MARCH 15, 2026 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Friends,
As we gather for the Fourth Sunday of Lent—Laetare Sunday—the Church invites us to pause and lift our hearts in hope. In the midst of our Lenten sacrifices, today offers a gentle reminder that God’s mercy is near and His promise of Easter joy is already breaking through. The rose-colored vestments and the lighter tone of the liturgy encourage us to rejoice, even as we continue our journey of conversion.
This week, we are blessed to celebrate two beloved saints whose lives can guide and strengthen us during these remaining days of Lent.
On March 17, we honor St. Patrick, a man whose life was transformed by God’s grace. Once taken captive, he returned to the land of his captivity not with bitterness, but with the Gospel. His courage, forgiveness, and missionary zeal challenge us to consider where God may be calling us to bring light, healing, and reconciliation. As we celebrate St. Patrick, may we ask for the grace to share our faith with the same compassion and joy that marked his life.
Just two days later, on March 19, we celebrate St. Joseph, the humble guardian of Jesus and Mary. Joseph teaches us the holiness of ordinary life—work done faithfully, responsibilities embraced with love, and trust placed in God even when the path is unclear. In a world that often prizes noise and visibility, Joseph reminds us that God works powerfully through quiet faithfulness and steadfast devotion.
As we continue our Lenten journey, may the joy of Laetare Sunday lift our spirits, may St. Patrick inspire our missionary hearts, and may St. Joseph strengthen our trust in God’s providence. Let us walk together toward the light of Easter, renewed in faith and united in hope.
Faithfully in Christ,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
This week, we are blessed to celebrate two beloved saints whose lives can guide and strengthen us during these remaining days of Lent.
On March 17, we honor St. Patrick, a man whose life was transformed by God’s grace. Once taken captive, he returned to the land of his captivity not with bitterness, but with the Gospel. His courage, forgiveness, and missionary zeal challenge us to consider where God may be calling us to bring light, healing, and reconciliation. As we celebrate St. Patrick, may we ask for the grace to share our faith with the same compassion and joy that marked his life.
Just two days later, on March 19, we celebrate St. Joseph, the humble guardian of Jesus and Mary. Joseph teaches us the holiness of ordinary life—work done faithfully, responsibilities embraced with love, and trust placed in God even when the path is unclear. In a world that often prizes noise and visibility, Joseph reminds us that God works powerfully through quiet faithfulness and steadfast devotion.
As we continue our Lenten journey, may the joy of Laetare Sunday lift our spirits, may St. Patrick inspire our missionary hearts, and may St. Joseph strengthen our trust in God’s providence. Let us walk together toward the light of Easter, renewed in faith and united in hope.
Faithfully in Christ,
Rev. Stephen Ries
Pastor
A Word of Thanks to Fr. Philip Caruso
Our parish extends heartfelt thanks to Fr. Philip Caruso for his generous service with us over the past two months. His prayerful presence, thoughtful homilies, and genuine pastoral care have been a true blessing to our community.
We are deeply grateful for his ministry among us and sincerely hope he will return to assist our parish again in the future.
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
RECONCILIATION MONDAY
Monday, March 30th
Confessions available 2:00PM - 4:00PM | 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Confessions available 2:00PM - 4:00PM | 6:00PM - 9:00PM
The Rectory office will be closed on
Tuesday, March 17th
in observance of St. Patrick’s Day
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.
The IHM Religious Education students received their Second Sacrament, the Sacrament of First Penance on Saturday, March 7th.
We congratulate them on taking this important step in their faith journey. Through God’s mercy and forgiveness, they experienced the grace of reconciliation and the loving embrace of our Lord.
Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they continue preparing for the joyful celebration of their First Holy Communion.
Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they continue preparing for the joyful celebration of their First Holy Communion.
May God continue to bless them as they grow in faith and love.
Sunday, March 15, 2026 | Fourth Sunday of Lent| John 9:1–41
Friends, today in the strange and strikingly beautiful account of the healing of the man born blind in John’s Gospel, we find an iconic representation of Christianity as a way of seeing. Jesus spits on the ground and makes a mud paste, which he then rubs onto the man’s eyes. When the man washes his eyes in the pool of Siloam as Jesus had instructed him, his sight is restored.
The crowds are amazed, but the Pharisees—consternated and skeptical—accuse him of being naïve and the one who healed him of being a sinner. With disarming simplicity the visionary responds: “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
The crowds are amazed, but the Pharisees—consternated and skeptical—accuse him of being naïve and the one who healed him of being a sinner. With disarming simplicity the visionary responds: “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
This is precisely what all Christians say when they have encountered the light of Christ. It was St. Augustine who saw in the making of the mud paste a metaphor for the Incarnation: the divine power mixing with the earth, resulting in the formation of a healing balm. When this salve of God made flesh is rubbed onto our eyes blinded by sin, we come again to see.
