First Reading:
For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship. (Bar. 5:4)
Psalm:
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. (Ps. 126)
Second Reading:
And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. (Phil. 1:9-10)
Gospel:
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Mk 7:37)
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:
Sometimes, especially when life gets overwhelming and difficult, we can find ourselves feeling a bit downhearted and miserable. Wallowing in this uncomfortable darkness seems to be our norm and it’s difficult to see a way out of, or through, this experience. If we listen carefully enough, we will hear God’s voice calling out deep within, beckoning us to seek out its source and discover the inner calm and peace that can prevail over the darkness of despair. Faith tells us that God has already begun the creation of a good work in us and is with us, bringing it to completion, until Christ Jesus comes again. It is this light of God’s glory for which we are asked to pave the way and straighten the paths of our lives so that it can shine. With all that life can ask of us and bring to us, it is our task to constantly discern what is of value. So that we do not get so weighed down by things that we no longer see, or feel, God’s salvation.
©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 6) 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: December 15
- Holy Cross Rectory: December 8 & 24
- Religious Education: December 12, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Christmas Flower Offering second collection: December 4 & 5
- Immaculate Conception Holy Day Masses: December 8
- 9:00 a.m., St. James
- 6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
Second Collections:
Second collections will be announced following the Prayer of the Faithful. The collection will be taken up immediately after the offertory procession when the celebrant has received the first collection offerings and the gifts of bread and wine.
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 Flower Offering:
This weekend there is a second collection. It is the annual Christmas Flower Offering collection. Your offerings help defray the cost of Christmas flowers and decorations.
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!
Holy Day of Obligation:
The patronal feast day of the United States is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is December 8. This year it is a Wednesday. There will be two Masses on that day: St. James the Apostle at 9:00 a.m. and Holy Cross at 6:00 p.m. Please plan now to come to Mass on that day.
CROP Hunger Walk:
A report has been issued regarding the CROP Hunger Walk (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) held on October 10 with St. James the Apostle Church hosting this year’s event. A total of $8,738.05 was raised by the Trumansburg Area Churches. Of that amount, St. James the Apostle Church raised $1,939.35. The TAC Food Pantry has already received $2,088 which has been spent on turkeys and gift cards. The food pantry will receive 25% of what was raised by the CROP Hunger Walk. Thank you to all who supported the Walk and Br. Francisco with the hosting volunteers.
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. This is $2,000 less than in previous years. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The CM A provides funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. Last year our parish exceeded its given goal by $2,825 and the parish received a rebate of $1,413. Please do what you are able and make a pledge as soon as possible.
Year of St. Joseph—Concludes:
Pope Francis announced a special year dedicated to St. Joseph. The year began on December 8, 2020 and will conclude this December 8, 2021. The year of St. Joseph marked the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. The hope of the year was that Christians would grow in the knowledge of St. Joseph’s virtues and imitate them. During the year our parish prayed the Litany of St. Joseph on Wednesdays after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. The Litany contains a list of the many virtues of St. Joseph. The Litany was prayed for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and that all people would have a respect for human life from conception to death.
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 dates at St. James the Apostle are December 15. At Holy Cross Rectory the next dates are December 8 & 22. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the sessions. For more information phone 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].
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.
Tree Lighting and Carol Sing:
On Saturday, December 4 at 5:00 p.m., the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses, 69 E. Main St. Trumansburg, will host “A Gathering of Song” with hot cider and donuts outdoors between the sidewalk and Fellowship Hall porch.
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:
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 [email protected] 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.
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.
