First Reading:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel. (Mi. 5:1)
Psalm:
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80)
Second Reading:
“Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God’.” (Heb. 10:7)
Gospel:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk. 1:42-43)
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:
Did you ever find yourself wishing that God would just step in and fix all that is wrong with the world? After all, how much longer can all of this go on? There is so much inequity in life. Our world’s political, economic, and environmental systems do not always serve the best interests of people. We read stories about injustice, disregard for human life, greed, heartache, and people being hurt and deprived every day. People are still starving and there is often little regard for human life. This is not the way God intended it to be. Realizing that we have caused most of these problems ourselves, we look to God for an answer and a way out of the difficulties we have created. Taking responsibility for our actions is not something that comes easily. What we fail to see is that God has already sent the answer in the person of Jesus Christ. God did fix our problem! Mary had to set her needs aside in order for the Son of Justice to come into the world. We need to do the same. It is only by believing in, listening to, and acting upon what God has spoken that true peace will ever come to be, and God’s fix be made known.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: TBD, 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
- 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.
- Holy Cross Rectory: December 22
- 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
- 9:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Friday, December 24
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).
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
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.
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!
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.
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 is December 22 at Holy Cross. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the sessions. For more information phone 607–209–4206 or email a.alder1980@gmail.com.
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.
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.
Help for Homeowners from Catholic Charities:
Homeowners in New York State who were financially affected by COVID-19 and who are behind on their mortgage or other housing payments/fees (property taxes, water, sewer, lot fee etc.) may be eligible for help from the New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund (NY HAF). Contact Catholic Charities Elmira office at 607–734–9784 or visit www.cs-cc.org for more information. NYS HAF application window is only open from January 3–February 3, 2022.
Living Wage and Workers Rights:
The Church has been teaching about the importance of a living wage since the 1890s, and it is still a pressing issue today. The Tompkins County Workers’ Center is one of the recipients of this year’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Diocese of Rochester, and they are partnering with parishes in Tompkins County to advocate for workers’ rights. To learn more, please attend our Zoom info session on January 17, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting ID is 270 486 9117. Email April Michael with questions at amichael3@luc.edu.
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 Eileen.heptig@dor.org.
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.
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 familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
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 immmercy@dor.org 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 familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
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.
