First Sunday of Lent ~ February 18, 2018

Year of the Eucharist June 18, 2017–June 3, 2018

First reading:
God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you.” (Gen. 9:8-15)

Psalm:
Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant. (Ps. 25)

Second reading:
Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. (1 Pt. 3:18)

Gospel:
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk. 1:14-15)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Repent and believe in the gospel! This is the message that is found on Jesus’s lips after forty days in the desert. As the forty days of Lent come before us, we are asked to create a desert experience in our lives so that we can learn anew the ways of God. Our daily cares and concerns can distract us from truth and cause us to become absorbed with the world and secular priorities. Lent is an opportunity to free ourselves from illusion and focus us on what really matters. In doing so, we open up new possibilities for our relationship with God, others, our world, and ourselves.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

© Liturgical Publications Inc.

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus church, on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: Ovid Federated Church on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (February 20 and March 6). The food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed Church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist Church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (February 19 and March 5)
• Book Discussion: Mother Teresa: No Greater Love at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesdays at St. James the Apostle
• Confirmation Candidates’ Program: Classes will resume on March 4
• Eucharistic Holy Hour: Fridays, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., in St. Francis Solanus church, cancelled during February
• Weekend Backpack Program Project: There will be money collection jars at Holy Cross and St. Francis Solanus the weekends of February 17 and 18 through March 3 and 4.

Visiting Priest:
Fr. John Mellitt, OFM Cap., will be visiting the parish and helping out while Fr. Bernard is away, from February 5–28. Please welcome Fr. John to our parish.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
• A diocesan day of penance and mercy is Wednesday, March 14, 12:30–7:30 p.m. Throughout the diocese on that day, priests will be available at the parish churches for confession. A priest will be available at the Parish Center in St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken.

• There will be a Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
with Private Confession on March 26, Monday of Holy Week, at the Parish Center in St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken.

• The sacrament of Reconciliation/Confessions is available every Friday, 6:30–7:00 p.m., at St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken or by appointment with a priest.

Confession:
If you are unable to make it to confessions on Friday evening Fr. John can be available at other times. Please feel free to call him at 914-536-0982 to make an appointment.

Black and Indian Mission Collection:
This weekend there will be a national second collection to support the Black and Indian Missions.

Weekend Backpack Program Project:
Parishioners are invited to participate in supporting this program. There will be money collection jars at Holy Cross and St. Francis Solanus. If you wish to write a check, write it to “Weekend Backpack Program.” You can put the check in the donation jar or mail it to Weekend Backpack Program, P.O. Box 340, Ovid, N.Y. 14521. Food items donated must be single serving size, e.g. cereal, canned milk or juice, canned fruit and pudding cups, microwaveable individual meals, and popcorn. The collection dates will be the weekends of February 17 and 18 through March 3 and 4. Thank you for supporting our children in need.

2017-2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
An update of February 9, 2018, was issued: our parish goal for the appeal is $30,549. Representing 93.46% of our goal, 130 households have pledged $28,551.00. “Thank you” to all who have made a pledge to the appeal. Pledge envelopes are available in the foyers of the churches. If we are to reach our given goal—“Participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary.”

Easter Flower Offering:
Next weekend there will be a second collection for the Easter flowers. Your contribution toward this parish expense is appreciated greatly.

Year of the Eucharist:
The following is taken from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” in celebration of the 150 (sesquicentennial) anniversary of the diocese. “On February 20 of this year 2017, we commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the deaths of Fr. George J. Weinmann and Sister Lilian Marie McLaughlin, S.S.N.D., who lost their lives as they sought to save the Blessed Sacrament from the fire that destroyed St. Philip Neri Church, Rochester, New York. Their belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, demonstrated by the gift of their own lives, continues to be a very powerful example of who we believe the Most Holy Eucharist to be. We are now called to renew our profession of faith in the Eucharistic Christ constantly dwelling in the tabernacles of our churches.” The Bishop’s complete letter may be read on the diocese’s website.

Daily Meditations:
The Center for Action and Contemplation offers daily meditations that have proved most helpful to thousands of people. Please go to https://cac.org or [email protected].

Lenten Reminders:
• The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (February 14) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (March 29).

• “Alleluia” is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil.

• During Lent the altar is not to be decorated with flowers.

• Musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.

• The readings for the Lenten Masses have been chosen in relation to the themes of baptismal renewal and conversion.

• The Easter celebration is: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, known as the Easter Triduum (Three Days of Easter).

Stations of the Cross:
• Thursdays of Lent, 6:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church followed by a communal “Soup Supper.”

• Fridays of Lent, beginning March 2, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus Church with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Parish Center.

Lenten Days of Fast and Abstinence:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fast and abstinence and Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, i.e. meatless days. Abstinence prohibits individuals from eating meat on a particular day. Abstinence obliges all those who have reached the age of 14 and continues to oblige throughout one’s entire life. Those not specifically obliged to abstain from eating meat are encouraged to join in this discipline to the extent that they are able. Fasting requires that only one full meal be taken per day. Two other smaller meals may be taken during the day to maintain physical strength, but these two meals together should not equal a full meal in quantity. Fasting obliges all those who have reached the age of 18 and continues to oblige until age 59. Those not specifically obliged to fast are encouraged to join in the discipline of fasting to the extent that they are able.

Easter Duty:
“All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. The precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time during the year.” (Church Law #920) In reference to this law the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year May 27).

Flu Season and the Sign of Peace:
The faithful should be aware that, using their best judgement, they may offer the sign of peace with a simple nod or bow of the head, and simply say: “Peace be with you,” and the response of the other being: “And with our spirit.”

Flu Season and Holy Communion:
Holy Communion may be given under the one species of the Sacred Host. “Christ is ‘truly, really and substantially contained’ (cf. “Council of Trent,” session xiii) in Holy Communion. His presence is not momentary nor simply signified, but wholly and permanently real under each of the consecrated species of bread and wine.” (“Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the United States of America,” No. 8). As relates to the distribution of Holy Communion under both species, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: “Above all, they (the pastors) should instruct the faithful that the Catholic Faith teaches that Christ, whole and entire, and the true Sacrament, is received even under only one species, and hence that as regards the resulting fruits, those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any grace that is necessary for salvation.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 272). See the diocese web site, http://www.dor.org, for more information.

Pro-Life:
“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but having the right to do what we ought.” ~St. John Paul II

“It is the right of every pregnant women to give birth and the right of every child to be born.” ~Birthright International

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2018 Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Such an act of love offers us the opportunity to keep Sr. Anne Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.

Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.

Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.

Cancer Services Program (Cortland and Tompkins Counties):
This a program that provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information call 1-866 442 2262.

Ministry Schedules for St. James the Apostle

February 18, 2018 (third Sunday):
Lectors: Barbara Willers and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom and Beth Duff, Debbie Short

February 25, 2018 (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle, Cathy DelSignore

February 2018:

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki and Maryann Dendis before giving to congregation.