Welcome To Immaculate Heart Of Mary Church!
Advent 2021
O Antiphons of Advent 2021
The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) They are the Antiphons preceding the Magnificat (Mary’s hymn of praise) during evening prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, from December 17-23 as well as the Alleluia verse preceding the Gospel during daily Mass.
The importance of O Antiphons is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah.
This year the priests of Immaculate Heart of Mary offer our reflections (please see the link below) on these antiphons in the hope that they will help your prayer and preparation for the coming celebration of Christmas. May our loving God continue to bless you and your family this Advent season.
Fr. Mike, Fr. Valentine and Fr. Rob
Advent O Antiphons - Dec 22 2021 – O Desire of Nations
Advent O Antiphons - Dec 19 2021 – O come Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem
Advent 2021 - Lessons and Carols
Christmas Pageant
Friday December 24, 2021 at 3:30pm
The show starts at 3:30pm before the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass. If you and your child would like to participate, please fill out the sign up form. All children in pre-kindregarten through 5th grade are welcome to join the festivities! Click Here To Sign Up!
There will be a practice from 2:30 - 3:30 pm on Friday December 24th in the IHM Church Basement.
If you need help please call the office at 908-889-2100 or email office@ihmparish.net
Holiday Updates
Centering Prayer/Lectio Divina Zoom meetings on Thursday mornings at 9:30am will be on break for the Holidays starting December 16th. Meetings will resume again starting January 20th.
SAVE THE DATE
March 11 & 12, 2022
Men’s Cornerstone Retreat
Choir Practice on Wednesday nights will be on break for the Holidays December 29 and January 5. Choir practice resumes Wednesday night January 12 at 8:00pm.
Vine and Branches
A Message from Fr. Mike
Pastor’s Corner: December 19, 2021
A Note from Fr. Mike
Our Gospel readings for this Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Advent, as well as Christmas Day, show different encounters with the Divine. Elizabeth and John are filled with joy as Mary, with the baby Jesus in her womb, greets them. They recognize what is hidden and come to experience the glory of God. In the celebrations of Christmas we too come to experience the joy and glory that Elizabeth and John shared as we hear of the birth of Jesus and the incarnation of God. These encounters with the Divine help us to recognize the grace of God’s presence and grow in our ability to not only experience the love of God, but also to share that love with one another.
Peace,
Fr. Mike
On another Note: It has been a great joy these past few weeks to reconnect with so many of you who have been able to return to the celebration of the Eucharist. While these past months have been difficult on all of us not being able to come together to share in the Eucharistic Feast, we have done the best we can with live stream and other activities. These pale in comparison to the ability to come together and celebrate the Eucharist. Something perhaps we did not recognize until we were able to experience it ourselves. For my part, it is invigorating to be able to preside at the Eucharist with a community gathered in prayer rather than a know but unseen congregation. We have learned a lot about what we have missed, we have learned a lot of new ways to minister, we have discovered new gifts and renewed gifts we already recognized. I look forward to continuing to open up or church, our parish and our community in the weeks and months ahead, and sharing all of the opportunities that come our way. Welcome Back and Thank You.
Fr. Mike
O Come O Come Emanuelle - Advent 2021
Announcements
Please check this space for latest announcements
For a Synodal Church: Communication, Participation and Mission
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
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 19, 2021
Daily Mass Livestream
IHM Parish - All Souls Mass Livestream
All Souls Mass - November 6, 2021
IHM Parish - Remembering 911 - September 11, 2021
Special Mass for Peace in the World
IHM Parish and St. Bartholomew Parishes
Prayer for Hope and Peace - Sunday August 29, 2021
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
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
Resources
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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
Katie's Song
You may listen to her on the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suDv7G0ZUz8
