First Sunday of Advent ~ December 3, 2023

National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025

Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024

First Reading:
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you. (Is. 63:19)

Psalm:
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80)

Second Reading:
The testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:6-7)

Gospel:
“Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming.” (Mk. 13:35)

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:
Advent is a time for waiting, for hoping, for praying. It is a time for reflecting on the special work to which God calls us all. Stay alert. Show Him you are listening.
@LPi

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

@LPi

Events:

• Food Pantries:
  • Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
  • Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (Dec. 5), 4:00–6:00 p.m., South Seneca High School
  • Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (December 4) 3:30–6:30 p.m., Methodist church
  • Lodi’s Community Pantry, Saturdays, 12:30–2:00 p.m., Lodi Rod & Gun Club, 9382 Lodi Center Rd.
• Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
• Fr. Bernard is available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., no appointment necessary, St. Francis Solanus
  (December 8 Reconciliation will be held at Holy Cross)
• 2023–2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA): Pledges are being accepted. Parish goal is $31,000.
• Adult Inquiry & Confirmation Preparation classes: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
• Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
  • Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.; December 14, 7:00 p.m.
• Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
• Taizé Prayer: December 7 & 21, 7:30 p.m., St. James
• Flower Collection: December 2/3
• Sweet Sunday: December 3, 10:00 a.m., St. James
• Encounter Night: December 7, 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross
• Cemetery Collection: December 9/10
• Family Faith Formation: December 9, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
• Christmas Festival: December 10, 1:00 p.m., St. James
• Additional Opportunities for Reconciliation:
  • December 13, 6:30 p.m., St. James
  • December 14, 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross
• Christmas Choir Practice: December 17, 11:45 a.m., Holy Cross

Christmas Flower Offering:
This weekend is the annual Christmas Flower Offering collection. Your offerings help provide the beautiful flowers and decorations that adorn our three churches at Christmas each year.

Patronal Feast Day of the U.S.:
This Friday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the patronal feast day of the United States of America and a holy day of obligation. There will be two Masses:

• 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg, and
• 6:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Ovid.

Sacrament of Reconciliation – This Friday:
Because of the Holy Day Mass on Friday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m., there will be no confessions at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken at 6:30 p.m. Confessions will be heard at Holy Cross Church after the 6:00 p.m. Mass.

Parish Cemeteries Second Collection:
Next weekend there is a second collection to benefit the Mary Mother of Mercy Parish cemeteries. The cemeteries do not generate regular income and do not have a fully funded Permanent Maintenance Fund. Please give what you are able as this collection helps to defray costly maintenance expenses. Thank you.

Eucharistic Holy Hour – Encounter Night:
Spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist. Encounter Nights create the opportunity for a personal encounter with Our Lord. They are monthly opportunities to experience a powerful form of worship as a parish. The next Encounter Night will be this Thursday, December 7, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church. For many in the parish it will mean making the sacrifice to travel. January’s Encounter Night will be at St. James the Apostle.

Christmas Festival:
The Parish is holding a Christmas social next Sunday, December 10^th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church. Bring your favorite Christmas dessert to share. There will be ornament making, games, and fun activities. This will be an enjoyable event for the whole family.

Angel Tree Tags:
The Angel Trees are up at both St. Francis and Holy Cross for the Seneca County Community Christmas Project! If you take a child’s tag, gifts must be returned by next Sunday, December 10th. Please include the tag information where it can easily be seen, and do not wrap the gifts. Gift cards from Walmart are also appreciated. Contact Gerry Frank at 607–869–5009 or gfrank@ottcmail.com with questions.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
There are additional opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) this season. It is a good practice to do during the Season of Advent when we are more conscious about doing God’s will and following his way as we joyfully await Jesus’s second coming in glory. The dates are:

• Wednesday, December 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m., St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
• Thursday, December 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Holy Cross, Ovid, and
• Every Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken

Saturday Classes:
Adults and students eighth grade and above who are interested in knowing more about Jesus of Nazareth and Catholicism, or who desire to celebrate the sacraments of First Communion or confirmation, are invited to attend classes on Saturdays (except for the second Saturday of the month) from 5:00-6:15 p.m. in the St. Francis Solanus Annex. The topic for the next class, December 16^th, is the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Jesus and the Eucharist Study:
The Word Committee of the Parish Council is planning a seven-session series on Jesus and the Eucharist sponsored by the National Eucharistic Revival. The goal is to have small study groups. Each session is video based containing a main lesson that includes personal testimonies from Catholics across the country. Besides the video, the session contains time for small group discussion.

Currently parishioners are being asked to consider being facilitators. That is, facilitators would set the day, time, and place convenient to themselves to show the video and lead the small group discussion. The more facilitators the parish has the more opportunities parishioners would have to participate in the study of Jesus and the Eucharist. Please notify the Parish Office if you are interested in being a facilitator and to participate in a training session.

2023-2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
As of November 22nd, sixty-five parish households 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. Participation in the Appeal is primary. What is pledged is secondary. The CMA helps our Church and our parish in many ways. Our given parish goal is $31,000. Our parish households have pledged $14,815 which is 47.79% of our goal.

The Word Among us Advent Booklet:
The booklet titled, The Word Among Us, is available in the foyer of the church. The booklet contains daily meditations for the Advent Season. Please take one for your home and for daily prayer.

Christmas Mass Schedule:
Sunday, December 24

• 4:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
• 8:00 p.m., Holy Cross, Ovid

Monday, December 25

• 9:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken

Christmas Choir Practice:
All are welcome to be part of the Christmas Choir for the December 24^th 8:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross Church. The choir practice will be after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, December 17, from 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Mass Obligation – December 24 and 25:
Because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, Bishop Matano sent a notice to remind Catholics that there is an obligation to celebrate Mass both Sunday and Christmas even though they are only a day apart.

2024 Parish Calendars:
Parish Calendars for next year (2024) have been placed in the foyers of the churches. Parishioners are welcome to take one for their home.

Donating to Your Parish:
Online giving by WeShare is safe, simple and convenient. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Visit the parish website’s giving page: marymotherofmercy.com/giving
2. Follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section.
3. 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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at eileen.heptig@dor.org.

Prayer Vigil for Peace:
All are welcome to gather to pray for peace on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00–2:00 p.m. and on Thursdays 8:30–10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Trumansburg.

Programs at St. James the Apostle:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ facilitates three programs in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg.

• Prayer for Healing and Harmony: On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., Sr. Anne leads a time of silent prayer. This provides an opportunity for personal reflection and healing. The session closes with a time to share any reflections that came to you. You do not need to attend every session.
• The Taizé Prayer is facilitated on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs—a good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day.
• Every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m., all are invited to participate in a book study. The current book is Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittiston.

Questions? Contact Sister Anne at 607-209-4206 or a.alder1980@gmail.com

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. 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.” To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, text: 315-945-1019, or email familyhopecenter@outlook.com.

Prayers for Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns and Sister Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2023. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sisters Anne Marie and Dolores, in your thoughts and prayers.

Mass Intention Requests:
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. There are several reasons why a person may ask a priest to offer a Mass for another individual: in thanksgiving; for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday); or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul and in memory of someone who has died.

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.

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.

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.

Let Us Pray: Please remember in your prayers those members of our parish who are in the hospital, sick at home, in a nursing home, or who have requested our prayers (see the list on the parish’s PRAYERS page). We also ask you to pray for those who have died. May the Lord bring comfort to their family and friends during this difficult time and may they find hope in the Resurrection.