As many of you are aware, the archdiocese has been spearheading a comprehensive review, the We are His Witnesses, initiative of all parishes including IHM over the last 2 years. The Cardinal wanted to hear from all parishes and parishioners on where we are, where God was calling us to be and how do we get there. My thanks to all of you who provided your thoughts and suggestions to the Archdiocese. While the original target date was June 12th for Cardinal Tobin to make a wide-range of announcements about the structure of the diocese, based on the nature and extent of the feedback received, He has elected to defer any archdiocese -wide decisions for the foreseeable future. He still plans on making a very limited range of announcements on June 12th. Therefore, it seems that IHM will remain as a standalone parish for now.

The Cardinal is now asking us to pivot and engage in prayerful discussions about Where God is Calling us to be? We are His Witnesses is not going away but rather embarking on a modified path. The earlier project focused too much on where we are now and the advantages and disadvantages of proposed combinations and did not focus on where God is calling us to be. He is asking us to explore answers to this question broadly (i.e., not just through an IHM lens) and assume we have no constraints as we endeavor to respond to the Great Commission Jesus has given us. 


I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity for greater reflection and prayerful discussion on what is possible. We will gather for light refreshments in the rectory then move to the chapel for prayer and small group discussions. These sessions will be held on:


For all parishioners:

April 29, 2026, from 6:30-9:00 pm

May 2, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am

For parents and young adults:

May 9, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am

May 12, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Rosary Communion Mass & Brunch

Sunday May 3, 2025

10:00 am Communion Mass at Church

11:00 am Brunch at Shackamaxon Country Club

Please join us as we celebrate
Immaculate Heart of Mary’s May Crowning
Sunday May 3, 2026
Following the 10:00 am Mass

All of our 2026 First Communion children are requested to come dressed in their communion attire. Please have children arrive at church at 9:45 am as they will be part of the entrance procession.

Please RSVP with Marielle at mariellecarroll@ihmparish.net or leave a message at 908-889-2100

Sunday May 3: General Group Night 7-8:30pm

Alpha Episode 12 Finale Dinner at Nazareth Center

Monday May 4, 2026 at 7:00 pm

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

Join us for Lectio Divina: Reflection, Discussion & Quiet.
Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis for more details. Thank you!

Call 908-889-2100

Women Walking In Faith will gather at 7:30 PM via ZOOM on the first Thursday of every month. Occasionally, we will meet again in person at the Nazareth Center. There are new and interesting topics every month.

Please join us on ZOOM to hear more about what we all have in common with these empowering women. All are welcome and feel free to invite a friend!

Please contact Tracey at 908-889-2100 to receive our ZOOM invite and find out more about Women Walking In Faith!

IHM Men’s Scripture & Discussion Group LIVE, In-Person meeting. Live meetings will be held on the 2nd Saturday morning of every month at 7:30AM in the church basement.

Open to ALL MEN. Coffee & Light Refreshments will be served. All men are welcome to come and socialize a bit over coffee and donuts and discuss Sunday’s scripture. The meeting will last about an hour. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded men of the Parish in a low pressure environment while gaining a better understanding of the Gospel. That will make attending Sunday Mass much more interesting and rewarding! Contact David for more information.

As many of you are aware, the archdiocese has been spearheading a comprehensive review, the We are His Witnesses, initiative of all parishes including IHM over the last 2 years. The Cardinal wanted to hear from all parishes and parishioners on where we are, where God was calling us to be and how do we get there. My thanks to all of you who provided your thoughts and suggestions to the Archdiocese. While the original target date was June 12th for Cardinal Tobin to make a wide-range of announcements about the structure of the diocese, based on the nature and extent of the feedback received, He has elected to defer any archdiocese -wide decisions for the foreseeable future. He still plans on making a very limited range of announcements on June 12th. Therefore, it seems that IHM will remain as a standalone parish for now.

The Cardinal is now asking us to pivot and engage in prayerful discussions about Where God is Calling us to be? We are His Witnesses is not going away but rather embarking on a modified path. The earlier project focused too much on where we are now and the advantages and disadvantages of proposed combinations and did not focus on where God is calling us to be. He is asking us to explore answers to this question broadly (i.e., not just through an IHM lens) and assume we have no constraints as we endeavor to respond to the Great Commission Jesus has given us. 


