Bulletin for December 4, 2016 ~ Second Sunday of Advent

Catholics Invite Catholics:
“Come to Mass in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day.” A way to remind people of a way to be faithful to the third commandment: Keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
We are reminded today that the coming of the Messiah is intended to restore the innocence and trust originally experienced in the Garden of Eden. The Gospel message leads us to this vision. John the Baptist prepares us to receive the One who will preach this message only to suffer and die as a result of it. We are asked to repent and move away from where the world desires to lead us. We are called to the vision given us by our Savior. Hope allows us to persevere as we wait for what is to come.

Upcoming Events:

• Scripture study classes of the Gospel according to Mark: Tuesdays after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle Church.
• AA Meetings: St. Francis Church, on Tuesday, at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: Ovid Federated Church on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. The Food Truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (December 13 and 27). At the Interlaken Federated Church on Fridays, 3:00 p.m. The Trumansburg Food Pantry is at the Methodist Church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (December 5 and 19).
• RCIA Classes: Begin the First Sunday of Advent, November 27
• “Season of Songs,” Trumansburg Area Churches Concert::
  Sunday, December 4, at 4:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church
• Parish Choir: next rehearsal is December 6 at Holy Cross Church, Ovid from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
• Doug’s Fish Fry: Sponsored by Mecklenburg United Methodist Church, Wednesday, December 7 from 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. at the Trumansburg Fair Grounds.
• Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Holy day of obligation on Thursday, December 8
• “Light in the Dark of Winter,” Trumansburg Community
  Chorus Winter Concert: December 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church
• The Angel Trees at St. Francis and Holy Cross churches: Gifts must be returned no later than Sunday, December 11

The Immaculate Conception mosaic at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America:
This Thursday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a holy day of obligation. The times and places for the Masses are: 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle, 12:00 noon at St. Francis Solanus, and 6:00 p.m. at Holy Cross.

2017 Offertory Envelops:
The 2017 boxes of offertory envelopes—for those who use offertory envelopes—may be picked up after the Masses (at St. James the Apostle in the Pine Room, at St. Francis Solanus in the Annex, and at Holy Cross in the vestibule of the church). Please pick up your 2017 Parish calendar at the same time. If you presently do not use envelopes and would like to, please phone the parish center and make the request. Thank you.

Parish Masses for Christmas:
Christmas Eve—Saturday, December 24
5:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle
5:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus
8:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle
10:00 p.m. at Holy Cross

Christmas Day—Sunday, December 25
9:30 a.m. at St. James the Apostle (there will be no 11:00 a.m. Mass)
9:30 a.m. at Holy Cross

St. James The Apostle Christmas Hat/Mitten/Scarf Tree:
The tree has been placed near the altar. Items will be donated to Catholic Charities in Ithaca. Items needed are for all ages from babies to adults; both sexes.

Christmas Flower Collection:
A second collection will be taken up this weekend for the purchase of Christmas flowers. Your generosity is always appreciated in the help of decorating the Church at Christmas.

Advent Reflections:
Join Bishop Robert Barron and 275,000 Catholics in receiving free daily advent reflections. To sign up, go to adventreflections.com and follow instructions. An easy way to take five minutes each day this hectic season and prepare for the celebration of the Lord’s birth and His second coming.

Advent Edition of The Word Among Us:
A limited number of these booklets are available in the vestibules of the church for daily meditations for Advent.

A Family Advent Activity:
This is a creative way to help our local food pantries. Set a box or basket in your house and, each day of Advent, add one food item to the box or basket. After Christmas donate the contents of the box to your local food pantry. This is a wonderful activity for the whole family while helping those in need.

Parish Choir:
The next Parish Choir rehearsal is this Tuesday, December 6 at Holy Cross Church, Ovid from 6:30–8:30 p.m. There is no rehearsal on Thursday, December 8.

“Season of Songs” in Trumansburg:
The Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) Concert, “Season of Songs,” will be held this Sunday, December 4, at 4:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 69 E. Main Street. The concert will comprise of choirs, guitars, hand bells, vocalists, etc. The concert is free and everyone is welcome.

“Light in the Dark of Winter” Winter Concert:
Please join the Trumansburg Community Chorus for their Winter Concert, “Light in the Dark of Winter,” on this Friday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, Trumansburg. Admissions is free, donations are welcomed.

2016/2017 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please give consideration to your financial participation. Another letter and pledge form has been mailed to everyone who has not yet responded. The Catholic Ministries Appeal provides, funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. We need your financial support to reach our given parish goal of $29,855. A report was issued on November 22, 2016 and our parishioners have pledged $11,505. Making a pledge is primary, what is pledged is secondary. If all our families were to make a pledge we would reach our goal easily. Please respond as soon as possible. Here is a link to a CMA informative video https://youtu.be/z1t-yW3Bu8k

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
For those interested in learning more about what the followers of Jesus believe or becoming Catholic or completing the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and Eucharist), classes began on Sunday, November 27, first Sunday of Advent, at 12:15 p.m. at St. James the Apostle. Please phone the parish center or be in touch with Fr. Bernard to register for the classes. Even though classes have begun, you can still register and participate.

St. James the Apostle Food Donations:
Food donations may be brought to St. James Church next weekend and placed on the table located in the front of the church. Monetary donations are accepted also. All donations go to help the Trumansburg Food Pantry.

