November 7, 2021 ~ Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time / Year of St. Joseph
First Reading:
She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah. (1 Kgs. 17:15-16)
Psalm:
Praise the Lord, my soul! (Ps. 146)
or:
Alleluia
Second Reading:
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. (Heb. 9:26)
Gospel:
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mk. 12:43-44)
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD. The English translation of Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
©LPi
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
It all really boils down to a matter of the heart, and actions do speak louder than words. We cannot hide from the truth. A problem with religion is that it is possible for someone to make everything appear to be right when actually it is not. We can say all of the right prayers, perform all of the proscribed rituals, claim that we adhere to orthodox doctrines and still lead a distorted, empty and sometimes pitiful life. Only actions springing from true and deep sacrifice demonstrate true integrity. Without sacrifice, even the noblest looking actions can amount to nothing. It is no wonder, then, that the widow who contributed from her poverty received great admiration from Jesus. While it may not always appear to be the case, God has a special care and regard for those who depend upon him in times of trouble and want. Only the person who is truly poor is the only one who can see this. Because of a lack of trust, the one who has much is afraid to take a risk and sees only what they possess as their only security.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: November 9, 4:00 p.m., South Seneca high school parking lot
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (November 8) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., and Thursdays 4:00–6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Confirmation program: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
- James Pine Room: November 17, December 1 & 15
- Holy Cross Rectory: November 10 & 24, December 8 & 24
- Religious Education: November 14, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Cemetery Fund collection: November 6 & 7
- Advent gathering/Holy hour: December 3, 7:00 p.m., Francis Solanus
National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW):
This week is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. NVAW began in 1976 when the U. S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for NVAW. National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated in our country November 7-13, 2021. Please ask Our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women. May they be inspired by Jesus Christ, supported by our faith community, and respond generously to God’s gift of vocation.
Cemetery Fund Collection—Today:
Our parish has two cemeteries: Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg. They both operate with an annual deficit. Cemeteries must strive to maintain a fully funded “Permanent Maintenance Fund.” It is difficult to achieve this goal because the cemeteries do not have the opportunity to produce ongoing income to cover their costs. Your financial help is appreciated each year. This weekend a second collection will be taken up for the support of our parish cemeteries. You may also mail contributions to the parish office or make an offering through WeShare online giving. Thank you.
Cemeteries Fall Cleanup:
The fall cleanup for Holy Cross and St. James cemeteries will take place on Saturday, November 13. Please have all previous season’s decorations removed by that date. If possible, please take them home for disposal.
Angel Tree Tags:
This year the tags for the Angel Tree will need to be requested in advance. The tags would be for children up to age 12. While we cannot guarantee a specific gender or age for the child’s tag you might receive, all the children do come from families that have been or are having a difficult time and could use some outside support to help ensure a joyful Christmas for their children. If you would like to sponsor a child, or more than one child, please contact Gerald Frank at 607–869–5009 and leave a message or e-mail to . All requests will receive a confirmation. All gifts for the children will be due no later than December 5. Additional information will be provided with the tags that you receive. Thank you in advance for your kindness to those you don’t know.
Share the Warmth:
Trumansburg Rotary Club has placed a collection bin for winter outerwear on the St. James the Apostle Rectory porch. So, if you have coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, etc. that are not being used, drop them off to benefit another. This year, the annual Share the Warmth distribution of free winter outerwear will take place at Ithaca Catholic Charities from November 8-12 and November 15-19. Friendly volunteers are needed to wait on customers. Covid-19 safety protocols will be enforced. Contact Michaela to sign-up at or 607–272–5062.
Seneca County Christmas Project:
Applications (sign-up) for participation in the Christmas Project will be accepted at the Ovid Food Pantry on Mondays through November 8 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. For more information phone 315–835–1996.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
Prayer sessions are held on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. The next dates at St. James the Apostle Pine Room are November 17 and December 1 & 15. At Holy Cross Rectory the next dates are November 10 & 24 and December 8 & 22. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the sessions. For more information phone 607–209–4206 or email .
A Gathering:
Please mark your calendars for Friday, December 3, for a gathering at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken to participate in a holy hour marking the beginning of the Advent Season. The holy hour will begin with Br. Francisco and a presentation on the Advent Season with the Blessed Virgin Mary as a role model during this season. The hour will conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 6:30–7:30 p.m. and after the Holy Hour.
The Word Among Us:
Daily meditations for Advent and the Advent daily Mass bible readings are available in the booklet, “The Word Among Us.” The booklets are in the church vestibules. A free will offering can be made for the booklet. It would be good that every household have and use the booklet daily during the Advent Season.
2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. By now past CMA donors have received a special letter in the mail with a personalized pledge card. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. Every gift to the CMA helps those in need, supports the mission of the Church, and comes back to help our parish. Thank you. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
Birthright of Ithaca:
Birthright of Ithaca is celebrating 40 years of service to women and children in need in our surrounding communities. Come help us celebrate and see our new space! We will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, November 13, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. We are located at 223 Elmira Rd. in Ithaca. We hope to see you there!
Worldwide Marriage Encounter:
Marriage Encounter will be November 12–14 at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua. Register online at wwme.org. Couples can apply for a discount rate with the code ED&LEO35 at wwme.org. The WWME weekend teaches communication techniques such as active listening, listening with the heart and empathy towards your spouse’s feelings. It is based on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and expresses the importance of love in the union and encourages this love be taken out into the world in various ministries to serve God by strengthening the couples and families in the church.
Day of Prayer:
The Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua is offering a day of prayer with Fr. Ed Palumbos with the theme “The Table of the Lord”. The day of prayer is scheduled for November 10 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.. The cost, $25.00. To register please phone, 585–394–5700 or email .
Donating to Your Parish:
Online giving by WeShare is safe, simple and convenient. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Visit the parish website’s giving page: https://marymotherofmercy.com/giving.
- Follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section.
- Set up your donation or payment.
That’s it! Your account will be created and you can put away your checkbook. If you experience any problems, please email Eileen at .
Synod of Bishops:
Pope Francis I has convoked an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Synod: a church meeting to consult on church matters) to take place in Rome in October 2023—two years from now. Preliminary work for the Synod begins this month in all dioceses throughout the world. The theme for the Synod of Bishops is: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The first phase is described as “listening to one another and walking forward together, guided by the Holy Spirit” on a Diocesan level.
Family Hope Center:
The Family Hope Center has two locations: one in Geneva and a satellite location in Ovid in the Holy Cross Church Rectory. Family Hope Center fights for life by valuing life above all else. It means offering support through free pregnancy tests, a limited ultrasound referral, parenting and life skills classes, bible studies, material aid such as diapers and clothing, and through our forgiven and set free post abortion study. It means looking at our clients and saying, “I see your life; I value your life. I see and value your children’s lives. You are important and loved.” Women come to the Family Hope Center to be valued. To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, or email .
Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mass Intention Requests:
Parishioners requesting a Mass intention for a particular date and time can do so by completing the “Mass Intentions Request Form” located in the foyers of the churches. Mass intentions may also be requested by phoning the parish office.
Prayer Intentions:
Since we presently cannot have the prayer request books in our churches, do know that the prayer requests of fellow parishioners are still being listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). If you would like to add a request, please email the parish at or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
Sanctuary Lamp:
In Catholic Churches, a candle is always lit to indicate that the Blessed Sacrament is present in the church. This candle is called the “sanctuary lamp.” Every week the candle or oil is renewed. In many churches, people donate to the church for the sanctuary lamp be lit for the week for the intention of the donor. This has been the custom at Holy Cross Church, Ovid and is now extended to St. James the Apostle and St. Francis Solanus Churches. In making the donation simply put on the envelope, “donation for the sanctuary lamp” and specify the week and, if so desired, your intention.
Prayers from the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. They have informed our parish that Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2021. Let us keep in our prayers the two sisters praying for us and for all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
Year of St. Joseph:
Pope Francis initiated the Year of St. Joseph in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Catholic Church. This year is dedicated to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
The Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes is located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva with an office in Ovid at 7231 Main St. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself.” For more information phone 315 789 0708, text: 315-945-1019, or e-mail .
Cancer Services Program (CSP):
Cortland and Tompkins Counties offer free cancer screenings to those who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings. The screening services are provided in local health centers, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. For more information, contact CSP at 866 442 2262.