FEBRUARY 22, 2026 - FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Friends,
As we enter this holy season of Lent, we begin a journey the Church offers us every year—a sacred pilgrimage of the heart. These forty days are not simply a countdown to Easter but a season of grace, a time when God gently calls us to slow down, look inward, and rediscover the depth of His love. Lent invites us to begin again, to allow God to shape us more fully into the people we are meant to be.
The ashes we received on Wednesday were not simply a ritual—they were a reminder of who we are before God and who we are called to become. Lent is a time of renewal, reflection, and deeper conversion, a season when the Church invites us to open our hearts to God’s transforming work.
The Gospel this Sunday brings us into the desert with Jesus. Before He began His public ministry, He allowed Himself to be led into a place of silence, testing, and prayer. It’s striking that Jesus does not avoid the desert; He embraces it. He shows us that the desert is not a place of abandonment but a place of encounter. God does some of His most transformative work in the quiet, hidden spaces of our lives.
This Lent, I encourage each of us to choose one concrete way to enter our own “desert”—a space where God can speak to our hearts. Perhaps it’s setting aside time for daily prayer, returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, fasting from distractions, or reaching out to someone in need. Whatever you choose, let it be something that draws you closer to Christ and opens your heart to His grace.
Let us walk this journey together as a parish family, supporting one another with prayer, patience, and generosity. May these forty days be a time of healing, hope, and renewed faith for each of us.
Faithfully in Christ,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
The ashes we received on Wednesday were not simply a ritual—they were a reminder of who we are before God and who we are called to become. Lent is a time of renewal, reflection, and deeper conversion, a season when the Church invites us to open our hearts to God’s transforming work.
The Gospel this Sunday brings us into the desert with Jesus. Before He began His public ministry, He allowed Himself to be led into a place of silence, testing, and prayer. It’s striking that Jesus does not avoid the desert; He embraces it. He shows us that the desert is not a place of abandonment but a place of encounter. God does some of His most transformative work in the quiet, hidden spaces of our lives.
This Lent, I encourage each of us to choose one concrete way to enter our own “desert”—a space where God can speak to our hearts. Perhaps it’s setting aside time for daily prayer, returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, fasting from distractions, or reaching out to someone in need. Whatever you choose, let it be something that draws you closer to Christ and opens your heart to His grace.
Let us walk this journey together as a parish family, supporting one another with prayer, patience, and generosity. May these forty days be a time of healing, hope, and renewed faith for each of us.
Faithfully in Christ,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
DAILY MASSES
Mondays - Fridays: 6:45AM & 9:00AM | Saturdays: 8:30AM
Mondays - Fridays: 6:45AM & 9:00AM | Saturdays: 8:30AM
CONFESSIONS
Wednesdays at 7:00PM | Saturdays: 9:00AM and 4:00PM
Wednesdays at 7:00PM | Saturdays: 9:00AM and 4:00PM
PARISH MISSION
Monday, March 23 - Wednesday, March 25
See the flyer in the bulletin for more information
Monday, March 23 - Wednesday, March 25
See the flyer in the bulletin for more information
ADORATION
Mondays / Wednesdays / Fridays: 7:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 7:00AM - 1:00PM
Mondays / Wednesdays / Fridays: 7:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 7:00AM - 1:00PM
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays during Lent at 7:00PM
Through Good Friday, April 3rd
Fridays during Lent at 7:00PM
Through Good Friday, April 3rd
Lenten Practice of Fasting and Abstinence
Reminder: Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence for all Catholics.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon all members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon all members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
For members of the Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
Don't forget! Good Friday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
It is with great joy that the Parish Family of Immaculate Heart of Mary congratulates Br. Finbar Kantor, O.P. upon the occasion of his
Ordination to the Order of Deacon
May God Bless you in your service to Christ and His Church!
Sunday, February 22, 2026 | First Sunday of Lent| Matthew 4:1–11
Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the Lord’s temptation in the desert. After forty days of fasting in the desert (evocative of Israel’s forty years of wandering in the desert), Jesus meets the devil, who proceeds to lure the Messiah onto the path of sin. Jesus’ sacrifice will entail his coming to battle sin at close quarters, his willingness, therefore, to be drawn by its power, to come under its sway.
