Live The Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Sometimes we get so accustomed to walking in shadows and even in darkness that we forget that there is a light that can illuminate our lives more clearly. That light is Jesus Christ. Have you ever been looking for something in a dimly lit room and when someone shines a light, you suddenly find what you seek? This is how the Gospel works. At first we may not realize that we need it but then when someone shares its good news with us it all becomes clear. Jesus invites us out of darkness and calls us to come after him.
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him who the angles serve.” ~St. Agnes
Upcoming Events:
- RCIA Classes: Sundays, 12:00 noon, at St. James the Apostle Pine Room. All are welcome.
- 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 24 and February 7). The food pantry is 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 30 and February 13).
- Usher meetings after Masses: 5:00 p.m. January 21 at St. James the Apostle, 9:30 a.m. on January 22 at Holy Cross, 8:15 a.m. on January 29 at St. Francis Solanus, and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 29 at St. James the Apostle
- Scripture study classes of the Gospel: will resume on Tuesdays beginning January 24, 2017, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle church.
- March for Life 2017 Diocese of Rochester (DOR) to DC: Buses leave Thursday night, January 26 and return Friday night, January 27.
- Parish Choir Rehearsal: The next rehearsal date is Tuesday, January 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center.
- Souper Bowl of Caring 2017: Our parish will be participating in this event by collecting donations of non-perishable food items beginning on the weekend of January 28 and 29 and collecting monetary offerings on February 5 for the local food pantries.
- Presentation of the Lord, February 2: This feast day, also known as Candlemas Day, will have a blessing of candles at St. James the Apostle at the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
- Immaculate Conception School Open House: on February 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and February 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- St. Blaise Day and the Blessing of Throats: on February 3 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross and at the St. James the Apostle Mass at 9:00 a.m.
- Public Policy Weekend: February 4 and 5, 2017.
- Weekend Backpack Program Project: collection dates will be from the weekend of February 12 through February 26.
- Planning for Your Legacy: Two free seminars, one on March 13 at St. Francis DeSales Parish Center, 130 Exchange Street, Geneva; and second at St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish Center, 905 N. Decatur St. Watkins Glen. Both seminars will be at 7:00–8:30 p.m.
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.
RCIA Classes:
RCIA classes take place on Sundays, at 12:00 Noon, in the St. James the Apostle Pine Room. All are welcome.
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 at (607) 387-3125.
Donations/Contributions Made by Check:
When making donations to the church, 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: P.O. Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847 (as on the front cover of the bulletin and on the parish contact web page). The U.S. post office is continuously encouraging that we remind parishioners to use only the new address and not the names and addresses of the individual churches.
Sunday Collection Counters:
It is a diocesan policy that an annual meeting be held in the month of January for the Sunday collection counters, to review the policies and procedures related to those responsibilities. Sunday collection counters as asked to please schedule yourself for one of two meetings to be held on Thursday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. or at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken. A snow date will be the following Thursday, January 26. This is an important service to the parish. Parishioners interested in helping with this service, please phone the parish center to volunteer. Attending this annual meeting would be a great way to begin this ministry as a Sunday collection counter.
Ushers (Greeters of Hospitality):
It is the diocesan policy that an annual meeting be held in the month of January for ushers to review the policies and procedures related to taking up and securing the collections. The schedule for usher meetings after Mass is as follows:
- 5:00 p.m. Saturday Evening Mass on January 21 at St. James the Apostle
- 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 22 at Holy Cross
- 8:15 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 29 at St. Francis Solanus
- 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 29 at St. James the Apostle
Parish Choir Rehearsal:
All parishioners are welcome to be part of the parish choir. The next rehearsal date is Tuesday, January 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken, in preparation for the liturgical services of Lent and the Easter Triduum.
Nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring 2017:
Sunday, February 5, is Super Bowl Sunday and across this nation it is also Souper Bowl of Caring. Our parish will be participating in this one-day event by collecting donations of non-perishable food items beginning on the weekend of January 28 and 29. Our parish’s second year Confirmation students, as part of their community service project, will be present at the doors of the churches on February 5 to collect monetary offerings for the local food pantries as part of the national Souper Bowl of Caring Program. For more information see https://souperbowl.org/welcome
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 January 10, 2017 stated that our parish has pledged $24,285. We are a distance from our goal. Pledge envelopes are located in the vestibules of the church. Please respond as soon as possible.
The Presentation of the Lord, February 2:
This feast day, forty days after Christmas, is also known as Candlemas Day because at the beginning of Mass the candles that will be used for liturgical services are blessed followed by a procession into the church with lighted candles. The blessed candles will be available at the following weekend Masses for parishioners to take for use in their own home. This celebration will take place at St. James the Apostle at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. All are welcome to participate.
St. Blaise Day and the Blessing of Throats on February 3:
This feast day is February 3 and as is the tradition, throats are blessed with blessed candles with a prayer for the general good health of the person. The celebration will take place at Mass at 8:30 a.m. at Holy Cross and at St. James the Apostle at 9:00 a.m.
Weekend Backpack Program Project:
Parishioners are requested to participate in supporting this program that is funded by the community. Currently over fifty children in the South Seneca School District benefit from this project. There will be money collection jars in the churches. If you wish to write a check, write it to “Weekend Backpack Program.” You can put the check in our donation jar or mail it to Ovid Federated Church, PO Box 340, Ovid, NY 14521. Food items donated must be single serving size: cereal, canned milk or juice, canned fruit, microwaveable individual meals, and popcorn are some examples. The collection dates for this program will be from the weekend of February 12 through February 26. Thank you for supporting our children in need.
