Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
My dear friends,
Happy Epiphany!
This weekend, we joyfully celebrate the Epiphany, marking the arrival of the Magi and the revelation of Jesus as the Light of the World to all nations. It is a profound reminder of God’s universal love and the call to share His light with others.
As part of this beautiful season, I encourage you to take a moment to watch the wonderful video from our Religious Education Christmas pageant’s first session. It is a heartwarming reflection of our children’s faith and creativity during this sacred time.
Looking ahead, our parish school will join the 9 a.m. daily Mass community this Monday, January 6th, to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany together. Later this month, we’ll host our school’s Open House during Catholic Schools Week. Please mark your calendars and invite friends and neighbors to discover the blessing of Catholic education.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Bennett’s Funeral Home and Westchester Funeral Home for their generous donation of our church calendars. Half of the calendars have arrived, and we hope the remaining ones will be available by this weekend.
If you’ve misplaced any items, such as clothing or water bottles, please check the baptistry, located off the Christ the King and Nativity altar area. For more valuable items, kindly inquire at the rectory or with one of the priests in the sacristy.
I also want to thank you for your generous Christmas donations. The total for our Christmas collection will be published next weekend, as we await this weekend’s contributions. Our volunteer counters do a tremendous job with discretion and dedication, and you can help their efforts by writing the donation amount on the outside of your envelopes in the space provided.
This Sunday, after the 9 a.m. Family Mass, the Nicholson family will sponsor coffee and donuts. All are warmly invited to join in this time of fellowship.
Finally, I will be away this weekend visiting family in Western New York and enjoying some skiing. Please pray for safe travels, and know that you are in my prayers.
Have a blessed Sunday and a joyful Epiphany celebration!
Happy Epiphany!
This weekend, we joyfully celebrate the Epiphany, marking the arrival of the Magi and the revelation of Jesus as the Light of the World to all nations. It is a profound reminder of God’s universal love and the call to share His light with others.
As part of this beautiful season, I encourage you to take a moment to watch the wonderful video from our Religious Education Christmas pageant’s first session. It is a heartwarming reflection of our children’s faith and creativity during this sacred time.
Looking ahead, our parish school will join the 9 a.m. daily Mass community this Monday, January 6th, to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany together. Later this month, we’ll host our school’s Open House during Catholic Schools Week. Please mark your calendars and invite friends and neighbors to discover the blessing of Catholic education.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Bennett’s Funeral Home and Westchester Funeral Home for their generous donation of our church calendars. Half of the calendars have arrived, and we hope the remaining ones will be available by this weekend.
If you’ve misplaced any items, such as clothing or water bottles, please check the baptistry, located off the Christ the King and Nativity altar area. For more valuable items, kindly inquire at the rectory or with one of the priests in the sacristy.
I also want to thank you for your generous Christmas donations. The total for our Christmas collection will be published next weekend, as we await this weekend’s contributions. Our volunteer counters do a tremendous job with discretion and dedication, and you can help their efforts by writing the donation amount on the outside of your envelopes in the space provided.
This Sunday, after the 9 a.m. Family Mass, the Nicholson family will sponsor coffee and donuts. All are warmly invited to join in this time of fellowship.
Finally, I will be away this weekend visiting family in Western New York and enjoying some skiing. Please pray for safe travels, and know that you are in my prayers.
Have a blessed Sunday and a joyful Epiphany celebration!
Next Meetings: Monday, January 13, 2025
and February 10, March 24, May 12 and June 9
Next Coffee and Donuts: Sunday, January 12, 2025 (interested in assisting? Reach out to the volunteers to assist the PC. Members are most welcome by clicking here)
Tentative dates - February TBD, March 16, April 6, May 18, June 29
What is the Parish Council?
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council serves as a consultative body of the parish whose responsibility is to advise and assist the pastor in matters relating to the parish. This includes promoting lay participation in the activities of the parish, evaluating the goals and needs of the parish, developing and recommending ways to address those needs, and finally developing and maintaining a two-way communication between the Council and the larger Parish community. Council members will also be expected to take a leadership role in the various Parish Council events as well as in the particular area of Parish life they are interested in or involved in already.
If you have any questions, please email IHMPC@ihmscarsdale.org.
In this Edition:
- Thank you 2025 Church Calendars
- IHM School Open House - January 26th
- IHM Religious Education Christmas Pageant
- The Good Newsroom
- Cardinal Dolan Celebrates Opening Mass for Jubilee Year 2025 at St. Patrick's Cathedral
- A Message from Cardinal Dolan for the Jubilee of Hope
- From the Rectory: Christmas 2024 Collection - submit by Sunday, 1/5/25
- Christmas Flower Memorials
- Nativity at IHM
- IHM Upcoming Events
- IHM Bible Study - next meeting is January 7th at 7PM in the lower Church
- IHM HSOR
- Next weekends (Jan 4/5) second collection for the Catholic Communications Campaign & Catholic University of America
- IHM Parish Library Update
- IHM Continuing Events:
- Eucharistic Exposition at IHM
- Eucharistic Exposition at IHM
- Young Adult Pilgrimage to Italy - Jubilee 2025 Pilgrimages of Hope
- Community News
Thank You 2025 Church Calendars
To the good people of Bennett Funeral Home of Scarsdale and of Westchester Funeral Home of Eastchester, who once again have sponsored our 2025 Church Calendars - Thank you!
2025 Church calendars are available at the doors of the Church!
Sunday, January 5, 2025 | Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord | Matthew 2:1-12
Friends, the story of the Magi told in today’s Gospel is a summary of the principal dynamics of the spiritual life. Watching the night sky with scrupulous attention for signs of God’s purpose, the Magi evoke the importance of alertness in the spiritual order. We must keep our eyes open to see what God is up to.
Once they saw the star, they moved, despite the length of the journey. Sometimes people know what God wants them to do, but they don’t act, either out of fear, laziness, or the influence of bad habits. The Magi teach us to move.
When they spoke to Herod of the birth of a new King, he tried to use them to destroy the baby. When you walk the path that God has laid out for you, expect opposition.
The wise men came to Bethlehem and gave the child their precious gifts. When you come to Christ, break open the very best of yourself and make it a gift for him.
Finally, they returned to their home country by another route. As Fulton Sheen commented so magnificently: of course they did; for no one comes to Christ and goes back the same way he came!
Once they saw the star, they moved, despite the length of the journey. Sometimes people know what God wants them to do, but they don’t act, either out of fear, laziness, or the influence of bad habits. The Magi teach us to move.
When they spoke to Herod of the birth of a new King, he tried to use them to destroy the baby. When you walk the path that God has laid out for you, expect opposition.
The wise men came to Bethlehem and gave the child their precious gifts. When you come to Christ, break open the very best of yourself and make it a gift for him.
Finally, they returned to their home country by another route. As Fulton Sheen commented so magnificently: of course they did; for no one comes to Christ and goes back the same way he came!
Bishop Robert Barron
IHM Religious Education Christmas Pageant
By Mary Shovlain
A Special Message from Cardinal Dolan for the Jubilee of Hope
From the Rectory: Christmas 2024 Collection
Please submit your Christmas Collection envelopes and checks by Sunday, January 5, 2025. All Christmas envelopes and checks received after that date will be credited to Christmas 2025. Thank you!
Click the below button to give to the IHM Christmas Collection through WeShare.
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.
Click the button below to give through WeShare!
After purchasing the basic elements of a bigger Nativity scene for last Christmas, IHM was able to acquire the full set including all the shepherds, the magi and their entourage. The whole Nativity is already set up (the three kings and their entourage will be rotated up for the Epiphany!) in the church for all to view. If any one or any family is interested in a figure or a group of them in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone, please reach out to our IHM Business Manager, Liz Reyes, at the Rectory (914-723-0276) or speak with Msgr. Sweeney after Mass.
Have you made a New Year’s resolution to get closer to God? Well now is your chance to seek God in Scripture and Sacrament!
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Bible Discussion Group is studying the Book of Exodus, which details the liturgical rites of ancient Israel, and we invite you to join us for the New Year when we will finish Exodus and begin the Book of Revelations at the end of February 2025. Please join your fellow parishioners Tuesday, January 7th at 7PM in the lower church for companionship, refreshments and the reading and discussion of Books in the Bible with like minded sojourners to Christ.
