First Reading:
When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for you servant is listening.” (1 Sm. 3:9-10)
Psalm:
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. (Ps. 40)
Second Reading:
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him. (1 Cor. 6:15, 17)
Gospel:
So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. (Jn. 1:39)
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.
©LPi
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
We have often heard it said that God is always calling but we are not always listening. It is not only that we are not listening, but that we are not familiar enough with God to even recognize that it is God who is calling! We can easily mistake God’s voice for someone or something else and miss some profound opportunities for connection. We have to train our minds, hearts, and souls to specifically listen for the voice of God. It is a voice that draws us to deeper places, leading us to moments of grace and more profound God awareness. To look at Jesus and be able to say, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” means that I know something special about this person whom others know as simply a man. I will become more attentive and receptive when he says, “Come, and you will see.” I may even be more willing to set aside what I am doing and actually go.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: January 19, 4:00 p.m., South Seneca high school parking lot
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (January 18) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- 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: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
Funeral:
A funeral Mass was celebrated for Beverly Lucy Morley on January 8, 2021 at St. James the Apostle Church. Beverly died on January 1, 2021. She was 80 years old.
Please Note:
Fr. Bernard will be away from January 27 to March 2, 2021. Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. and Fr. Roland Daigle, OFM Cap. will be covering the schedule of weekday and weekend Masses. They will also fill in whenever called upon. The Friday evening schedule for confessions/conference will be cancelled during that time.
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
As of December 31, ninety-three (95) 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 parishioners have contributed $19,316 which represents 64.43% of our given goal of $29,979.
Trumansburg Food Pantry Volunteers:
The parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, was well represented by a number of helpful volunteers at the food pantry on January 4. The next Trumansburg pantry will be on January 18. If you would like to help out, please feel free to signup. All are welcome as more hands make light work. The parish is responsible for providing volunteers for three more dates: January 18 and February 1 and 15. Thank you and God bless.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
This Monday, January 18, begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that concludes on Monday, January 25 the feast day of The Conversion of St. Paul, the Apostle. This custom began at the end of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council, in the late 1960’s. The week of prayer goal is to enable Christians of different denominations to grow in an understanding of one another and work together promoting the knowledge of Jesus and the good news, the gospel of Jesus.
Sunday of the Word of God:
Pope Francis has designated the Third Sunday In Ordinary Time (this year January 24) as The Sunday of the Word of God to be held every year. The day is to remind us of the importance and value of Sacred Scripture for the Christian life, as well as the relationship between the word of God and the liturgy: “As Christians, we are one people, making our pilgrim way through history, sustained by the Lord, present in our midst, who speaks to us and nourishes us. A day devoted to the Bible should not be seen as a yearly event but rather a year-long event, for we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the Risen Lord, who continues to speak his word and to break bread in the community of believers. For this reason, we need to develop a closer relationship with Sacred Scripture; otherwise, our hearts will remain cold and our eyes shut, inflicted as we are by so many forms of blindness.”
Day of Prayer:
This Friday, January 22, is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.
Year of St. Joseph:
On December 8, 2020, His Holiness, Pope Francis, declared a Year of St. Joseph, until December 8, 2021. This announcement comes on the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s December 8, 1870 proclamation of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis made this declaration to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal. During this period, the faithful will have the opportunity to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today.
Reminders:
• Parish 2021 Calendars
In the foyers of our churches the Parish 2021 Calendars are available. Simply, please, one calendar per household.
• 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.
• Offertory Collection
During this time of the pandemic, offertory collections cannot be taken up. When parishioners attend Mass, please place your offertory in the new collection stand at the entrances of the church. The new stand replaces the baskets at the entrances and offers security to your offering.
Capuchin Franciscan Burses:
The purpose of the Capuchin Franciscan Burse is to fund the recruitment, education, training, preparation, and mission work of friars in the Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order. A “Burse” is opened in memory of a deceased person, in honor of a saint, or in the name of any person or organization. One hundred dollars opens a new Burse. Contributions in any amount may be made to an existing Burse. Each Burse is complete at $5,000. For more information please contact the Province of St. Mary, 914–761–3008 or email: [email protected].
Faith Formation:
A great help to parents and families is “The Family Zone” newsletter. It offers a listing of activities and opportunities for further learning one’s faith. The newsletter can easily be shared to encourage the promotion of parents as primary catechist. The newsletter is easy to follow, offers several topics in various formats, it is fun and most of all it is educational. The newsletter is for all in the family, young and elderly. Try it out. https://oec.dor.org/evangelization/the-family-zone-newsletter.
Diocese of Rochester Request:
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel, 585–328–3228, ext. 1555. Toll-free 1–800–388–7177 ext. 1555 or by email to [email protected].
Village of Interlaken:
There will be a public hearing on January 14, 2021 at the Town of Covert Hall at 6:30 p.m. The public hearing is in regard to proposed amendments to the Village Code, Chapters 141 and 133. A copy of the amendments can be found on the Village website: www.interlaken-ny.us.
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].
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.
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 Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2021. Let us keep in our prayers the two sisters praying for us and for all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
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.
