First Reading:
A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! (Is. 40:3)
Psalm:
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. (Ps. 85)
Second Reading:
The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. (2 Pt. 3:10)
Gospel:
“One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mk. 1:7b-8)
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.
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Prepare the way of the Lord! The message of John the Baptist becomes the calling of every baptized disciple of Jesus Christ. Each one of us is asked to prepare the way of the Lord. Given the humble means of our lives, how can we do this? It certainly does not require that we stand on street corners announcing God’s future coming! We can more readily take up the task of our lifework by clearing our lives of unnecessary, distracting clutter. By creating solid and deep spiritual lives, we can heighten our awareness of God’s presence and help people point to and discover God’s presence around them. By conducting ourselves in holiness and devotion, we can speak volumes to those we meet. Not by preaching actual words, but by living lives that communicate the comfort God wants His people to know. As the world sometimes frantically unfolds around us, we can be people of patience who show others that it’s okay to wait for God’s gift to come. Conducting our lives in this manner, we will know the peace that comes from doing what we have been asked to do.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday (December 8), 4:00 p.m., in the parking lot at South Seneca high school
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., every other Monday (December 7)
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- AA Meetings:
- Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- Thursdays, Noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30–7:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass: Can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
- Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Masses:
- December 8, 9:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- December 8, 6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
Boxed Offertory Envelopes:
Boxed offertory envelopes for 2021 are available in the foyers of the churches for parishioners who are presently using them. Parishioners wishing to have boxed offertory envelopes, please notify the Parish Office and a box of envelopes will be made available for pick-up.
Christmas Flower Offering:
In the boxes of offertory envelopes there is an envelope titled “Christmas Flower Offering.” In the foyers of the Churches there are also Christmas Flower Offering envelopes. Please deposit the offerings in the collection baskets at the entrances of the church or mail them to the Parish Office. “Thank you” for your help.
Parish 2021 Calendars:
In the foyers of our churches the Parish 2021 Calendars are available. Simply, please, take one calendar per household. Thank you.
The Word Among Us:
Daily meditations for Advent and the Advent daily Mass bible readings are available in the booklet, “The Word Among Us.” The booklets are in the church vestibules. A free will offering can be made for the booklet. It would be good that every household have and use the booklet daily during the Advent Season.
Tuesday – Holy Day:
December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the patronal feast day of the United States. It is a holy day of obligation, however, this year due to the pandemic the obligation to attend Mass is suspended. Nevertheless, our parish will have two Masses:
- 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle, and
- 6:00 p.m. at Holy Cross.
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
As of November 26, eight-one (81) parish families have contributed to the CMA. We thank those who have given generously and ask all who have not yet given to prayerfully consider doing so. The CMA helps our Church and our parish in so many ways. Please consider all the ways that God has blessed you and your family and think how the Church has brought goodness into your lives. Join our appeal and give back what you can so that we remain strong and able to do God’s great work. Our parishioner households have contributed $17, 321 which represents 57.78% of our given goal of $29,979.
Snow Days:
A reminder that during the week, if a “snow day” has been declared for local schools, there will be no 8:30 a.m. morning Mass.
Churches Will Be Closed on Weekdays:
Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, our parish churches of Holy Cross, Ovid and St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg will be open only for the weekend Masses. St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken, the Church and Parish Office, will remain open.
Desert Days in Advent:
Notre Dame Retreat House (5151 Foster Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424) is offering “Desert Days in Advent.” There will be four dates available. Space is limited, so registration is required. Attendance is limited to fifteen people for each day. For specifics, please visit: notredameretreat.org. For other inquiries, please contact us at 585–394–5700 or [email protected]
Local Red Kettle Campaign:
The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign will be conducted at the Trumansburg ShurSave grocery store. We need folks willing to donate their time to ring the bell. To sign up (or to get more information) call Judy Robertson at 607–387–6488. The campaign will be conducted from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve (November 27 through December 24). The money that is collected comes back to our community.
Enrollment Info at Notre Dame High School:
Notre Dame High School, Grades 7–12, is holding virtual admissions and enrollment sessions on Thursday evenings via ZOOM from 7–8 p.m. now and through early 2021. Interested students and their families can join the link by visiting the Notre Dame website: notredamehighschool.com. ND offers busing from the Ithaca area to Notre Dame. For more information, please contact Brett Moore at 607–734–2267.
Respect Life:
All are welcome to come and pray every Friday morning from 8:30–11 a.m. at Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, and to be available to offer life-affirming options to women considering abortions. For more information contact Carolann Darling at 607–351–6668.
Support Your Local Economy:
An encouragement has been offered by the Labor Religion Coalition in Tompkins County to support the local economy. To keep more people employed in our area and to ensure that local governments can fund social services for youth, elders, and low income people through sales taxes, please help local economies thrive.
The Bishop’s Reminder:
Due to the prevalence of the Coronavirus, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice. Those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 and those concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass. Those who feel in any way sick should not enter any parish building or church.
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].
Child and Family Resources, Inc.:
For families in Seneca County, Child and Family Resources, Inc. is available for serving children and families. They are located at 263 Lake Street, Penn Yan. The phone number is 315–536–1134 ext. 2310. The toll free childcare referral line is 800–881–5786. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Visit cfresources.org for more information.
Birthright of Ithaca:
Birthright of Ithaca has moved to a new location at 223 Elmira Rd. Suite #1 Ithaca, NY. They are open four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.; and Thursday from 1:00–6:00 p.m. Birthright of Ithaca has been providing compassionate care for women and their families of all faiths for more than 38 years. For more information please phone 607–272–9070.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program:
This program is designed to provide up to three months of rent relief to eligible households who have experienced a loss of income related to the public health crisis. To learn more or apply, visit ithacanhs.org/rentalassistance or phone 607–277–4500. Assistance is available to renters in four counties including Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.
Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. ~
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.
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 Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, during 2020. In gratitude, let us pray for Sr. Anne Burns and all the Sisters of St. Joseph.
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.
