicate it to the world.
This is the foundation for the sacrament of Penance, which has existed in the Church from that moment to the present day as the privileged vehicle of the divine mercy.
Bishop Robert Barron
We joyfully announce the forthcoming celebration of Marriage for
I Sterling Wood & Laura McMahon
Cardinal Dolan to Visit the Holy Land
as Chair of Catholic Near East Welfare Association
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will visit the Holy Land from Friday, April 12 through Thursday, April 18, 2024 in his role as Chair of Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). While there, the cardinal will meet with local Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religious leaders, visit various social service and humanitarian activities, as well as mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine (click here for the history and more information).
Catholic Near East Welfare Association was founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926 as an instrument of love and a sign of hope for those in need scattered throughout the historic but troubled lands of the ancient Eastern churches — the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. The Pontifical Mission was founded by Pope Pius XII in 1949 and serves as CNEWA’s operating agency in the Middle East. The Archbishop of New York serves as ex-officio Chair of the Board of Trustees. Monsignor Peter Vaccari, President of CNEWA and of the Pontifical Mission, will accompany Cardinal Dolan on his pastoral visit.
CNEWA and the Pontifical Mission work entirely through the local church, offering aid to all in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.
While in the region, Cardinal Dolan will, as he has done on past visits, meet with various Israeli and Palestinian Christian, Jewish, and Muslim representatives. Among the social service activities on his tentative itinerary are the Paul VI Ephpheta Institute for the Hearing Impaired, the Aida Refugee Camp, and the Home Notre Dame des Douleurs, a home for the elderly. He hopes to meet with families of hostages, enjoy a Sabbath meal with Jewish friends, and visit with Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups. A more complete itinerary will be shared when finalized.
Communion and Liberation (CL) is a lay movement whose members seek to continually discover the relevance of faith to life's daily needs through the encounter with Jesus Christ in the community of believers. CL's founder, Msgr. Luigi Giussani said "I came to believe deeply that only a faith arising from life's experience and confirmed by it could be sufficiently strong to survive in a world where everything points in the opposite direction. Faith corresponds to a fundamental, original need that men and women find in their hearts."
Join us for weekly catechesis and faith sharing called School of Community Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM in the Conference Room in the IHM Rectory. All are welcome.
For more information about CL you can visit us.clonline.org or contact Carolyn Donovan at carolyndonovan26@yahoo.com.
Seasons of Hope: A Catholic Bereavement Series
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one?
The Church of St. Pius X is offering a six session faith-based catholic series for those in mourning. Seasons of Hope offers an opportunity to gather with others in a small group setting and to share in Gods love. With the support of the faith community, we give voice to our unique journeys of grief and find healing and spiritual growth. Seasons of Hope sessions explore our personal journeys of mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection, and faith sharing.
The Seasons of Hope series will take place Thursday, April 25th and will meet for six Thursdays through May 30th from 6:30-8:00PM
at St. Pius X Parish Pavilion (91 Secor Rd, Scarsdale)
Pre-registration is required and the size of the group is limited. Due to the very personal sharing of this experience, all participants are required to register prior to April 25th. No one will be admitted to the program after that date. Click the button below to sign up.
Seasons of Hope will be facilitated by Linda Puoplo, a St. Pius X parishioners and seasoned social worker, experienced with all journeys of the human experience. If you would like additional information, please contact Linda at (845) 803-9187 or LPuoplo@gmail.com.
Spring cleaning? While you are looking through your closets, please consider donating to Midnight Run as we transition into the warmer weather! Our next Run will be April 27th and we would greatly appreciate those items which don't fit or that you will no longer wear. Especially needed are: men's and women's travel size deodorant, men's jeans, men's shoes and sneakers, sweatpants, hoodies, rainwear, backpacks, shorts, T-shirts, women's sneakers and sweatpants.
Our recent Runs were very successful and we found homes for ALL donated items! We thank everyone for their generosity. There is much need in this metro area and all donations help!
If anyone is interested in going on a Run, helping as a Sorter, or helping with the food prep before each run, please email ihmmidnightrun@gmail.com, thank you!
“Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity: The Mystery of Christian Prayer" Symposium at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie
IHM CONTINUING EVENTS
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AT IHM
- IHM High School of Religion (HSOR): HSOR welcomes all high school students to our gatherings Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00PM in the Lower Church (next meeting is this week). We offer a fun and relaxing faith community of service projects, Prayer & Pizza, Game Nights, sacraments, lively discussions and Open Gym. Come see why our students say HSOR “is a night out in the middle of the week!” For more information, please contact Nancy Vericker at nancy@nancyvericker.com.
- IHM Centering Prayer Group: The group meets on Wednesdays 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 a 914-725-4728.
- IHM Women's Prayer Group: The Prayer Group holds weekly prayer gatherings for women Thursdays from 7:00-8:00PM in the Church Library. For more information, please contact the Rectory (914-723-0276 or ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org).
- Charismatic Morning of Renewal Meeting at the House of Prayer: This group meets on Thursdays after the 9:00AM parish Mass - Morning Prayer, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Intercessory Prayer and a discussion of the Scripture Readings for the coming Sunday.
- IHM School of Community: this group meets on Wednesdays at 7:00PM in the IHM Rectory Conference Room to look at our daily life and discover who we are as Christians. The text discussed is "The Religious Sense" by Father Luigi Giussani. If you are interested in attending via Zoom, please contact the Rectory and ask to be put in contact with Carolyn of School of Community.
- IHM Bible Discussion Group: The IHM Bible Discussion Group meets every Tuesday night through mid-June from 7PM to 8:30PM in the IHM lower Church and are currently reading John's Gospel. Parishioners gather to read, analyze, and discuss Sacred Scripture while enjoying a little dessert and each other’s company. To make Bible Discussion more accessible at IHM and accommodate those unavailable on Tuesday night, there is a do-it-yourself-at-home option. CLICK HERE for more details, to submit questions, or if you are interested in joining.
- IHM Troop 2 (Boy Scouts): this group welcomes 5th through 8th grade boys interested in outdoor adventure. If hiking, camping, white water rafting and first aid skills interest your child, consider joining! For more information, email info@troop2scarsdale.org or visit www.facebook.com/Troop-2-Scarsdale.
- IHM College Group: Sign up to receive upcoming news through the email notice. Thank you to all who participated and prepared Easter Baskets for HOPE COmmunity Services! - CLICK HERE if you would like to inquire. We will contact you directly for future meetings!
- IHM Young Adult Group for those in their 20's & 30's: We will plan an IHM gathering at some point.
- Parishioner looking for an apartment: a Senior in our parish is looking for an apartment for $1,000/month or less. Please speak to the pastor for any leads.
- Stepinac Theatre presents the Tony Award nominated musical, Catch Me If You Can. Show dates are April 7, 14, 21. All reserved tickets can be purchased through The Landry Online Box Office at www.stepinac.org/showtickets. For additional information email theatre@stepinac.org.
- The Catholic Widows and Widowers of Yonkers will have their Anniversary Luncheon at Tombolino's Ristorante (356 Kimball Ave, Yonkers), on Thursday, April 18th, at 1:00PM. $30.00 per person - payable in cash at the luncheon. Reservations required, call (914) 423.5331.
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, April 6/7, 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, April 7, 2024
Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
5:30PM - Bro. Timothy Murphy FSC by Maureen T. Murphy
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Rocco Boccia by Josephine and John Link
10:30AM - Special Intention on Divine Mercy Sunday by Maria Cristina Giordano
12:00PM - Anna DiCola (20th Anniversary) by Frank DiCola
MONDAY, April 8, 2024
Annunciation of the Lord
6:45AM - Mary Breheny by The Breheny Family
9:00AM - Ann Racioppo and Joe Carpentieri by Anna Racioppo
TUESDAY, April 9, 2024
6:45AM - Pasquale Tetrizo by Russell Bourrienne
9:00AM - Kevin G Tallent by Mary Kinsella
WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2024
6:45AM - Margaret Mansfield by Patti Greig
9:00AM - Joseph Stimmler by Daniel T. Caro
THURSDAY, April 11, 2024
6:45AM - Mary Grace Roche (Birthday - Living) by her Family
9:00AM - William and Elizabeth Didie by Chip and Mary Rausch
FRIDAY, April 12, 2024
6:45AM - Ralph Demaio by The McEvoy family
9:00AM - Alfio DeBenedictis by John & Laura Covais
SATURDAY, April 13, 2024
8:30AM - Gertrude & Walter Farrell by Frank & Mary Kate Hacker
5:30PM - Gerardo Trolio & Feliciano Valvano by Roseanne & Rocco Valvano
5:30PM - Gerardo Trolio & Feliciano Valvano by Roseanne & Rocco Valvano
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Margaret Reiniger
Sean Fogarty
Rosetta Ferroro
John Byrnes
Gino Catalano
Gino Catalano
Joan Boccardi
Solange Dorsainvil
Solange Dorsainvil
Michael Whelan
Thomas LiFrieri
Angela LiFrieri
Angela LiFrieri
Pren Gjidoda
Mary Jane Holzmann
Antonietta Iorio
D. Levy
The Deceased of Our Parish
Claire D. Leone
Jean Booker (Mother-in-Law of Karen Booker)
Carol A. Scarcello
Carolyn Reed Pappas
Carol A. Scarcello
Carolyn Reed Pappas
James L. Richy
Patricia M. Venuto
- 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 914-723-0276).
- 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.
A Prayer to our Guardian Angel
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
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