There will be no printed Sunday Bulletin this week. This message contains a shortened digital version. Please feel free to forward to others who may not be on our flocknote list. Please visit our website for most up-to-date information: www.ihm-parish.org
It was one of those beautiful mornings, so refreshing and invigorating. I was in my last year in St Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. I purposefully left my window open because I just enjoyed the fresh air. When I woke up, a breeze blew though my room that almost lifted me out of bed! It was like that old commercial you might remember when people would describe what happens when they would eat a “York Peppermint Patty!” I really felt like something wonderful entered my room. I said to my spiritual director, “Fr Kelly, I think the Holy Spirit entered my room this morning!” He responded, “Hold on to His feet, brother!”
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost. More than a beautiful breeze in the morning, the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance is overwhelming and life giving. I would like to encourage everyone to speak directly to the Holy Spirit today and often. Ask for direction, ask for the Spirit’s presence, ask for transformation in your life, ask anything at all, especially when it means that you become more and more “a temple of the Holy Spirit!” When we all realize that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we begin anew to respect and love each other as God requires of us.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Happy Feast day everyone! When I receive more directives about opening up more and more about the Church and access to the sacraments, I will let you know right away.
In the meantime, Come Holy Spirit!
WEEKLY REMINDERS
- All in-person public celebration of Mass and Events throughout the Archdiocese remain canceled. Adoration is suspended until further notice. School, Religious Education and CYO are canceled. The Church will be open for Private Prayer only, from 8AM to 3PM. Please be sure to maintain social distancing guidelines while in the Church.
- Daily/Weekend Masses are live streamed every day at 10:00 AM. Masses can be viewed on our website at IHM-Parish.org. All services are private, NOT open to the public.
- Other Streaming Mass Options: Daily Mass is being live-streamed from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The Mass is available on the Catholic Channel, Sirius XM 129 and is broadcast live and on demand by Catholic Faith Network (CFN).
- IHM Online Contributions through WeShare: As you know, we've suspended weekly collections since mid-March, please consider using WeShare to set up electronic recurring contributions or to make a one time gift to IHM. Thank you to our new WeShare users, we've doubled our donors over the past few weeks! If you need help or have any questions about WeShare, click here to contact IHM WeShare support.
- Mail in Contributions: We do not have a secure drop off spot on the premises, so please do not hand deliver your contribution envelopes to the Rectory. Our mailing address is: IHM Rectory, 8 Carman Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
- Flocknote: IHM continues to use Flocknote as a main method of communication. If you have friends or family who are not subscribed, please direct them to our website, IHM-Parish.org, to sign up.
We sincerely appreciate your support! We continue to urge you to
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE & STAY WELL!
Let us pray through the intercession of our Blessed Mother for help and healing in these complicated and difficult days.
THANK YOU FOR ALL MAILED IN AND ONLINE WESHARE DONATIONS!
UPDATE FROM IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
We are currently working on a plan to reopen IHM in a safe way. Once we have a plan, we will be sure to let you know.
- Sacraments: Confirmation's and Communion's that were scheduled for Spring 2020 were postponed and most likely will be rescheduled to Fall 2020. Once we know of the specifics, we will publish everything on our website and weekly bulletin.
UPDATE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
Below is an excerpt from Plan Details Gradual Reopening of Archdiocese’s Parish Churches for Masses, Sacraments published on Catholic New York's website on May 21st. Click here to read the entire article.
The five phases delineated in the guidelines for sacramental celebrations released in “Faith Forward” are as follows:
Phase I—Churches open for private prayer and confessions
Phase II—Celebration of baptisms and marriages, with a limit of 10 attendees
Phase III—Celebration of the Rite of Distributing Holy Communion Outside of Mass
Phase IV—Celebration of daily and Funeral Masses with limited attendance
Phase V—Celebration of Sunday Mass with supervised attendance of approximately 25 percent of the church’s permitted occupancy
The guidelines noted the Vicar General’s Office would release a detailed description of each phase in the coming weeks, in consultation with health and government officials and in consideration of health metrics. Different regions of the archdiocese are expected to begin the process of reopening at different times.
An executive summary of “Faith Forward” cites the eagerness of New York’s Catholic community to resume public worship “in a safe and responsible manner.” It goes on to say that “we are proposing a phased plan which follows the latest guidance from the CDC and which, at the same time, respects our traditions.”
There is also a detailed breakdown on general principles, celebration of Mass and additional sacramental considerations.
The plan includes the following policies and procedures:
- Churches will be regularly sanitized and disinfected. Signage will be placed on entrance doors instructing anyone with a fever or flu-like symptoms not to enter the church. Parishioners must wear masks.
- No physical contact will be permitted during the sign of peace.
- Parish safety committees and ushers will be trained to receive parishioners and escort them to suitable seating arrangements set up for social distancing for the protection of priests and parishioners. Ushers and parish security teams will coordinate orderly arrivals and departures.
- Pews will be prepared to safeguard parishioners and will follow published protocols for singles, couples, families with one child and families with more than one child.
- Frequently touched surfaces in the church (pews/pew tops, door handles, microphones) will be cleaned and sanitized per CDC recommendations after every liturgy. Restrooms will be cleaned between Masses.
- Hand sanitizer dispensaries will be available at all church entrances.
