Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Kosciol Niepokalanego Serca Najswietszej Maryi Panny
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"Our Father, as we enter this Third Sunday of Advent, we pause in joyful anticipation of the coming of Your light into our lives. May our hearts be filled with hope and love, guiding us to spread Your peace to all. Help us to prepare our souls for the joy of Your presence". Amen
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"Saint Lucy, whose beautiful name signifies "Light", by the light of faith which God bestowed upon you, increase and preserve His light in our souls, so that we may avoid evil, be zealous in the performance of good works, and abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and sin. Obtain for us, by your intercession with God, perfect vision for our bodily eyes and the grace to use them for God's greater honor and glory and the salvation of souls. St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions". Amen. Prayer to St. Lucy, patron saint of the eyes, the blind and visually impaired. Feast day: Dec. 13th.
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A Prayer for Ukraine:
"Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid, that You will be close to them
and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion,
strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our
brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in Your ways so that peace
and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world".
Amen
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MASS SCHEDULE
(8:00 am Daily Mass is in the convent chapel Monday thru Saturday. Doors open at 7:30 am)
SATURDAY December 13
4:00 pm + Andrew Mlinac
SUNDAY December 14
8:00 am + Holy Name Society
10:00 am + Krystyna Konkalo
12:00 pm + Tom Vavrek
MONDAY December 15
8:00 am + Leo & Pauline Sobolewski
TUESDAY December 16
8:00 am Doris Eizmeber (Birthday Blessings)
WEDNESDAY December 17
8:00 am For Our Parish Family
THURSDAY December 18
8:00 am + Chet Laquatra
FRIDAY December 19
8:00 am + All Souls Intention
6:00 pm + Leon Klejna
SATURDAY December 20
4:00 pm + Mary & Frank Frizek
SUNDAY December 21
8:00 am + Scott, Furman & Tylicki Families (Remembrance)
10:00 am + Monika Jedrzejczka (Anniversary of Death)
12:00 pm + Peter Sandtner & Edward Galka
+ Deceased
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IHM Art & Environment Committee - will gradually decorate our church for Christmas on the following days and times: Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday, December 21 at 2:00 p.m. Any interested person is welcome to join us in this pleasant project.
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St. Stanislaus Penance Service - is Wednesday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m. It will consist of a prayer service with individual confession in English and Polish. Several guest priests will be available. All are welcome. (3649 E. 65th St., 216-341-9091).
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Additional English Confession Times During Advent at IHM Church - Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23 at 8:30-9:00 a.m. The regular time in English is Saturdays from 3:00-3:30 p.m.
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Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass at IHM - will be a special time to offer the gift of a child's love. As a means of showing our appreciation for the gifts the Christ child has provided to us, especially our own gift of life, we ask that each family or individual bring to Mass a wrapped baby item (new items such as diapers, rattles, blankets, baby powder, etc.) as a donation for "Womankind" located at 5400 Transportation Blvd. in Garfield Heights. It is a Pro-Life organization that deals with pregnancy care and counseling. You will be asked to present your gift to the Christ child with the presentation of the bread and wine during the Offertory procession.
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2026 Calendars - are available this weekend, December 13-14, on the tables near the church doors, one per household. The cost for 325 calendars was $808.45, which was shared between IHM Church ($533.45) and Golubski Funeral Home ($275.00). They are bilingual. Each calendar is printed in English and Polish. IHM Parish Pastoral Council members, after investigating the cost of printing calendars by ourselves, decided to approach the Golubski Funeral Home to see if they would like to share the cost, and they did. This enabled both of us to advertise ourselves within the context of a Catholic religious calendar. The long-standing custom of funeral homes giving churches free religious calendars for advertising purposes has become cost prohibitive. The Council members thought it would be beneficial to have the calendar printed bilingual. This makes it cost effective. Plus, it continues this tradition into the future with a different flair. Hopefully, this arrangement will be agreeable to the majority of our parishioners. Fr. Ralph Hudak.
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A Thank You from our Neighboring Parish - The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - St. John Nepomucene Parish would like to thank the parishioners of IHM Parish for your generous donation of canned and paper items to our food pantry (8 boxes and 2 bags of paper items) on November 11, 2025. Your kindness and thoughtfulness were very much appreciated and will go a long way in helping those who are less fortunate. We had more requests at this time due to the problems with the SNAP program. May God bless you all!
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IHM Parish Giving Tree for Christmas - Place your non-perishable food or paper products in the containers near the tree by the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, then take an ornament from the basket provided and hand it on the tree. Your donation will help our neighbors who are in need and brighten our church for Christmas. We ask your help in checking all items for freshness, expiration dates, no dented cans, no items without labels and open containers are unacceptable. NO clothes or household items.
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Join the Slavic Village Historical Society - for its 2nd Cleveland History Hour on Thursday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. Author Alan Dutka will present a book talk on Christmas in Cleveland. Location of the event is the first floor living room of the IHM convent, accessible from the main entrance of the convent. Refreshments will be served. Parking is secure and guarded. A small donation is requested.
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Support Elderly Religious - In good times and in bad, senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests have dedicated themselves to service and acts of mercy. Today, they pray for an aching world. Yet years of serving for little or no pay have left their religious communities without enough retirement savings. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care and other necessities for nearly 24,000 religious individuals. The collection is December 14th, 2025. Your envelope for your donation is in your monthly mailed home packet, or in the bulletin racks. Please pray for all religious. For more information, go to (retiredreligious.org). For your information: Diocesan priests do NOT receive any money from this Fund. Fr. Ralph Hudak is a Cleveland Diocese priest, not a religious order.
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Your Christmas Gift to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish - as you plan your Christmas gift-giving, I respectfully ask that you be especially mindful of your parish. IHM depends so much on your consistent giving. Plus, I ask that YOU MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOUR PARISH A SIGNIFICANT ONE. There are extra envelopes in the bulletin racks. This appeal goes out to all parishioners: young and old, active and inactive, registered and non-registered, and visitors, as well. Your parish needs your help financially in order to continually remain vibrant for this neighborhood, the Diocese of Cleveland and for doing God's work. Thank You! Fr. Ralph Hudak.
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2026 English and Polish Missalettes - They are NEW! Both of these liturgical aides are used for one whole year. Let's keep them in good condition. An appropriate way to do so is by placing the Polish missalette ONLY into the plastic racks attached to the back of the pew, and by placing the English missalette on the end of the pew seat near the aisle side. The English missalette is too thick for many of the plastic racks. This method will hopefully eliminate damage to the missalettes and more damage to the plastic book racks. Many of the racks are already cracked. Cost for the missalettes: English - 224 @ $1,830.88, and the Polish - 250 @ $3,701.34. Cost includes shipping and handling.
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Polish Confessions are Available at 2 of our Neighboring Parishes -
1) St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 65th St., Saturdays at 4:00 p.m., (216-341-9091).
2) St. Barbara, 1505 Denison Avenue, Sundays at 10:15-10:45 a.m., (216-661-1191).
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Immaculate Heart of Mary's Polish Parish School of Religion - meets on Sundays at 11:00AM-Noon in the convent or grades K-8. Sign-up begins September 7th. For more information or to register, contact Beata Pierzynski at 216-355-7424 or come to the convent on Sunday at this specified time period.
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Malley's Chocolate Bar Fund Raiser for IHM - The Parish Pastoral Council members will make the candy available after the weekend Masses. The table will be near the main entrance of the church. This treat will be a tasty treat as a Christmas stocking stuffer. The $2.00 bars will also be available in the rectory during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.).
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Oplatki - will be available after Sunday Masses near the main entrance of the church, and in the rectory during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.). Cost is $1.00/small package and $2.00/large. They will be available during the Advent season while the supply lasts.
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Mass Intentions for the Year 2026 - can be reserved. Please note the change in our Mass schedule due to one priest present at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church:
1) Mondays thru Friday - 8:00 a.m. Mass
2) Saturdays - 4:00 p.m. Mass
3) Sundays - 8:00 a.m. English, 10:00 a.m. Bilingual, Masses
4) Fridays - 6:00 p.m. First Fridays of the month, bilingual (The third Fridays of the month 6:00 p.m. has been removed)
The 12:00 Noon Mass has been removed due to poor attendance. We have had 9 people several times, and the amount has been only in the teens for many months. The third Friday of the month 6:00 p.m. had 5 people, which is less than the First Friday of the month, the reason for its removal. Fr. Ralph Hudak.
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St. John Nepomucene Regional Parish School of Religion - is accepting registration for new students in grades 1-8 for the 2025-26 school year. We accept and serve children from Slavic Village and Southeast Cleveland parishes. So, invite a friend, relative, or neighbor to learn more about our faith. Classes are held using a homeschool model. Please call Judy Lasecki at 216-641-6444 x 10 or email (Judith.lasecki@yahoo.com) for more details or to register.
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For Those Who Would Prefer an Entire Polish Mass and Confession in Polish - There are two neighboring parishes available: 1) St. Stanislaus, 3649 East 65th, (216-341-9091), Mass - 10:00 a.m., Confessions - 4:00 p.m. Saturdays. 2) St. Barbara, 1505 Denison Avenue, (216-661-1191), Mass - 11:00 a.m., Confessions - 10:15-10:45 a.m. Sundays.