Seneca County Christmas Project—Angel Tree Tags:
The Angel Trees are up at both St. Francis and Holy Cross churches! If you take a child’s tag, the gifts must be returned no later than next Sunday, December 11. All presents will be picked up Monday morning, December 12. Please do not wrap the gifts—parents need to see what has been given for their children. You need to include the tag information where it can easily be seen. Also wrapping paper, ribbon, or bows would be appreciated. Distribution for gifts will be Wednesday, December 14. If you have helped in the past you will be contacted for your assistance again; if you would like to volunteer for the first time please contact Gerry Frank at 869 5009.

Seeking Volunteers To “Share The Warmth”:
Tompkins County Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers to help with set-up, distribution, and clean-up for the annual “Share the Warmth” project, which distributes hundreds of coats, hats, gloves, and boots to people in need. Specifically we are looking for some strong and able-bodied folks to help during the day with set-up on Monday, November 21, and takedown on Monday, December 12. Then for Monday, November 28, through Friday, December 2, and Monday, December 5, through Friday, December 9, we are seeking volunteers from 8:45 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., generally in two hour shifts, to interact with people, helping them find coats and hats and gloves. We try to make it like shopping, only everything is free! To help ensure that both kids and adults are adequately clothed this winter, please contact Michaela Cortright at 272-5062 ext. 10 or email [email protected] to sign up for a shift.

“Thank You” from the South Seneca Central School:
The elementary school nurse, Dena Ganoung RN, together with Diane Cleveland, health office aide, send a letter of gratitude for the generous donation of winter coats for students. “We so appreciate your kindness and concern for the children in our community. … It is reassuring to know that when a student needs a coat to keep warm, we are able to offer one. Thank you again for your generosity.”

Bulletin Announcements:
If you wish an announcement in the Sunday bulletin it must be submitted nine (9) days before the date of publication. Announcements are put together on a Friday­—a week and two days before the actual publishing date. Please forward announcements to the Parish Center—the parish email address may be used which is found on the front page of the bulletin. Regarding events, it is a good idea to have them announced four weeks in advance—that is, to give the parishioners a reminder four times.

Your Help is Solicited, Today is the Last Day to Help:
In order to ensure that the Catholic mission of word, worship, service (witness), and community (fellowship) continues in a vibrant way throughout the parishes in the eastern area of the diocese, parishioners are being asked to complete an online survey. The survey is sixty questions in length and will be used to help pastors, staff, and councils identify priorities, areas for improvement, and areas where parishes can work together to increase ministry opportunities or training. The survey will be open until December 4, when reports will be compiled by the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Resources and Planning and sent to each pastor to distribute. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. To participate in the survey go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EastDeaneryMinistryAssessment.

St. James the Apostle Offertory Collection Counters:
We currently have three counting teams that perform their counting activity either on Sunday (after the 11:00 a.m. Mass) or 9:30 a.m. on Monday. The counting activity takes about one and a half hours depending on the size of the collection(s). We need substitutes for when one of the counters is either ill or on holiday and would like to increase the number of teams to four so that each team counts only once a month. Each team would consist of a minimum of two non-related individuals and would attend a training class to review the diocesan/St. James counting procedures which takes about one hour.

Doug’s Fish Fry:
The Mecklenburg United Methodist Church, is sponsoring the fish fry this Wednesday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. at the Trumansburg Fair Grounds. For pre-orders, up to 11:00 a.m., phone 607 423 5996. They are also selling fresh fir wreaths and boxwood baskets as well as homemade baked goods, beverages, and Christmas cookies.

Cancer Services Program:
This program of Cortland and Tompkins Counties provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical and colorectal to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings, and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information, please phone: 1 866 442 2262

Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.

Scripture Study:
Parishioners are welcome to join an informal study of The Gospel According to Mark on Tuesday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass (St James the Apostle Church), The study will be facilitated by Debbie Short and Camille Taranto. The Liguori Catholic Bible Study will be used. Questions: contact Camille (607) 387-3125.

Making Contributions by Check:
The parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, is yet to be civilly incorporated, therefore checks cannot be made out in that name. For the present time, please make checks out in the name of the church, that is, to St. James the Apostle, or St. Francis Solanus, or Holy Cross.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester Prayers:
Sister Susan Schantz, SSJ, continues to pray for St. James the Apostle church in Trumansburg. Let us keep Sr. Susan and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.

Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.

Cancer Services Program (Cortland and Tompkins Counties):
This a program that provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information call 1-866 442 2262.

Ministry Schedules for St. James

Schedule for this weekend, December 3 and 4 (first Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Scott Hamula and Carol Kuklo (for Amy Panek)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Barbara Willers, Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Maria Connell
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Glenn Stamps, Mary Szymanski

Schedule for next weekend, December 10 and 11 (second Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke and Scott Hamula
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Barbara Willers, Carol Kuklo, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Rich and Hilary Wong
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager, Glenn Stamps, Susan Stafford

Christmas 2016 at St. James the Apostle:

Christmas Eve:
Mass at 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass)
Lectors: Carol Kuklo, Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Eileen Heptig, Susan Stafford, Traci Bump

Mass at 8 p.m.
Lectors: Scott Hamula, Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Robin Hamula, Anne Haus (tentative), Joan Hogan

Christmas Day:
Mass at 9:30 a.m.
Lectors: Barbara Willers, Tommy Perry
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Laurie and Patrick Miller, Mark Scibilia-Carver

Ministry schedule for Holy Cross

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church
December 2016

  Lectors:

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: