Welcome To Immaculate Heart Of Mary Church!
Women’s Prayer Group will resume in September - Please email tefoleyihm@gmail.com to be added to the distribution list
You can now watch all IHM masses and other events that are livestreamed on Facebook on your smart TV or Firestick - just download the facebook watch app and launch - search for
We need volunteers to help livestream daily mass @ 8:30 am (typically mass lasts between 25-35 minutes) - no technical background required. Role requires operating the camera while attending mass. Documents with details on the steps and hands-on training will be provided. Please contact the parish office (908-889-2100 / office@ihmparish.net)
Back to School Prayer
Dear God, with a new school year upon us, we pray for our students and teachers, that You would ease their anxiety about going back to school amidst the pandemic. We pray for safety for those returning to in-person classes, and for the needed technology, self-discipline, and adult oversight for those learning online. We pray that every child has enough to eat, a supportive network of friends and family, and perseverance to face every challenge with Your strength.
Amen
Pastor’s Corner: June 6, 2021
Body and Blood of Christ
Moses sprinkles the blood of the sacrifice on the people as a sign of ratification of the covenant that God has established with them, a sign of their acceptance of the covenant. The blood that Jesus uses to make the new covenant is not that of an animal like Moses, but his very own blood as he presents Himself to God as the sacrificial offering on the altar of the cross. Our participation in the Eucharist and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is our ratification, our acceptance of the covenant. In accepting the covenant in our own lives we are then called and sent to do the same as Jesus, to give of ourselves in service to one another.
Peace, Fr. Mike
Feast of Corpus Christi
“Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them and they all drank from it.” - Mark 14:23
Jesus, the perfect steward, gave thanks, just before He gave Himself up for us, completely for our salvation. He offers us the same chance to drink from His cup. In the bread and wine, we meet Christ personally. If we follow Him, drinking from His cup means our own self-sacrifice, using all of our gifts for the benefit of others and to do His work on earth.
Letter from Fr. Mike regarding Obligation to Attend Mass and Other Updates
Please find below some information and thoughts concerning our reopening of the parish and our Engaging Disciples Initiative as well as our recent celebrations of 1st Communion and Confirmation. Peace, Fr. Mike
Lifting the Dispensation of participating in the Sunday Eucharist As you can see by the letter attached (http://tinyurl.com/ye42psq9), the Bishops of New Jersey have discerned that it is appropriate that we as a church take the next step in returning to normalcy and reopening our parishes. The extenuating circumstances of the COVID pandemic have decreased sufficiently for us that the dispensation from participation in the Sunday Eucharist is no longer necessary as a general exception. As the letter mentions and as is the general norm, there may be personal or individual situations in which the obligation to participate in the Sunday Eucharist may not apply such as illness or close contact with someone who has tested positive for the COVID virus and other circumstance. When in doubt please err on the side of caution. It is important to recognize the great benefit of gathering together as a community of faith to celebrate the Eucharist. While the ability to participate on some level from home was a great asset during the pandemic, it was not the same, on many levels, of being at mass in person. Many of our parishioners have expressed great joy at being able to come back and participate in person. Some are not ready quite yet. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office or one of our priests to discuss your particular situation. At this time please be aware that the sign up for masses is still in place as is the requirement to wear a mask over your mouth and nose, as well as the need for social distancing. There are still many steps to take before we can return to “normal” so I ask for and encourage you to be patient, charitable and understanding as we journey towards fully reopening our church and our community. We will continue to livestream our masses and other special events for the time being. Engaging Disciples: Update on Parish Pastoral Council A few weeks ago I announced the continuing progress of the Engaging Disciples Initiative and the planning for a Parish Pastoral Council. It was my hope to announce the Pastoral Council this weekend as part of our celebration of Pentecost. Unfortunately, it has taken a little longer than expected for me to have the necessary discussions with our potential members. These discussions have been very fruitful in discerning the potential of a pastoral council, as well as generating great enthusiasm and great ideas for our parish community. It is my hope to have this completed this week so that we can introduce our new pastoral council in the next few weeks. Peace, Fr. Mike 1st Communion and Confirmation This weekend we will celebrate the last of our Confirmations. I ask that you congratulate the young people of our parish whose faith has been confirmed through this sacrament. I would also ask that you congratulate those who have celebrated their 1st Communion. These are great celebrations in the life of the young parishioners and their families as well as our parish community. Please keep them in your prayers. Thank you to all: families, volunteers, staff and our entire parish community, for your help and prayers for these young parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary. Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass Returning to Grace - A Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist
2021 Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of Newark
I invite you to join me in participating in the 2021 Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of Newark. This appeal will fund essential programs and ministries at the heart of our Catholic mission in the four counties of the Archdiocese to proclaim the gospel, to pass on the faith to future generations, particularly through the celebration of the sacraments, and to care for the poor and those on the margins. I invite you to take 4 minutes to view the video with a message from our Archbishop, Joseph Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R. on how the appeal will help the in the ministries the Archdiocese provides in our local communities. Video Message
Now more than ever, especially during this health crisis, the ministries and programs which assist and minister to so many in our community and throughout the Archdiocese, need your support. Funds from this appeal will go directly to the ministries involved. Any funds pledged and donated above our goal of $69,000 will come directly back to our parish of Immaculate heart of Mary.
