Bulletin for December 18, 2016 ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent

Catholics Invite Catholics:
“Come to Mass in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day.” A way to remind people of a way to be faithful to the third commandment: Keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
As we gather on this Fourth Sunday of Advent our anticipation for the coming of the Messiah heightens and intensifies. Our desire to connect with the source of who we are, God himself, takes on greater fervor. We anticipate the salvation Christ brings, which promises us a renewed spirit and freedom. We all long to be free. What binds us and prevents us from embracing what God desires to give? If we desire, we can taste this freedom now and then possess it fully when Christ comes!

Upcoming Events:

• Scripture study classes of the Gospel according to Mark: Tuesdays after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle Church.
• 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 27 and January 10). At the Interlaken Reformed Church on Fridays, 3:00 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 19 and January 2).
• Holiday breads: Breads can be delivered to the Pine Room after Masses on December 17 and 18 or at the Methodist Church by 10:00 a.m. on December 19
• Parish choir final Christmas rehearsal: Tuesday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, Ovid.

Parish Masses for Christmas:
Christmas Eve—Saturday, December 24
5:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle
5:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus
8:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle
10:00 p.m. at Holy Cross

Christmas Day—Sunday, December 25
9:30 a.m. at St. James the Apostle (there will be no 11:00 a.m. Mass)
9:30 a.m. at Holy Cross

Donations/Contributions Made By Checks:
Beginning January 1, 2017, when making donations / contributions, please make checks out to: The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. On the memo line of the check you may name the Church, be it St. James the Apostle, St. Francis Solanus, or Holy Cross.

2017 Offertory Envelopes:
The 2017 boxes of offertory envelopes—for those who use offertory envelopes—may be picked up after the Masses (St. James the Apostle in the Pine Room, St. Francis Solanus in the Annex, and Holy Cross in the vestibule of the church). Please pick up your 2017 parish calendar at the same time. If you presently do not use envelopes and would like to, please phone the parish center and make the request. Thank you.

Parish Choir Rehearsal:
The final rehearsal for the 10:00 p.m. Christmas Mass at Holy Cross will be this Tuesday,
December 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, Ovid. The rehearsal will comprise of prelude: Hark the Herald, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, Away In a Manger, and What Child Is This; processional: O Come All Ye Faithful, the Mass of Renewal for the proper parts of the Mass; Communion: O Holy Night; meditation: cello solo; blessing of the crib: Joseph’s Lullaby; and recessional: Joy to the World.

Advent Reflections Delivered to Your In Box:
Join Bishop Robert Barron and 275,000 Catholics in receiving free daily advent reflections. To sign up, go to adventreflections.com and follow instructions. An easy way to take five minutes each day this hectic season and prepare for the celebration of the Lord’s birth and His second coming.

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

Monday, December 26:
Please be aware that there will be no 9:00 a.m. Communion Service at St. James the Apostle on Monday, December 26.

2016–2017 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. We need all parishioners to help reach our parish given goal of $29,855. A report issued on December 6, 2016, stated that our parish has pledged $14,830. We are a good distance from our goal. Pledge envelopes are located in the vestibules of the church. A third and final mailing from the diocese took place on December 7. The letter was sent to all those donors who made a gift in one of the last three CMA years, but have not yet given to this year’s campaign. Please respond as soon as possible.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
For those interested in learning more about what the followers of Jesus believe or becoming Catholic or completing the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and Eucharist), classes are held on Sundays at 12:15 p.m. at St. James the Apostle in the Pine Room. Please phone the parish center or be in touch with Fr. Bernard to register.

St. James Christmas Hat / Mitten / Scarf Tree:
The tree has been placed near the altar. Items will be donated to Catholic Charities in Ithaca. Items needed are for all ages from babies to adults; both sexes.

St. James Request for Holiday Breads:
As is done every year, the Trumansburg Food Pantry is asking for holiday breads from the churches of the Trumansburg area. St. James the Apostle needs twenty loaves of bread (banana, pumpkin, etc.). There is a sign-up in the vestibule of the church. Breads can be delivered to the pine room after Masses on the 17 and 18 or at the Methodist Church by 10:00 a.m. on the 19.

Birthright of Ithaca:
Please help support new mothers and their babies. There is a need for clothing donations (sizes newborn – 4T, diapers, and miscellaneous baby items. Items may be new, or used in good condition. Unfortunately, baby furniture cannot be accepted. Donations may be dropped off at St. James the Apostle Pine Room and will be picked up on Tuesdays for delivery by Ellen Rider (607 387 6693) to the Birthright of Ithaca.

“Thank You” to the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy:
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Rochester, sent a “thank you” letter for the $765.55 collected on World Mission Sunday held at the end of October. Besides the expressions of gratitude the Rev. Robert C. Bradler, diocesan director. wrote: “World Mission Sunday is celebrated once a year. I hope that in the months ahead you will continue to remember the missionary work of the church through prayer.”

“Thank You” to St. James the Apostle:
Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga sends enormous thanks for the beautiful hats, gloves, and other outerwear collected at St. James the Apostle for our Share the Warmth project.  What a wonderful outpouring of love and concern for people in need!   In the first week of the winter clothing giveaway, we served over 250 households.  We are grateful for your solidarity in our efforts to ensure people can stay warm during the cold winter ahead.

Public Policy Weekend—All Lives are Worth Living:
God becoming one of us is the ultimate confirmation of the inherent dignity of human life. That dignity does not depend on how functional or productive we are. We have dignity because we ARE. Yet the elderly, the disabled, those who are not getting the care they need, are vulnerable in the face of the push to legalize physician-assisted suicide there in New York State. Learn more and advocate to protect the dignity of all human live. Check out more information about the diocesan public policy agenda on the diocese’s website (http://www.dor.org/index.cfm/catholic-charities/public-policy/). Sign a letter or petition to your legislators opposing assisted suicide on Public Policy Weekend February 4 and 5, 2017.

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.

Scripture Study:
Parishioners are welcome to join an informal study of The Gospel According to Mark on Tuesday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass (St James the Apostle Church), The study will be facilitated by Debbie Short and Camille Taranto. The Liguori Catholic Bible Study will be used. Questions: contact Camille (607) 387-3125.

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

Schedule for this weekend, December 17 and 18 (third Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Amy Panek (for Carol Kuklo) and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore, Traci Bump

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Glenn Stamps and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Anna Zavala, Susan Stafford

Christmas 2016 at St. James the Apostle:

Christmas Eve:
Mass at 5 p.m. (Children’s Mass)
Lectors: Carol Kuklo, Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Eileen Heptig, Susan Stafford, Traci Bump

Mass at 8 p.m.
Lectors: Scott Hamula, Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Robin Hamula, Anne Haus (tentative), Joan Hogan

Christmas Day:
Mass at 9:30 a.m.
Lectors: Barbara Willers, Tommy Perry
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Laurie and Patrick Miller, Mark Scibilia-Carver

Schedule for New Year’s Weekend (first Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Scott Hamula and Amy Panek
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Barbara Willers, Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Maria Connell
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Glenn Stamps, Mary Szymanski

Ministry schedule for Holy Cross

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church
December 2016

  Lectors:

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: