Bulletin for March 5, 2017 ~ First Sunday of Lent

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
We have begun Lent, entering into a season of conversion and repentance. Like us, Jesus was subject to temptation, but he resisted with all his heart. As we celebrate our Eucharist today, let us ask God to give us the perseverance to avoid sin.The providential love of God is without end and God’s eternal mercy is shown to every creature. Even in times of pain and difficulty, we are called to trust in God’s mercy and love. In the Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that we are worth more than the birds of the air or the flowers of the field.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” ~ G. K. Chesterton“It is a lesson that we all need–to let alone the things that do not concern us. He has other ways for others to follow him; all do not go by the same path.” ~St. Katharine Drexel

Upcoming Events:

• RCIA Program, Convert Classes: Sundays, 12:00 noon, at St. James the Apostle Pine Room. Classes are open to all.
• Scripture study classes of the Gospel: on 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. (March 7 and 21). The food pantry is 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. (March 13 and 21).
• Parish Choir Rehearsal: The next rehearsal date is Tuesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken, in preparation for the liturgical services of Lent and the Easter Triduum.
• Parish Council meeting: Thursday, March 9, at the Parish Center at 7:00 p.m.
• Planning for Your Legacy: Two free seminars, one on March 13 at St. Francis DeSales Parish Center, 130 Exchange Street, Geneva; and second at St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish Center, 905 N. Decatur St. Watkins Glen. Both seminars will be at 7:00–8:30 p.m.
• Fourth annual Rochester Catholic Women’s Conference: March 18 at the Aquinas Institute
• Day of Penance in the Diocese: On March 28 the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at the Parish Center in Interlaken from12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m.
• Spring Enrollment Open House: Thursday, March 30, at 9:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception School, Ithaca
• Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation with private confession: Monday of Holy Week, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus.

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.

Lenten Reminders and Devotions:

• The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (March 1) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 13).
• “Alleluia” is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil.
• During Lent the altar is not to be decorated with flowers.
• Musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.
• The readings for the Lenten Masses have been chosen in relation to the themes of baptismal renewal and conversion.
• The Easter celebration is: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—the Easter Triduum (three days of Easter).
• During the season of Lent, the Church urges all the faithful to reflect a spirit of prayer, penance (conversion), and charity.

Fast and Abstinence:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fast and abstinence. Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, i.e. meatless days.

Abstinence prohibits individuals from eating meat on a particular day. Abstinence obliges all those who have reached the age of 14 and continues to oblige throughout one’s entire life. Those not specifically obliged to abstain from eating meat are encouraged to join in this discipline to the extent that they are able.

Fasting requires that only one full meal be taken per day. Two other smaller meals may be taken during the day to maintain physical strength, but these two meals together should not equal a full meal in quantity. Fasting obliges all those who have reached the age of 18 and continues to oblige until age 59. Those not specifically obliged to fast are encouraged to join in the discipline of fasting to the extent that they are able.

Stations of the Cross:
Stations of the Cross during Lent will occur on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This will happen at the Parish Center in St. Francis Solanus Church.

Diocesan Day of Penance and Mercy:
It has been decreed that a diocesan day of penance and mercy will be on Tuesday, March 28, from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. Throughout the Diocese of Rochester, priests will be available at the parishes for Confession. A priest will be available at the Parish Center in St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken, during the times mentioned.

Sacrament of Reconciliation with Private Confession:
There will be a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday of Holy Week, April 10, at the Parish Center in St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken. There will be an opportunity for private confession.

Easter Duty:
According to Church law #920, 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. In reference to this law the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year June 11).

Parish Choir Rehearsal:
All parishioners are welcome to be part of the parish choir. The next rehearsal date is this Tuesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken, in preparation for the liturgical services of Lent and the Easter Triduum.

St. James the Apostle Food Donations:
Food donations may be brought to the church next weekend and placed on the table located in the front of the church. Monetary
donations are accepted also.

Lenten Daily Meditations:
Two booklets, one is The Magnificat Lenten Companion and the other is The Word Among Us – Complete Catholic Mass and Daily Meditations. Please take one or the other but not both. A nominal offering will be posted for the booklets. The offering may be put in the weekend collection basket in an envelope marked Lenten Meditations Booklet. Thank you.

Requesting a Sunday Bulletin Announcement:
Please send requests for bulletin announcements to our parish e-mail address: [email protected]. The announcement is to be written as you wish it to appear in the Sunday bulletin. The announcement must be submitted ten days before it is to appear in the bulletin.

Parish Council:
The council will meet this Thursday, March 9, at the Parish Center at 7:00 p.m.

Parish Office Hours:
The parish center office hours changed in February. The new hours are Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The parish center office is located in the St. Francis Solanus annex.

Town of Covert 1817–2017:
The Town of Covert has planned bicentennial events beginning in March. For a listing of the events please watch the newspapers and TOC2017 Facebook page for details.

Notre Dame High School in Elmira:
Notre Dame High School (ND), with classes for grades 7–12, is hosting an “Ithaca Information Night” on Tuesday, February 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Immaculate Conception School (ICS) library in Ithaca. This meeting is for students and families interested in learning about enrollment at Notre Dame and the busing that is available for local students. ND administrators and faculty will give a brief presentation and answer any questions. Current Notre Dame students and families will be present to talk about their experiences and light refreshments will be served. Please use the Plain Street parking lot/playground entrance to ICS. Notre Dame High School is currently accepting applications for the 2017–2018 academic year. An application for admission may be found on the home page of the school’s web site: www.notredamehighschool.com. If you would like to schedule a tour and/or shadowing experience or if you have questions regarding the application process, please contact Michelle Barkley at 607 734 2267 ext. 326. The school is located at 1400 Maple Ave, Elmira, NY 14904.

2017 Rochester Catholic Women’s Conference:
The fourth annual Rochester Catholic Women’s Conference will be held March 18 at the Aquinas Institute.  This year’s half-day program begins with 8:45 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, and features the internationally renowned Immaculée Ilibagiza; author of seven books, motivational speaker, and Roman Catholic. A Rwandan genocide survivor, Ms. Ilibagiza persisted through 91 days in hiding with seven other women in a 3′ x 4′ room during the massacre.  Her message on forgiveness has been applauded around the world, and has earned her the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace. You will not want to miss her dynamic and inspiring presentation which will include her story, information on Our Lady of Kibeho, and leading the hundreds in attendance with saying the rosary—something she did dozens of times a day and which sustained her during her difficult captivity.  This year’s conference is offered for just $25 for adults and $15 for students (including college students), and includes Benediction, a continental breakfast, and book signing. For more information or to register, please visit www.rochestercwc.org. Don’t forget to register online by March 10 (or mail-in by March 3) for the Rochester Catholic Women’s Conference to be held on March 18. Thank you!

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

Lector Schedule

through March 2017

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

through March 2017

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki before giving to congregation.

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