I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity for greater reflection and prayerful discussion on what is possible. We will gather for light refreshments in the rectory then move to the chapel for prayer and small group discussions. These sessions will be held on:


For all parishioners:

April 29, 2026, from 6:30-9:00 pm

May 2, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am

For parents and young adults:

May 9, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am

May 12, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

We have scheduled a session on Protecting Vulnerable Adults on Monday May 11 at 6.30pm in the Nazareth Center.Please let those who expressed interest about the class know that they will need to register on Virtus.org - titled "Vulnerable Adults". Please let me know if you have any questions ckeogh925@yahoo.com or call 908-889-2100. Peace, Deacon Colm

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

As many of you are aware, the archdiocese has been spearheading a comprehensive review, the We are His Witnesses, initiative of all parishes including IHM over the last 2 years. The Cardinal wanted to hear from all parishes and parishioners on where we are, where God was calling us to be and how do we get there. My thanks to all of you who provided your thoughts and suggestions to the Archdiocese. While the original target date was June 12th for Cardinal Tobin to make a wide-range of announcements about the structure of the diocese, based on the nature and extent of the feedback received, He has elected to defer any archdiocese -wide decisions for the foreseeable future. He still plans on making a very limited range of announcements on June 12th. Therefore, it seems that IHM will remain as a standalone parish for now.

The Cardinal is now asking us to pivot and engage in prayerful discussions about Where God is Calling us to be? We are His Witnesses is not going away but rather embarking on a modified path. The earlier project focused too much on where we are now and the advantages and disadvantages of proposed combinations and did not focus on where God is calling us to be. He is asking us to explore answers to this question broadly (i.e., not just through an IHM lens) and assume we have no constraints as we endeavor to respond to the Great Commission Jesus has given us. 


I invite you to take advantage of this opportunity for greater reflection and prayerful discussion on what is possible. We will gather for light refreshments in the rectory then move to the chapel for prayer and small group discussions. These sessions will be held on:


For all parishioners:

April 29, 2026, from 6:30-9:00 pm

May 2, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am

For parents and young adults:

May 9, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am

May 12, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Join us for Lectio Divina: Reflection, Discussion & Quiet.
Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis for more details. Thank you!

Call 908-889-2100

You are invited to join the fifth installment of Beta: A Science and Faith Discussion on Thursday, May 14 on zoom at 7:30 PM. Please register here:

https://forms.gle/7jw5ovuiXnjmBZwH6

In this session, DNA: Do not alter? Or do?, we will discuss the Catholic Church and views on biotechnology, gene-editing, and reproductive technologies. We will have an overview of the latest developments in these areas - and some that have been around a while. What does the Catholic Church say about gene-editing for medical uses, designer babies, altering inheritable traits and more? Are we upholding or violating the dignity of life? What is the ethical decision in these cases?

There is a lot to unpack and discuss. We want to hear your views and your faith!

After you register, you will receive an email with links to material for optional review.

Yours in curiosity, The Beta Team

SENIOR TEA PARTY
SATURDAY MAY 16, 2026

Join us for an elegant affair filled with delightful conversations, exquisite teas, and a delectable assortment of sweet and savory treats! Located at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the Nazareth Center Meeting Room on 1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ. Register online by clicking the buttons below and complete the online form. Call Gabe if you need help: 908-889-2100.

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Group makes hand-made prayer shawls for parishioners who are ill and we create scarves & hats for the needy.

We will gather every 3rd Sunday of the month (after 10:00 AM Mass) in the Nazareth Center at approximately 11:00 AM.

Please contact Marion if you would like more information or call the Parish Office at 908-889-2100.

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

Tuesday May 19, 2026
6:30 pm at the Nazareth Center

The Care & Support Ministry is a joint collaboration between Immaculate Heart of Mary Church & St. Bartholomew Parish. Please join us to help make nutritious meals for our local seniors. We will supply all the ingredients, we just need you!

If you can't make it that night, you can also make meals at home! We are looking for caring people to make food anytime throughout the month for our area seniors and homebound and homeless in area shelters. Meals can be dropped of anytime to the Nazareth Center, Mon- Fri from 9 AM - 2 PM or we can make arrangements for the evenings or weekend, please specify in your sign up response.

All donated meals should be in disposable containers. The need in our community is enormous right now and we need your help to keep up! We supplied over 600 cups of soup and hundreds of Sandwiches to the Emergency Code Blue shelter in Plainfield last week alone. THANK YOU!

Join us for Lectio Divina: Reflection, Discussion & Quiet.
Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis for more details. Thank you!