The Second Collection this weekend is
The Catholic Relief Services Collection:
REMEMBRANCES FOR THE WEEK
Week of March 15th
Church Sanctuary Lamp Intention for:
Florian and Felicia Gabriele by Patricia Gabriele
Bread & Wine Intention for:
Zef Nika Kalaj by Lula Camaj
Zef Nika Kalaj by Lula Camaj
Altar Candles in Our Lady's Chapel for:
Special Intention to Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, March 15, 2026
Fourth Sunday of Lent
5:30PM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
7:30AM - Denis Mulcahy by the Ashman Family
9:00AM - Vincenzina Damato by Maria Brusco
10:30AM - Patrick Briody by Barbara Henry
12:00PM - Mauro valentine by Maria Valentine
MONDAY, March 16, 2026
6:45AM - Denis Mulcahy by Marie Mulcahy
9:00AM - Patrick Briody, Sr. (Anniversary) by Children & Grandchildren
TUESDAY, March 17, 2026
St. Patrick
6:45AM - Maureen Monaghan by Eileen DeLucia
9:00AM - The Archdiocese of New York on its Patronal Feast by IHM
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2026
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
6:45AM - Edward Iwanowski by Douglas & Scheffler Families
9:00AM - Iris Almeida by Simone Almeida
THURSDAY, March 19, 2026
St. Joseph
6:45AM - Matthew Hayes by Gerry Mullen
9:00AM - Giuseppe & Giuseppina Serraino by Sebastiana & Anthony Tagliamonte
FRIDAY, March 20, 2026
6:45AM - Assunta Renzo by Maria Amoretti
9:00AM - In honor of St. Joseph for Maria Cristina Giordano and Family
by Maria Cristina Giordano
SATURDAY, March 21, 2026
8:30AM - Gabriele and Elisabeth Falcone by Annalisa Bertorelli
5:30PM - Gaitano e jiuseppina Marciano by Dominic Maria Marciano
We joyfully announce the forthcoming celebration of Marriage for
I John (Jack) Ruscetta & Daniella Ashman
I Joseph Fortunato & Sarina Anzalone
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY UPCOMING EVENTS
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
Skip the cooking! Celebrate Lenten season and Saints Patrick and Joseph with your parish family. 5:30PM Mass followed by 6:30PM dinner in Lower Church. Tickets $25. Kids under 10 are free. Pasta, pizza, salad and St. Joseph's pastries will be served. Bring your own bottle of wine.
The Food Pantry is in need of Fresh Direct shopping bags and toilette paper. Please place your donations in the red boxes in the church or drop them off at the Rectory. Thank you!
NEXT HOPE SOUP KITCHEN Drop off: Friday, March 20th by 11:00AM
HOPE Needs Your Help! We are looking for more volunteers to cook for the HOPE Community Supper Program. The need is greater than ever. Cooking is done at home and delivered to the Church, it is then picked up and delivered to HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle (www.hopecommunityservices.org).
HOPE Needs Your Help! We are looking for more volunteers to cook for the HOPE Community Supper Program. The need is greater than ever. Cooking is done at home and delivered to the Church, it is then picked up and delivered to HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle (www.hopecommunityservices.org).
- Timing: Every third Friday, and also the occasional 5th Tuesday of the month.
- We could also use help with shopping for other food items
- To sign up or ask questions contact: Lynne Richy call or text (914) 772-8348
Join us for the St. Veronica's Guild Day of Recollection
with Fr. Stephen Ries on Friday, March 20th - 9:00AM - 1:00PM
at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
9:00AM Mass & Rosary, followed by coffee and donuts in the lower Church, 10:15AM Conference and 11:30AM Lunch. Ticket price $15.00.
Please make checks payable to St. Veronica's Guild. Send paid reservations by March 10th to Mary Balcom, 60 Beacon Hill Drive 6B2, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522.
Sr. Nancy will give talks on Lenten themes during upcoming Thursdays of prayer.
The final topic is on March 19: The Cross
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. 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
Please Remember
in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Jason Bergen
Gino Catalano
Gino Catalano
Anthony D’Agostino
Sean Fogarty
Emily Gosewehr
Johanne Grogan
Johanne Grogan
Dr. Peter Healy
Michael Mirabella
Fred Rossi
Fred Rossi
Andrea Russo
Wayne Skarberg
Leslie Vaccaro
Cindy Whelan
John Actman
Thomas J. Camisa Jr.
John E. Cinguina
Anne F. Maier
Marie Massaro
Marie Massaro
Dorothea Marie O'Connor
Giuseppe Pisacreta
RoseAnn Sofia
Christopher Walsh
Michael Thomas Walzer
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
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.
Catholic Widows and Widowers of Yonkers will meet on Thursday, March 19th at 12:30PM at St. Ann's Church (Fr. Anthony Hall, 31 College Place, Yonkers). For more information, call (914) 423-5331. A speaker from the Yonkers Library System will give an overview of the adult programs the library offers.
The Montfort Academy is hosting a Spring Open House for all 6th and 7th graders on Wednesday, March 25th from 6-8pm. Montfort is rated the #1 Catholic High School in Westchester by Niche.com 2026. Registration can be done on the website: www.themontfortacademy.org.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Guild Day of Reconciliation: Please join us for a day of peaceful reflection. Inspiring talks will be given by Father John Vigilanti. Mass will be celebrated and Confessions will be available. A light breakfast will be served upon arrival and a delicious lunch will be served after Mass. It will take place on Monday, March 23rd from 9:30AM to 2:00PM at The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, 785 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains (The Clock Tower Building - Rosedale Room, 2nd Floor, extra parking on left side of building, no parking in circle.) The cost is $30 for Guild Members and $35 for Guests. All are welcome! Questions, please call Trudi DeDonato at (914) 747-3363. Please make your checks payable to Our Lady of Good Counsel Guild and mail it by March 13th with your name and number attending to: Sister Rita Dougherty, 324 Bradley Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY 10552.
The Beginning Experience Ministry is inviting men and women of all ages and faiths who grieve the end of a marriage or spousal relationship due to death, divorce, or separation to an in-person weekend program at the Mount Alvernia retreat center in Wappingers Falls on April 10-12. For information visit www.beginningexperiencehv.org. To register please call Phyllis at (914) 261-5812 or Gloria at (646) 281-4790.
Pilgrimage to The Holy Land, October 20-29, 2026 hosted by Fr. Francis Maurice, Holy Name of Jesus Church, New Rochelle. See the below PDF for more information and registration.
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