Satan first tempts him with sensual pleasure: “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” One of the most elemental forms of spiritual dysfunction is to make the satisfaction of sensual desire the center of one’s life. Jesus responds: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Jesus enters, through psychological and spiritual identification, into the condition of the person lured by this sin, but then he manages to withstand the temptation and in fact to twist this perversion back to rectitude. - Bishop Robert Barron
Satan first tempts him with sensual pleasure: “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” One of the most elemental forms of spiritual dysfunction is to make the satisfaction of sensual desire the center of one’s life. Jesus responds: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Jesus enters, through psychological and spiritual identification, into the condition of the person lured by this sin, but then he manages to withstand the temptation and in fact to twist this perversion back to rectitude. - Bishop Robert Barron
REMEMBRANCES FOR THE WEEK
Week of February 22nd
Church Sanctuary Lamp Intention for:
Mia Madappatt (Special Intention) by Benny and Sobha Madappatt
Bread & Wine Intention for:
Angelo Velez (Anniversary) by the Velez Family
Altar Candles in Our Lady's Chapel for:
For the prayer intentions of the parishioners of IHM
during the Lenten Season
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, February 22, 2026
First Sunday in Lent
5:30PM - Anthony DiCarlo by Annette DiCarlo
7:30AM - Harper Bosco (Birthday) by George and Amelia Bosco
9:00AM - Anna & Giuseppe LoParrino by the LoParrino Family
10:30AM - Michael Provenzale by Giovanna and Franco Provenzale
12:00PM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
MONDAY, February 23, 2026
St. Polycarp
6:45AM - Vito Costa by Antoniette Iorio
9:00AM - Michael Peter Schmidt by Chip and Mary Rausch
TUESDAY, February 24, 2026
6:45AM - Mavis Wilson by Chip and Mary Rausch (Anniversary)
9:00AM - Sal Caruso by Giuseppina Bonvita
WEDNESDAY, February 25, 2026
6:45AM - Margaret Gutierrez by Chris Greig (First heavenly birthday)
9:00AM - Michael O'Hara by Chip and Mary Rausch
THURSDAY, February 26, 2026
6:45AM - John P. Gorham by the Gorham Family
9:00AM - Souls in Purgatory by Chip and Mary Rausch
FRIDAY, February 27, 2026
6:45AM - Jack V. Nicolais by the Pelella Family
9:00AM - Angelo Velez (Anniversary) by the Velez Family
SATURDAY, February 28, 2026
8:30AM - Chris Hsu by Chip and Mary Rausch (10th Anniversary)
5:30PM - Elizabeth Fantine by Fr. Ries
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY UPCOMING EVENTS
The IHM High School of Religion (HSOR) will hold a GAME NITE for 8th graders on March 11th at 7:15PM in the Lower Church Hall.
Please RSVP to Nancy Vericker, HSOR Co-ordinator,
by March 7 at nmcv123@aol.com.
HSOR welcomes all high school students to our weekly gatherings on Wednesdays from 7:30- 9:00PM in the lower Church Hall. HSOR is a faith and fun community for high school students offering service projects, discussions, Christmas party, sacraments, Prayer & Pizza, Scavenger Hunt, visiting speakers, and much more! We meet every Wednesday evening!
Come see why our students say HSOR is “a nite out in the middle of the week!”
Enroll or for request more information from our coordinator, Nancy Vericker
The Thursdays of prayer will begin again on Thursday, February 19th.
In mid-Lent, Sr. Nancy will give talks on Lenten themes.
March 5: Prayer and Fasting
March 12: Eucharist
March 19: The Cross
The next Midnight Run is scheduled for Saturday March 7th. Because of the overwhelming generosity of the IHM family, we are well-stocked for that Run. This will be our last cold weather Run before we start gearing up for future spring and summer events. As always, we ask that all donations be 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. We welcome new faces and new ideas, thank you!
IHM Bible Discussion Group Update LENT 2026
Please join us Tuesday evenings at 7PM in the lower Church to pray the Sacred Scriptures. Beginning in March we will reflect on II Corinthians and will discuss a chapter 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. St. Paul’s letters are the origin of much Catholic doctrine and how we are to practice our faith with perseverance and trust.
We hope to see many new faces praying the Scriptures with fellow parishioners this Lent to build up our community with the Word of God!
We hope to see many new faces praying the Scriptures with fellow parishioners this Lent to build up our community with the Word of God!
Eastchester Irish American Club invites you to the
20th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sunday, March 15th
10:00AM - Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe, NY
3:00PM - Parade steps off at Immaculate Conception School,
ends at Lake Isle Country Club
All Girl Scouts in the parish are invited to join us for the IHM Girl Scout Mass on Sunday, March 8th 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. Reach out to Donna Caro (joinsegs@gmail.com) with questions.
Please Remember
in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Jason Bergen
Gino Catalano
Gino Catalano
Anthony D’Agostino
Sean Fogarty
Emily Gosewehr
Dr. Peter Healy
Michael Mirabella
Andrea Russo
Wayne Skarberg
Leslie Vaccaro
Cindy Whelan
If you wish to be included by name, please contact the Rectory: ihmchurch@ihmscarsdale.org or 914-723-0276
John Actman
Thomas J. Camisa Jr.
John E. Cinguina
Richard James Ditrio
Peter Doherty
Barbara Farrell
Frank C. Greco
Conrad Knowlton Harris
Anne F. Maier
Dorothea Marie O'Connor
Giuseppe Pisacreta
RoseAnn Sofia
Christopher Walsh
Michael Thomas Walzer
If you are calling for another person,
please ensure his/her permission
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.
February 2026: Join us in welcoming and celebrating Archbishop Ronald Hicks as he begins his ministry in the Archdiocese of New York! Read the February Monthly Bulletin for a look at the Installation Mass, upcoming events, Lenten reminders, and more.
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