National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Is. 7:3-4)
Psalm:
Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory. (Ps. 24)
Second Reading:
The gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power. (Rom. 1:15)
Gospel:
The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” (Mt. 1:20)
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:
“God is with us.” This is the one constant in the unpredictability of life. The particulars of our lives can change, not only instantly but dramatically. People experiencing a time of peace can easily find themselves at war. Times of prosperity can rapidly become times of want. Our vision for the future can be destroyed, and our securities placed in jeopardy. These final days of Advent allow us to make final preparations. The true safety and security we seek can only come from God. The rest, harmony, and peacefulness we desire are found in God alone. How do we know this to be true? God Himself gave us a sign: Emmanuel, God with us. Do not be afraid, and do not be unbelieving. Hold fast to what God has done in giving us His only begotten Son. We do not have to anxiously attempt to control life’s unpredictability. All we need to do is make sure that our hearts are in the proper place and seeking the right things!
©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 (Jan. 3), 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 19) 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.–12:00 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: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Christmas Social: December 18, 1:00–3:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 22, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: December 22, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
Update: 2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA)
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The given parish goal is $31,000. It was reported on December 8th that 82 parish households have pledged $23,555 which represents 75.98% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
Christmas Social at St. James the Apostle:
Spread the word! All are invited to a Christmas Social this Sunday from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church, Trumansburg. Come make decorations, enjoy hot chocolate, and spend time with your parish community. If able, bring your favorite Christmas treat to share.
Christmas Mass Schedule:
Saturday, December 24:
- 4:00 p.m. St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- 8:00 p.m. Holy Cross, Ovid
Sunday, December 25 – one Mass only:
- 9:00 a.m. St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
Please do two things:
a) make preparations for attendance, and
b) spread the news regarding the schedule of Christmas Masses at the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy.
Volunteer for Trumansburg Food Pantry:
December is the month for our parish to provide volunteers for the Trumansburg Food Pantry. The sign-up sheets and more details can be found in the foyers. Monday, December 19, is the final date to help. Thank you.
Birthright Donations and Mitten Tree:
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. They are especially in need of diapers (size 4 &5).
Another tradition at St. James has been the Mitten Tree. Children’s or adults’ mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and socks can be hung on the tree during Advent. Items will be brought to Catholic Charities in Ithaca. (There is a special need for men’s items.)
Parish Cemeteries:
The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy has two cemeteries: St. James the Apostle Cemetery and Holy Cross Cemetery. The Parish Cemetery Advisory Committee met on November 29, 2022 to revise the cost for grave sites and burials set in 2016. The revised cost schedule for a grave site is $700. A “Green Burial Site” at St. James the Apostle Cemetery will cost $950. The following will be the cost for burials: for a full burial, that is, for a body and casket, the cost will be $800; and for cremation remains, $500. The new cost schedule will begin January 1, 2023.
Boxed Offertory Envelopes:
Boxed offertory envelopes for 2023 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 to envelopes will be made available for pick-up.
Thank You:
Fr. Paul Gitau, Diocesan Director for The Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Rochester, sent a letter of gratitude to our parish for the collection taken up on the weekend of July 24, 2022, for the Diocese of Cuddapah, India. The collection amounted to $1,858. Fr. John Bosco Duraisamy visited our parish on that weekend and made the appeal on behalf of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and his Diocese of Cuddapah, India.
Priesthood:
Men interested in possibly being ordained a priest are invited to a dinner, discussion and prayer on Thursday, December 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Our Mother of Sorrows Rectory, 5,000 Mt. Read Blvd. Rochester, NY. Please phone or email Fr. Joseph Martuscello: 607–438–7337 or Fr.Joseph.Martuscello@dor.org.
2023 Parish Calendars:
Parish Calendars for next year (2023) have been placed in the foyers of the churches. Parishioners are welcome to take one for their home. The calendar theme is Feasts And Saints.
National Eucharistic Revival:
Sign-up for the weekly newsletter “Heart of the Revival.” The newsletter contains weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you enkindle, rekindle, and deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. Visit eucharisticrevival.org to sign-up for the free newsletter.
The Catholic Catechism:
Ascension Press is launching The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) on January 1, 2023! With this podcast, Catholics will read the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 days and transform their relationship with the Church that Christ founded. If you have ever wanted to understand what it means to be Catholic—this podcast is for you! For more information and to sign-up go to: ascensionpress.com.
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: 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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at eileen.heptig@dor.org
Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:
- Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 p.m., and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Dec. 22)
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Dec. 22)
Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email 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. 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 and for world peace, especially in Ukraine.
Prayers for Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2022. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sr. Anne Marie, in your thoughts and prayers.
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.
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.
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.
