Katie Wills and Kathleen Basi in Concert – A Celebration of Original Music and Cherished Favorites Scotch Plains, NJ – Join us for a delightful concert featuring acclaimed composers Katie Wills and Kathleen Basi on Sunday, November 10th, at 2:30 PM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scotch Plains, NJ. Katie Wills, published with Oregon Catholic Press (OCP), and Kathleen Basi, whose works are published with OCP, GIA, and Simply Liturgical, will share their inspiring original compositions alongside some beloved favorites. This concert promises to be a beautiful afternoon of music that uplifts the spirit and fosters community.
Boxes of Joy 2024
A very big thank you to everyone that contributed to our Boxes of Joy collection, we had enough to put together 55 boxes. Our parish teens really are a Joy to work with. Great turn out for our Boxes of Joy event last evening! We are blessed to work with these amazing teens. Shout out to MaryFrances Malone that keeps everyone well fed and happy at all our meetings. These kids love to eat.
Youth Group Succeeds College Care Package Mission
A HUGE THANK YOU!!! To the generous parishioners who sponsored funds toward shipping. Those who contributed items ans the hands that packed with love. 23 college students will be receiving care packages in the next week or so, as a physical reminder of God’s love for them and our support here at IHM!
Your generosity COVERED our whole project! Thank you!
From IHM Youth Ministry powered by BOLD
The IHM Pancake Breakfast a huge success!
The IHM Pancake Breakfast was a huge success! Approximately 115 people attended throughout the morning. Thanks to our parishioners and volunteers for coming out and supporting the church. This is a list of volunteers in alphabetical order:
Kathy Adisano, Lesley Aman, Steve Aman, Michael Dsurney, MJ Dsurney, Mara Haight, Bob Laudati, Margaret Lewis, Rileigh Lin, Bella Lin, Mary Frances Malone, Pat Mazzucca, Diane McGuinness, Bob McGuinness, June Mooney, Jean Naugle, Anabella Nizner, Regina O'Connor, Regina Regan, Karen Schurtz, Jack Tafur, John Torzewski, Claudia Torzewski, Bonnie Trower
Backpack Challenge 2024
Backpack Challenge 2024
August 23, 2024
This is truly a great community! A huge thank you to Donna, Joe and their incredible staff at Darby Road. They partnered with IHM again this year to help us provide new full backpacks to kids in the Union County foster system hosted by Kindness for Kids of Union County. Together with your overwhelmingly generous donations, they spent many hours putting together beautiful backpacks for these disadvantaged kids. We packed over 140 yesterday that will be delivered on Monday. Everyone at Darby Rd got involved with great enthusiasm. A huge thanks to everyone involved in making this year’s Backpack Challenge a success!
Catholic Charities Donation Update
Catholic Charities Donation Bin Update
July 12, 2024
Did you know about the donation bins in the church parking lot? Well, they are really making a difference. Catholic Charities received $3,382 as a result of your generosity to the Donation Bins from December 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. These funds, combined with monies from other parishes in the same program throughout the Archdiocese, enable us to provide counseling services for about 11,850 hours of counseling to 3,736 families in crisis in the past year. Thank you for being our partner and enabling us to bring Christ’s love to the most vulnerable in our society.
60th Anniversary Celebration
60th Anniversary Celebration
June 14, 2024
Our 60th Anniversary Celebration so far has been an enormous success! There have been several wonderful events, including the children’s bingo and ice cream, an Afternoon Tea, and our parish feast, and so many memories made and to be made! We have many, many people to thank. Click on the image to zoom in the details and view the list of winners for our raffle. Once again, thank you for being a part of our 60th Anniversary Feast!
Parish Council Update
PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE
May 17, 2024
The parish pastoral council convened for its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 8th. It was a pleasure to welcome Tim, Thomas, and Alexandria, leaders from our youth ministry, who provided an update on the ministry's activities. They outlined the ministry's recent history, starting from when Rachael Flanagan was recruited in 2019 to revive the previously dormant teen ministry. Initially, the program engaged around 12 to 15 teens in bi-monthly meetings and has since expanded. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, which necessitated a shift to weekly virtual gatherings, the ministry has grown to serve 35-40 teens. The current program fosters a teen leadership team that organizes events and includes initiatives like a feeder program for 7th and 8th graders, as well as a college care program for those attending college.
Tim, Thomas, and Alexandria expressed a desire on behalf of their ministry to establish a monthly children’s mass and volunteered to assist with its organization. They also wish to participate more actively in regular masses by serving as lectors, ushers, and altar servers. Furthermore, they have outlined ambitious plans to expand their ministry by inviting friends and schoolmates to upcoming events and leveraging social media to enhance outreach. The council members were deeply impressed by the dedication of these young individuals to their faith and the parish community. They committed to supporting the ministry’s proposals and initiatives.
THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SCIENCE & FAITH WITH STEPHEN BARR PH.D.
THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SCIENCE & FAITH WITH STEPHEN BARR PH.D.
May 16, 2024
Dr. Barr is President of the Society of Catholic Scientists and Professor Emeritus of theoretical particle physics at the University of Delaware. In 2010 he was elected to the Academy of Catholic Theology & was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI.
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.