Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord ~ April 1, 2018

Year of the Eucharist June 18, 2017–June 3, 2018

First reading:
“We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day.” (Acts 10: 39–40A)

Psalm:
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (Ps. 118)

Second reading:
Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (Col. 3:1)

Gospel:
He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.” (Mk. 16:6)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Christ is risen indeed! We have arrived at the penultimate feast on the Church’s calendar, the cause of our joy and our hope. Life has defeated death. Sorrow and suffering do not have the last say. In the resurrection of Jesus we see many reasons to rejoice. Not only has Jesus conquered the specter of visible death, but he restores to us graced life. On Holy Saturday, Jesus descended to the dead and delivered the just souls into heavenly paradise. What are our own Saturday tombs? Jesus has the power to open them all. That is our invitation, this day most of all. May resurrection joy fill your heart, your family, your workplace, and your community. Happy Easter!

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus 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. (April 3 and April 17). The food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 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. (April 2 and April 16)
• Book Discussion: Becoming a Person of Mercy by Max Oliva S.J. at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesdays at St. James the Apostle
• Sacrament of Confirmation: April 5 at St. Mary’s church, Waterloo
• Divine Mercy Service: April 8 (Divine Mercy Sunday) at 3:00 p.m. at All Saints Church in Lansing
• Day Retreat: April 17 at Notre Dame Retreat House from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Small-group Retreat: “33 Days to Morning Glory,” beginning April 24 through May 29, from 6:50–8:30 p.m., Holy Cross parish house
• Annual Diocesan Social Ministry Conference: on April 26 at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua.
• Parish Dinner Dance: “Spring Fling” on April 28, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Trumansburg.
• Faith Formation Class: April 29, beginning with the 9:00 a.m. with Mass at St. James the Apostle.
• Renewing Wedding Vows: Sunday, May 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart cathedral with Bishop Matano
• STEPS Sustainability Forum: May 15, in the South Seneca Elementary School cafeteria from 6:15 p.m. –8:30 p.m.

Happy Easter:
The Lord has indeed risen, alleluia! Glory and kingship be his forever and ever. Enjoy this holy season of the year rejoicing in Jesus’s victory over death and the fact that He shares that victory with us. We have been promised heaven. May this promise always be a source of hope and strength in times of trouble. Rejoice and be glad.

Easter Sunday Offering:
It is traditional that the Easter collection is one of those special times of year when parishioners make a more than usual offering to their parish in appreciation for the ministries and service provided in the parish. Besides that, the parish has come to rely on the generosity of the parishioners at this time to help with the total annual expenses during the fiscal year. What you are able to offer, know, that it will be appreciated greatly.

Easter Duty:
“All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. The precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time during the year.” (Church Law #920) In reference to this law the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year May 27).

Sacrament of Confirmation:
Bishop Salvatore Matano will confirm the following parishioners: Alexia Angulo-Stevensen, Eric Davis, Nicholas Houck, Joshua Knebel, Nicholas Knebel, Noah Koeng, Virginia Marion, and Makenzie Masters along with many other candidates on Thursday, April 5, at St. Mary’s Church in Waterloo. Let us keep those preparing for the celebration of this sacrament in our thoughts and prayers throughout this month.

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed:
Trumansburg Food Pantry relies on help from our parish during the months of April and May (April 2, 16, and 30; and May 14 and 28). There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule of St. James church. Please consider helping during this limited time when the food pantry relies on our parish for volunteers.

Divine Mercy Service:
Next Sunday, April 8 (Divine Mercy Sunday), at 3:00 p.m. at All Saints Church, 347 Ridge Road, Lansing, Deacon George Kozak will be leading a Divine Mercy service with recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet, the rosary, and adoration and benediction. All are welcome.

Parish Dinner Dance:
Please make plans to attend the parish dinner dance, “Spring Fling,” scheduled for Saturday evening, April 28, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Trumansburg. Music will be provided by the Tarps. Cost: adults are $25.00 and children under the age of ten are free. The sale of tickets will begin the weekend of April 8. At the “Spring Fling” dinner dance our parish will express gratitude to the following people: Ronnie Fairclough, Patricia Guinan, Sandy Hugh, and Teresa Kenney for the many years they have contributed and shared their musical talent at parish liturgies. We will also recognize Lena Douglas (deceased) for her fifty years as sacristan at St. James the Apostle.

Faith Formation Class:
For parish students in grades 1–7, faith formation classes will be held on Sunday, April 29, beginning with the 9:00 a.m. in Mass at St. James the Apostle church.

Second Collections:
Beginning the weekend of April 29 the second collections will be taken up following the first collection. An announcement of the second collection will take place at the end of the general intercessions (prayer of the faithful).

Church Cleaners for St. Francis Solanus:
A petition is going out for willing and able volunteers to help clean the church. A sign-up sheet has been placed in the foyer of the church together with a job description. Please help.

2017–2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
Our given parish goal for the CMA this year is $30,549. As of March 23, our parishioners, that is 133 households, have pledged $28,651 which represents 93.79 % of the goal. A “thank you” to all who have supported this necessary diocesan appeal that benefits our parish in many ways. If you have not made a pledge, there are pledge envelopes in the foyer of the churches. Please help us reach our goal.

To Jesus through Mary:
If you’re looking for a simple way to be spiritually renewed, grow in holiness, and develop a deeper relationship with the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Heart of Mary, join us for “33 Days to Morning Glory,” a small-group retreat co-hosted by the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, and Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Center, Inc. A small group will meet once a week for six weeks, beginning Tuesday, April 24 through May 29, from 6:50–8:30 p.m. in the Holy Cross parish house, ending with Mass on Thursday, May 31, at 7:00 p.m. For more information: pick-up a flyer at the church entrance, log on to www.branchescenter.org, e-mail: [email protected], or call Donna Wieand (716) 901-4313.

Celebrate Easter Season:
There is a day retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House (5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua) on April 17 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. with the them of “How Much Does God Love You?” This will be presented by Fr. Frank Jones, C.Ss.R., rector/director of Notre Dame Retreat House. The day includes morning coffee, conference, lunch, reconciliation, and Mass. There is a $25.00 fee. Please call 585-394-5700 or email: [email protected] to register.

Diocesan Social Ministry Conference:
Catholic Charities invites all parishioners to the annual diocesan social ministry conference. For this year of the Eucharist, the conference theme is “The Eucharist Commits Us to Our Neighbors in Need.” Join us on Thursday April 26, starting with Mass at 11:00 a.m., lunch and program from noon until 5:00 p.m., at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua. Workshops and discussions on current social concerns will include the opioid crisis, refugees and immigrants, life issues, and anti-hunger advocacy, plus social ministry success stories from parishes in the Diocese of Rochester. $20 registration fee includes lunch and materials. Carpooling from Tompkins County is available. To register, contact Laurie at 607-272-5062 ext. 12 or [email protected]. Registration deadline is Friday, April 20.

Wedding Anniversaries:
All married couples are welcome to attend and renew their vows with Bishop Matano. Those celebrating milestone jubilees will be given special recognition. This event will take place on Sunday, May 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Please register at http://conta.cc/2qXMHXQ.

Healing After an Abortion:
Hope after abortion comes from the Project Rachel Ministry which offers a confidential referral to a compassionate volunteer trained to help women or men affected by abortion. They can be reached by phoning 888–972–2435 or through the website: [email protected]. Project Rachel is a ministry sponsored by Catholic Charities.

STEPS in Seneca County:
Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions (STEPS) is a neighborhood health improvement initiative of the S2AY Rural Health Network funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. The residents of the four South Seneca towns of Covert, Lodi, Ovid, and Romulus determine STEPS’s focused projects. Everyone is welcome to join in to encourage that every individual in our community reach high levels of social, economic, and personal health. A STEPS sustainability forum, “Exploring Community Well-being Now and for Our Future,” to which all are invited, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, at the South Seneca Elementary School cafeteria in Interlaken, from 6:15 p.m. –8:30 p.m. The topics will include: “Where We Are,” “Assets and Vulnerabilities,” “Farms and Gardens,” “Lakes and Wildlife,” “Village,” “Towns,” and “Citizen Role.” Supper and childcare is provided. Supper is 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. with childcare beginning at 6:00 p.m. Register today at www/senecacountycce.org or phone 607 403 0069.

Diocese of Rochester Permanent Diaconate:
The deacon is a man of faith, called from the community that already recognizes his dedication to service. He makes a lifetime commitment to serving the People of God by proclaiming the Word, assisting and presiding at liturgies, and ministering in the areas of charity and social justice. The diocese is inviting interested men who may wish to explore a possible call to ordained ministry as a permanent deacon, to first speak with their pastor for an initial conversation. For additional information they may also contact Deacon Edward Giblin, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at [email protected]. A potential candidate must be at least 35 years old and no older than 62 at the time of ordination after a five (5) year period of formation. He must be in good health, emotionally mature, have stable relationships, and have the wholehearted support of his wife (if married) and family to enter the phase of inquiry. The parish community is asked as well to invite from among its members men who exhibit strong faith and a spirit of service and encourage them to consider a possible vocation to the permanent diaconate.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2018 Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Such an act of love offers us the opportunity to keep Sr. Anne Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.

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.

The Seneca County Transportation Corps:
This organization provides rides for residents of Seneca County to medical and dental appointments and other health-related destinations. If you need a ride phone 315–333–2179 or email [email protected].

Cancer Services Program:
The program is available for residents of Cortland and Tompkins Counties. It provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and for 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, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. For further information: 607-758-5523 or 1-866-442-2262

Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle

Easter Sunday, April 1, 9:00 a.m.:
Lectors: Beth Duff (for Lynne Stager) (#1 Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37–43) and Barbara Willers (Colossians 3:1-4)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Patty Messmer, Mark Scibilia-Carver, Joan Hogan

April 8, 9:00 a.m. (second Sunday):
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver and Maria Connell
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager, Beth Koeng, Ron Singer

Ministry schedule for Holy Cross

April 2018: