The Lord will bless His people with peace.
My dear friends,
A blessed Feast of the Baptism of the Lord! This feast not only marks the close of the Christmas Season but also reminds us of the gift of our own Baptism. I encourage you to read Bishop Barron’s reflection on this feast day for deeper insight into this beautiful celebration.
As the season concludes, the Christmas decorations in the church will come down, but the Nativity sets in the chapel and main church will remain until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Consider keeping your creches displayed at home until that date as a continued reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our parish for the Christmas collection, which is an important means of sustaining our parish. Also, thank you to all who make donations to the Saint Veronica Guild's Christmas flower in memory of loved ones. The list of those to pray for will be published. These donations not only beautified our church for Christmas but also help provide flowers for the sanctuary year-round.
We also lift in prayer all those suffering from recent natural disasters, including the earthquake in Tibet and the devastating wildfires in California. May God comfort those who have lost homes, loved ones, and livelihoods.
A few reminders:
• Parish volunteers who haven’t yet picked up their Christmas gift from the sacristy, please do so this weekend.
• First Friday adoration will resume in February, continuing until midnight.
• Thank you to Westchester and Bennett’s Funeral Homes for donating the 2025 church calendars. We are awaiting the remaining calendars with Bennett’s information, so thank you for your patience.
• 2024 tax donation letters will be mailed out within the week.
This Sunday, the Parish Council is hosting coffee and donuts in the lower church after all Masses. Please join us to meet and connect with fellow parishioners.
As the season concludes, the Christmas decorations in the church will come down, but the Nativity sets in the chapel and main church will remain until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Consider keeping your creches displayed at home until that date as a continued reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our parish for the Christmas collection, which is an important means of sustaining our parish. Also, thank you to all who make donations to the Saint Veronica Guild's Christmas flower in memory of loved ones. The list of those to pray for will be published. These donations not only beautified our church for Christmas but also help provide flowers for the sanctuary year-round.
We also lift in prayer all those suffering from recent natural disasters, including the earthquake in Tibet and the devastating wildfires in California. May God comfort those who have lost homes, loved ones, and livelihoods.
A few reminders:
• Parish volunteers who haven’t yet picked up their Christmas gift from the sacristy, please do so this weekend.
• First Friday adoration will resume in February, continuing until midnight.
• Thank you to Westchester and Bennett’s Funeral Homes for donating the 2025 church calendars. We are awaiting the remaining calendars with Bennett’s information, so thank you for your patience.
• 2024 tax donation letters will be mailed out within the week.
This Sunday, the Parish Council is hosting coffee and donuts in the lower church after all Masses. Please join us to meet and connect with fellow parishioners.
Mass schedule this weekend:
• I will celebrate the 5:30 p.m. Vigil, 7:30 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses.
• Fr. Thumma will celebrate the 9 a.m. Family Mass and the 12 noon Mass. A children’s liturgy will be offered during the 9 a.m. Mass in the lower church.
May this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord renew our gratitude for the gift of divine life we received in baptism!
• I will celebrate the 5:30 p.m. Vigil, 7:30 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses.
• Fr. Thumma will celebrate the 9 a.m. Family Mass and the 12 noon Mass. A children’s liturgy will be offered during the 9 a.m. Mass in the lower church.
May this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord renew our gratitude for the gift of divine life we received in baptism!
Next Meetings: Monday, January 13, 2025
and February 10, March 24, May 12 and June 9
Next Coffee and Donuts: Sunday, January 12, 2025 - If you would like to volunteer to help or have questions, please send an email to IHMPC@IHMSCARSDALE.ORG.
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:
- IHM Parish Council invites you to Coffee & Donuts - Sunday January 12th after all Sunday Masses
- Thank you 2025 Church Calendars
- IHM School Open House - January 26th
- Christmas Flower Thank You
- Catholic Communications Campaign & Catholic University of America Thank You
- IHM Upcoming Events
- IHM Bible Study - next meeting is January 7th at 7PM in the lower Church
- HOPE Community Soup Kitchen - next drop off is Friday, January 17th by 11AM
- Interact | Midnight Run Collection - Saturday, January 25th at Eastchester Public Library
- IHM HSOR
- 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
- Fordham Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education Information Sessions
- Community News
Contact IHMPC@IHMScarsdale.org if you would like to volunteer to assist
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 12, 2025 | Feast of the Baptism of the Lord| Luke 3:15–16, 21–22
Friends, this great feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a good time to reflect on the significance of the sacrament of Baptism. One of the earliest descriptions of Baptism in our tradition is vitae spiritualis ianua, which means “the door to the spiritual life.”
To grasp the full meaning of this is to understand something decisive about Christianity. For Christianity is not primarily about “becoming a good person” or “doing the right thing.” Let’s face it, anyone—pagan, Muslim, Jew, non-believer—can be any of those things.
To be a Christian is to be grafted onto Christ and hence drawn into the very dynamics of the inner life of God. We don’t speak simply of following or imitating Jesus. We speak of becoming a member of his Mystical Body.
Do you see why it is so important that we are baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”? For Baptism draws us into the relationship between the Father and the Son, which is to say, in the Holy Spirit. Baptism, therefore, is all about grace, our incorporation, through the power of God’s love, into God’s own life.
To grasp the full meaning of this is to understand something decisive about Christianity. For Christianity is not primarily about “becoming a good person” or “doing the right thing.” Let’s face it, anyone—pagan, Muslim, Jew, non-believer—can be any of those things.
To be a Christian is to be grafted onto Christ and hence drawn into the very dynamics of the inner life of God. We don’t speak simply of following or imitating Jesus. We speak of becoming a member of his Mystical Body.
Do you see why it is so important that we are baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”? For Baptism draws us into the relationship between the Father and the Son, which is to say, in the Holy Spirit. Baptism, therefore, is all about grace, our incorporation, through the power of God’s love, into God’s own life.
Bishop Robert Barron
Christmas Flowers Thank You!
Your generosity is evident! The Christmas flowers are magnificent. This was all possible thanks to you and your generosity. Thank you!
The attached document contains a list of our parishioners that offered a donation "In Memory of" one of their loved ones.
Thank you again!
Thank you for your generosity in last week’s Collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Because of your support, millions of faithful can gain deeper understanding of their faith through resources that they use every day. If you missed the collection, it’s not too late to give! Visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections.
Thank you for your contributions for last week’s second collection for The Catholic University of America! Your gift will make great things possible by providing direct financial aid to students from dioceses across the country.
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.
HOPE Community Soup Kitchen: Needs Your Help!
We are looking for more volunteers to cook for the HOPE Community Supper Program. The need is greater than ever. Cooking is done at home and delivered to the Church, it is then picked up and delivered to HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle (www.hopecommunityservices.org).
- Timing: Held every third Friday, and also the occasional 5th Tuesday of the month. NEXT HOPE SOUP KITCHEN Drop off: Friday, January 17th by 11:00AM
- If cooking is "not your thing" we could use help with shopping for other food items
- Contact: Lynne Richy call or text (914) 772-8348 to sign up or ask questions
Midnight Run Collection
Saturday January 25th 11AM-2PM
Location: Eastchester Public Library
The Eastchester Rotary Interact Club is collecting items for Midnight Run, helping the homeless in NYC.
If you would like to contribute any items listed below, please drop them off on:
- Saturday, January 25th from 11AM - 2PM at the Eastchester Library.
- If you cannot make it Saturday, you can drop off your items any time from January 15-31st at the front doorstep of the home of Theresa Nicholson (69 Webster Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583). The Interact Club will deliver the items to Midnight Run location nearby. Thank you!
Items Needed:
Coats for Adult men and women
Blankets
Hats, Gloves and Scarves
Blankets
Hats, Gloves and Scarves
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.
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.
GRE will be hosting several information sessions this January.
