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

6th Week of Easter:
May 5, 2024

Mass Livestream

Sunday Mass

5th Sunday of Easter: April 28, 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

May 5, 2024

Jesus calls us to love one another, and by doing so we remain in Him and He in us, and our joy may be complete. When we love someone we want them to be happy and joyful, and not just in a superficial way, and we want to give of ourselves in order to make this happen. Jesus has done the same for us by giving Himself on the cross and He continues to do so through the Eucharist and all of the sacraments and through one another. In experiencing this love and joy in our lives He calls us to share it with one another, and we do so willingly because of our love for Jesus and for our neighbor. In keeping this commandment of love we are able to experience more profoundly the love of Christ for the Father and the Father’s love for Christ in our lives. We remain in union, and communion, with him. Participating in the divine love of Father and Son (and Holy Spirit) enables us to share that same divine love with others.

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

May 5, 2024: Easter: A Sacramental Season

A man, seemingly crazed, dressed in a way, dined in a way that made others uncomfortable, mainly on locusts and wild honey went out to a deserted place, and called out for repentance along the Jordan River. As odd as he seemed, the people were hungry for a new perspective, a change in the status quo. With this man John the Baptist they found a form of ritual cleansing, a baptism of repentance. Though He was like us in all things but sin, our Savior Jesus Christ sought out this voice in the desert, His cousin, to receive this baptism. While Christ was without sin, this was a critical moment (that we’ll revisit during our next installment on Confirmation). This ritual cleaning performed by John was a precursor to something greater, just as John himself was the forerunner of Christ. After Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection he spent time with His Apostles and Disciples, and commissioned them for ministry. They were being sent to go and make disciples Baptizing in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This baptism was no longer for purely repentance, no those who experience baptism of our Lord receive new life in Christ whether they are infants, or adults. It is interesting to consider how the sacraments interplay with each other throughout their history. We consider Confirmation to be somewhat of a completion of this important rite. Even more interestingly, baptism is in fact for the forgiveness of sins. Earlier in our history, the sacrament of reconciliation hadn’t been developed, so some notable figures, emperors, notables, and ordinary people would hold off their baptism till later in life, because they feared sinning after the forgiveness of baptism. Baptism has always been a one shot deal, a dedication of one’s life to Christ. As such, even those who leave the faith later in life, are seen by Church law as still being Catholic. This week in particular, let’s pray for those who have been baptized and have strayed from the faith, and those who have never known Christ.

God Bless and have a great week!

 

IHM What in the Word?!

May 3, 2024

IHM What in the Word?! Episode 11: First Eucharist Highlights 2024. 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

May 3, 2024

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

During the month of May, we pay special reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and the first Missionary Disciple of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Mary shows us by her words and example how we should love and serve others, our sisters and brothers in Christ.

Mary’s response when confronted with any difficulty, great or small, was to trust in God’s Providence. In spite of her fundamental orientation to contemplative prayer (“treasuring these things in her heart”), Mary is never indifferent or uncaring. In fact, frequently, her response is to act without hesitation, trusting that the Holy Spirit will be responsible for ensuring that the outcome will conform to God’s will…

Good news

NPM LUNCHTIME CONCERT

April 24, 2024

Composer and pastoral musician Katie Wills shares some of her original music with us today in this Lunchtime Concert. Thanks to Katie and the team (below) for providing such beautiful music! Thanks to all who were involved: Ed Gardella, bass. James Gardella, drums. Michael Kuchar, rhythm guitar. Rodrigo Marciano, Acoustic guitar. Will Shore, violin. Andy Tremper, cello (also audio recording and mixing). Russ Wills video recording and editing

 

CYO Awards Winners 2024

April 22, 2024

Congratulations, to Tish Catalano, Sarah Riley and Juliana Dowling for being recognized for their years of effort and hard work at Immaculate Heart of Mary and their participation in the CYO program. We look forward to your special day on Sunday, April 21st at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, as we celebrate your accomplishments in the Parishes and Schools of our Archdiocese. Thank you!

 

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.

 

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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