Call 908-889-2100

Pentecost Sunday
Sunday May 24, 2026
Mass Times at 8 am, 10 am and 12 pm

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is located at 1571 Martine Ave. Scotch Plains, NJ

Alpha Pentecost Reunion 2026

Sunday May 24, 2026 at 11:00 am @ Chapel/Rectory

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

IHM Men’s Scripture & Discussion Group ZOOM Virtual meeting. Online meetings will be held on the 4th Thursday evening of every month at 7:30PM on ZOOM.

Open to ALL MEN. All men are welcome to come and discuss Sunday’s scripture. The meeting will last about an hour. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded men of the Parish in a low pressure environment while gaining a better understanding of the Gospel. That will make attending Sunday Mass much more interesting and rewarding! Contact David for more information.

Holy Trinity Sunday
Sunday May 31, 2026
Mass Times 8 am, 10 am and 12 pm

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is located at 1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Youth Ministry Service Night
Sunday May 31, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

Mystagogy Party

Monday June 1, 2026 @ 7:00 pm in Fr. Byrne Auditorium

Don’t Write This Off! This Is What We Are Working Towards!

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

Join us for Lectio Divina: Reflection, Discussion & Quiet.
Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis for more details. Thank you!

Call 908-889-2100

Women Walking In Faith will gather at 7:30 PM via ZOOM on the first Thursday of every month. Occasionally, we will meet again in person at the Nazareth Center. There are new and interesting topics every month.

Please join us on ZOOM to hear more about what we all have in common with these empowering women. All are welcome and feel free to invite a friend!

Please contact Tracey at 908-889-2100 to receive our ZOOM invite and find out more about Women Walking In Faith!

Corpus Christi Procession
Sunday June 7, 2026
Begins immediately after 12 NOON Mass - 1:00 Pm at Church

Sunday June 7: Youth Ministry Closing Event 7-8:30pm

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

Join us for Lectio Divina: Reflection, Discussion & Quiet.
Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis for more details. Thank you!

Call 908-889-2100

IHM Men’s Scripture & Discussion Group LIVE, In-Person meeting. Live meetings will be held on the 2nd Saturday morning of every month at 7:30AM in the church basement.

Open to ALL MEN. Coffee & Light Refreshments will be served. All men are welcome to come and socialize a bit over coffee and donuts and discuss Sunday’s scripture. The meeting will last about an hour. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded men of the Parish in a low pressure environment while gaining a better understanding of the Gospel. That will make attending Sunday Mass much more interesting and rewarding! Contact David for more information.

IHM Parish Feast 2026
Sunday June 14, 2026
Party starts at 12:00 pm Mass

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ
Reserve Your Seats by calling 908-889-2100

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

Join us for Lectio Divina: Reflection, Discussion & Quiet.
Prayer Group will meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30AM until 11:00AM at the Nazareth Center. Contact Phyllis for more details. Thank you!

Call 908-889-2100

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

IHM Men’s Scripture & Discussion Group ZOOM Virtual meeting. Online meetings will be held on the 4th Thursday evening of every month at 7:30PM on ZOOM.

Open to ALL MEN. All men are welcome to come and discuss Sunday’s scripture. The meeting will last about an hour. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded men of the Parish in a low pressure environment while gaining a better understanding of the Gospel. That will make attending Sunday Mass much more interesting and rewarding! Contact David for more information.

Open Play for Babies & Toddlers
Every Tuesday from 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Nazareth Center
1571 Martine Ave in Scotch Plains, NJ

Play! Connect! Relax! Open Play for Babies & Toddlers is a welcoming place for little ones and caregivers. Free entry! Coffee provided! Bring your babies and toddlers to run and play in our secure gymnasium. Drop-ins welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF PROGRAM!
Parents must stay with their children at all times!

Enjoy a fun morning where little ones play and caregivers sip coffee and connect. No registration needed. Just show up!

Questions? Call Marielle at 908-889-2100 or send an email for a rapid response.

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!

IHM has been assigned a monthly opportunity to serve the homeless at St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark. Our assigned slot is the first Tuesday of every month for the next 12 months beginning January 6th, 2026.

We will need 5 volunteers for each date. We will arrange to leave from the Nazareth Center at 9:30 am and return 1:00 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need. These events involve plating and serving lunches to over 250 men, women and children. Please let us know if you are available to help by checking-in below or call our office at 908-889-2100 if you need help. Thank you!