Second Sunday of Advent ~ December 10, 2017

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

2nd Sunday Advent nat_1_qtr_EN_4c

First reading:
A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! (Is. 40:3)

Psalm:
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. (Ps. 85)

Second Reading:
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pt. 3:9)

Gospel:
John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins… John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me.” (Mk. 1:4, 6-7a)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
John the Baptist announced, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Does preparing a way for the Lord have priority in our lives? Often we spend more time preparing paths for ourselves rather than a path for God. Advent calls us to take the focus off ourselves and put it on God. We prepare a path for God by practicing and living the virtues, being holy and devoted, patient and repentant, and attentive and humble. We are asked to bring comfort and healing to people and to show others by the way we live our lives that we have a higher calling and purpose.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.” ~St. John of the Cross

© Liturgical Publications Inc.


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. (December 12 and 26). 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. (December 18).
  • Rehearsals for the St. James Guitar Choir: Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the choir loft.
  • Eucharistic Holy Hours on December 15 and 22: from 7:00–8:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus
  • “Share the Warmth” campaign: Distribution is scheduled for December 4–15, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Confirmation Candidates’ Program: Classes December 10 and 17.
  • Restocking Food Shelves: Between November 12 and December 10 parishioners are asked to bring food supplies and personal care items to Holy Cross or St. Francis Solanus
  • Due Date for Angel Tree Gifts: If you take a child’s tag, the gifts must be returned no later than December 10
  • Blue Christmas Service: December 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mecklenburg United Methodist Church
  • Holiday Breads Request: Holiday breads for the Trumansburg Food Pantry need to be delivered by the morning of December 18

Maintenance Fund Collection:
This weekend there will be a second collection for the maintenance of our buildings and grounds. Maintenance costs are always prevalent. Your help to cover these costs is always appreciated.

Patroness of the Americas:Guadalupe_Cover_EN_4c
This Tuesday, December 12 is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The feast recalls the apparitions of Mary at the hill of Tepeyac in Mexico from December 9–12, 1531, to the native convert, Juan Diego (his feast day is December 9). Pope Pius XII declared Our Lady of Guadalupe as patroness of the Americas and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in March 25, 1999, raised the day to the rank of a feast for all the countries of the Americas.

Christmas Flower Offering:
The boxes of offertory envelopes contain an envelope titled “Christmas Flower Offering.” The envelope offers the opportunity to make the offering in memory or in honor of someone. At your convenience please deposit the envelope in the regular Sunday collection. “Thank you for your help.”

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMs) in the Diocese of Rochester are appointed by Bishop Matano for a three-year term. Many of our parish EM’s terms end in December 2017. All EMs are asked to pick up an envelope with your name on it in each of the churches. In the envelope is a form to be completed and returned to the church. The forms will be mailed petitioning for your re-appointment for another three-year term.

Christmas Mass Schedule:
On Sunday, December 24, there will be a 4:30 p.m. at St. James the Apostle, a 6:30 p.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus, and a 9:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross. On Monday, December 25, there will be a 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle and a 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross. Fr. Daniel McMullin from Cornell University will celebrate the 9:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. Christmas Masses. He will also be celebrating the 11:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass at St. James.

2018 Calendar:
2018 calendars for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy are available in the foyers of the church. Please take only one per household.

2017-2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
A reminder mailing was sent out on December 7 from the CMA office. If you have not already made a pledge to the appeal please consider making one as soon as possible. An update of December 1 was issued: our parish goal for the appeal is $30,549. One hundred and four households have pledged $17,060 which represents 55.84% of our goal. A “thank you” to all who have made a pledge to the appeal. Pledge envelopes have been mailed and there are envelopes in the foyers of the churches. “Participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary.”

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 Sunday, December 10. All presents will be picked up Monday morning, December 11. 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 13; 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.

Hat, Scarf, and Mitten Tree:
The annual hat, scarf, and mitten tree sponsored by the Women Guild has been set up in St. James church. They are looking for donations of new items, for all ages. Items will be taken to Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties before Christmas. Please consider making a gift of a hat, scarf, or mittens for someone in need.

Restocking Food Shelves:
Until December 10, parishioners are asked to bring food supplies and personal care items to restock the shelves of the Ovid and Interlaken food pantries. Donations may be left at Holy Cross and St. Francis Solanus Churches.

Average Mass Attendance in November:
There were 81 people at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, 55 at the 8:15 a.m. Mass, 83 at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, and 76 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. “Catholics invite Catholics to come to Mass on the Lord’s Day in the Lord’s house.”

Year of the Eucharist:YearofEucharist_150_LOGO (1)
The following is taken from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” in celebration of the 150 (sesquicentennial) anniversary of the diocese. “All that we do as Catholics stems from our attachment to, and is directed back toward, the Eucharist. That one so easily misses Holy Mass reflects a lack of understanding of the Eucharistic sacrifice established by Christ Himself by His death upon the Cross. However, we cannot be critical of those who have not been taught or instructed about the Eucharist, or have not been given the best possible example of fidelity to the Eucharist. This is a moment for all of us to examine our consciences as to how we have or have not fostered devotion to the Eucharist according to our particular vocations in life.” The Bishop’s letter in its entirety may be found on the diocese website.