Pledge envelopes are available in the church and can be placed in the offertory boxes at the doors of the church, at the office or can be mailed to the parish. You can also make a donation through our Parish Giving online giving platform found on our website: https://ihmparish.net/ or directly through the Archdiocesan website: https://support.rcan.org/a/donate (please make sure you list Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scotch Plains as your parish).
Below are links to short videos that help to see the impact this appeal makes in the lives of many in our area. Pledges/donations can be made through the Archdiocesan website or through our parish on-line giving program: The pandemic has presented so many of us with unprecedented and difficult challenges, and you, the parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary have been so generous with your prayer, financial support and your time and energy to help the parish and to help those in need. We are so grateful for your support. I invite you to prayerfully consider a pledge to the 2021 Annual Appeal. On behalf of so many who benefit from these funds, thank you for your generosity.
Peace,
Fr. Mike
All videos and links: https://www.rcan.org/video
Individual Videos:
Annual Appeal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzyg-t3qiUE
Giving During Time of Pandemic : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KLgR2uImFQ&t=7s
Prison Ministry : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdkeKeV3308
Family Life : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmJm-3Az8wU&feature=emb_imp_woyt
Youth and Young Adult Ministry : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bqqb8B4vZA&feature=emb_logo
Forming Future Clergy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWSAi7LAORc&feature=emb_imp_woyt
Announcements
Please check this space for latest announcements
Letter from Fr. Mike regarding Obligation to Attend Mass and Other Updates
Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass
Returning to Grace - A Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist
Music for Sunday Mass - June 6, 2021 - Feast of Corpus Christi
Music for Saturday June 12, 2021 Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Music for Sunday June 13, 2021 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Immaculate Heart of Mary Feast Day BYO Basket Picnic June 12, 2021 Mass at 11 am - Flyer
Memo from Cardinal Tobin on Maintaining Vigilance Against COVID-19
Engaging Disciples Update.- Parish Pastoral Council
Men's Scripture & Discussion Group Virtual Meeting Saturday June 12, 2021 at 9:15AM Click for Flyer
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Online Giving Options
Your continued support during these difficult times is important for the Church to continue to do its work.
Online Giving Through Go Fund Me Link
Text to Give option by texting a dollar amount to (908) 224-3545
IHM Parish - Sunday Mass Livestream
Feast of Corpus Christi - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood og Christ - June 6, 2021
First Communion & Confirmation Masses Livestream Videos May 2021
Mass Videos for the Week
IHM Parish - Holy Week and Easter Celebrations - 2021
Holy Week Celebration Videos and Programs
Easter Triduum - 2021 Videos
For all videos of Easter Triduum - 2021 Click Archives button.
Holy Week 2021 - Archive Page
For archive page of Holy Week - 2021 Click Archives button.
Holy Week Mass Programs and Music
Lenten Speaker Series Videos
For all videos of Lenten Speaker Series click on Lenten Speaker Series - 2021 Click Archives button.
Christmas Eve/Day Videos & Advent O'Antiphon Videos
For all Christmas Season Mass videos, Christmas Today archives click the button below to visit the Christmas 2020 Archives.
For Advent Today Archives and O'Antiphon videos, click on Advent Archives button.
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Resources
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