The IHM High School of Religion (HSOR) welcomes all high school students every Wednesday from 7:30-9:00PM in the Lower Church Hall.
HSOR offers a fun and relaxing faith community with service projects, Prayer & Pizza, Game Nights, Christmas party, sacraments, Tee Shirt Giveaway, lively discussions, interesting speakers, Open Gym, Faith on Film, pizza and delicious donuts. 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.
The Second Collection this weekend is The Catholic Communications Campaign & Catholic University of America (Combined). January is the time of year within our archdiocese we ask our people to donate to a special, joint offering to show our support of both The Catholic University of America and the Catholic Communications Campaign. To learn more, visit these two websites https://engage.catholic.edu/giving/how-give/national-collection and https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-communication-campaign. As always, thank you for your generosity!
Library Update
Now that the Parish Library has been catalogued, it is much easier to access and borrow books, DVD’s and other resources. The library also has an extensive Children’s section, that many parishioners may access as well.
The next step is to have access to the library open at convenient times to allow browsing to borrow the available volumes. The plan is to have the library open on Sunday morning from 9 to noon, on one or two days during the week after the 9 AM Mass to 11 AM, and perhaps one evening. Currently, there are volunteers for the
Sunday time slot. The staff is looking for volunteers for the other times as well. If you are interested in participating in this endeavor, please email the library at ihmllibrary@ihmscarsdale.org. Thank you for your interest!
IHM CONTINUING EVENTS
EUCHARISTIC EXPOSITION AT IHM
located in the Marian Chapel
Mondays and Wednesdays 7:15AM - 9:00PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:15AM - 2:00PM
Fridays 7:15AM - 8:00PM
Young Adult Pilgrimage to Italy - Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope
For Young Adults 18-35 years old
For questions about the pilgrimage, please email Pjetër Nilaj, Coordinator of the Office of Youth Ministry & Young Adult Ministry & the University Apostolate at Pjeter.Nilaj@archny.org.
Young Members:
- IHM High School of Religion (HSOR): HSOR meets on Wednesdays (will resume in January 2025!) at 7:30PM the lower church until 9:00PM! 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!” High school students grades 9-12 are welcome. For more information, please contact Nancy Vericker at nancy@nancyvericker.com.
- IHM College & Young Adult Group for those age 18-25: Thank you for assisting with the Giving Tree and the Toy Drive! Click here to reach out to participate and for more information.
- Scouting:
- IHM Troop 2 (Boy Scouts): 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.
- The IHM troops are Scarsdale/Edgemont Girl Scouts. Click here for more information.
Prayer Groups:
- IHM Centering Prayer Group: The Centering Prayer 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 at 914-725-4728.
- 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 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).
Adult Faith Formation:
- IHM Bible Discussion Group: The IHM Bible Discussion Group continues its study of the Old Testament Book of Exodus Tuesday evenings at 7:00PM in the lower church, ending at 8:30PM. We will continue most Tuesdays until late Spring 2025 discussing one or two chapters an evening depending on their length. Refreshments are served for the convenience of the participants. CLICK HERE for more details, to submit questions, or if you are interested in joining.
- 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.
Becoming Catholic & Catholics completing their Sacraments: The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults - formerly RCIA) is a process of initiation into the Catholic Community of Faith for persons who are experiencing a conversion in their lives and seeking either Christian baptism in the Catholic Church or full Communion with the Catholic Church and completion of the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Please contact the Rectory and one of our coordinators will reach out to you (914-723-0276 or ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org).
Religious Education: On the day of your child's/children's Baptism, the Church pledged to you, the parents, our assistance in raising them in the practice of the faith to keep God's commandments as Jesus taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Here at Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Religious Education Program is part of this integral formation in the faith that would include daily prayer at home, family participation in Sunday Mass (and on Holy Days of Obligation), periodic Confession, and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy flowing out from your dinner table. For more information please email ihmsor@ihmscarsdale.org or call 914-723-7593.