- At arrival and departure times, entrance doors will be propped open to limit contact with door handles. Where possible, pedestrian movement patterns will be instituted to minimize close contact between parishioners, including dedicated access ways for entrance and departure.
- Utilization of lower church/parish center facilities for additional Masses if the church is full, and live video display of services will be continued to alleviate any attendance overflow.
- Holy water and baptismal fonts will be emptied.
- Additional Mass times may be added at the pastor’s discretion.
- Online worship aids will be encouraged. If paper worship aids are used, they should be limited to one page, and attendees should be directed to take them with them after Mass. Those left in a pew must be collected and destroyed after each Mass.
- No paper bulletins will be distributed. Parish bulletins/news will be posted to the parish website or emailed to parishioners.
- Non-essential gatherings will be suspended, including Children’s Liturgy of the Word, post-Mass social gatherings/refreshments, etc.
- Communion will be distributed only via the Host; the Precious Blood will not be offered.
- A cantor will be permitted; large choirs will not be used.
- Collection baskets will not be passed from person to person. Baskets with long handles will be allowed. Ushers taking up the collection will wear masks and gloves. Large baskets may be placed at church exits for people to drop envelopes or donations. Ushers must sanitize their hands immediately after the collection.
- There will be no greeting of people following Mass.
Mass intentions for this week will be moved to a private mass celebrated by one of the priests of the parish. The following people will be remembered the week of May 31, 2020.
Frank Perry
The Kelly Family
The De Marco & Colantuono Families
Thelma & Douglas Fernandez
Conrad & Geraldine Rausch
Patricia Freiler
Frank & Elizabeth Rocco
Betty Franco
Robert Fane
Marash Mrnuchaj
Maureen Coen
Anna Torino
Lisa Maria Troiani
Mary Murphy
Diana Hoer
Geraldina Di Dona (Anniversary)
The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Louis Ranucci
Frances Novaro
Angela Lifrieri
Laura Hernandez
Nicholas Di Marzo
Thomas Carroll
Eileen Kelly
Vincent Schaub
Dr. John E. Rogener, Jr.
Thomas Kandula
For all those suffering with the Virus
Our Beloved Deceased
Lois Panissidi
Josephine Correale
Frank Masiello
All Victims of the Virus
All Victims of the Virus
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2020-2021 school year is underway for all interested and prospective families. Please contact Principal Tracy Keelin at tkeelin@ihmscarsdale.org for more information.
Check out our school website ihmscarsdale.org.
THANK YOU FROM IHM RELIGIOUS ED.
We want to thank our wonderful Catechists for everything they have done for our children and program this year. When we were quarantined, our wonderful Catechists didn't miss a beat and started Zoom classes and Facetime classes and worked with our students in very creative ways.
We also want to thank all of our wonderful parents for their cooperation and help during this very difficult time.
But most of all we want to thank our wonderful students who did such a great job, not only with their classwork, but also stepped up and made cards, cookies, pancakes, videos and the wonderful rocks for our essential workers and first responders. We are so proud of you! You made this difficult year a truly wonderful year. Keep sending the cards! They love them! We hope you have a very safe, restful, fun-filled summer!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION
- 2020-2021 Registration forms for new and returning students to IHM Religious Education Program will be posted to IHM-PARISH.ORG within the week
- We will be using the parish website and a new Rel. Ed. Flocknote group to communicate current information about our Religious Education Program
- Visit our website later this week for further instructions - IHM-PARISH.ORG
MIDNIGHT RUN IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS
You may still donate to our Run's in the following ways:
- E-Drive: consider ordering Men's boxer/briefs in dark colors/white/black/gray, athletic socks (crew or calf), online and have them shipped to us at:
27 Warwick Ave Scarsdale, NY 10583 - Amazon e-gift card or Walmart e-gift card to IHMMidnightRun@gmail.com and we'll order what is most needed. The gift card is the best way for us to build our toiletry inventory
Let us know if you think you can help out. Susan & Paul Doyle - 914.472.7515 | IHMMidightRun@gmail.com
Loyola Press - 3 Minute Retreats
3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage. Knowing that not everyone prays at the same pace, you have control over the pace of the retreat. After each screen, a Continue button will appear. Click it when you are ready to move on. If you are new to online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience. To subscribe, click here and select 'START YOUR RETREAT.'
GIVE BLOOD AND SAVE LIVES
To ensure we are prepared to support health agencies in your communities and across the country, NY Blood Center Strongly urges individuals who feel healthy and well to make an appointment to give blood. Let us know you are ON YOUR WAY to help.
To make an appointment click here or call (800) 933-2566
- To manage donor flow, we have moved to appointments only during this time and walk-ins cannot be accommodated
- To protect our staff and donors, we are asking donors to self-screen before coming to donate
- Please visit nybc.org/coronavirus for information about safety protocols being implemented during this evolving public health emergency
- Donors must wear a mask or face covering when they present to donate
- Please be aware that we DO NOT test for COVID-19
- We take your safety and the safety of our employees very seriously
BULLETIN SPONSORS
The printing of our Church Bulletin is sponsored by the advertisers on the back pages. Until public masses resume, we ask that you click the link below to view these pages. Download the attached PDF to access this week's "Kids Korner"
