In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
My dear friends,
This Sunday's readings show how an encounter with God transforms lives. The Prophet Isaiah is brought up into in the heavenly sanctuary, Peter in his boat (a beautiful image of the Church), and Paul on the road to Damascus all experience God's divine and holy presence. Through this proximity and divine call they all become deeply aware of their unworthiness and sinfulness, but yet receive God's mercy, forgiveness and and a mission. We, too, encounter Christ here at Mass - where we are in communion with the heavenly Jerusalem through the Mystical Body of Christ the Church all along our way and journey of this week. May we be aware of what Jesus is asking of us, then not despair but have confidence in His mercy and grace and go forth to share His Gospel.
As a parish, we sent His Eminence Cardinal Dolan a magnificent floral arrangement and a spiritual bouquet for his birthday (promises to offer up our Holy Communion, pray a Rosary or spend time in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for his intentions). He received them with gratitude and sends his thanks!
This weekend's second collection supports the Holy Father as the successor of Saint Peter in his Apostolic Mission and charitable outreach worldwide. Thank you for your generosity.
As a parish, we sent His Eminence Cardinal Dolan a magnificent floral arrangement and a spiritual bouquet for his birthday (promises to offer up our Holy Communion, pray a Rosary or spend time in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for his intentions). He received them with gratitude and sends his thanks!
This weekend's second collection supports the Holy Father as the successor of Saint Peter in his Apostolic Mission and charitable outreach worldwide. Thank you for your generosity.
On Tuesday, February 11, at 12:30 p.m., Mass with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be offered. Those who are elderly, homebound, seriously ill, or preparing for major surgery are encouraged to receive this Sacrament. Please see below for more information. Confessions are offered Saturdays after the morning Mass at 9am (until the line finishes) & from 4:00-5:00 p.m., and on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. for 50 minutes. One may always make an appointment by contacting the parish office and say that you would like to speak with a priest (no further details need to be offered).
There will be a Sensory Friendly Mass on February 23rd at 2:00 p.m.
Parishioner and professional photographer, Joe Vericker, has a photo exhibition celebrating Cardinal Dolan's 75th birthday on display at the Sheen Center in NYC. Click here for more information.
A word of caution: Scammers continue to impersonate me via email and text every few months. Any many others seek to go after all especially retirees and throw us off guard in the moment. If you receive an unexpected request for money or personal information, do not divulge personal and sensitive information or click links. Always verify before acting.
Parishioner and professional photographer, Joe Vericker, has a photo exhibition celebrating Cardinal Dolan's 75th birthday on display at the Sheen Center in NYC. Click here for more information.
A word of caution: Scammers continue to impersonate me via email and text every few months. Any many others seek to go after all especially retirees and throw us off guard in the moment. If you receive an unexpected request for money or personal information, do not divulge personal and sensitive information or click links. Always verify before acting.
This Sunday is World Marriage Day and Friday we honor St. Valentine, reminding us of the beauty of love and sacrifice.
With snow expected this weekend and during the week, please use caution when traveling and perhaps come to Mass on Saturday or later. If conditions are unsafe, there is no sin in missing Mass. We are still asked to keep holy the sabbath through prayer, rest and time with family.
Due to the weather, coffee and donuts are canceled this weekend.
I will have the Saturday 5:30pm Vigil Mass and the 7:30am and 12:00 noon Masses Sunday. Father Fatima will have the 9:00am and 10:30am Masses and Seminarian Ian Mendoza will offer the Children's Liturgy Reflection in the lower church at the 9am Family Mass.
Stay safe, and may God bless you this week!
Stay safe, and may God bless you this week!
Next Meetings: Monday, February 10, 2025
and March 24, May 12 and June 9
Next Coffee and Donuts: February 9th IS CANCELED DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST. The next Coffee and Donuts will be on March 23rd.
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 Toiletry Drive to aid victims of the California wildfires through February 9th
- World Marriage Day is February 9th & National Marriage Week is February 7-14
- Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes & World Day of the Sick - February 11th - 12:30 Mass at IHM
- This weekend's Second Collection: Peter's Pence
- IHM HSOR:
- Photo from recent Valentine's event
- All high school students welcome every Wednesday from 7:30-9PM
- Faith & Family:
- Valentine's Day & the Gift of True Love
- Catholic Valentine's Day Cards
- Prayer of St. Valentine
- Sheen Center: Artist's Reception for Photographer Joe Vericker - Thursday, February 13th
- IHM Upcoming Events
- IHM Parish Council Lenten Fish Fry: Friday's March 14th, March 28th & April 11th from 6-8PM in the lower Church
- IHM Continuing Events:
- Eucharistic Exposition at IHM
- Eucharistic Exposition at IHM
- Iona Prep Options Program - Beginning in September 2025
- St. Joseph's Seminary and College Spring 2025 Academic Lecture - Resisting Physician-Assisted Suicide - Thursday, February 20th
- Encounter NY Regional Conference March 27-29
- Information on the Year of Hope
- Community News
Due to the expected inclement weather, we will be CANCELING this weekend's Coffee and Donuts after masses on February 9th
IHM Parish Council along with our IHM First Grade girl scout troop will be collecting supplies to send to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Los Angeles to aid with the victims of the California wildfires.
We are collecting basic essentials, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, blankets and children's pajamas. Items can be dropped off in the church vestibule through February 9th.
A financial opportunity to contribute will be offered online or by clearly marked envelopes/checks in the regular collection (we have second collections each weekend of February so this will be the best way to go).
Weekend TBD by next week's bulletin.
Thank you for your support!
World Marriage Day is Sunday, February 9th
National Marriage Week is February 7th-14th
On Tuesday, February 11th, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day of the Sick, we will offer a 12:30PM Mass in the main Church with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Our hope is that as many homebound parishioners as possible may be able to join us. Please RSVP by calling the rectory if you plan on attending (914) 723-0276. Thank you!
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time| Luke 5:1-11
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus climbs into Peter’s boat without asking permission. He simply commandeers this vessel that is central to the fisherman’s life and commences to give orders. This represents something of enormous moment: the invasion of grace.
Though God respects our relative independence, he is not the least bit content to leave us in a “natural” state. Instead, he wants to live in us, to become the Lord of our lives, moving into our minds, wills, bodies, imaginations, nerves, and bones.
This commandeering of nature by grace does not involve the compromising of nature but rather its perfection and elevation. When Jesus moves into the house of the soul, the powers of the soul are heightened and properly directed; when Jesus commands the boat of the natural human life, that life is preserved, strengthened, and given a new orientation.
This is signaled symbolically by the Lord’s directive to put out into the deep water. On our own, we can know and will within a very narrow range, seeking those goods and truths that appear within the horizon of our natural consciousness, but when grace invades us, we are enticed into far deeper waters.
Though God respects our relative independence, he is not the least bit content to leave us in a “natural” state. Instead, he wants to live in us, to become the Lord of our lives, moving into our minds, wills, bodies, imaginations, nerves, and bones.
This commandeering of nature by grace does not involve the compromising of nature but rather its perfection and elevation. When Jesus moves into the house of the soul, the powers of the soul are heightened and properly directed; when Jesus commands the boat of the natural human life, that life is preserved, strengthened, and given a new orientation.
This is signaled symbolically by the Lord’s directive to put out into the deep water. On our own, we can know and will within a very narrow range, seeking those goods and truths that appear within the horizon of our natural consciousness, but when grace invades us, we are enticed into far deeper waters.
Bishop Robert Barron
This weekend is the Peter’s Pence Collection, a worldwide collection that supports the charitable works of Pope Francis. Funds from this collection help victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Francis and be a witness of charity to our suffering brothers and sisters. Please be generous today. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence.
The IHM High School of Religion (HSOR) made Valentine cards for the retired Sisters of the Archdiocese of New York at a recent meeting. The HSOR also enjoyed a Saint Valentine's Day party together with pizza, donuts, chocolates and games.
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.
Valentine's Day and the Gift of True Love
The world tends to be pretty confused about what love truly is. It's important to look, as a family, to the perfect example and ideal of true love, and let it be our model for how we love one another, and ourselves:
True love is the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Valentine's Day is the perfect day to reflect on the love of Jesus as a family
Catholic Valentine's Day Cards
It's not very surprising that there is a national holiday dedicated to love, after all, love is one of the deepest feelings and emotions that we experience. The truth is, though, love isn't just a feeling. Love is primarily a choice - a decision to choose the good of the other, even if it is difficult for us.
The greatest example of love is Jesus on the Cross. Not only did God humble Himself in becoming human, but He also humbled Himself still further in dying for us, and in the most humiliating way on the Cross. The Lord's humility goes even further, for He humbles Himself to the point of becoming food for us to consume in the Eucharist.
There is no greater love than that of Jesus Christ, His Incarnation, His Crucifixion, and His Eucharistic presence. Let us celebrate this perfect, true love on Valentine's day and share it with others.
Download and print out these Catholic Valentine's Day cards. These are perfect to share with others as a reminder of what true love is.
Discuss as a family: Who can you share the love of Jesus with this month?
“I held the Host with two fingers and thought: How small Jesus made Himself, in order to show us that He doesn't expect great things of us, but rather little things with great love.”
St. Valentine: Not much is officially known about this third-century Italian saint, but it is believed that Valentine was a priest who was persecuted for converting many to Christianity and eventually martyred by Emperor Claudius. Valentine was likely imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians in their own trials. Claudius sentenced Valentine to death, commanding him to renounce his faith or be beaten with clubs and beheaded. He chose the latter and became associated with Christian love by the time of the Middle Ages.
Saint Valentine: Pray for us!
Prayer of Saint Valentine
Dear Saint and Glorious Martyr:
Teach us how to love unselfishly and to find great joy in giving,
Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other
in God and in God in each other.
Love is Patient and Kind,
It doesn't envy or boast and it's never proud
Love is not Rude or Selfish, it doesn't get angry easily or keep track of wrongs.
Love doesn't delight in bad things
Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres
Love Never Fails.
St. Paul To The Corinthians
Artist's Reception for Photographer Joe Vericker
Join us for an Artist’s Reception on Thursday, February 13 from 5:30-7:00pm to help us welcome a collection of Joe's work featuring Cardinal Dolan on display this February in our Dilenschneider Gallery.
2025 IHM Parish Fish Fry
Please email pelelladesign@hotmail.com with questions
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
The Iona Prep Options Program - Beginning in September 2025
This program is designed to provide high school students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities the opportunity to receive a Catholic education in an inclusive environment at Iona Prep.
The Options Program will follow a four-year curriculum tailored to the needs of its students. Core subjects such as English, Math, and Life Skills will be taught in a self-contained, small class setting by a special education teacher. Additionally, students will participate in theology, physical education, and lunch alongside their peers in an inclusive setting, supported by peer mentors from Iona Prep. Upon completing the program, students will receive a Skills and Achievement Certificate, preparing them for Life Skills college programs or vocational training.
Applications for the Options Program’s inaugural year will open soon for enrollment in September 2025. Students applying should be between 14 and 15 years old, and if accepted, they will join as freshmen in the Iona Prep Options Program. Please note that the Options Program is a tuition-based program, offering students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities the opportunity to access a specialized Catholic education tailored to their needs.
If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact Kim Cinguina at kcinguina@ionaprep.org or Danielle Mazzariello at dmazzariello@ionaprep.org.
Young Members:
- IHM High School of Religion (HSOR): HSOR meets on Wednesdays (this one coming up!) 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: Are planning to join the Young Adult Holy Hour at 6:30pm and the Mass at 7:30pm at St. Pat's Cathedral this Wednesday, February 5th, celebrated by our Pastor, Msgr. Luke Sweeney! 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. Concluding Exodus this month, we will then turn our attention to the Book of Revelation starting February 25th. We will discuss two chapters from the Apocalypse of John every Tuesday through Lent and most of the Easter season until we finish the 22 chapters in May. 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.
- Parents Night Out - Make a date with your sweetheart and leave the kids with us! The Tuckahoe Community Center (71 Columbus Ave, Tuckahoe) will sponsor a Parents Night Out on Friday, February 14th from 6PM - 9PM. There will be pizza, sports, games and crafts. The cost is $40/child and $10 for each additional sibling. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. This is open to children from 4-10 years old. If you are interested, please mail the attached form to Theresa Nicholson at 69 Webster Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 or contact Theresa Nicholson at Novellaiscool@aol.com. Thank you!
- The Serra Club of the Bronx & Westchester cordially invites you to its monthly luncheon meeting on February 26th at Eastwood Manor (3371 Eastwood Avenue, Bronx, 10469) at 12 noon. The guest speaker will be Sr. Joan Curtin, CND, Vicar for Religious Services, Archdiocese of NY. The luncheon consists of fruit plate, Salad, Pasta, Entree and Dessert, Bread, Wine, Soda, Coffee, Tea. The price is $42 per person. Please call Carl Lanzano at (718) 325-6706 no later than February 20th to RSVP. Serrans are Catholic lay men and women who vigorously respond to the call to promote and support vocations to the ministerial priesthood and consecrated life in the Catholic Church through prayer and fellowship.
- The Mall Walking Club meets every Tuesdays and Fridays, from 8AM to 10AM at The Westchester in White Plains. It's a great way to exercise no matter what the weather is outside. Go at your own pace. Walk on either carpeted or tile flooring. To join, sign up at the Parks table, next to the horse fountain on retail level 2 on Tuesday and Friday mornings during the program. Admission and parking* are free for all registered members of the mall walk program.*Registered Mall Walkers enjoy free parking from 8AM - 12noon on Tuesdays and Fridays. (Participants must check-in at the Parks table, or sign-up, if this is your first time at the Mall walk. For more information, call (914) 231-4539.
- 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, February 8/9, 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, February 9, 2025
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:30PM - Luciano Zeolla by Teresina Zeollay
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Frederic Wolff by Family
9:00AM - Frederic Wolff by Family
10:30AM - Ann & Joseph Saccomano by the Saccomano Family
12:00PM - Jeannine & John Ferrandi by Philip & Denise Saglimbeni
MONDAY, February 10, 2025
St. Scholastica
6:45AM - Zef Fusha by his Family
9:00AM - Gerard Drohan Sr. by Meg Drohan
TUESDAY, February 11, 2025
Our Lady of Lourdes
6:45AM - Zef Nika Kalaj by Lula Camaj (In loving memory of my dad)
9:00AM - Maria Cristina Giordano (Living) by Maria Cristina Giordano
WEDNESDAY, February 12, 2025
6:45AM - Lee Marotta by Patti Greig
9:00AM - Jerry McEvoy by the McSherry Family
THURSDAY, February 13, 2025
6:45AM - Betty Flanagan by the Milaccio Family
9:00AM - Robert B. White by the White Family
FRIDAY, February 14, 2025
Ss. Cyril & Methodius
6:45AM - Thomas Patrick Roche (Birthday) by Family
9:00AM - Jean and Ed Costello (Anniversary) by the Costello Family
SATURDAY, February 15, 2025
Mem. of Blessed Virgin Mary
8:30AM - Sister Bernadette Brennan, SC by Sister Nancy Kellar and the House of Prayer
5:30PM - Marie Cacciato by the Iannuccilli 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
Regina LoGudice
Kathryn Gleeson
The Deceased of Our Parish
- 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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