NOVEMBER 30, 2025 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Friends,
As we enter the holy season of Advent, we are invited once again to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior. Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, a time of joyful anticipation and spiritual renewal. It is a season filled with hope, reminding us that Christ has come, Christ is present among us, and Christ will come again in glory.
Advent is not simply about counting down the days until Christmas. It is a sacred journey of preparation. Through prayer, Scripture, and the liturgy, we are called to awaken our hearts, to make room for Christ, and to deepen our longing for His light in a world often overshadowed by darkness. The Advent wreath, with its candles gradually illuminating the weeks, is a powerful symbol of this growing light and hope.
As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember that the true gift of this season is not found in material things, but in the presence of Christ Himself. We are encouraged to embrace acts of charity, reconciliation, and generosity, so that our celebration of Christmas may reflect the love and humility of the Child born in Bethlehem. Advent is also a time to renew our commitment to prayer—whether through the Rosary, daily Scripture readings, or quiet moments of reflection—so that we may welcome Christ with hearts ready and open.
May this Advent season be for each of us a time of grace, peace, and joyful expectation. Let us walk together as a parish family, preparing not only for the celebration of Christmas Day, but for the deeper mystery of Christ’s coming into our lives.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Advent,
With prayerful gratitude,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
Next Coffee and Donuts: TBA
If you would like to volunteer to help or have questions, please send us an email.
What is the Parish Council?
The IHM Parish Council advises the pastor, promotes lay involvement, and supports parish life. Members help lead events and serve in areas where they’re active or interested. Questions? Suggestions? Email IHMPC@ihmscarsdale.org.
The IHM Parish Council advises the pastor, promotes lay involvement, and supports parish life. Members help lead events and serve in areas where they’re active or interested. Questions? Suggestions? Email IHMPC@ihmscarsdale.org.
Next Meeting: December 1, 2025
Enter The Christmas Eve Mass Raffle TODAY!
Enter for a chance to win a reserved front row pew and reserved parking at the upcoming Christmas Eve 4:00pm mass! Two lucky winners will be announced during our Breakfast with Santa event on 12/13.
Raffle tickets will be available after weekend Masses and in the rectory.
Church Memorial Opportunities
IHM has always been a place where faith, love, and memory come together. It is within these walls that generations have prayed, celebrated, and found comfort in God’s presence.
One way to honor this sacred tradition, is by memorializing an item in our Church. This gesture offers a meaningful way to remember loved ones, celebrate family milestones, or simply give thanks for blessings received. These memorials will stand as lasting tributes, woven into the very fabric of our worship space, reminding us of the lives and stories that shape our parish. We invite you to prayerfully consider participating in the memorial opportunities below:
Remaining Nativity Figurines: Last year our parish debuted a new nativity display in the Church. This beautiful addition to our Christmas decorations was imported from Italy and contains many hand painted figurines. Under Msgr. Sweeney’s direction the various figurines were offered to be memorialized and we have a few remaining items available. There will be a plaque on display next to the nativity listing all those who donated.
Camel and Camel Driver
Creche
Shepherdess - RESERVED
New Processional Cross and Candle Set: Our parish has just received a beautiful processional cross and candle set handmade by Adrian Hammers of Larchmont. After many years of use, our old set was worn and damaged. These new altar pieces will enhance the sanctuary and our worship. We would like to offer these items to be memorialized in honor of a loved one. There will be an engraved memorial plaque placed on the stand which will hold these sacred items.
Processional Cross - RESERVED
Processional Candles - Two Available
New Altar Missal: The Roman Missal is the ritual text or book for the celebration of the Mass. It contains the Mass prayers as well as instructions for the priest, the congregation and other ministers on how the Mass should be celebrated. It is used daily at all of our Masses. Our parish is in need of a new copy of this sacred book, and this too is being offered to be memorialized.
Please contact Liz Reyes in the Rectory Office
if you are interested in reserving one of these memorials.
THIS WEEKEND: HOLY LAND GIFTS
After all Masses this weekend, our friends offering handcrafted olivewood items from the Holy Land will be visiting IHM. They will set up in the lower Church.
May this be a wonderful opportunity to show our support for the Christian community in the Holy Land.
