DECEMBER 21, 2025 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Bambinelli Blessing at Masses this Weekend!
All children and families are invited to bring the Baby Jesus figure from their home nativities to be blessed during our Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses
All children and families are invited to bring the Baby Jesus figure from their home nativities to be blessed during our Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses
Welcome Archbishop Ronald Hicks
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of His Eminence Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of New York, and has appointed Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, currently Bishop of Joliet, as the next Metropolitan Archbishop of New York. He will be installed on February 6, 2026 at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Friends,
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, our waiting draws to a close. The final candle is lit, and its flame reminds us that the dawn of salvation is near. In just a few days, we will kneel before the manger and rejoice in the miracle of Christmas: Emmanuel — God is with us.
This truth is the heart of our faith. God does not remain distant or hidden. He comes close, entering our world in the vulnerability of a child. He shares our human story, our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears. In Jesus Christ, God is not only with us — He is for us, bringing light into our darkness and peace into our restless hearts.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us remember that Emmanuel is not only a name from Scripture, but a promise for today. He is with us in our families, in our parish, in the poor and the lonely, and in the Eucharist we celebrate together. His presence transforms ordinary life into holy ground.
May this holy season renew our faith and deepen our joy. Let us welcome Christ with open hearts, and let His love shine through us to all we meet. In doing so, we become living witnesses that God is indeed with us.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas filled with peace, hope, and the abiding presence of the Lord!
Faithfully in Christ,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
A heartfelt thank you to the good people of Bennett Funeral Home of Scarsdale and Westchester Funeral Home of Eastchester, who once again have sponsored our 2026 Church Calendars.
2026 Church calendars are available at the doors of the Church!
Sunday, December 21, 2025 | Fourth Sunday of Advent | Matthew 1:18–24
Friends, in today’s Gospel, an angel tells Joseph in a dream to name his son Jesus “because he will save his people from their sins.”
The rightful King has returned to reclaim what is his and to let the prisoners go free. The God announced by all the prophets and patriarchs—by Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Isaiah—is a God of justice, and this means that he burns to set things right. God hates the sin and violence and injustice that have rendered gloomy his beautiful world, and therefore he comes into that world as a warrior, ready to fight. But he arrives (and here is the delicious irony of Christmas) stealthily, clandestinely—sneaking, as it were, unnoticed behind enemy lines.
The King comes as a helpless infant, born of insignificant parents in a small town of a distant outpost of the Roman Empire. He will conquer through the finally irresistible power of love, the same power with which he made the universe.
The rightful King has returned to reclaim what is his and to let the prisoners go free. The God announced by all the prophets and patriarchs—by Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Isaiah—is a God of justice, and this means that he burns to set things right. God hates the sin and violence and injustice that have rendered gloomy his beautiful world, and therefore he comes into that world as a warrior, ready to fight. But he arrives (and here is the delicious irony of Christmas) stealthily, clandestinely—sneaking, as it were, unnoticed behind enemy lines.
The King comes as a helpless infant, born of insignificant parents in a small town of a distant outpost of the Roman Empire. He will conquer through the finally irresistible power of love, the same power with which he made the universe.
