First Reading:
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. (Is. 60:1)
Psalm:
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. (Ps. 72)
Second Reading:
It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Eph. 2:5-6)
Gospel:
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. (Mt. 2:10-11)
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:
Even the slightest flicker of a light helps to properly orient us when we find ourselves in total darkness. Being in darkness can be unsettling and even a bit unnerving. We lose our focus and struggle to find our bearings and achieve balance. On life’s journey we may think we are walking in the light but are really lingering in darkness. We do not see the full picture, either because we are distracted, disinterested, or even apprehensive. Sometimes, we even choose to close our eyes when the light is readily available to illuminate our path. Do we really desire to know the truth of who we are? In Jesus Christ, a light has been given to those who dwell in darkness. God’s revelation gives us the light to see where we come from, who we are and where we are going. It also tells us that this Good News is not meant for just a privileged few but is intended to go out to all the world. Is this something we want to see?
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck resumes in January at 4:00 p.m. in the parking lot at South Seneca high school.
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., every other Monday (January 4)
- 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: 6:30–7:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass: Can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
2020 Food Pantry Volunteers Needed:
Every two months the churches of Trumansburg and Jacksonville take turns providing volunteers for the Trumansburg Food Pantry located in the Trumansburg United Methodist church. January and February are the months this year for Mary Mother of Mercy to provide volunteers. Please consider helping by signing up on the list provided in St. James the Apostle church foyer, which also has a chart providing more details about each task. We especially need younger people to help carry boxes and bags up and down stairs. The dates are January 4 and 18 and February 1 and 15. Don’t forget to leave your phone number if you would like a reminder call. Start out your new year by following Jesus’s example of caring for those in need. “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Mt. 25: 40). Thank you.
Card Ministry at Mary, Mother of Mercy:
The Card Ministry program sends cards and notes to the homebound and those in extended care facilities from our parish. Each month a different volunteer sends out a message of our care and hope for the recipients of the cards. Currently we are seeking additional volunteers to keep the mailings to once a month. If you are interested in participating in this ministry please contact Marilynn Frank at maren@ottcmail.com. Thank you!
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
As of December 17, ninety (90) 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 $18,396 which represents 61.36% of our given goal of $29,979.
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.
Parish 2021 Calendars:
In the foyers of our churches the Parish 2021 Calendars are available. Simply, please, take one calendar per household. Thank you.
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.
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.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The Sisters sent Christmas and New Year’s greetings to The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. Within their greetings, they notified us 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.
U.S. Saints Feast Days:
Monday, January 4, is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Day. She was raised Episcopalian in New York City; a wife and mother of five children; foundress (1812) of the first congregation for women religious in USA — the Sisters of Charity, devoted primarily to the education of the poor and the teaching in parochial schools; and first native born citizen canonized (1975). She died in 1821.
Tuesday, January 5, is St. John Neumann Day. He was a missionary from Bohemia; a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (C.Ss.R); bishop of Philadelphia; known for his holiness and learning; promoter of parochial schools; authored two German catechisms; and first American bishop canonized (1977). He died in 1860. This is a very brief description of their lives. Online one can learn more about their fascinating lives.
Call to Stop Executions:
In the wake of more federal executions scheduled in coming weeks, two bishop chairmen have issued a statement calling on the Federal Administration to act as a witness to the dignity of all human life. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, have called on the Administration, yet again, to stop executions which amounted to ten in 2020, more than double the previous record of four in 1938. “The death penalty is not necessary to protect society. It (the death penalty) is not necessary to hold people accountable for grave crimes. The decision not to execute someone, even someone who has done something terrible, is not ‘soft on crime’; rather, it is strong on the dignity of life.” “We are all sinners. Some have done terrible things. Victims need help. Justice is needed for peace. But executions solve nothing.”
Support Your Local Economy:
An encouragement has been offered by the Labor Religion Coalition in Tompkins County to support the local economy. To keep more people employed in our area and to ensure that local governments can fund social services for youth, elders, and low income people through sales taxes, please help local economies thrive.
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 Eileen.heptig@dor.org.
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 immmercy@dor.org or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
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.
