January 23, 2022 ~ Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading:
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. (Neh. 8:8)

Psalm:
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life. (Ps. 19)

Second Reading:
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:12)

Gospel:
He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Lk. 1:21)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
People can easily lose a sense of the sacred and transcendent. When we lose a sense of God’s special presence, we need to be brought back. Ezra brought people back to the word of God and they realized what they were missing. Jesus proclaims God’s word in the synagogue with true conviction and tells those gathered that he is the fulfillment of all that Isaiah taught. Even though people get lost, distracted, discouraged, and often journey down the wrong path, God’s timeless law remains. When we allow ourselves to truly hear God’s word and act on it, that living word slowly, over time, changes us. It has the power to soften and mold us, creating within us a joyful spirit. We realize the truth in what God speaks and become open to God’s love. Gradually and gently God leads us back where we belong. We discover again the sacred character of life and the wonder of God’s power. It is no wonder that Luke addresses his remarks to Theophilus. It is a name that means “beloved of God,” a name that can be used by anyone who desires friendship with God.
©LPi

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©LPi


Events:

  • Food Pantries:
    • Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
    • Food truck: February 8, 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 24) 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.–2:00 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 (Suspended January 28–February 25)
  • Confirmation program: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
  • Religious Education: January 23, 10:00 a.m., St. James
  • Prayer for Healing and Harmony: February 2 & 16; 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
  • Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: February 2 & 16; 3:15 p.m., St. James the Apostle, Pine Room

Parish 2022 Calendars:
The parish 2022 calendars are available in the foyers of the churches. Please note one error. The time of the Saturday Vigil Mass is recorded as 5:00 p.m. Our parish Saturday Vigil Mass is 4:00 p.m.

Boxes of Offertory Envelopes:
Boxed offertory envelopes for 2022 are available in the foyers of the churches for parishioners who presently use the boxed envelopes or who have recently requested 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.

2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
We received word on January 12, 2022 that 99 parish households have pledged $24,770 toward our given goal of $28,085. This represents 88.20% of goal. We are most appreciative of those who have made a pledge and encourage all our parish households to make a pledge according to their means. Participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary. CMA pledge envelopes are available in the foyers of the church. Please do what you can to support important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church.

The Pastor Will Be Away:
Fr. Bernard will be away beginning January 26 until March 1, 2022. While he is away Fr. Richard Crawley will be covering the parish weekend Masses. He will also celebrate the 8:30 a.m. daily Mass on Wednesdays and Thursdays at St. Francis Solanus Church. Br. Francisco Serrano will be celebrating an 8:30 a.m. Communion Service on Tuesdays and Fridays at St. Francis Solanus Church. Kathleen Rourke will be celebrating a Communion Service on Mondays at St. James the Apostle at 8:30 a.m. No priest will be available on Friday evenings for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or consultation on January 28 and the Fridays of February 2022.

The Catholic Courier:
Each parish in the Diocese of Rochester is requested to financially support the publication of The Catholic Courier. Last fiscal year our parish bill amounted to $4,908. Every year in February we ask for help in paying that bill. The collection will be taken up on the weekend of February 13. The offertory envelope boxes have a recommended donation of $11.00. Whatever help you can give will be appreciated greatly. Thank you.

2022 Food Pantry Volunteers Needed:
The final date for our parish to volunteer at the Trumansburg Food Pantry is January 24. Please consult the sign up sheets in the church foyers for more details. Thank you.

Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
You are invited to gather for a time of quiet prayer for the healing and harmony of each of us and all of God’s creation. These gatherings begin at 2:00 p.m. and take place at St. James on the first and third Wednesday of each month: February 2 & 16; and March 2 & 16. The Holy Cross gathering dates are on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month and will begin March 9. Questions? Call or email Sister Anne at 607-209-4206 or [email protected].

Spiritual Book Reading and Discussion:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ is facilitating a discussion of the book Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr & John Feister on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St. James in the Pine Room at 3:15 p.m. The upcoming dates are February 2 & 16 and will run through June. Please come with your own copy of the book. Suggested Donation: $2 or $3 (Not required. Benefits the Sisters of St. Joseph) 

Input for the Synod of Bishops:
Pope Francis I has convened a Synod of Bishops for October 2023. (A synod is a meeting convened to discuss issues relating to the Church – it is an advisory council). Before the Synod of Bishops meet, Pope Francis desires the input of all members of the Church not just Bishops. He is asking Catholics to share how they themselves, and people from all walks of life, are relating to the Church and/or how the Church is relating to them. He is asking Catholics to speak out about what they are experiencing in the Church and about the concerns that have been told to them. We have until the end of March to record this input. Please forward the voiced issues and concerns to the Parish Office, and, in turn, the Parish Office will forward your input to the Diocese. Pope Francis desires to listen to all people and for them to have the opportunity to be participants in the Synod.

Respect Life:
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in it companion decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Since that time, millions of children have lost their lives and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion. In all the Dioceses of the United States, January 22 is a particular day of prayer and penance, called the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children”. Simply, make every day a day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.

47th Annual Lecture Series:
St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry sponsors the annual Otto A. Shults Lecture Series. This year’s lecturer will be Josephine Lombardi, Ph.D. She will address the topic of: “In Persona Mariae: Women As Marian Successors in Ministry and Beyond. The presentation will be delivered virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For further details and RSVP go to www.bit.ly/shultslecture2022

The Bible In A Year:
The “Bible in a Year” is an educational program narrated by Fr. Mike Schmitz who serves as director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and as chaplain for the Newman Catholic campus ministry at the University of Minnesota. Fr. Mike explains, with his sense of humor, how the Scripture relates to our lives today. Go to: ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.

Financial Support for the Parish:
There are several ways to financially support the parish:

  • Boxes of Offertory Envelopes: For those who continue to use offertory envelopes and for those who requested them, check the church for the box with your name on it.
  • Writing a check: If you support the parish with a check, there is no need to use boxes of offertory envelopes.
  • On-line Giving – WeShare Program: Confer with the weekly bulletin announcement, Donating to Your Parish.

On-line Giving:
The WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for donors to pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).

Child & Family Resources, Inc.:
Child & Family Resources serves children and families in Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties. They are located at 263 Lake Street, Penn Yan, NY and the phone is 315–536–1134, ext. 2310. Office hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. To read the next issue of Child & Family Resources Connections visit their web page.

Want To Keep Up To Date?
Stay on top of the issues of concern to Catholics. Get the latest news on our Bishops and Dioceses. Find inspiring content to deepen your spiritual life and more. Visit: Facebook: @nyscatholicconf, Twitter: @NYSCatholicConf, or Instagram: @NYSCatholicConf

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 problems, please email Eileen at [email protected].

40 Days For Life Prayer Vigil:
The prayer vigil continues at the vigil site, 620 W. Seneca St. Ithaca. Pray with others, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. For more info contact Carolann Darling at 607–351–6668.

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 [email protected].

Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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 [email protected] or phoning the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.

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 [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.

 

 

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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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