Immaculate Heart of Mary Church

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
1571 S. Martine Ave. Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Phone: 908-889-2100 | Email: office@ihmparish.net

Saturday (Anticipated) 5:00 PM
Sundays - 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 noon
Weekdays & Saturdays - 7:00 AM and 8:30AM
National Holidays - 9:00 AM
Holy Days - 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 7:00 PM
Morning Prayer - Monday - Saturday at 8:15 AM
Rosary: Monday - Saturday after 8:30 AM Mass
Novena to the Miraculous Medal & St. Jude: Saturdays after 8:30 AM Mass Reconciliation: Saturdays from 4:15 - 4:45 AM

Mission Statement

“We reach out to all through prayer and service, as we live our Catholic faith in Christ with Mary.”

Download Bulletin

4th Week of Easter:
April 21, 2024

Mass Livestream

Sunday Mass

3rd Sunday of Easter: April 14, 2024
Please “Like” and “Subscribe” our YouTube Channel so we may provide more live-streaming content from our church directly to your home.

Daily Mass

Daily Mass and Holy Day Masses that were live-streamed at our church can be seen on our Facebook Video Channel. Click the Facebook Watch banner below to view all of our videos.

Pastor’s Corner

A Note from Fr. Mike

April 21, 2024

St. Peter tells us that the miraculous cure of the crippled man was done in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean. It is a great example and reminder to each of us to do things in the name of Jesus Christ. Each liturgical celebration, each time we pray, each time we do something of a religious nature we begin with “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Perhaps we can expand that action by doing our daily activities and encounters with others in the name of Jesus Christ. In recognizing that Christ is present and walks with us each moment we allow our words and actions to become prayer for us and for those we encounter each day. In this way we bring a sense of the sacred and holy, a hint of the Divine Power, to all that we say and do.

Peace, Fr. Mike

Triduum 2024 - Video Message from Fr. Mike

UPCOMING Events

Online Giving Options

“Your continued support during these difficult times is important for the Church to continue to do its work. Thank you!”

Youth & Family

Get Excited!

Summer Academy 2024 will take place Sunday, June 23rd to Tuesday, July 2nd. Classes Monday-Friday will take place from 9:00 am- 1:00 pm.

On Weekdays each day will conclude with 12:00 pm Mass (all parents will be welcome to attend).

New to 2024: We will have two abbreviated Sunday Sessions. From 10:30 am-11:30 am, children and youth will do a shortened session with their catechists and classmates. Parents will attend their own sessions, then we will reunite for 12:00 pm Mass. Sunday Sessions will also be an anchor point for program wide charity and service collections to be announced later!

Registration will open on Wednesday, February 14th! 


A Message from Faith Formation
Pastoral Associate: John McGuire

April 21, 2024: God’s Love is the Point

It is very easy to get caught up in what is expected of us as Christians. The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, Corporal Works of Mercy, the golden rule. There are countless Papal Encyclicals, teachings about morality, justice, and how we should go about our lives in the modern world. When you focus on these things as restrictions, as opposed to guidelines for a fulfilled life, they become tedious and monotonous. Those things that can bring us abundant life, are overshadowed by a negative mindset.

If we relate fully to the suffering of Jesus’ passion and death, if we become fearful and nervous like our Lord's closest followers, and scatter, without considering the joy of the resurrection we become numb to the amazing gift that we have been given. If we get totally down on ourselves for Lent with abstinence and restriction, for the whole 40 days of Lent, and neglect the joy of Easter for the 50 days of the season, what have we gained? Overzealous seminarians are reminded to fast and feast with the Church!

For the remainder of the Easter Season let us joyfully recall the fact that God loved the world so much, that Jesus Christ took on flesh, taught and reinforced the most important guidance we can follow for a full life. Then only after doing this died on the Cross to provide us with the gift of salvation, then took a victory tour to restore His Community which would build up the Church we belong to today! This week let us pray that we can see the teaching of scripture and our tradition as the foundation of a full life in union with God and our neighbors. God Bless, Happy Easter, and have a wonderful week!

 

What in the Word?!

April 14, 2024

What in the Word?! Episode 9: Scripture & Counsel. Catholic musings by Faith Formation Coordinator John McGuire. Find out this and a whole lot more by clicking the “Play” button on this video. Please “Like” and “Subscribe” so we may provide more Catholic content for your family. Thank you for your support!

IHM Youth Ministry powered by BOLD

get Involved!

Women’s Prayer Group

The women of the parish will gather to review scripture and discuss the readings. All women are invited to join us! If you are new to the group and would like to participate, please contact Tracey at tefoleyihm@gmail.com or call 908-889-2100. Prayer connects us all!

Lectio Divina/
Prayer Group

Join us for some Lectio Divina, reflection, discussion and quiet time as we deepen our personal relationship with God. Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis at tman18912@comcast.net or call 908-889-2100.

Men’s Scripture Group

The Men’s Scripture & Discussion group meet twice a month for discussions on prayer and reflection. We meet for virtual sessions on ZOOM and live events in the church basement. Donuts & coffee are served at in-person meetings! Contact David at dndiken@aol.com or call 908-889-2100.

Alpha

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe and everyone is welcome. It runs online, in cafés, churches, universities, homes—you name it! No two Alphas look the same, but they generally have three key things in common: hospitality, a talk and good conversation.

BETA

Beta picks up where Alpha left off. Great conversations & a safe space to reflect. Explore your faith. Dive deeper! Discuss how faith affects your life. Open to all. You don’t have to be an Alpha graduate to join Beta. Everyone is welcome. Meetings twice a month on Zoom. Short films with small group discussions. At Beta, you can seek more answers to life’s big questions with others. Tell us what you think.

PRAYER SHAWL

Knitters and crocheters as well as those who want to learn are welcome to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  The completed prayer shawls will be distributed to the sick of our parish. Sometimes we knit hats, scarves and gloves for folks in need. Meetings are on the 3rd Sunday of every month, after the 10:00 AM Mass in the Nazareth Center. All are welcome! Contact Marion or call the office at 908-889-2100 if you have any questions.

Choir/Music

IHM Church Choir has practice every Wednesday night at 7:00 PM in Church. All skill levels are welcome. If you can sing in the shower or in your car, you can definitely sing with us! Flex those vocal chords for the holy spirit and meet new friends from the parish. If you would like to share your gift of music with our church, or if you would just like to listen. Please contact Katie if you are interested or call 908-889-2100.

Video Team

We offer volunteers opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to help livestream daily Mass at 8:30 AM in the Chapel. Typically Mass lasts between 25-35 minutes. No technical background required. We will teach you everything we know. This will be great experience for film students or seniors wishing to expand their technical knowledge. Please contact Rick if you’d like to help or call 908-889-2100.

Hospitality

We live to serve our parish and our community as a whole. The Hospitality Ministry is a collective of talented individuals that will gather for our parish events to help prepare food, serve our guests and clean up afterwards. It’s a great way to give back to our parish community and build healthy friendships along the way. Please contact Tracey if you would like to assist the Hospitality Ministry or call 908-889-2100.

Food Pantry

“When is Food Pantry open?”

+ Every Wednesday from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM

+ Every 2nd Sunday from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM

“Next Sunday Food Pantry?”

+ Sunday May 12, 2024

We are located behind the church at 1571 South Martine Avenue. Scotch Plains, New Jersey 07076. Please bring your donations to the back of the church. Place the items in the wooden crate near the backdoors. You may also drop donations off at the Nazareth Center. Thank you for your generosity!

Archdiocese Update

April 19, 2024

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Christ is risen; he is truly risen!

When we began our Easter celebration three weeks ago, St. John’s Gospel (Jn 20:1-8) related the following remarkable occurrence:

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So, she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in…

Good news

Isn’t the Eucharist Just A Symbol?

March 23, 2024

This 60 minute presentation will weave a fascinating explanation that will leave attendees with a newfound appreciation of the Eucharist. And with an understanding that Jesus did not intend it to be just a symbol. Hosted by Professor Dan Balogh.

 

CYO State Champions 2024

March 19, 2024

CYO STATE CHAMPIONS!!! Very hard-fought win last night against a tough and loud East Orange St Joseph’s team! Nate left it all out on the court! All 3 of my boys have played at IHM for the past 12 years and this was our LAST IHM game ever! Sad to see it end but what a way to end it! Big thanks to John McNulty for coaching these boys with all his heart, Coach Tish, and Trish McNulty for all the stats and Father Mike for supporting! Photo credits Sharon Filler.

 

Rite of Election Update

February 20, 2024

This past weekend we had a wonderful experience at our cathedral with the Call to Continuing Conversion for candidates from other Christian denominations seeking full communion with the Catholic Church and on Sunday for catechumens seeking full initiation at the Easter Vigil.  This year there were 677 candidates and 444 catechumens from 123 participating parishes. I am happy to report that Union County had the most candidates and catechumens this year in our archdiocese.  This is the result of the zealous work of our priests and your pastoral associates working with the OCIA/C.  Congratulations! Thank you!

Bishop Elais

 

Spirituality Retreat 2024

February 6, 2024

Many thanks to Phyllis Mano for leading the wonderful Winter Day Of Reflection/In House Retreat.  It was a wonderful morning of prayer, reflection and inner peace.  Phyllis guided attendees to a deeper way of understanding God's love for us and Thank you also to Mary Anne Sopko for organizing this lovely event. We welcome you to consider joining our wonderful Rosary Altar Society.  For more information please contact Janice Good-Piga at 908-759-6729.  Whether you can attend all or only some of our meetings and events, we know that you will find in very fulfilling.

 

HELP US UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO!

January 1, 2024

Happy New Year Parishioners! As part of ongoing efforts to improve communications and outreach at the parish we want to update parishioner contact information, so we serve you better with effective, relevant and timely communications to members of household based on their preference. Please take a moment to scan the code or click on the link and complete the form to update your contact information. On behalf of the communications team at IHM, we thank you!

Resources

Formed.org is "Catholic Faith On Demand". Similar to Netflix, Formed.org gives you access to Catholic faith inspired movies, cartoons, audio books, comic books, radio talks, podcasts and a whole lot more. The parish council at Immaculate Heart of Mary has purchased a FORMED.org subscription so that all our parishioners will have access to great Catholic content at no additional charge to you. It’s our gift, so your family can have access to wholesome entertainment that is both engaging and informative.

Signing up on FORMED has become a lot easier and parish codes and custom registration URLs are no longer needed. Go to formed.org/signup. Enter zip code 07076 and select Immaculate Heart of Mary as your parish to activate your FREE subscription.

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