Online information sessions include:
Tuesday, January 14th 7:00am-7:30am
Tuesday, January 14th 5:30pm-6:00pm
Wednesday, January 15th 8:00am-8:30am
Wednesday, January 15th 4:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday, January 16th 9:00am-9:30am
Thursday, January 16th 1:00pm-1:30pm
Friday, January 17th 9:00am-9:30am
Tuesday, January 21st 7:00am-7:30am
Tuesday, January 21st 5:30pm-6:00pm
Wednesday, January 22nd 7:30am-8:00am
Wednesday, January 22nd 1:00pm-1:30pm
Please note all times are Eastern Standard Time.
On campus sessions include: Rose Hill (Bronx) campus this January:
Thursday, January 16th 12:00pm-12:30pm
Directions to Rose Hill (Bronx) campus
Tuesday, January 14th 7:00am-7:30am
Tuesday, January 14th 5:30pm-6:00pm
Wednesday, January 15th 8:00am-8:30am
Wednesday, January 15th 4:30pm-5:00pm
Thursday, January 16th 9:00am-9:30am
Thursday, January 16th 1:00pm-1:30pm
Friday, January 17th 9:00am-9:30am
Tuesday, January 21st 7:00am-7:30am
Tuesday, January 21st 5:30pm-6:00pm
Wednesday, January 22nd 7:30am-8:00am
Wednesday, January 22nd 1:00pm-1:30pm
Please note all times are Eastern Standard Time.
On campus sessions include: Rose Hill (Bronx) campus this January:
Thursday, January 16th 12:00pm-12:30pm
Directions to Rose Hill (Bronx) campus
These events offer an excellent opportunity to learn about our master's, doctoral, and advanced certificate programs--and get your questions answered directly from our admissions team. Don't see a date and time that work for you? Fill out our inquiry form and our admissions team will be in touch with you to schedule an on-campus or virtual visit. To plan a one-on-one information session, send an email or contact us by phone. Let us know the day and time that works for you.
Sincerely,
Lois D'Amore, Ph.D.
Director of Admissions and Student Life
Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education
441 East Fordham Road, Keating Hall, Room 302
Bronx, NY 10458
phone: 718-817-4800
email: ldamore@fordham.edu
Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education
441 East Fordham Road, Keating Hall, Room 302
Bronx, NY 10458
phone: 718-817-4800
email: ldamore@fordham.edu
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 11/12, 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 12, 2025
The Baptism of the Lord
5:30PM - Giuseppe Lucciola by the Lucciola family
7:30AM - Jon-Michael Ghiozzi and Rina Ghiozzi by Victor and Mary Ghiozzi
9:00AM - Giovanni Mastronardi by Rosaria Mastronardi
9:00AM - Giovanni Mastronardi by Rosaria Mastronardi
10:30AM - Marjorie McGahren by the Saccomano family
12:00PM - Rose DeBellis Gouveia by Rosemarie Lacerra
MONDAY, January 13, 2025
St. Hilary of Poitiers
6:45AM - Christopher Wright (Birthday) by Wayne & Laura Wright
9:00AM - Andrew Buckley Sr. by Noel Buckley
TUESDAY, January 14, 2025
6:45AM - Thomas Roche (Birthday) by Emma Roche
9:00AM - Gjovalin Fusha by Leonard Fusha
Soul of Gjovalin Fusha
Soul of Gjovalin Fusha
WEDNESDAY, January 15, 2025
6:45AM - Andrew Robert White by the White family
9:00AM - Marcia Reidy by Chip and Mary Rausch
THURSDAY, January 16, 2025
6:45AM - Anthony LoBono by the LoBono family
9:00AM - Stan Winnis by Mary Wolff
FRIDAY, January 17, 2025
St. Anthony
6:45AM - The Fusha Family (Special Intention) by Leo & Suela Leka
9:00AM - Rosemarie D’Angelo by Stephanie Lukic
SATURDAY, January 18, 2025
8:30AM - Librada Fider by Lita Balmaceda
5:30PM - Elaine Ferrara by Annette DiCarlo
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 Douglas Badger
Inge Maria DeNunzio
Therese Li
JoAnn Rossano
Patrick Joseph Gallagher
Rita Marie Rohlman
Patrice Conboy
- 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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