Hello everyone. I hope you are well and keeping safe. Happy Sunday. I am slowly getting to get my act together with what I will take with me to the new parish, Holy Name of Jesus. Luckily, my new parish has a thrift shop which will be the beneficiary of clothes that I moved from one place to the other and hardly ever worn. Boxes that I hardly ever opened and had in the attic of my last parish will get the boot as well. Thanks to everyone for such kind words and for your good wishes. The plan is to head down sometime in early September. The Franciscans are all leaving on Sunday, September 13. As I mentioned, do drop by if you ever around!
In the meantime, I think you might enjoy this essay about contemplation by Philip Kosloski from Aletei.org. Enjoy the day.
When you are new to the art of contemplation, begin by closing your eyes and using your imagination to see Jesus at your side. Contemplation is a form of Christian prayer that seeks as its end to grow in deeper love with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterates this theme when it defines contemplation.
Contemplative prayer is the simple expression of the mystery of prayer. It is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, an attentiveness to the Word of God, a silent love. It achieves real union with the prayer of Christ to the extent that it makes us share in his mystery. (CCC 2724)
However, this type of prayer is often hindered by distractions and our wayward thoughts. It can be difficult to contemplate in prayer when various thoughts keep on crowding our mind! One way to calm your thoughts is to take the advice of St. Ignatius Loyola, whose simple advice can put us in the presence of God.
A step or two before the place where I am to contemplate or meditate, I will stand for the space of an Our Father and, with my consciousness raised on high, consider how the Lord my God looks upon me. Then I will make an act of reverence or humility. (Spiritual Exercises, #75).
St. Francis de Sales had a similar method that he describes in his Introduction to the Devout Life:
[S]imply to exercise your ordinary imagination, picturing the Savior to yourself in His Sacred Humanity as if He were beside you just as we are wont to think of our friends, and fancy that we see or hear them at our side.
When we occupy our imagination with the presence of God, we will be surprised at how our other thoughts will calm down as we gaze into the face of Jesus! The next time you set aside time for contemplation, try this exercise and see if your prayer improves.
IHM PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION 2020-2021
VOTING IS IN PROGRESS
Deadline to Vote is Tuesday, August 18
- Online voting is encouraged. Please CLICK HERE to access the voting page on the IHM Church website.
- If you prefer not to vote online, please print and complete the ballot form attached below. Either bring or mail your ballot to IHM Parish Council Election Committee, 8 Carman Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
- All registered members of the parish who are 16 years of age or older are eligible to vote. Once the votes are counted, the election committee will destroy all ballots and keep all information confidential.
THANK YOU FOR ALL MAILED IN AND ONLINE WESHARE DONATIONS!
MASS SIGNUP
We still have a limited number of openings, sign up below!
Going forward, we will send out the Mass signup on Monday's via email. You may also access the sign up portal on our parish website - IHM-Parish.org. We are still only allowed 25% capacity, so we are offering a sign up process that will close once capacity is met. If you have not signed up, please use the form below.
You will receive a confirmation email, there is no need to print and bring with you. We will have a list of confirmed attendees at the church entrance.
IHM Public Masses Sunday August 9, 2020
Please follow safe distance protocols - Wearing a mask in church is required - There will be no sign of peace, holy water, missalettes or Bulletin - Please follow directions from ushers and observe signs about seating - Eucharist may be received in the hand, with no glove - While we have hand sanitizer available in the church, it might be wise to bring your own as well. - If you are feeling sick or anxious, we recommend watching the mass online.
IHM Saturday Aug 8, 5:30pm
IHM Sunday Aug 9, 8:00am
IHM Sunday Aug 9, 10:00am
IHM Sunday Aug 9, 12:00pm
RENEW + REBUILD CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Dear IHM Parishioners:
Due to Covid-19, preparation for implementation went on behind the scenes. Specifically, the parish hired an Architectural Firm to prepare construction documents and specifications for the needed repair of the Church roof, re-pointing of stonework and exterior repairs, fixing the leak at the rose stained glass windows and replacing the windows in the lower Church. This work is scheduled to begin in the fall. The Architectural firm will also develop finish options for the Church interior and prepare a presentation that can be shared with the parish. This will include flooring materials and new paint schemes. We look forward to sharing the presentations with the parish soon.
We have completed emergency repairs on leaking roofs and windows and other planned maintenance. While we are very pleased that your donations have met our initial goal, we are expecting costs of Renew & Rebuild the facilities to be closer to the pledged amount. I thank you for your generosity.
To date, we have the following gifts to the Renew + Rebuild Campain:
Goal: $1,774,500
Pledged: $2,368,813
Paid: $1,748,854
Thank you,
Fr, Thomas Lynch
Click the above banner to make an online contribution to the Renew + Rebuild Capital Campaign. Please make sure to designate "Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scarsdale" when donating online.