School: Rooted in the mission Jesus Christ gave to the Church to go out to the world to preach, to sanctify and to shepherd souls, IHM School seeks to work with parents in forming their children in the faith and educating them for life in the world by faithfully and charitable teaching Jesus Christ and the two-fold command to love God and our neighbor, to immerse the students in the sacramental life of the Church so that they may know of God's presence in their lives and come to unite their lives for the glory of God, and to help lead and guide them on their journey through life to heaven by building up the virtues our faith has received from the Apostles. For more information and to register call 914-723-5608 or go to ihmscarsdale.org.
Social Ministries: IHM parish is involved in many social ministries, including Midnight Runs into Manhattan to bring food and clothing to the homeless; a food pantry and support of HOPE Community Services; annual Christmas Giving Tree, Baby Shower donations, support of mothers in crisis pregnancies, and bereavement assistance, among other needs. Click the link for Ministries on our parish's website (https://ihm-parish.org/) or call the Rectory (914-723-0276). If you have any questions, please email IHMPC@ihmscarsdale.org.
- Catholic Widows and Widowers of Yonkers will meet on Thursday, January 16th, 12:30PM at St. Ann's Church (Father Anthony Hall, 31 College Place, Yonkers). For more information: (914) 423.5331. New members are always welcome!
- March for Life: There is a bus to Washington DC leaving from St. Augustine's in Ossining immediately following 5:30AM Mass on January 24th. Here is the link to register for the bus: https://staugny.org/march-for-life. For other buses from the Archdiocese of New York, please visit the following link: https://archny.org/ministries-and-offices/respect-life/events-2/march-for-life/
- The Scarsdale Adult School (SAS) has unveiled its 2025 curriculum! A vibrant mix of innovative courses, beloved favorites, and engaging community events. SAS stands out for its thoughtfully curated programs, offering: Author talks and expert-led walking tours of NYC landmarks and museums. Culinary adventures through Arthur Avenue and Chinatow, fitness sessions, and arts & crafts workshops. Discussion groups on literature and current events, plus lectures on art, architecture. Contact Information For questions about classes and registration, please e-mail: Registrar@ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org Stephanie Sklar Community Outreach Manager
- A senior parishioner is looking for an accessible apartment in the area for $1,000 or under. Please reach out to the pastor with any information.
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, January 4/5, 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, January 5, 2025
Epiphany of the Lord
5:30PM - Rose DeBenedictis by Laura Covais
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Vincenza Lucciola by the Lucciola family
9:00AM - Vincenza Lucciola by the Lucciola family
10:30AM - Robert Hanley by Barbara Hanley
12:00PM - Linda McDonough by the Donnelly family
MONDAY, January 6, 2025
St. Andre Bessette
6:45AM - Jon-Michael Ghiozzi by Jane & John Kahl
9:00AM - Marie Collins by Chip and Mary Rausch (Third Anniversary)
TUESDAY, January 7, 2025
St. Raymond of Penafort
6:45AM - Theresa Wright (Birthday) by Wayne & Laura Wright
9:00AM - Gabriella & Andreu Shabani (Living) by Suela Fusha
WEDNESDAY, January 8, 2025
6:45AM - Giovanni Mastronardi by Antonella & Martin Kilkeary
9:00AM - Marina Perna by the Perna family
THURSDAY, January 9, 2025
6:45AM - Ettore Manzo by John & Josephine Link
9:00AM - Margaret Sardella by Gail Leone
FRIDAY, January 10, 2025
6:45AM - Veronica Lago (Birthday) by Agustin Lago and Gloria Gomez (Special Intention)
9:00AM - Gene Panessa by Mary Wolff
SATURDAY, January 11, 2025
SATURDAY, January 11, 2025
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
8:30AM - Flaherty Family, Living and Deceased (Special Intention) by Doreen Flaherty
5:30PM - Giuseppe Lucciola by the Lucciola family
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Andy Scott
Gina Catalano
Sean Fogarty
Joan Boccardi
Margaret Ambrose
Peter Alix
Thomas R. Farrell
Anthony Sgarlata
Pren Gjdoda
John Powers
Leslie Vaccaro
Jason Bergen
John Dunleavy
The Deceased of Our Parish
William Badger
John Scott
Therese Li
- 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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