Thank You:
The parish received a letter of gratitude from Rev. Robert C. Bradler, diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the World Mission Sunday collection that amounted to $1,085.

Pope Condemns the Possession of Nuclear Weapons:
On November 10, Pope Francis not only denounced the use of nuclear weapons—as his recent papal predecessors have done, but declared for the first time ever that even the possession of nuclear weapons is to be condemned. Speaking before a high-profile Vatican sponsored international symposium, attended by 11 Nobel Peace Laureates titled “Prospects for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons and for Integral Disarmament,” the pope said we can not fail to be genuinely concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental effects of any employment of nuclear devices. “If we also take into account the risk of an accidental detonation as a result of error of any kind, the threat of their use, as well as their very possession, is to be firmly condemned. Weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, create nothing but a false sense of security. They cannot constitute the basis for peaceful coexistence between members of the human family, which must rather be inspired by an ethics of solidarity.” (For full address see https://zenit.org/articles/pope-stresses-need-to-halt-nuclear-arms/).

Family Activity for Advent:
Here is a creative way to help our local food pantries. Set out a box or basket in your home. Each day of Advent add one food item or personal care item to the box or basket. After Christmas donate the contents to your local food pantry. This is a wonderful activity for the whole family while helping those in need.

T’burg Food Pantry:
The Trumansburg Food Pantry needs twenty loaves of holiday breads (banana, pumpkin, lemon poppy, etc.) for holiday distribution on December 18. Breads may be left in the basket in the St. James Pine Room after Masses or delivered to the food pantry on Monday morning December 18.

Blue Christmas Service:
Mecklenburg United Methodist Church (with the help of some other churches) will again be having a Blue Christmas service on Thursday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome! Christmas can be a hard time for many reasons, and this will be a time of reflection, when all come together, accepting the emotions and challenges of the season, finding comfort and even hope. There will be a time of fellowship after the service.

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 the Apostle

Schedule for December 9 and 10, 2017 (Second Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke and Scott Hamula
EM: Barbara Willers, Carol Kuklo, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Rich and Hilary Wong
EM: Lynne Stager, Glenn Stamps

Schedule for December 16 and 17, 2017 (Third Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Carol Kuklo and Barbara Willers
EM: Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore, Traci Bump

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Glenn Stamps and Nancy Olszewski
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tom and Beth Duff


Ministry schedules for Holy Cross

December 2017:

12/10/17 12/17/17 12/24/17 12/31/17
Greeter in addition to Usher M. Maleski C. Conroy M. Maleski C. Conroy
Altar Ser 1 M. Humulock G. Frank G. Frank G. Frank
Altar Ser 2
Lector 1 K. Knapp N. Shumway J. Leidefrost° J. Swanson
Lector 2 J. Swanson L. Kurkchi P. Motill M. Humulock
Extraordinary Min 1 G. Frank F. Grasak L.A. Fox T. Humulock
Extraordinary Min 2 T. Humulock P. Schirmer M. Frank F. Grasak
Extraordinary Min 3 D. Brandow° L.A. Fox K. Sinkiewicz A. Calice
2 Envelopes
Usher 1 (Lead) S. Brandow° J. Taylor A. Reagan J. Taylor
Usher 2 S. Limoncelli T. Grasak P. Marrella M. Maleski
Usher 3 M. Maleski J. Swanson S. Limoncelli T. Grasak
Usher 4

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

Lector Schedule

DATE FIRST READING from OLD TESTAMENT SECOND READING from NEW TESTAMENT
December 10 2nd Sunday of Advent Charlotte Huyler Ann Buddle
December 17 3rd Sunday of Advent Marie Roloson Sheila Haddad
December 24 4th Sunday of Advent Karl Messmer Pat Messmer
December 24 Christmas Eve/Day  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  FOR EVENING MASS
December 31 Feast of Holy Family Jeff Houck Stephanie Houck

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

DATE PreciousBlood SET UP AND PURIFICATION PreciousBlood
December 102nd Sunday of Advent Patti Perry Marie Roloson Michele Barr
December 173rd Sunday of Advent Cathy Millspaugh Jeanie Wiggins Mary Ruckdeschel
December 244th Sunday of Advent Chris Duthie Jennifer Sharp Charlotte Huyler
December 24Christmas Eve/Day  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  FOR EVENING`  MASS
December 31Feast of Holy Family Pat Messmer Marie Roloson Michele Barr

/cmh-10/14/17

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki and Maryann Dendis before giving to congregation.

Altar Server Schedule:

DATE SERVERS
December 10 2nd Sunday of Advent Ben andDebbie (maybe)
December 17 3rd Sunday of Advent Nicky
December 24 4th Sunday of Advent Ben
December 24 Christmas Eve/Day VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EVENING MASS
December 31 Feast of Holy Family Rian & Nicky

10/18/17-cmh

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© 2024 The Parish of Mary Mother of Mercy
3660 Orchard St., P.O. Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847
607-294-0064

St. James the Apostle, 17 Whig St, Trumansburg, NY
Holy Cross, 7231 Main Street, Ovid, N.Y.
St. Francis Solanus, 3660 Orchard St., Interlaken, N.Y.
Diocese of Rochester
www.dor.org

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