Happy Thanksgiving from IHM School
IHM Religious Education Thanksgiving Prayer Service
This past Monday, our IHM Religious Education students took part in a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in the church. Father Stephen and Father Thumma offered a special blessing over the food donations the children brought in to share with members of our community who are in need. It was a beautiful celebration of gratitude, generosity, and faith.
We wish all of our IHM families a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 30, 2025 | First Sunday of Advent | Matthew 24:37–44
Friends, today’s Gospel compares the terror of the end times with that of the flood that destroyed the earth in Noah’s time. Why does the coming of the Son of Man strike fear in us? Because if he is the Son of God, then he will break into our sinful world like a cleansing fire, or like a wild storm or violent revolution.
Since he is the Life, that life which is opposed to him has to give way. Since he’s the Truth, then false claimants to truth must cede to him. And since he’s the Way, then the false ways have to be abandoned. And all of this will hurt. The best way to prepare is to watch, pray, and renounce our sins.
Since he is the Life, that life which is opposed to him has to give way. Since he’s the Truth, then false claimants to truth must cede to him. And since he’s the Way, then the false ways have to be abandoned. And all of this will hurt. The best way to prepare is to watch, pray, and renounce our sins.
Bishop Robert Barron
REMEMBRANCES FOR THE WEEK
Week of November 30th
Church Sanctuary Lamp Intention for:
John Byrnes requested by Helene Byrnes
Altar Candles in Lady's Chapel Intention for:
John Byrnes requested by Helene Byrnes
Bread & Wine Intention for:
Joe Pernesligio requested by the Keelin & Piscopo Families
Church Altar Flowers Intention for:
John Byrnes by Helene Byrnes
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, November 30, 2025
First Sunday of Advent
5:30PM - Emmett Andrew Roche by Family
7:30AM - Pauline Dapolito by Annette DiCarlo
9:00AM - Katherine Fritts Knudsen (Birthday) by Mari Share
Mari's Mother
Mari's Mother
10:30AM - John Byrnes by Matt and Helene Byrnes
12:00PM - Joseph Grogan by Johanne Grogan
MONDAY, December 1, 2025
6:45AM - Margaret Callan by Barbara & Thomas Huvane
9:00AM - William Marcon (Anniversary) by his wife, Karen Reynolds Marcon (Living)
TUESDAY, December 2, 2025
6:45AM - William Falco by Joan Falco
9:00AM - Geraldine DiDona (Birthday) by Maria Cristina Giordano
WEDNESDAY, December 3, 2025
St. Francis Xavier
6:45AM - Inez Riccomini by Patti Greig
9:00AM - Agnes Colella by Carolyn Colella
THURSDAY, December 4, 2025
St. John Damascene
6:45AM - Thomas P. Roche (Anniversary) by Son
9:00AM - John Cunningham by Jacqueline Cunningham Fliszary
FRIDAY, December 5, 2025
6:45AM - Lillian Pelella by the Pelella Family
9:00AM - Fabio Rucconich (Birthday) by Lauren Vigna
SATURDAY, December 6, 2025
St. Nicholas
8:30AM - Month of November Remembrances by IHM Parish
8:30AM - Month of November Remembrances by IHM Parish
5:30PM - Angelina Valvano by Roseanne and Rocco Valvano
GIVING TREE AT IHM
Please take a gift tag, purchase a new gift, and return it unwrapped under the Giving Tree by Sunday, December 14th.
Gifts are for the Dominican Sisters Family Health Agency in the South Bronx; Paradise House, a residence for people with special needs on the Grand Concourse, HOPE Community Services, a food pantry, soup kitchen and social service agency in New Rochelle, Catholic Guardian Services, a foster care agency and some local families.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We will be sorting Giving Tree items on Monday, December 8th and December 15th at 9:45AM.
Contact the Rectory if interested, call 914-723-0276 or email IHMChurch@ihmscarsdale.org. Much help is needed!
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY UPCOMING EVENTS
IHM Sports is excited to announce the opening of our Winter 2025 IHM Sports Store! Your support helps our vibrant and growing sports programs continue to thrive. For every item purchased, $5 will go directly to IHM Sports. Click the button below to shop!
