“We do not want a Church that moves with the world.
We want a Church that will move the world.” ~G. K. Chesterton
A Note from Our Pastor:
November 24, 2023
St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest & Companions, Martyrs
Dear Parish households,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was in the habit of going to the Synagogue on the Sabbath as a way of following God’s third commandment – keep holy the Sabbath. We too form the habit of going to church on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, following Jesus’s example in a way of keeping the third commandment of God.
This Sunday is the Solemnity of: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. It is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary time and the last Sunday in the liturgical year. Next Sunday, December 3, 2023, begins the Season of Advent, the first Sunday of the new liturgical year.
The Gospel for this Sunday is Matthew 25:31-46, The Last Judgement. Magisterium AI offers the following reflection:
“According to Catholic doctrine, the parable of the last judgment in Matthew 25:31-46 teaches several moral lessons. First, it emphasizes the importance of acts of mercy and charity towards others. Jesus states that those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited prisoners will inherit the kingdom of God. This passage highlights the need for concrete actions of love and compassion towards those in need.
Second, the parable teaches that our treatment of others reflects our relationship with Christ. Jesus identifies himself with those who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned. He says that whatever we do to the least of his brethren, we do to him. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the presence of Christ in every person and treating them with love and respect.
Furthermore, the parable teaches that our actions have eternal consequences. Jesus states that those who fail to show mercy and charity will be condemned to everlasting punishment, while those who do will receive eternal life. This highlights the seriousness of our moral choices and the need to prioritize acts of love and mercy in our lives.
In summary, the moral lessons from Matthew 25:31-46 according to Catholic doctrine include the importance of acts of mercy and charity, the recognition of Christ in others, and the eternal consequences of our actions. These teachings call us to live lives of love and compassion, treating others as we would treat Christ himself.”
With love for you all,
Fr. Bernard, OFM Cap.
P.S.
- I am available every Friday from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Parish Center. No appointment is required.
- Year of the Parish Eucharistic Revival:
By celebrating the Last Supper with his apostles during the Passover meal, Jesus gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning. Jesus’s passing over to his father by his death and resurrection, the new Passover, is anticipated in the Supper and celebrated in the Eucharist, which anticipates the final Passover of the Church in the glory of the kingdom. Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1340 - Every weekend I joyfully look forward to celebrating God’s union with us in “The Breaking of Bread.” I do miss those who are absent.
- This weekend’s bulletin is available here.
- Thank you for visiting the parish web site where there are many helpful links here and on our weekly bulletin page. We are also increasing our activity on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Visiting and “liking” the parish’s posts on these social media platforms helps us to engage and reach new parishioners.
Gospel Meditation—Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe~ November 26, 2023
In May 2023, for the first time in almost three quarters of a century, a monarch was crowned in England. A few days later a friend of mine scoffed, “What a waste of time and energy! What is the point of a king?”
I’m a proud American who wants neither theocracy nor monarchical restoration. I like our democratic republic. But the coronation of King Charles reminded me of something needed in every person and community: confidence in the future. The king’s most basic role is to symbolize the unity of the nation. In England, the parliament members handle many of the practical duties of governance. But the king or queen can do what they cannot: embody in a single person the reality and future of a whole nation. To say, “this is our king” is to say, “we exist as a community, and we have a future.” Kingship isn’t primarily about the power of one person or family. It’s about the enduring identity and unity of the whole.
To say Christ is our King is to say we exist as a people. We are one in him. We are, and we will be as long as he is. And since he will be our risen king forever, together we have a future filled with hope. Even the best countries will finally fall. But Christ and his Church will endure forever. What good news! It’s not a waste of time to crown a king. We do it all the time. Let’s be sure to crown the right one — the one whose kingdom never ends
~ Father John Muir
©LPi
The Family Zone
Equipping the Domestic Church ~ ISSUE 126 / 11.26.23
Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe: Today is the last day of our liturgical year. It is the day also known as the Feast of Christ the King. Though we celebrate Jesus as King, we know of his humility and servant leadership. Today is a great day to talk about what makes a leader a good leader. What are the qualities that make Jesus a servant leader who taught us to serve others by taking a towel to wash the feet of his disciples? What leadership qualities do you see in one another? How can your family lead others to Christ?
Mass Class: The Lectionary Cycle:
The lectionary we use for the readings at Mass is arranged into two cycles, one for the Sunday readings and one for the daily Mass readings. The Sunday cycle is on a three-year rotation known as years A, B, and C. We are closing out a Year A cycle today and will be entering into Year B. The readings in Year B will come from the Gospel of Mark as well as the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. When you look at the readings for Mass, you will see that the first reading generally comes from the Old Testament and connects to the theme of the Gospel. The second reading usually is a letter written to one of the early church communities and helps us to understand discipleship. So, next week when we begin Advent, we will begin a new liturgical year and a new cycle of readings to unpack from scripture!
Read and Discuss as a Family: The Family Zone provides a link for the readings that you will hear at the Sunday Mass for the coming two weeks. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart and mind for full and active participation in Mass this weekend. Picture Jesus sitting next to you as you review the readings. What would you say to him about what you read?
Family Faith Conversation: On December 10, we will hear the familiar Advent phrase: “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! from the prophet Isaiah. The Christmas season is busy and we get caught up in shopping, decorating, and wrapping. How is your house using this Advent season to prepare a space for Jesus? Talk about one thing you can do to prepare the way for him!
Connecting to Our Church Year:
Advent is almost here! Next week, you can wish one another “Happy New Liturgical Year!”
The beautiful season of Advent begins on December 3. As we await the celebration of the Birth of Christ, the dark nights of the approaching winter season give us pause to wait in quiet, patient, hope. Learn more about our Advent attitudes with the article linked here from Catechist’s Journey. Click on the yellow button from Dyanamic Catholic, to prepare for some engaging ways to celebrate the Advent season with your family!
Pray: Christ the King Sunday is day of the Global Celebration of Young People! Celebrate the day by talking with your kids about your hopes and dreams for their lives. Pray over your kids with this prayer from Pope Francis!
A Prayer for Youth and Young Adults
Jesus Christ, King of the Universe,
to you we turn in humble prayer.
Look with favor upon all young people,
bearers of hope for the Church and the world.Jesus Christ, companion
of youth and young adults,
bless the paths of discovery and discernment,
through times of joy and experiences of hardship,
with the constant love and support of your Church.Jesus Christ, alive in the hearts
of all your people,
grant that we may
“journey together, young and old…
to nourish our enthusiasm, cause dreams to emerge,
awaken prophesies and enable hope to blossom.” *Jesus Christ, Redeemer of all humankind,
open our hearts to encounter all young people,
to accompany and be in community together,
and as one Church, embark upon our holy mission.Jesus Christ, in the company
of the Father and the Holy Spirit,
graciously hear our prayer
and be with us forevermore.Amen.
~Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, 199
Serve: In each edition, we will share ways your family can serve others! Do you have people in your life who just don’t like to have a lot of “things” or who always tell you they don’t need anything during the holidays? Why not give them a gift that gives back?
Consider making a donation to a charity in their name. Some families choose to find a family to sponsor through a local charity. Instead of buying items they really don’t need for one another, they share their love for others by providing food and gifts for a family in need. It is an easier task when an extended family or even a group of friends work together to serve and share resources for those who could most use them and it is a great lesson for your children!
Milestone Moments and Family Traditions: Many Catholic families spend the Advent season encouraging their children to follow Jesus through acts of kindness and faith-filled habits such as bedtime prayer. Each time a parent witnesses this positive behavior, the child places a piece of straw in the still-empty manger. This can be an effective way of witnessing the momentum of the Advent season as we “prepare the way.” With good deeds, the baby Jesus figurine will have a comfy spot to lay when Christmas arrives and your kids will enjoy the anticipation a little bit more!
The Family Zone is a newsletter for families to bring the faith alive at home and is brought to you by the Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. It is an online newsletter designed to help you prepare for full and active participation in the liturgy as well as formation within your families. It is an interactive newsletter that “takes parents directly to online sites they can use, themselves, to be the primary instructors of their children’s faith.” To stay up to date with opportunities around the diocese, sign up for the Family Zone newsletter on their web page.
“Christ is Always with Us”
The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year movement to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” (Mission Statement for the National Eucharistic Revival, The Secretariat of Evangelization & Catechesis USCCB)
Go here to find out more about what our diocese is doing to participate in this important movement.
National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024
Will you join us?
Experience the Joy of the Eucharist: “It is in knowing and in loving the Jesus of the Eucharist that you will have the means to understand life, to find security, to be a people with roots. It is Christ who sustains and supports us in the many trials, struggles, challenges, transitions and happenings of our human existence,” wrote our Bishop wrote in his pastoral letter on the Eucharist. “Join us in sharing the light of Christ!”
Those who cannot attend Mass in person are encouraged to check out the diocese’s list of Masses that are available online. Additionally, the diocese provides a variety of virtual events for “prayer, worship, and faith sharing.”
We look forward to seeing you Mass at any of our three churches: Holy Cross in Ovid, NY; St. Francis in Interlaken, NY; and St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, NY!
Mass Intentions at St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken for the week of November 25, 2023 –December 3, 2023:
| Saturday, November 25 | St. Francis, 4:00 p.m. |
Parishioners and benefactors |
| Sunday, November 26 | St. James, 9:00 a.m. |
Sr. Marciana Koesterer SSJ from Kate Small |
| Holy Cross, 10:30 a.m. | Special intention | |
| Monday, November 27 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Tuesday, November 28 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Wednesday, November 29 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Thursday, November 30 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Friday, December 1 |
St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Saturday, December 2 | St. Francis, 4:00 p.m. |
Parishioners and benefactors |
| Sunday, December 3 |
St. James, 9:00 a.m. | Fr. David James from Linda and Mark Scibilia-Carver |
| Holy Cross, 10:30 a.m. | Earl J. Walker from Ed and Connie Conroy |
Mass intentions: Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass on a particular day and time and place may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. All of the Mass intentions presently scheduled can be seen on the parish calendar.
Sanctuary Lamp Intention:
A donation may be made to the parish for a sanctuary lamp to be lit for your intention in any one of our three churches. Contact the parish office to make your request known.
Prayer of St. Gertrude:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners every where, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Prayer to Mary, Mother of Mercy
Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay you with praise and thanks for having rescued a fallen world by your generous consent! Receive our gratitude, and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins. Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God. May all who venerate you feel now your help and protection. Be ready to help us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God, for you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns forever.
Amen.
~Saint Augustine of Hippo
