My dear friends,
Welcome to May, the month of our Blessed Mother Mary, and First Communions and May Crownings! Father Thumma and I are looking forward to our First Communions these next two Saturdays and want to extend a word of gratitude to the parents and family members, Mrs. Keelin and Mrs. Covais, their teachers, catechists and staffs for all the work of preparation going into these special days.
Parents, I would ask that after your children make their First Holy Communion, they come to Sunday Mass (or Saturday Vigil) this weekend and next weekend dressed in their Communion outfits (or as much as possible). We look forward to recognizing them before the whole parish community and being able to have various May Crownings of the Blessed Mother inside the church at each Mass.
This Friday, May 10th, our IHM Development Committee, will hold its first Annual Giving Day, a new tradition where we come together to support the mission and values that make our IHM Parish School truly special. A number of us were educated in Catholic Schools and know the gift this education has been to us, the contribution it makes to society in so many fields, and the ability to deepen and strengthen our Catholic faith that is being taught at home. I find that a parish school adds a beautiful dimension to the life of a parish, helps us fulfill our God-given mission, and is a wonderful way to nurture our young people and to support our families.
As was reported in the Parish's recent Financial Report, after several years, our School is projected to operate in the black this upcoming school year. Help us build on this sustainable momentum!
Immediately after this Pastor's Column is more information about IHM Development Committee's Development Day.
This Monday will be the last day for nominations to be received for Parish Council elections. If you are interested or know of someone who may make a great candidate, please let us know!
Our Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization is a blessing here at IHM.
The first Volleyball season has been an amazing success with promise of wonderful growth next year! Home games are played at Maria Regina High School's gym and I was amazed at the number of fans who turn out - beyond the families of the players. Thank you to Coaches Keelin and Giackette!
It was great to bless the Spring Track yesterday and see the enthusiasm of the youngsters running and being with each other. They also got to hear from Special Olympian, Paul Asaro, and see an Olympic torch and medals! Thank you Coordinator Mrs. "G" Gayanelo and the Coaches!
Basketball always has a power-packed winter season that produces some amazing games worthy of the Knicks! They are now in the middle of the Spring Basketball Season and are dedicated practicing each week and keeping up their skills. Thank you to our Coordinator, Mr. Greg Doyle, and to all of the Coaches!
On the same day that we will have the Sacrament of Confirmation in the later afternoon and evening, IHM will be blessed at 1:30pm on Thursday, May 23rd, with a Benediction stop from the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Four pilgrimage routes, with the Blessed Sacrament traveling in Procession, starting from California, Texas, Minnesota and Connecticut, will all converge in Indianapolis the end of July for a huge National Eucharistic Congress. As this procession passes through the Archdiocese of New York,
click here for the route and dates/times and locations, it will come to Scarsdale! Before IHM, will be a brief stop at the Church of Pius X, and after our Benediction stop it will travel on to Immaculate Conception in Tuckahoe. People may wish to walk in procession to or from IHM!
Have a blessed Sunday and a Solemnity of Ascension this Thursday, May 9th, and please pray for our First Holy Communicants!