If you would like to mail in your contribution, you may direct it to the Rectory -
8 Carman Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
"DO NOT BE AFRAID"
The attached article is an interesting presentation from Fr. Charles Pope of Washington D.C. about the current severe pandemic and how it affects us as a people, a church and nation. He refers to the biblical cry "do not be afraid" and exhorts us to be courageous, trusting and faithful.
Click here to access "Coronavirus Stalks in the Darkness, But Do Not Be Afraid"
WEDDING BANNS
We joyfully announce the forthcoming celebration of marriage for
III Joseph Bronzo & Christina Herrero
MEAL TRAIN AT IHM
We have started a Meal Train in order to provide some assistance with dinners for the Sisters in the House of Prayer. If you are interested in helping out, please email danilestrange@optonline.net for additional details. Thank you so much!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
In order for your child to attend the program, you must be a registered member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish before registering for Religious Ed. The fee for the year is $355.00 for one child and $470.00 for 2 or more children. If you have any questions, please e-mail the Religious Ed. Office - ihmsor@aol.com.
CATECHISTS NEEDED
What is a Catechist? A Catechist helps nourish the faith of children, meets wonderful people, grows in faith and learns as the children do. A Catechist is good at something, is involved, does something they enjoy, will be surprised at what a rewarding experience teaching is.
In the fall, classes will be taking place online. Please consider helping our children learn their faith. We are in need of teachers, all grades, 1-4 for Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00 and Wednesday evening, grades 5 and 6. Please contact the Religious Ed. Office 914-723-7593 or email ihmsor@aol.com if you can help. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens in Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Bronxville.
- The time commitment is for once a week, between 10:15am and 12pm.
- Pick up is at Lake Isle Country Club (660 White Plains Road)
- if you cannot commit to a regular weekly route, consider becoming a “Substitute“ Volunteer and fill in as needed.
For More Information call Jennifer Jensen @ 914 337 0390 or email jjensen@eastchester.org Home delivered meals is a program of Eastchester Senior Programs & Services. Please help to make a meaningful contribution to your community!
“There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down
and helping to lift someone up.”
and helping to lift someone up.”
The Pastoral Solidarity Fund
The Fund supports a variety of programs to ensure that the quickly growing Church in Africa continues to communicate its faith and work to overcome current Challenges. With your help, the Church in Africa can turn its potential into a reality!
3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage.
Three Minute Retreats - click HERE
SUNDAY, August 9, 2020
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5:30PM - Donato Callara
8:00AM - The People of Immaculate Heart of Mary
Anthony Carrea
10:00AM - The Deceased Members of The Ciero Family
12:00PM - Josephine Lelia
MONDAY, August 10, 2020
St. Lawrence
6:45AM - Louis Cofini
9:00AM - May Connolly
TUESDAY, August 11, 2020
St. Clare
6:45AM - Eileen Gill
9:00AM - Deacon Robert di Targiani
WEDNESDAY, August 12, 2020
St. Jane Francis de Chantal
6:45AM - Josh Phenix
9:00AM - Margaret Di Carlo
THURSDAY, August 13, 2020
St. Pontian, St. Hippolytus
6:45AM - Marie & Leonard Abbrescia
9:00am - Wendy Williams
FRIDAY – August 14, 2020
St. Maximilian Kolbe
6:45AM - Frank Edwards
9:00AM - Frederic Wolff III
SATURDAY – August 15, 2020
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
8:00AM - William McLoughlin
9:00AM - Gina Cocciolillo (Living)
Please Remember in Your Prayers
The Sick of Our Parish
Louis Ranucci
Angela Lifrieri
Laura Hernandez
Nicholas Di Marzo
Thomas Carroll
For all those suffering with the Virus
The Deceased of Our Parish
Rita DiSanto
All Victims of the Virus
Our Beloved Deceased
All Victims of the Virus
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Sunday Masses are open to the public at 25% capacity. Mass Times are 5:30PM Vigil and 8AM, 10AM and 12 noon on Sunday. Please follow the sign up process for these masses.
- Weekday Masses are open to the public at 25% capacity. We are following the regular weekday schedule and masses will he held at 6:45AM and 9AM.
- Confession: Saturdays from 4-5PM.
- Live stream: All Sunday Masses will be live streamed. We will live stream the 9:00 AM weekday and Saturday Masses. Masses can be viewed on our website at IHM-Parish.org.
- The Rectory is open with limited hours of 10AM - 4PM.
- IHM Online Contributions through WeShare: Please consider using WeShare to set up electronic recurring contributions to IHM. Support our parish consistently, even if you are unable to attend Mass!
- Mail in Contributions: If you can't attend Mass or use WeShare, you may mail in your envelopes. 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!
Let us pray through the intercession of our Blessed Mother for help and healing in these complicated and difficult days.
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"
Thank you to our local merchants for
supporting our electronic bulletin!