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For Your Information There are Other Parishes in our Area Going Through Changes - Monsignor Richard Antall, the pastor of Holy Name parish has become the new pastor of Sagrada Familia parish, 7719 Detroit Ave., in Cleveland's near westside, because he speaks Spanish fluently. Father Bob Jasany, the pastor of St. John Nepomucene, will also be the pastor of Holy Name parish. Bishop Edward Malesic makes these kind of changes due to the shortage of priests. More priests are becoming pastors of two parishes. Pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Encourage your children and grandchildren to enter religious life or the priesthood.
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For Your Information: There are Two Other Parishes with Bilingual Masses (Polish & English) on Sundays - 1) St. John Cantius, 906 College Ave., (216-781-9095), 8:30 a.m. 2) St. Casimir, 8223 Sowinski Ave., (216-341-9091), 11:30 a.m.
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How Well is the Blue Envelope Doing? - You may recall my explanation about the Diocese of Cleveland's "Keeping the Faith" program on the weekend of November 19, 2023 at all of our Masses. Parishes without schools have been asked by Bishop Malesic to partner with a parish with a school. IHM parish is partnering with St. Stanislaus Elementary school through the use of the blue envelope found in your monthly mailed home packet of envelopes. The amount donated to the school: 1) (10-28-24) $1,266.00. 2) (5-19-25) $2,151.00, 3) $335.00 (9-22-25): total $3,752.00. Weekly in the church bulletin, we put the amount of money that has been donated through the use of this blue envelope. Thank you to all who have been able to participate. Father Ralph Hudak.
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Please Join US! Hot Meal Program Every Thursday - Please join us at the St. John Paul II Ozanam Center located at Holy Name Church, 8328 Broadway Avenue, for a hot meal. Dinner is served in the Parish Hall every Thursday between 4:00-5:30 p.m. NO TAKE-OUTS!
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Parish Pre-Cana Sites Programs - Go to the diocese website for the list: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/parish-life/marriage-and-family-ministry/marriage/pre-cana.
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Mass Intention Book for 2026 was opened on August 19, 2025 - To schedule in person, please come to the rectory on Monday & Friday, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. The stipend for a Mass intention is the Diocesan recommended $10. Only two weekend Masses will be permitted per every five intentions scheduled. To accommodate those with a work-schedule, homebound or traveling a long distance conflict, we will accept requests in writing. These may be mailed to the rectory (6700 Lansing Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44105) or place in the Sunday collection basket. Please mark the envelope, "Mass Intentions", include in it your name, phone number, the name for whom the Mass is intended, Mass date and time, and stipend. Make checks out to "Immaculate Heart of Mary Church". If you have a special anniversary to celebrate, DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to schedule it!
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Protecting God's Children - The Diocese of Cleveland's "Protecting God's Children" program is a continuing effort to instruct and inform everyone about the protection of children from sexual abuse. To report any past or present suspected inappropriate behavior toward children by priests, deacons, religious, lay ecclesial ministers or personnel associated with the Church, please contact the Diocesan response Service Office at 216-334-2999 or via email at (responseservices@dioceseofcleveland.org). You are also asked to immediately inform local authorities about inappropriate behavior.
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Weekly Donations:
11/30/2025 - $1,569.00 (R&R) - $10.00
12/07/2025 - $3,067.00 (R&R) - $485.00
Keeping the Faith - $117.00
"Thank You" to all who have donated to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in these difficult times. You remain in my prayers. Fr. Ralph Hudak
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Standing with Moms in Need (for your information) - "The Catholic Church has a long history of service to those who are most vulnerable and remains the largest private provider of social services in the United States. Through the sacrificial efforts of faithful Catholics, the Church serves millions through diocesan ministries and agencies, Catholic hospitals and schools and parishes. From religious communities to pregnancy care centers, from refugee resettlement services to foster care and adoption agencies, and form maternity homes to parish based ministries, the Church consistently bears witness in word and deed to the beauty and dignity of every human life - including both mother and child" (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops).
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Information for Senior Age People - If you have an IRA retirement account and you are 70 1/2 years or older, please consider an IRA Charitable Rollover to benefit your Parish, Catholic Charities, Priestly Formation, Catholic Education or another ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland and/or a "Not for Profit" organization in the community. For more information read some of the material place on the church bulletin board and in the two pamphlet racks near the confessionals.
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Are You in the Process of Moving? - In order to serve you the best way possible, we need your current information. Any changes in your family information should be updated with the Parish Office. Thank You!
************************************************************************************************************************** "A Closer Walk with Thee" - (CCA Monthly Grief Support E-Newsletter) - Subscribe to the Catholic Cemeteries Association's monthly grief support e-newsletter, "A Closer Walk with Thee". This e-newsletter is emailed the first Tuesday of each month to any family/individual who has expressed an interest in our bereavement programs. To subscribe to this valued grief support resource, visit: https://www.clecem.org/Information/Bereavement.aspx and click the tan signup box on the right side, contact Rhonda (rabrams@clecem.org) or call 216-930-4866. You can also click this link and go directly to the signup (https://bit.ly/ccabereavementbulletin).
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Catholic Cemeteries Association Grief Support/ "In-Office" and "Virtual" - We continue to provide free monthly grief support groups in two formats: In-Office (3pm) and Virtually (5pm). Our Grief Support Groups meet the 3rd Sunday of every month. Meetings are open discussion format, surrounding a monthly topic or whatever is on your heart. They do not build off each other so you can stop in any monthly and fit right in. If you are not yet able to talk about your grief, just come to listen and be in the presence of those who understand. The December 21st topic is "The Gift of God's Presence Among Us: You Never Walk Alone". We offer a comfortable, private and safe environment where you are free to explore your grief. Catholic Cemeteries Association follows the guidelines set by the CDC, the State of Ohio and the Diocese of Cleveland regarding COVID-19 protocols. We do however strongly suggest that those not yet vaccinated or who are otherwise vulnerable, continue to wear a facemask. CCA will continue to follow strong hygiene practices and encourage all who are ill to stay at home. Our Virtual Grief Support Group and our monthly grief support e-newsletter are excellent alternatives for individuals who are not able to join us in person for Grief Support. In Office: 3-4:00 pm at St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon (new office); Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron (office); Holy Cross Cemetery, Brookpark (office); Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland (office); All Saints Cemetery, Northfield (office) and All Souls Cemetery, Chardon (office). Virtual: 5-6:00 pm via ZOOM follows the same monthly topic discussion as the in-office groups. Sign-up at http://bit.ly/ccavirtualgriefsupportgroup to receive login information and the handout materials. You can join virtually from any Wi-Fi enabled are via computer, laptop, smartphone, or even without Wi-Fi (via audio only) from your analog phone. If you do not have Wi-Fi or email, please contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866. Your RSVP for both In-Person and Virtual Grief Support is appreciated but not required to attend. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Rhonda at 216-930-4866 or rabrams@clecem.org.
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Practicing Spiritual Communion - When the faithful are unable to physically attend Mass, they should be recommended to practice "spiritual communion", an act to which the saints have given a consistent witness. Spiritual communion is a traditional practice of expressing to the Lord our longing for Him and our desire for Him to enter our hearts. St. Theresa of Avila (1515-82) said: "When you do not receive Communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you". While there is no formula prescribed by the Church to make to an act of spiritual communion, prayers composed by various saints are part of the Church's rich treasury of devotions. One of the more popular acts of spiritual communion comes from St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787): "My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You". Amen
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The Sunday television Mass can be seen at 10:00 am on WUAB Channel 43 - This provides viewers with an opportunity to take part in the weekly celebration of the Mass at a much more convenient time. In addition, WUAB 43 is an over-the-air station that is accessible even to those without cable TV. Those with cable TV need only check their local cable system listing to determine where WUAB is located on their local channel line-up. The weekly TV Mass is produced by the Diocese of Cleveland. It originates from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland. The televised Mass has been a staple of religious programming on Northeast Ohio airwaves for decades, cultivating a dedicated and faithful following. It is hoped that viewers will continue to tune in on this new station at this new, more convenient time. The TV Mass can also be accessed on demand starting Saturday evening and running throughout Sunday on the Diocese of Cleveland website, www.dioceseofcleveland.org. In addition, the Mass can be heard on the radio on AM 1260 The Rock at 4:00 pm on Saturdays and 10:30 am on Sundays. Also, radio station WINT-1330 AM airs the Mass each Sunday at 9:00 am and Cox Communications cable subscribers can view the Mass on Sunday at 11:30 am on channel 45, and cable station 18 EWTN has its own Sunday and weekday (8:00 am, Noon & 7:00 pm) schedule of Masses. In addition to the Holy Mass, AM 1260 The Rock offers numerous opportunities for prayer throughout the day. The Holy Rosary at 5:30 am and 9:30 pm and the Divine Mercy Chaplet: 5:00 am Monday thru Friday; 3:00 pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please visit am1260therock.com for their full schedule.
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The Mass is the Greatest of Prayers - Some reasons for Mass Intentions are an expression of our faith, belief in life after death, belief in the power of prayer to help the deceased during their time of purification (souls in purgatory), for a particular person or persons who have died, for an anniversary of death, wedding anniversary, for health, alcohol-drug addiction, financial help, peace in the world, for our government, a happy death, respect for life, Devotion to Mary or other special intentions.
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THE MAGNIFICAT
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of His servant Israel
for He remembered His promise of mercy,
the promise He made to our fathers,
to Abraham and His children forever.
THE MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins,
my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen
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