But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
My dear friends,
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, recognizing Christ's authority given to Saint Peter and his successors. We pray for Pope Francis, who is in the hospital, asking for his healing, strength, and the skill of his medical team.
A heartfelt thank you to Father Fatima for assisting our parish while Father Thumma was in India. We are grateful for Father Thumma's return.
Tomorrow, we will have our Sensory-Friendly Mass at 2:00 p.m. Please spread the word to those who may benefit from this periodic Sunday Mass followed by refreshments sponsored by our Knights of Columbus. The Mass intention will be for Sister Bernadette of the House of Prayer, who passed away a year ago.
Parish Council nomination and election information is available below for those who are interested.
This weekend's second collection is for fuel. Thank you to parishioners who have shared their expertise to complement our dedicated maintenance team addressing needs on our parish campus. With rising costs, we are working to be more efficient in heating our school presently, and soon, our church. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Next week, our school presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory under Mrs. Ashleigh Jack's direction. To all who are working so hard to make the weekend's performances of this musical a success, thank you! Special thanks to Mr. Joshua Jack for his professional work on the set once again. Our parish school is a blessing and an integral part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ to form the next generation to know, love and serve Him, and where faith flows into all aspects of life. May we be good stewards of this gift at IHM.
Please keep Cardinal Dolan in prayer as he recovers from carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand (you may have seen his arm in a sling), with surgery on his right hand to follow down the line.
This week, I will offer the Saturday Vigil Mass, the 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. Sensory-Friendly Masses on Sunday. Father Thumma will celebrate the 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Masses on Sunday.
A blessed Sunday to you and a safe return home for all who have been away!
A heartfelt thank you to Father Fatima for assisting our parish while Father Thumma was in India. We are grateful for Father Thumma's return.
Tomorrow, we will have our Sensory-Friendly Mass at 2:00 p.m. Please spread the word to those who may benefit from this periodic Sunday Mass followed by refreshments sponsored by our Knights of Columbus. The Mass intention will be for Sister Bernadette of the House of Prayer, who passed away a year ago.
Parish Council nomination and election information is available below for those who are interested.
This weekend's second collection is for fuel. Thank you to parishioners who have shared their expertise to complement our dedicated maintenance team addressing needs on our parish campus. With rising costs, we are working to be more efficient in heating our school presently, and soon, our church. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Next week, our school presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory under Mrs. Ashleigh Jack's direction. To all who are working so hard to make the weekend's performances of this musical a success, thank you! Special thanks to Mr. Joshua Jack for his professional work on the set once again. Our parish school is a blessing and an integral part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ to form the next generation to know, love and serve Him, and where faith flows into all aspects of life. May we be good stewards of this gift at IHM.
Please keep Cardinal Dolan in prayer as he recovers from carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand (you may have seen his arm in a sling), with surgery on his right hand to follow down the line.
This week, I will offer the Saturday Vigil Mass, the 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. Sensory-Friendly Masses on Sunday. Father Thumma will celebrate the 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Masses on Sunday.
A blessed Sunday to you and a safe return home for all who have been away!
Next Meetings: Monday, March 24, 2025
(none in April) May 12 and June 9
Next Coffee and Donuts: 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.
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:
- Sensory Friendly Mass - Sunday, February 23rd
- IHM's financial aid to victims of the California wildfires through the end of February
- IHM Upcoming Events
- Midnight Run - the next Run will be Saturday, March 22nd
- Girl Scout Mass - Sunday, March 9th | RSVP by February 26th
- Eastchester Irish-American Social Club St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Installation Ceremony - Saturday, March 1st
- IHM Parish Council Lenten Fish Fry: Friday's March 14th, March 28th & April 11th from 6-8PM in the lower Church
- Men's Retreat - Help from Heaven - April 25th - April 27th | RSVP by April 15th
- IHM HSOR - All high school students welcome every Wednesday from 7:30-9PM
- IHM Continuing Events:
- Eucharistic Exposition at IHM
- Eucharistic Exposition at IHM
- Iona Prep Options Program - Beginning in September 2025
- St. Joseph's Day for Vocations - Saturday, March 22nd
- Called & Gifted for Life Formation Day - Saturday, March 29th
- Encounter NY Regional Conference - March 27-29
- Information on the Year of Hope
- ADNY Monthly Bulletin
- Community News
IHM Parish Council along with our IHM First Grade girl scout troop already collected supplies to send to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Los Angeles to aid with the victims of the California wildfires.
A financial opportunity to contribute is offered online below
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).
We will keep this collection open through the end of February 2025.
Thank you for your support!
Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time| Luke 6:27–38
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus commands us to love our enemies. And therefore our enemies are also our brothers and our sisters. Notice that I am not denying that we have real enemies who are wicked. But it is a Christian conviction that all of that evil is not telling the deepest truth about the enemy.
The deepest truth is that he or she is a child of God, and thus worthy of our love. None of this implies that wicked people should not be brought to justice. But it does indeed imply that the person so arrested, tried, or imprisoned should remain a beloved brother or sister.
How should this manifest itself? There are heroic examples of enemy love, such as the Amish couple who befriended and then defended in court the young man who had brutally killed their own son; or Cardinal Bernardin, who visited and anointed the man who had accused him falsely of sexual misconduct. But these are precious and rare.
Something that all of us can do is pray for those who mistreat us, offering them to God, expressing a spiritual solidarity with them.
The deepest truth is that he or she is a child of God, and thus worthy of our love. None of this implies that wicked people should not be brought to justice. But it does indeed imply that the person so arrested, tried, or imprisoned should remain a beloved brother or sister.