The store will be open for one more week or until all items are sold out - so don’t wait! Show your school spirit at games or around town, and remember that these items also make great Christmas or birthday gifts (please note that shipping dates are not guaranteed).
Go Crusaders! Wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving from the IHM Sports Team
Our next Midnight Run is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th. We are urgently in need of the following items and ask that they arrive by Sunday, November 30th:
- Men's jeans waist size 30 thru 34, any length
- Men's sneakers sizes 9 thru 13
- Men's long sleeved shirts and hoodie wear especially large and XL
- Toiletries especially bars of soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo
We will also be needing jackets, coats, and winterwear as the cool weather arrives. As you search through your closets, please keep us in mind as you discover items which you have outgrown or lost interest in!! Please make sure that donations are in good shape with no holes or stains
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!
Young Members:
IHM Religious Education Grade K to 8
IHM Catholic School Grades K to 8
IHM High School of Religion (HSOR)
IHM Boy Scouts Troop 2
Scarsdale/Edgemont Girl Scouts
Prayer Groups:
Adult Faith Formation:
IHM Bible Discussion Group
IHM School of Community
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: The OCIA (formerly RCIA) is the process by which we receive adults and children of elementary school age or older who wish to enter the Catholic Church.
Get Involved! Various organizations at IHM provide an opportunity for our parishioners to contribute their talents for the good of others.
Be Aware - Scam Alert: Parishioners are being targeted by fraudulent emails or texts claiming to be from our parish or directly from our Pastor. These messages typically demand urgent action—such as purchasing gift cards and sending the codes electronically. These messages come from fake accounts impersonating our church. Please know we will never ask for gift cards or similar assistance in this way. If you receive an email or text like this, do not respond. Instead, check the sender’s information and contact the Rectory if you have any doubts. IHM is a generous parish, committed to helping those truly in need—always with charity, never through trickery. Let us pray for those who perpetrate such scams, and remember that our decisions, moral and spiritual, should never be made under pressure or coercion.
Please Remember
in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Margaret Mary Ambrose
Jason Bergen
Joan Boccardi
Gino Catalano
Joan Boccardi
Gino Catalano
Anthony D’Agostino
Sean Fogarty
Emily Gosewehr
Dr. Peter Healy
Wayne Skarberg
Michael Mirabella
Michael Mirabella
Cindy Whelan
Elizabeth Ann Bagnuolo
Patrick Briody
Patrick Briody
Mary Connolly
John Dunleavy
Kathleen Ferrandi
Prin Gjidoda
Ruth Hoffman
Rosa Pagiarulo
Nicola Brusco
Fr. Stuart Sandberg
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.
- The Catholic Widows and Widowers of Yonkers is having their Annual Christmas Luncheon on Thursday, December 11th at 1:00PM at Tombolino Ristorante (356 Kimball Ave, Yonkers). Cost is $31 per person payable in cash at the luncheon. Reservations required. For more information/reservations, call (914) 423-5331. Members/guests are welcome.
- The Little Sisters of the Poor on Schurz Avenue in the Bronx have a part time (8-16 hours/week) job opening for a Development Database Assistant. Responsibilities include a variety of fundraising related tasks, especially accurate data entry. Hours are flexible. Please contact Sr. Charles Patricia at bxdevelopment@littlesistersofthepoor.org for more details.
- Christmas Around the World Crèche Display Open Daily: 10AM–3PM Located on the 5th floor - The Atonement Friars invite you to contemplate the amazing gift of Christ’s birth through our annual Christmas Around the World Crèche Display. A long-standing tradition, the display features 150 crèches with unique designs reflecting diverse cultures. At the same time, these examples from Japan, Italy, Nigeria and other countries reflect a common theme: love and adoration for the baby Jesus. Details:
- Starts: Saturday, November 29 | Ends: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
- HOLY MOUNTAIN FRANCISCAN RETREAT CENTER
- 40 Franciscan Way Garrison, NY 10524 United
FOLLOW IHM PARISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Social Media helps parishioners stay up to date through interactive posts that highlight the happenings of the Parish on a public platform. Please show support by using the links below to follow us!
CLICK HERE to follow us on Instagram
CLICK HERE to follow us on Facebook
CLICK HERE to follow us on Instagram
CLICK HERE to follow us on Facebook