Bulletin for January 1, 2017 ~ New Year’s Day

The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
We seek the same faith and courage that Mary possessed as she accepted the tremendous responsibility of being the Mother of God. Life often requires great and heroic things of us and we often wonder how and if we are able to meet those challenges. Mary did not doubt that God was with her, giving her everything needed to complete the task before her. Because of her Son’s special relationship with his Father, we too can cry out “Abba, Father” and draw strength from the infinite and generous love God bestows upon us.

Upcoming Events:

• 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. (January 10 and 24). At the Interlaken Reformed 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. (January 2 and 16).
• New Year’s: The regular Sunday Mass schedule will be followed
  for New Year’s weekend.
• Liturgy Planning Committee: The first meeting will be held on Tuesday,
  January 10, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center.
• Scripture study classes of the Gospel: will resume on on Tuesdays
  beginning January 24, 2017, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St.
  James the Apostle Church.
• Public Policy Weekend: February 4 and 5, 2017.

Merge of the Churches:
On December 14 the parish was notified that the Supreme Court of the State of New York from the County of Tompkins and the County of Seneca have approved the merge of the three parishes of St. James the Apostle, St. Francis Solanus, and Holy Cross and have ordered to authorized to file for a certificate of merger. The merge of the three parishes into the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, is now complete both canonically and civilly.

Donations/Contributions Made by Check:
Beginning this weekend, when making donations/contributions, please make checks out to: The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. On the memo line of the check you may name of the church be it St. James the Apostle, St. Francis Solanus, or Holy Cross.

Parish Mailing Address:
When mailing items to one of the three churches, please use the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s address found on the front cover of the bulletin. The U.S. Post Office is continuously encouraging that we remind parishioners to use only the new address.

2017 Offertory Envelopes:
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, 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.

Sunday Collection Counters and Ushers:
It is a diocesan policy that every January a meeting be held for the counters and a separate meeting be held for ushers, to review the policies and procedures related to those responsibilities. Very soon dates will be set in January to fulfill this diocesan directive.

Maintenance Fund Collection Next Weekend:
The Maintenance Fund Collection is taken up at the beginning of the month, either the first or second Sunday, depending on how the box of offertory envelopes has them placed. This month the collection will be taken up next weekend, January 8. As in the past your help given in this collection is needed and appreciated greatly. Thank you.

Liturgy Planning Committee:
The Parish Council Worship Committee announces the formation of a Liturgy Planning Committee. The Liturgy Planning Committee is a subcommittee of the Worship Committee and any parishioner of Mary Mother of Mercy who is interested in planning liturgies is welcome. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center (Interlaken). Meetings will recur once a month. We encourage all who are interested to participate.”

2016-2017 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. We need all parishioners to help reach our parish given goal of $29,855. A report issued on December 13, 2016 stated that our parish has pledged $20,690. We are a distance from our goal. Pledge envelopes are located in the vestibules of the church. Please respond as soon as possible.

St. James the Apostle Food Donations:
Food donations may be brought to the 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.

Project Rachel Ministry Assisting Those Who Have Been Wounded by Abortion:
The pain and sorrow of a past abortion need not endure for a lifetime. Phone the Diocese of Rochester, Project Rachel, for a confidential referral to those who can help, 585-328-3210 or email: Deacon David Snyder, [email protected] or Suzanne Stack, [email protected].

Birthright of Ithaca:
Please help support new mothers and their babies. There is a need for clothing donations (sizes newborn–4T, diapers, and miscellaneous baby items. Items may be new, or used in good condition. Unfortunately, baby furniture cannot be accepted. Donations may be dropped off at St. James the Apostle Pine Room and will be picked up on Tuesdays for delivery by Ellen Rider (607 387 6693) to the Birthright of Ithaca.

Public Policy Weekend—February 4 and 5:
Pope Francis on True Compassionate Care: “Palliative care is an expression of the truly human attitude of taking care of one another, especially those who suffer. It is a testimony that the human person is always precious, even if marked by illness or old age.” Pope Francis, March 2015. There are alternatives to assisted suicide. We must do all we can to reduce suffering and promote the loving option of palliative medicine and hospice care. Learn more and advocate to protect the dignity of all human live. Check out more information about the diocesan public policy agenda on the diocese’s website (http://www.dor.org/index.cfm/catholic-charities/public-policy/). Sign a letter or petition to your legislators opposing assisted suicide on Public Policy Weekend February 4 and 5, 2017.

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga:
Share the warmth by donating winter outerwear. Items needed: children’s coats, snow pants and boots, adults’ coats and boots, hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves. Regarding household goods and personal care products, what is needed: sheets, towels, blankets, work boots, black slacks for men and women, deodorant, hair conditioner, hand lotion, and diapers. Drop-off times: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–Noon and 1:00–3:30 p.m. at 324 West Buffalo St. Ithaca. For more information call 607 272 5062.

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.

Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes Job Opportunity:
Are you interested in part-time employment that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children? Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes is hiring per diem (limited part-time) caseworkers. The job entails providing supervised visitation to families involved in the child-welfare system. Must have an associate’s degree or related experience, excellent written and oral communication skills, computer literacy in MS Word, a dependable car and valid driver’s license, and a willingness to travel within the region. Some evening or weekend hours may be required. Email resumes to [email protected] or mail to 94 Exchange Street, Geneva, NY 14456. No phone calls please. This is an equal employment opportunity.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2017, Sister Dolores Bachman and Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as an expression of gratitude. Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.ssjrochester.org.

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.

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.

Scripture Study:
Parishioners are welcome to join an informal study of The Gospel According to Mark which will resume January 24, 2017, on Tuesday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass (St James the Apostle Church), The study is facilitated by Debbie Short and Camille Taranto. The Liguori Catholic Bible Study will be used. Questions: contact Camille (607) 387-3125.

Ministry Schedules for St. James

Schedule for New Year’s Weekend (first Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Scott Hamula and 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 January 9 and 10, 2017 (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

Ministry schedule for Holy Cross
January 2017

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

Lector Schedule

January through March 2017

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

January through March 2017

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki before giving to congregation.

12/29/16-cmh