How should this manifest itself? There are heroic examples of enemy love, such as the Amish couple who befriended and then defended in court the young man who had brutally killed their own son; or Cardinal Bernardin, who visited and anointed the man who had accused him falsely of sexual misconduct. But these are precious and rare.
Something that all of us can do is pray for those who mistreat us, offering them to God, expressing a spiritual solidarity with them.
Bishop Robert Barron
The generosity of the IHM family has been overwhelming and, as a result, the recent Midnight Runs have been a wonderful success!! Our next Run will be on Saturday, March 22nd and we are targeting the following to replenish our inventory:
- Men's jeans especially waist sizes 30-34 and all lengths
- Men's sweatpants especially large and extra large
- Men's sneakers sizes 10 thru 13
- Rain ponchos, all sizes
- Backpacks
Please note that we only distribute gently used or new items. So, as you pull your spring wear forward in your closets, please consider Midnight Run if something doesn't strike your fancy anymore! Even if a donation cannot be used for a Run, we will have a home for it—there is much need in the NY metro area!
Anyone who is interested in any aspect of Midnight Run—driving, sorting, food prep—please email ihmmidnightrun@gmail.com, thank you!
Anyone who is interested in any aspect of Midnight Run—driving, sorting, food prep—please email ihmmidnightrun@gmail.com, thank you!
In honor of Girl Scout Sunday, the Scarsdale Edgemont Girl Scout service unit is bringing back the longstanding tradition of the IHM Girl Scout Mass on Sunday, March 9th at the 9AM Mass. Girls will gather in uniform at 8:45AM in the lower Church and will process in and sit together. Girl Scouts who are interested can volunteer to carry flags, read and bring up the gifts. Following Mass, there will be light refreshments in the lower church.
The cost is $10 per family to cover food. While families will sign up individually, troops should submit ONE check/Venmo (@Jessica-Leto-1) for all attending from their troop. ALL are welcome regardless of faith or service unit. Please see the above flyer and reach out to Donna Caro (joinsegs@gmail.com)with questions. Sign-ups close on February 26th.
The Eastchester Irish American Social Club invites you to the 19th Annual Eastchester St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Installation Ceremony. Please join us in honoring our Grand Marshal Róisín Wiley, International Rose of Tralee 2023, and our Honoree, Mary Ellen Barbieri on Saturday, March 1st from 7:00-11:00PM at the Wicked Wolf North (Tuckahoe).
- Buffet Dinner with Beer & Wine included
- Live Music by the Sean Maloney Band
- Hendry Sylvester McNamara Irish Dancing School
- 50/50 Raffle and Gift Baskets
Tickets are $100 per person. RSVP no later than February 25th, first come, first served. CLICK HERE to RSVP. When paying online, please email seating preference to beth127@email.com or irishevents@eastchesterirish.org OR RSVP by sending a check payable to EIASC to: Beth Schaefer, 127 Park Avenue. Eastchester, NY 10709 along with the attached PDF.
Do you have any questions about the event? Email: beth127@me.com or irishevents@eastchesterirish.org
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.
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.
February 2025: We’re excited to share upcoming events and initiatives with you. Please click on the link below to view the February 2025 Monthly Bulletin for the latest from the Archdiocese of New York.
Young Members:
- IHM High School of Religion (HSOR): HSOR meets on Wednesdays (will return after Presidents' Week Break) 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: 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 including the next meeting, 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. The goal is to come to know Jesus in and through the Church, to know, understand and be able to explain our Catholic faith, and to live the life of Jesus through faith, hope and charity. 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.
- 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 22/23, 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 23, 2025
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:30PM - Anthony DiCarlo by Annette DiCarlo
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Anna and Giuseppe LoParrino
9:00AM - Anna and Giuseppe LoParrino
10:30AM - Paul J. Curran by Catherine Curran Souther
12:00PM - Mary and Louis Tomaso by Lauretta Tomaso
2:00PM (Sensory Friendly Mass) - Sister Bernadette Brennan, SC
MONDAY, February 24, 2025
6:45AM - Anna Vassallo by the Milaccio Family
9:00AM - Deceased Members of the Irish Family by Virginia Conlan
TUESDAY, February 25, 2025
6:45AM - Ellen Yamin by Wayne & Laura Wright
9:00AM - Fontana Family by Betty Crupi
WEDNESDAY, February 26, 2025
6:45AM - Alvina Wright by Wayne & Laura Wright
9:00AM - Filomena and Fernando Fagnani by Elsa Carrea
THURSDAY, February 27, 2025
St. Gregory of Narek
6:45AM - Anita Ranieri Cunningham by Jacqueline Cunningham Fliszary (100th Birthday)
9:00AM - Edward L Costello by the Costello Family
FRIDAY, February 28, 2025
6:45AM - John P. Gorham by the Gorham Family
9:00AM - John & Margaret Donnelly, John Donnelly Jr. by Cathleen Deegan
SATURDAY, March 1, 2025
Mem. of Blessed Virgin Mary
8:30AM - Month of February Remembrances by IHM Parish
5:30PM - Deceased Members of the Giannelli and Farmer Families by Chris and Carolyn Giannelli
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
Pren Gjdoda
John Powers
Leslie Vaccaro
Jason Bergen
John Dunleavy
Regina LoGudice
Kathryn Gleeson
Paul Assaro, Jr.
Ann DiMarco
Angelo Tulipano
Marie Esposito
Mary Katherine Sprague
- 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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