Bishop Robert Barron
REMEMBRANCES FOR THE WEEK
Week of December 21st
Church Sanctuary Lamp Intention for:
Marie and Rosario Pessolano by Phyliss Pessolano
Bread & Wine Intention for:
Marie and Rosario Pessolano by Phyliss Pessolano
Altar Candles in Our Lady's Chapel for:
Casino, Salerno and Santorelli Families by Julie Casino
Church Altar Flowers Intention for:
Marie and Rosario Pessolano by Phyliss Pessolano
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent
5:30PM - Joseph Roche (Birthday) by Family
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - Doreen Goryeb by the Zarola Family
10:30AM - JoAnn Murphy (4th Anniversary) by Joe Murphy
12:00PM - Jeannine & John Ferrandi by Philip & Denise Saglimbeni
MONDAY, December 22, 2025
6:45AM - Carol Cofini by Frank De Simone & Louise Cofini
9:00AM - Philip Kurumunda (Anniversary) by the Kurumunda Family
TUESDAY, December 23, 2025
St. John of Kanty
6:45AM - Brian D. Daly by Elizabeth Daly
9:00AM - Michael Provenzale (3rd Anniversary) by Franco & Giovanna Provenzale
WEDNESDAY, December 24, 2025
Christmas Eve
9:00AM - Agnes Roche (Birthday) by Son
4:00PM - Joseph M. Murphy by Patti MacGillivray
6:00PM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00PM - Denis Mulcahy by the Mulcahy & Hyland Family
12:00AM - The Children of IHM School
THURSDAY, December 25, 2025
Christmas Day
8:00AM - The Family of Fr. Stephen Ries
10:00AM - Lucia Vaccaro by Lucy Farrell
12:00PM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
FRIDAY, December 26, 2025
St. Stephen
9:00AM - James F. Conlan by Matthew Conlan
SATURDAY, December 27, 2025
St. John the Apostle & Evangelist
8:30AM - Jean Savoye by the Savoye and Robida Family
5:30PM - Giovanni Mastronardi by Antonella and Martin Kilkeary
IHM Christmas Week Schedule
Monday December 22nd | 6:45AM & 9:00AM Masses | Adoration until 8:00PM
Tuesday, December 23rd | 6:45 AM & 9:00 AM Masses | Adoration ends at Noon
Wednesday December 24th | 9:00 AM Mass | No Adoration and No Confessions
Parish Office Closed on Christmas Eve
Parish Office Closed on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Masses - Wednesday, December 24th
4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 9:00 PM, 12:00 AM Midnight Mass
Christmas Day Masses - Thursday, December 25th
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon
Parish Office Closed on Christmas Day
Parish Office Closed on Christmas Day
Friday, December 26th | 9:00AM Mass | No Adoration | Parish Office Closed
Saturday, December 27th | 8:30 AM Mass | No Confessions on Saturday
Parish Office Open 8:00am -1:00pm
Parish Office Open 8:00am -1:00pm
Feast of the Holy Family Masses - Sunday, December 28th
5:30 PM - Vigil (December 27th), 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
5:30 PM Vigil (December 31st), 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM
Please Note: The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday December 25th and Friday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday. Saturday, December 27th the rectory office will be open from 8:00AM-1:00PM.
Adoration will resume on Monday, December 29th
We want to help you celebrate the sacraments this season - everywhere you go! FindAMass.org allows us to find local Mass, Adoration, and Confession times wherever you travel. Now, you can stay connected to the sacraments while on the road!
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY UPCOMING EVENTS
GIVING TREE AT IHM
The generosity of IHM's Giving Tree is making its way to those in need this week. A big thank you to Dotty and Dennis Meehan and their fellow volunteers who have been carrying the donated items to the lower Church and then sorting and bagging the items before they get picked up. It is a labor of love and it will bring joy to so many for Christmas! Thank you!
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 the IHM Bible Discussion Group reflects on St. Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians. Through mid-June we meet every Tuesday at 7PM in the lower Church for an independent discussion ending about 8:30PM, so come when you are available and share your thoughts with fellow parishioners.
Chapter 9 of I Corinthians is January 6th's topic and we intend to study one chapter each week. If you sign up below you will receive the questions email on the weekend and a Tuesday reminder. At home participants are encouraged to share or inquire via email or just follow along on their own and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through His Sacred Scripture. Merry Christmas, a Blessed 2026 and a Joyous Easter!
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.
December 2025: As the people of the Archdiocese of New York prepare for this special moment in the life of the Church, all are invited to join in welcoming our new archbishop, the Most Reverend Ronald Hicks! We also thank Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan for his nearly 17 years of faithful service as our shepherd. Please keep Archbishop-designate Hicks and Cardinal Dolan in your prayers!
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
Jason Bergen
Joan Boccardi
Gino Catalano
Joan Boccardi
Gino Catalano
Anthony D’Agostino
Sean Fogarty
Emily Gosewehr
Dr. Peter Healy
Lisa Rocchio
Wayne Skarberg
Michael Mirabella
Michael Mirabella
Cindy Whelan
Elizabeth Ann Bagnuolo
Patrick Briody
Patrick Briody
Mary Connolly
John Dunleavy
Frank C. Greco
Stephen Guzzardi
Conrad Knowlton Harris
Rosa Pagiarulo
Nicola Brusco
Fr. Stuart Sandberg
Christopher Walsh
Michael Thomas Walzer
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.
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