Fourth Sunday of Easter / Good Shepherd Sunday ~ April 22, 2018

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

First reading:
“It was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:10B)

Psalm:
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. (Ps. 118)

Second reading:
Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. (1 Jn. 3:1A)

Gospel:
“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” (Jn. 10:14-15)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
There is something comforting about knowing that we are in someone’s care. Children can feel this most easily when surrounded by the embrace of a mother or father. All is well. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We don’t have to figure out all of the complexities of life. All we need to do is allow Jesus to be the true shepherd of our lives: to point us in the right direction, lead us to the best pasture, and keep us safe from harm. So many things in the world can hurt us, and we can quickly find that we are on the road to despair. Keeping focused on Jesus, remaining close to him, allows us to develop the gifts and talents God has given us and discover the key to true happiness. Jesus welcomes me with all of my doubts and fears, limitations and sins.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“What did not lie in my plan lay in God’s plan … from God’s perspective—nothing is accidental.” ~St. Edith Stein

World Day of Prayer for Vocations:
On April 22 the Church throughout the world prays for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the Lord for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life? Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead. Keep your parish priests in your prayers throughout the week. Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister.

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus church, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: There is a food pantry at the Ovid Federated church on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (May 1 and May 15). A 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 30 and May 14)
• Book Discussion: Becoming a Person of Mercy by Max Oliva S.J. at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesdays at St. James the Apostle
• Guest Speaker: Marlies Adams Di Range, author of Queen of the Bremen, will speak at the Parish Center (former St. Mary School) in Waterloo on April 22 at 2:00 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. Mass in St. James the Apostle
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Course: at the First Baptist Church in Trumansburg on April 30 at 6:30 p.m.
• Renewing Wedding Vows: 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.
• Liturgical Minister Invitation: “Transforming Prayer: The Heart of Ministry” at Notre Dame Retreat Center, on May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Funeral:
On April 11 there was a funeral Mass at Holy Cross church for Victor F. Skozewski, who died on April 7, 2018, at the age of 92.

Baptism:
Cecilia Madison was baptized on April 14, 2018, at St. James the Apostle church.

Glove House:
Kathleen Carney is a home finder/caseworker for foster care and adoptive parents with Glove House, Inc. in Waterloo, N.Y. Their mission is to find good people who are willing and able to take care of children who are in need. Ms. Carney will be speaking in area churches to provide insight and information regarding this crucial need in our community. At the end of the Masses this weekend Ms. Carney will give a brief presentation on the need for foster/adoptive parents.

Catholic Home Missions Appeal:
Next week, we will take up a collection for the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Right now, over forty percent of dioceses in the United States are considered home mission territory because they are unable to fund the essential pastoral work needed in their communities. Your support of this appeal helps ease the struggle of these dioceses. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this appeal. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/home-missions.

2017–2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
Our given parish goal is $30,549. As of April 10, 135 households in our parish have pledged $28,848, which represents 94.43 % 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.

Second Collections:
Beginning the weekend of April 29 the second collection 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).

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed:
Trumansburg Food Pantry relies on help from our parish during the months of April and May (April 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.

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. At the “Spring Fling” dinner dance our parish will express gratitude to the following people for the many years they have contributed and shared their musical talent at parish liturgies: Ronnie Fairclough, Patricia Guinan, Sandy Huhn, and Teresa Kenney. We will also recognize Lena Douglas (deceased) for her fifty years as sacristan at St. James the Apostle. Tickets can be purchased after each weekend Mass and at the parish office.

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. Mass in St. James the Apostle church.

Church Cleaners for St. Francis Solanus:
A request 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.

Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events:
Civilians who find themselves in an active shooter event must be prepared to take immediate action to save their own lives before law enforcement arrives. A nationally recognized course is being offered to civilians to equip people with response strategies to save lives and mitigate the effects of these horrific incidences. The course, sponsored by the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC), will be given at the First Baptist Church in Trumansburg on Monday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. and will be led by Lt. Schell of the Seneca County sheriff’s office. This course is generally completed in approximately three hours. Everyone is invited.

Average Mass Attendance in March:
In March of this year, on an average, 54 people attended the 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus. During that same month there were an average of 115 people at the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle and 74 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross church.

Waterloo Parish Speaker:
Marlies Adams Di Range, author of Queen of the Bremen, will be a guest speaker at the Parish Center (former St. Mary School), 35 Center St, in Waterloo on Sunday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. Her talk will be based on her true-life experiences of a seven-year struggle to stay alive in Germany during World War II. After her talk, she will gladly sign a copy of her book, which will be sold for $20 (less than on Amazon). There will be light refreshments. This event is free.

Invitation for All Parish Ministers:
Parish staffs—those involved in faith formation, music, and other aspects of ministry (liturgical ministers) are invited for a time of nourishment, refreshment, and renewal at Notre Dame Retreat Center, 5151 Foster Rd. Canandaigua on Wednesday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The theme of the day is “Transforming Prayer: The Heart of Ministry.” For more information and to register by May 4, please contact Betsy McDermott 585-328-3228, extension 1287. The cost varies from $40 for one parish minister to $25 for four or more parish ministers.

Food Pantry Opportunity:
The Trumansburg Food Pantry is looking for a volunteer evening site manager. The evening distribution runs from 5:15–6:00 p.m. The site manager should plan to be at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church (TUMC) from approximately 4:50–6:15 p.m. every other Monday evening. Duties include putting out the cold products; assigning the volunteers their places; answering volunteer questions; greeting clients; restocking foods; assisting volunteers in teardown/putting food away; making sure signs are brought in from the outside; breaking down/recycling the empty boxes off site; and making sure chairs and tables are put away, and all doors to the church are locked. If you haven’t been involved with the Food Pantry, training will be provided. Thank you for considering this important volunteer role in our community. If you are interested in this position, please contact Anne Haus at: [email protected], or 607-387-5384.

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 the Cornell Cooperative Extension Seneca County events page or phone 607 403 0069.

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).

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

April 22, 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle, Cathy DelSignore

April 29, 9:00 a.m. (fifth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Mark Scibilia-Carver, Cathy DelSignore

Ministry schedule for Holy Cross

April 2018: