Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ December 24, 2017

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

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Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent:

First reading:
“Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.” (2 Sm. 7:16)

Psalm:
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. (Ps. 89)

Second reading:
To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Rom. 16:27)

Gospel:
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Lk. 1:35)

Readings for the Nativity of the Lord:B014Christmas_trad_2_qtr_EN_4c

First reading:
Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. (Is. 52:8)

Psalm:
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. (Ps. 98)

Second reading:
Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe. (Heb. 1:1-2)

Gospel:
He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race. (Jn. 1:2-4)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” A simple trust in God’s word allowed the Mother of God to do incredible things. As a humble servant and listener, she embraced her mission and invested herself wholeheartedly in doing what God had asked. Do we know and trust that we are being led? Often, we can feel very much alone and without a source of inspiration, guidance, and love to enlighten our path. God is with us. This is the essential message of Advent and the truth revealed to us at Christmas. We are never alone. There is no need to fear. We too, with God’s help, can do incredible things.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Remember that God comes! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today! Now!” ~ Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

© Liturgical Publications Inc.


Upcoming Events:

  • AA Meetings: St. Francis 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. (December 26 and January 9). 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. (January 8 and 18)
  • Eucharistic Holy Hour: December 29 and January 5, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., in St. Francis Solanus church
  • December 28: No daily Mass at Holy Cross
  • January 1 Solemnity: This is not a holy day of obligation but Mass will be said at St. Francis at 9:00 a.m. There will be no communion service at St. James.
  • Book Discussion: A five-week discussion of Mother Teresa: No Greater Love begins on January 2 following the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James.
  • Confirmation Candidates’ Program: Classes on January 7, 14, 21, and 28
  • Catholic Education Open Forum: January 10 at 6:30 pmat St. Catherine’s of Siena, Ithaca

Christmas Mass Schedule:

Sunday, December 24:  

4:30 p.m. at St. James the Apostle

6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus

9:30 p.m. at Holy Cross

Monday December 25:          

8:30 a.m. at St. James the Apostle

10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross

Fr. Daniel McMullin, from Cornell University, will celebrate the 9:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. Christmas Masses.

Parish Weekend Mass Schedule Change:
All households have been notified that the parish weekend Mass schedule change will begin Saturday January 6, 2018. The times and places of the parish Masses are as follows:

  • Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
  • Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
  • Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross, Ovid

2018 Calendar:
2018 calendars for the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, are available in the foyers of each church.

2018 Offertory Envelopes:
Parishioners using the boxes of offertory envelopes may pick up their box at the following locations: at St. James the Apostle in the Pine Room; at St. Francis Solanus in the annex, and at Holy Cross in the church vestibule/foyer. The boxes at each location are labeled with your name and address. If you would like a box of offertory envelopes please contact the parish office.

2017-2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
An update of December 8, 2017, was issued: our parish goal for the appeal is $30,549. One hundred and thirteen households have pledged $24,991 which represents 81.81% of our goal. A “thank you” to all who have made a pledge to the appeal. Pledge envelopes have been mailed and there are envelopes in the foyers of the churches. If we are to reach our given goal—“participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary.”

Mother Teresa: No Greater Love:
Saint Teresa of Calcutta was known for her compassionate and selfless work with the poor, the ill, and the outcaste. Come join a five-week discussion of Mother Teresa: No Greater Love, a collection of the essential wisdom of this saint. Let the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta give you God’s strength, hope, and peace. The first meeting will be, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Books will be provided. If you need additional information, call Camille Taranto, 387-3125.

Feast of the Holy Family:
The first Sunday after Christmas is the feast of the Holy Family. This year that feast falls on December 31. The feast day is an opportune time for the families of the parish to come to Mass together and celebrate their union with the Lord and one another.

January 1 Solemnity:
January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This year it is not a holy day of obligation because it falls on a Monday but there will be a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus church instead of the communion service at St. James. January 1 is also a day in which the Church celebrates a World Day of Prayer for Peace. All are welcome to celebrate the Solemnity and pray that all peoples of the world live in harmony devoid of terror, exploitation, and war.

No Daily Mass on December 28:
This week there will be no daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. at Holy Cross on Thursday, December 28.

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. “While noting real demographic changes in our landscape, it still is quite discouraging to see in populated places half-empty churches that once were filled. These occurrences should upset us all and cause us to renew our parishes through genuine and profound attachments to the Holy Eucharist demonstrated by weekly attendance at Holy Mass. In his Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini (The Lord’s Day) of May 31, 1998, St. John Paul II teaches: ‘Since the Eucharist is the very heart of Sunday, it is clear why, from the earliest centuries, the Pastors of the Church have not ceased to remind the faithful of the need to take part in the liturgical assembly.’ ‘Leave everything on the Lord’s Day’ urges the third century text known as the Didascalia, ‘and run diligently to your assembly, because it is your praise of God. Otherwise, what excuse will they make to God, those who do not come together on the Lord’s Day to hear the word of life and feed on the divine nourishment which last forever?’ (Dies Domini, no 46).” The Bishop’s letter in its entirety may be found on the diocese website.

Pope Condemns Death Penalty:
On October 11, 2017, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, before an international gathering of church leaders and ambassadors from many nations the pope declared that the death penalty is “contrary to the Gospel.” The Holy Father said that, “No man ever, not even the murderer, loses his personal dignity, because God is a Father who awaits the return of the son who, knowing that he has done wrong, asks pardon and begins a new life.” For this reason, he declared “life cannot be taken away from anyone” For more on this topic visit this article by the Vatican.

World Day of Peace, January 1:
Pope Francis’s message for this day carries the theme of migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace. He writes: “Peace to all people and to all nations on earth! Peace, which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on Christmas night, is a profound aspiration for everyone, for each individual and all peoples, and especially for those who most keenly suffer its absence. Among these whom I constantly keep in my thoughts and prayers, I would once again mention the over 250 million migrants worldwide, of who 22.5 million are refugees. Pope Benedict XVI, my beloved predecessor, spoke to them as ‘men and women, children, young and elderly people, who are searching for somewhere to live in peace.’ In order to find that peace, they are willing to risk their lives on a journey that is often long and perilous, to endure hardships and suffering, and to encounter fences and walls build to keep them far from their goal. In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands.” The fifty-first World Day of Peace is January 1, 2018. The full text of the Pope’s remarks can be found here.

Catholic Education Open Forum:
Curious about the possibility of being able to pursue a Catholic Education for your child(ren)? Join us on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 pm at St. Catherine’s of Siena, Ithaca. Deborah Franklin, principal of Notre Dame High School; Karen Jennings, Notre Dame 7th & 8th grade coordinator; and Jean Yorio, principal of St. Mary Our Mother Elementary School in Horseheads will be present to discuss the academic opportunities each school has to offer. Additionally, information will be on hand regarding a bus option that will transport students from the Ithaca area to Notre Dame High School Grades 7–12 and St. Mary Our Mother Elementary School (PreK–6). Questions regarding the open forum may be directed to Michelle Barkley, director of public relations and marketing at Notre Dame High School, by calling 607-734-2267 ext. 321 or email: [email protected].

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2017, Sister Dolores Bachman and Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as an expression of gratitude. Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.ssjrochester.org.

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

Schedule for December 23 and 24, 2017 (Fourth Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Paul Povinelli and Carol Kuklo
EM: Cathy DelSignore, Joan Hogan, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
EM: Eileen Heptig

Schedule for December 24 and 25, 2017 (Christmas Eve and Day):

On Sunday, December 24, 4:30 p.m.
Lectors: Tommy Perry and Carol Kuklo
EM: Cathy DelSignore, Robin Hamula, and Lynne Stager
Altar servers: Hamulas

Monday, December 25, 8:30 a.m.
Lectors: Barbara Willers, and Mark Scibilia-Carver
EM: Anne Haus, Ron Singer


Ministry schedules for Holy Cross

December 2017:

12/24/17 12/31/17
Greeter in addition to Usher M. Maleski C. Conroy
Altar Ser 1 G. Frank G. Frank
Altar Ser 2
Lector 1 J. Leidefrost° J. Swanson
Lector 2 P. Motill M. Humulock
Extraordinary Min 1 L.A. Fox T. Humulock
Extraordinary Min 2 M. Frank F. Grasak
Extraordinary Min 3 K. Sinkiewicz A. Calice
Usher 1 (Lead) A. Reagan J. Taylor
Usher 2 P. Marrella M. Maleski
Usher 3 S. Limoncelli T. Grasak
Usher 4

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

Lector Schedule

DATE FIRST READING from OLD TESTAMENT SECOND READING from NEW TESTAMENT
December 24 4th Sunday of Advent Karl Messmer Pat Messmer
December 24 Christmas Eve/Day  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  FOR EVENING MASS
December 31 Feast of Holy Family Jeff Houck Stephanie Houck

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

DATE PreciousBlood SET UP AND PURIFICATION PreciousBlood
December 24 4th Sunday of Advent Chris Duthie Jennifer Sharp Charlotte Huyler
December 24 Christmas Eve/Day  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  FOR EVENING`  MASS
December 31 Feast of Holy Family Pat Messmer Marie Roloson Michele Barr

/cmh-10/14/17

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

Altar Server Schedule:

DATE SERVERS
December 24 4th Sunday of Advent Ben
December 24 Christmas Eve/Day VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EVENING MASS
December 31 Feast of Holy Family Rian & Nicky

10/18/17-cmh

 

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© 2024 The Parish of Mary Mother of Mercy
3660 Orchard St., P.O. Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847
607-294-0064

St. James the Apostle, 17 Whig St, Trumansburg, NY
Holy Cross, 7231 Main Street, Ovid, N.Y.
St. Francis Solanus, 3660 Orchard St., Interlaken, N.Y.
Diocese of Rochester
www.dor.org

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