JANUARY 4, 2026 - EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Friends,
As we welcome a new year, many of us feel inspired to set goals and make resolutions. While the world often focuses on self improvement, we as Catholics are invited into something deeper: a renewed openness to God’s grace and a desire to grow in holiness. The start of a new year is a beautiful moment to pause, reflect, and ask the Lord how He is calling us to draw closer to Him.
Spiritual growth doesn’t happen all at once. It unfolds through small, steady acts of faith—habits that open our hearts to God’s transforming love. With that in mind, I’d like to offer a few simple but powerful practices that can help us grow spiritually in the year ahead:
- Pray daily. Even a few minutes of intentional prayer—morning, evening, or whenever you can—creates space for God to speak to your heart. I especially encourage you to pray as a family whenever possible.
- Attend Mass more frequently. Participating in Sunday Mass is essential to our life as a community. If your schedule allows, consider joining us for daily Mass as well. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and attending Mass regularly is a beautiful way to pray with the Church, receive the Eucharist, and renew our faith together.
- Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration. We are blessed to have our Adoration Chapel available on weekdays. Sitting quietly before the Lord, even for a short visit, brings peace, clarity, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence.
- Go to Confession regularly. The Sacrament of Reconciliation renews the soul and restores our closeness with God. Making Confession a regular habit can bring tremendous spiritual freedom and healing.
- Read the Scriptures or join our parish Bible study. Scripture is alive, and engaging with God’s Word—especially in community—helps us understand His voice more clearly and apply His teachings to our daily lives.
- Volunteer in a parish ministry. Whether it’s helping at Mass, serving the poor, supporting our youth, or assisting behind the scenes, your gifts can bless our parish in meaningful and lasting ways.
These aren’t just spiritual resolutions—they’re invitations to grace.
As we begin this new year, may we encourage one another, pray for one another, and walk together with renewed hope. May the Holy Spirit guide our steps, and may Christ’s love be the light that leads us forward.
Faithfully in Christ,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
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.
2026 at IHM School
Sunday, January 4, 2026 | Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord | Matthew 2:1-12
Friends, the story of the Magi told in today’s Gospel is a summary of the principal dynamics of the spiritual life. Watching the night sky with scrupulous attention for signs of God’s purpose, the Magi evoke the importance of alertness in the spiritual order. We must keep our eyes open to see what God is up to.
Once they saw the star, they moved, despite the length of the journey. Sometimes people know what God wants them to do but they don’t act, either out of fear, laziness, or the influence of bad habits. The Magi teach us to move.
When they spoke to Herod of the birth of a new King, he tried to use them to destroy the baby. When you walk the path that God has laid out for you, expect opposition.
The wise men came to Bethlehem and gave the child their precious gifts. When you come to Christ, break open the very best of yourself and make it a gift for him.
Finally, they returned to their home country by another route. As Fulton Sheen commented so magnificently: of course they did; for no one comes to Christ and goes back the same way he came!
The wise men came to Bethlehem and gave the child their precious gifts. When you come to Christ, break open the very best of yourself and make it a gift for him.
Finally, they returned to their home country by another route. As Fulton Sheen commented so magnificently: of course they did; for no one comes to Christ and goes back the same way he came!
Bishop Robert Barron
REMEMBRANCES FOR THE WEEK
Week of January 4th
Church Sanctuary Lamp Intention for:
John G. Matishek by Cynthia Matishek
Bread & Wine Intention for:
Ligia Jimenez-Sanchez
Altar Candles in Our Lady's Chapel for:
Julia McCambridge Corio by Deirdre Corio
Church Altar Flowers Intention for:
Patrice M. Conboy by the Keelin & Piscopo Families
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, January 4, 2026
Epiphany of the Lord
5:30PM - Marie Gleeson by Marie & Mike Amoroso
7:30AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
9:00AM - For the New York Sisters of Charity, Living and Deceased (Special Intention) by IHM
10:30AM - Majdi Ibrahim Sibai by Paul and Nadine Skoczylas and Family
12:00PM - Rose DeBenedictis by the Covais Family
MONDAY, January 5, 2026
St. John Neumann
6:45AM - Dorothy Cable by Simone Almeida
9:00AM - Gaetano Serraino by Anthony & Sebast
TUESDAY, January 6, 2026
St. Andre Bessette
6:45AM - Blanca Torres (Birthday) by Gloria Gomez
9:00AM - Marie Collins by Chip and Mary Rausch (4th Anniversary)
WEDNESDAY, January 7, 2026
St. Raymond of Penafort
6:45AM - Armando and Angelina Frusciante by The Frusciante Family
9:00AM - Francesca Bonavita by Giuseppina Bonvita
THURSDAY, January 8, 2026
6:45AM - Giovanni Mastronardi by Marrin and Antonella Kilkeary
9:00AM - Marina Perna by John Perna
FRIDAY, January 9, 2026
6:45AM - Theresa Wright (Birthday) by Wayne & Laura Wright
9:00AM - Frank Karloczy (Anniversary) by Eva Ross (Father of Eva Ross, Husband of Elisabeth Karloczy)
SATURDAY, January 10, 2026
8:30AM - Andrew Scott by Barbara Henry
5:30PM - Patrice Conboy by the Keelin & Piscopo Families
NYS Bishops' Statement on Assisted Suicide
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY UPCOMING EVENTS
In harmony with Pope Leo XIV’s Monthly Prayer Intentions for the Year 2026 the IHM Bible Discussion Group invites all fellow parishioners to fulfill Pope Leo’s Month of January prayer petition to Pray the Word of God.
Please join us Tuesday evenings at 7PM in the lower Church to pray the Sacred Scriptures. On Tuesday, January 6th we will reflect on Chapter 9 of I Corinthians and will continue to pray another chapter of the Word of God each Tuesday through June 2026. If you are unavailable Tuesday evenings please take advantage of the at home option that allows you to reflect on the Word of God with your family at your convenience, just sign up for the weekly email with questions on that week’s chapter. Even the most seasoned Bible student will find the occasional gem they previously missed. A few weeks ago the group prayed St. Paul’s treatise on the Holy Spirit as we reflected on Chapter 2 of I Corinthians, specifically I Cor 2:6-16.
We hope to see many new faces praying the Scriptures in accordance with Pope Leo’s directive to build up our communities with the Word of God!
The IHM High School of Religion (HSOR) welcomes all high school students to our weekly gatherings on Wednesdays from 7:30- 9:00PM in the lower Church Hall. 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!”
Click the button below if you would like to enroll or for more information from our coordinator, Nancy Vericker
Come see why our students say HSOR “is a night out in the middle of the week!”
Click the button below if you would like to enroll or for more information from our coordinator, Nancy Vericker
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.
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
Wayne Skarberg
Michael Mirabella
Michael Mirabella
Leslie Vaccaro
Cindy Whelan
Elizabeth Ann Bagnuolo
Patrick Briody
Patrick Briody
Nicola Brusco
Mary Connolly
John Dunleavy
Frank C. Greco
Stephen Guzzardi
Conrad Knowlton Harris
Paul Marti
Peter McGuire
Rosa Pagiarulo
Joseph Piergiovanni
Lisa Rocchio
Fr. Stuart Sandberg
Carol Tornatore
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.
- Catholic Widows and Widowers of Yonkers will meet on Thursday, January 15th, 12:30PM at St. Ann's Church (Fr. Anthony Hall, 31 College Place, Yonkers). For more information, please call (914) 423.5331. New members are always welcome!
- There are countless enjoyable and entertaining activities for senior residents held throughout the year in Westchester County parks and facilities. Activities include pool parties, golf tournaments and dancing at the annual Salute to Seniors or Golden Harvest celebrations among others. For more information about events for seniors in Westchester County, click here to visit the Department of Senior Programs and Services.
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