First Reading:
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness. (Zep. 3:17)
Psalm:
Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. (Is. 12:6)
Second Reading:
The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
Gospel:
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” (Lk. 3:10)
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:
Shout for joy! When was the last time you ever felt like doing that? Fear, uncertainty, pressure, negativity, disappointment, and myriad other human experiences can rob us of joy. We can never predict what life will bring. As unsettling as that can often seem, life’s unpredictability is also the very thing that allows it to be exciting and adventuresome! We know that life can be difficult, and it is unrealistic to expect it to be otherwise. God never promised an easy road. But, when a person truly falls in love with God and discovers the peacefulness and assurance of God’s presence, then a depth of understanding will be brought to everything they do and experience. Nothing will be able to rob them of joy! When we realize that God, the King of Israel, is in our midst and with us, there is no further misfortune to fear. We celebrate the beauty and wonder of God’s gift of joy today as we ready ourselves, even more excitedly, for the coming of our Savior. Do not fear and do not be discouraged. There is a power and presence within us, our God, who has made us, who loves us and who will keep us. What more do we need? Rejoice!
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: December 14, 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 (December 20) 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
- Confirmation program: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
- James Pine Room: December 15
- Holy Cross Rectory: December 8 & 24
- Religious Education: December 12, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Christmas Mass schedule:
- Friday, December 24
- 4:00 & 6:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- 8:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Saturday, December 25
- 9:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Friday, December 24
Funerals:
• Carmen M. Perez died on November 15, 2021 at the age of 81. A funeral service was held at the Covert Funeral Home on November 20, 2021.
• Webb W. Rankin died on November 20, 2021 at the age of 100. A Funeral Mass was held at St. Francis Solanus Church on December 2, 2021.
A Thank You:
Joan Covert has posted a thank you letter in each of the parish churches expressing her gratitude for parishioner prayers. Not only is the letter a “thank you,” but it also contains her story of a cure that has mystified everyone.
Christmas Masses:
The Christmas Mass schedule is as follows:
- Friday, December 24, 2021
- 4:00 & 6:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- 8:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Saturday, December 25, 2021
- 9:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
Parish 2022 Calendars:
The parish 2022 calendars are available in the foyers of the churches. Please note one error. The time of the Saturday Vigil Mass is recorded as 5:00 p.m. Our parish Saturday Vigil Mass is 4:00 p.m.
Mitten Tree:
An Advent tradition at St. James has been the Mitten Tree. Children’s and adults’ mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and socks can be hung on the tree located in the front of the Church. Items will be brought to Catholic Charities in Ithaca. (There is a special need for men’s items.)
Birthright Donations:
As we have done in the past during Advent, our parish will be collecting baby and toddler items for Birthright in Ithaca. Please place your donations, unwrapped, in the basket near the side altar at St. James. Listed are items on their “wish list”: receiving blankets, sleepers, bibs, crib sheets, diapers (sizes 4&5), diaper wipes, sleep-n-plays, winter jackets (sizes 12 mos-5T). Thank you for your generosity!
Food Pantry Donations:
All three of our parish churches collect non-perishable food items for the food pantries in their respective communities. Donations at Holy Cross and St. Francis Solanus may be left in the vestibules. At St. James the Apostle, donations may be left in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the second weeks of the month.
Season of Advent – Daily Meditations:
A booklet titled, The Word Among Us, is available in the foyer of the church. The booklet contains daily meditations for the Advent Season. Also the booklet contains the scripture Mass readings for each day of Advent. Please take one for your home and for daily prayer.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
Prayer sessions are held on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. The next date at St. James the Apostle is December 15. At Holy Cross Rectory the next date is December 22. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the sessions. For more information phone 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].
2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The CMA Office has mailed a follow-up letter to all who have not yet made a pledge to this year’s Appeal. The message is from Bishop Matano and contains an Advent Season theme. This Advent mailing will include a buck slip with information about year-end giving and gifts through retirement funds. Our given parish goal is $28,086. As of December 1, seventy parish households have pledged $17, 130. This is 60.99 % of our given goal. 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. Please do what you are able and make a pledge as soon as possible.
On-line Giving:
The WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for donors to give to the parish Christmas Flower collection and pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).
A Story -The Power of God’s Mercy:
Available is a newly published book titled: Alessandro Serenelli by Charles D. Engel. It is about the man who killed St. Maria Goretti and his extraordinary conversion. It can be purchased through Amazon, Our Sunday Visitor, or EWTN.
Synod on Synodality:
https://www.dor.org/synod is the website for all information on the diocesan phase of preparing for the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that will take place in Rome in October 2023. The Diocesan phase of the Synod will conclude on March 31, 2022. The website has a short introductory video by Bishop Matano among other items of interest regarding the Synod.
40 Days For Life Prayer Vigil:
The prayer vigil continues at the vigil site, 620 W. Seneca St. Ithaca. Pray with others, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. For more info contact Carolann Darling at 607–351–6668.
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected].
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:
Please feel free to add your prayer requests in the books available for that purpose in each church. The prayer requests of fellow parishioners are listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). You may also add a request by emailing the parish at [email protected] or phoning 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.
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 [email protected].
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.
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.
