My dear friends,
May we see in the Lord's invitation to part with something (even if it is extremely good!), because he wants to give us something greater, Jesus' loving and personal gaze. That recognition and reception of the deep love Jesus has for us is the first movement before we are able to let go, in freedom and generosity, of whatever is keeping us from the hopes and fullness of life that God has for each and every one of us.
Join us today at 12noon outside in front of Our Lady's Statue for a Rosary Rally to pray for the needs of our world, our country and our families.
When you come to Mass this Sunday you may notice the newly painted parking lot lines, arrows and wording. I appreciate our maintenance team, Parish Property Management with Ismet and Akim, for all they do to for IHM!
Thank you to Jeanne Scarcella and Joseph McCourt for coordinating the annual Life Chain. It is encouraging to receive the positive feedback for silently witnessing (or while praying) to Life, against abortion and for adoption.
Thank you to Johanne Grogan for setting up the bassinette to collect baby donations for mothers in crisis pregnancies.
Please do read below why our New York State Catholic Bishops are asking us to Vote NO to Proposition 1 that will change the State Constitution in three very problematic ways.
May our Jewish neighbors and family members have a holy and blessed Yom Kippur today. What a beautiful reminder to the world that after the joy of welcoming a new year, to sustain our relationship with God we need to ask forgiveness and be called to deeper repentance and conversion. Prayer and fasting are powerful to receive the gift of peace.
May the Lord bless the Midnight Run from IHM this evening. Thank you to all who provide items, toiletries and food for the homeless in NYC. And thank you to all who sort and fold and those who are able to go on the run itself. What a beautiful example of the Corporal Works of Mercy! Next weekend will be the celebratory gala of the Midnight Run to commemorate their 40th anniversary and it will be a blessing that some from our parish will be present.
IHM has been part of the Run for 20 years. I would like to thank Paul Doyle and Shelley Quintano for getting it going and sustaining it all these years with the scores of volunteers who do it with heart and soul!
This evening please excuse me as I will be officiating at a Catholic-Jewish wedding at the reception venue in New Rochelle, all with the permission of the Archdiocese of New York.
For couples looking to marry with the blessing of the Catholic Church (or to convalidate a marriage in the Church if permission was never sought), please do not hesitate to speak with Father Thumma or me. We would be happy to work with you to see about the possibilities!
Next Saturday, come to our parish Fall Harvest Festival in the school lot (11am-1pm)!
A blessed Sunday and Fall Columbus Day Holiday Weekend to you - hope to see you at the Eastchester 12noon parade on Sunday! Know that our Troop 2 Scouts will be taking orders for Christmas wreathes this weekend.
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!