My dear friends,
Today, our Archdiocese celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of Saint Patrick's Cathedral - Happy Feast Day!
May I strongly urge all of us to VOTE NO on NY STATE PROPOSITION 1 called the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) and to spread the word to family, friends and neighbors.
Our New York State Catholic Bishops have been writing about the serious problems of this amendment that is being presented one way on the surface, but will have consequences that are very problematic in its details such as enshrining abortion up until birth in our New York State Constitution, allowing children to make life-altering medical decisions without parental consent and it may loosen age-appropriate restrictions for the young and seniors.
Please see the flier below for more details.
I have been meaning to share the sad news that on September 23rd, Fr. Thumma's extended family in India lost a 15 year old. His grandnephew took ill just a few days before he died. Our parish's condolences to Fr. Thumma and to his family on such a young and sudden loss. We will pray for the repose of Ashrith Reddy at all the Masses this weekend.
Thank you to the Parish Council for hosting Coffee and Donuts last weekend, as well as to the Knights of Columbus for serving after the Sensory Mass. Thank you to Emily Theisen for coordinating this wonderful and needed Mass.
Soon I hope to have a sign-up portal for those who would like to volunteer in our parish. Usually when asked for ways to help out, in the moment an exact project slips my mind, but this may help us connect parishioners looking to serve with areas that need to support.
Congratulation to our parishioner and student Olivia Stella on the Ursuline cereal drive!! Thank you to Mrs. Debbie Bracken and others for assisting with the collection!
Why do we stand and witness on the Life Chain this Sunday?
May we realize the full magnitude of abortion in our land. Each number stands for a life, and the profound impact that has occurred on the child's mother, father, the doctor and nurses and all involved for what was neglected in properly welcoming and caring for this gift of God and what was done to cause an abortion.
NPR reports just over a million abortions in our country in 2023 and in New York State US News and World Report mentions 131,440 in 2023 - about 10k abortions a month. As we seek to be a spiritual field hospital to our fellow men and women, this is the reality first and foremost that needs to be addressed in renewing a civilization of love. We seek to follow Jesus in love of God and love of neighbor.
Now is also the time for people to seek God's Mercy and renewed peace in their lives.
I am scheduled for the 5:30pm Vigil Mass tonight, as well as the 9am and 12noon Sunday Masses. Fr. Thumma will celebrate the 7:30am and 10:30am Sunday Masses.
This weekend visit the Eucharistic Miracle Exhibit in the lower church! Thank you Mrs. Laura Covais, CRE of Religious Ed, and Mrs. JoAnn Douglass, for brining it to IHM and setting it all up.
This Sunday a class of 8th grade Religious Ed Confirmation students will be selling baked good to raise money for a charity. Each class hopes to do it on a monthly rotation.
I look forward to my uncle and aunt, both retired US State Department employees, who will be visiting later in the week for a few days - please welcome Kevin and Marilyn Connors if you see them on Thursday evening, Friday or Saturday morning!
Next weekend we will take up a second collection to assist in recovery after Hurricane Helene.
By the way, Ian Mendoza did such great work promoting the seminary collection last week, and the fruits of his work were so effective, I am sure the archdiocese will be calling to ask him to work a day each week in the development office!
;)
A blessed Respect Life Sunday to all!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday (10/5)
11:00am-7:00pm View the Eucharistic Miracle exhibition in the lower church
Sunday (10/6)
1:00-2:00pm Life Chain along Route 22 (Post Road) spreading out from the
church)
1:00-2:15pm Eucharistic Adoration in the main church to pray for a Respect for
Life, particularly Mothers in Crisis pregnancies and the Unborn.
7:00am-3:00pm View the Eucharistic Miracle exhibition in the lower church
Monday (10/7)
IHM Development Committee's Golf Outing at Lake Isle!
(The Holy Father has also invited all to a day of prayer, fasting and penance for
peace.)
Saturday (10/12)
12:00 noon Rosary Rally to pray for our country
Evening Midnight Run
Sunday (10/13)
Second Collection for relief in the wake of Hurricane Helene
12:00 noon - join IHM walking in the Eastchester Columbus Day Parade
from Immaculate Conception to Lake Isle
Saturday (10/19)
11:00am-1:00pm Parish Council's Fall Harvest Festival
Monday (10/21)
7:15pm Parish Council meets
Friday (11/1) - All Saints Day, holy day of obligation
Saturday (11/2) & Sunday (11/3)
Following the 5:30pm Vigil and all Sunday Masses,
the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
will be offered to all eligible parishioners.
Tuesday (11/5)
12:00noon - 2025 Mass Intention Book will open up online
(first week up to 2 intentions will be available to each person)
(second week an additional 3 will be available for request)
(following these first two weeks, the year will be completely opened up)
Thursday (11/7)
7:00pm Parish Council hosts Handbag Bingo
Friday (11/8)
7:00pm Mass for Parents who have lost a child
Saturday (11/9)
8:30am Mass - Annual IHM Bereavement Mass for all who were buried
from IHM in the past year.
Friday (11/15)
Save the evening as some plans are underway
to combine the Fall Wine and Cheese
with some other wonderful things!