March for Life 2017 Diocese of Rochester (DOR) to DC:
Buses are leaving from around the diocese to the March for Life in D.C. Join 1000’s marching for a day when every human life will be valued and protected. Buses leave Thursday night, January 26 and return Friday night, January 27. There will be a Mass with Bishop Matano at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. March with Bishop Matano and others from the DOR. Make your bus reservations today. Contact: [email protected] or 315-246-7479.
Assisting those who have Been Wounded by Abortion:
Are you experiencing shame, sleepless nights, guilt, or other negative emotions after abortion? You are not alone. Any woman or man who has had abortions touch their life personally is invited to contact Project Rachel, a post-abortion healing ministry. Trained, nonjudgmental staff can refer you to those who can help All contacts are confidential. Take courage or call or email us. Call 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].
Public Policy Weekend—Prevent Suicide, Don’t Assist Suicide:
Nothing in proposed N.Y. legislation to legalize assisted suicide requires that patients be counseled or screened for clinical depression before they are handed a lethal prescription. Yet mental health professionals know that a large number of suicides could be prevented with the right therapeutic intervention. New York State recognizes suicide as a critical public health concern, and works to prevent it. Government should not reverse course now and send the message that some suicides are acceptable. 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 you legislators opposing assisted suicide on Public Policy Weekend February 4–5.
Immaculate Conception School Open House:
Immaculate Conception School will be hosting enrollment open houses for the 2017–2018 school year on February 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and February 4 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the difference our Catholic school will make for your child’s education. Immaculate Conception School continuously accepts registrations for all of our academic programs, Pre- K through sixth grade. Tuition assistance and parish subsidy are available. Call the school at 273-2707 or visit icsithaca.org for more information and visit https://www.facebook.com/ICSIthaca
“Before the Flood” Movie and Potluck Dinner:
On Monday, January 30, there will be a potluck dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. (please bring a dish to pass if you’d like to join in). This will be followed by a film screening of Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary on climate change, Before the Flood, at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Ithaca, 309 North Cayuga Street, DeWitt Park, Ithaca. This event is sponsored by ICAN (the Interfaith Climate Action Network).
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.
Ministry Schedules for St. James
Schedule for January 21 and 22, 2017 (fourth Sunday):
5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Paul Povinelli and Carol Kuklo
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Cathy DelSignore, Joan Hogan
11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tim Davis (for Tara and Leon Webster)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mary Szymanski, Glenn Stamps
Schedule for January 28 and 29, 2017 (fifth Sunday):
5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Barbara Willers and Kathleen Rourke
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Traci Bump, Carol Kuklo, Robin Hamula
11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Susan Stafford, Mary Szymanski
Ministry schedule for Holy Cross
January 2017
1/22/17 | 1/29/17 | |
Greeter in addition to Usher | M. Maleski | |
Altar Ser 1 | G. Frank | P. Schirmer |
Altar Ser 2 | ||
Lector 1 | K. Knapp | L. Kurkchi |
Lector 2 | J. Leidefrost° | M. Frank |
Extraordinary Min 1 | F. Grasak | D. Moore |
Extraordinary Min 2 | D. Brandow | A. Calice |
Extraordinary Min 3 | K. Sinkiewicz | D. Traphagen |
Usher 1 (Lead) | S. Brandow | J. Taylor |
Usher 2 | S. Limoncelli | E. Conroy |
Usher 3 | M. Maleski | P. Marrella |
Usher 4 | T. Grasak | A. Reagan |
Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church
Lector Schedule
January through March 2017
DATE | FIRST READING from OLD TESTAMENT | SECOND READING from NEW TESTAMENT |
January 22 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Stephanie Houck | Jeff Houck |
January 29 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Sheila Haddad | Marie Roloson |
February 5 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Barbara Willers | Ann Buddle |
February 12 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Gerry Messmer | Millie Messmer |
February 19 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Charlotte Huyler | Sheila Haddad |
February 26 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Pat Messmer | Karl Messmer |
March 1 Ash Wednesday | Volunteers needed if | there is a Mass. |
March 5 1st Sunday of Lent | Marie Roloson | Barbara Willers |
March 12 2nd Sunday of Lent | Jeff Houck | Stephanie Houck |
March 19 3rd Sunday of Lent | Ann Buddle | Charlotte Huyler |
March 26 4th Sunday of Lent | Heather Cranford | Barbara Willers |
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
January through March 2017
DATE | Precious Blood | SET UP AND PURIFICATION | Precious Blood |
January 22 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Chris Duthie | Marie Roloson | Mary Ruckdeschel |
January 29 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Jennifer Sharp | Maryann Dendis | Michele Barr |
February 5 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Jeanie Wiggins | Pat Messmer | Charlotte Huyler |
February 12 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Cathy Millspaugh | Patti Perry | Michele Barr |
February 19 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Millie Messmer | Jennifer Sharp | Marie Roloson |
February 26 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Charlotte Huyler | Chris Duthie | Mary Ruckdeschel |
March 1 Ash Wednesday | Volunteers | needed if there | is a Mass |
March 5 1st Sunday of Lent | Maryann Dendis | Chris Duthie | Pat Messmer |
March 12 2nd Sunday of Lent | Mary Ruckdeschel | Jeanie Wiggins | Jennifer Sharp |
March 19 3rd Sunday of Lent | Cathy Millspaugh | Marie Roloson | Patti Perry |
March 26 4th Sunday of Lent | Chris Duthie | Charlotte Huyler | Millie Messmer |
REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki before giving to congregation.
12/29/16-cmh