First Reading:
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. (Jer. 1:4-5)
Psalm:
I will sing of your salvation. (Ps. 71)
Second Reading:
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13)
Gospel:
And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” (Lk. 4:24)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Prophets possess an intimate knowledge of God and act on their experience of God. Prophetic messages usually challenge the status quo and draw us up and out of ourselves, focusing us on the bigger picture. We often think of ourselves and our own needs first. When we listen to someone speak, we judge the merit of the message by its degree of usefulness. If the message or vision contains no personal benefit or profit but a call to stretch and grow, we can become indignant. Prophets are usually the ones whose message challenges us and calls us to see things differently and love more perfectly and deeply. God is love. When listening to St. Paul speak about love we witness the unfolding of this type of unconditional, other centered, self-sacrificial perfect God. It is an invitation to life, freedom, and happiness that can be offered to us only by God. Jesus, who is God and Love incarnate, calls us to this richer expression of love. Are we ready to listen and be challenged and stretched?
©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 (February 7) 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 away until March 1. Regularly scheduled Sacrament of Reconciliation/consultation held Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., are cancelled during February.
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: By appointment with Father Richard. For an appointment, please phone the parish office.
- 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
- Feast day of St. Blaise, Blessing of throats: February 3, 8:30 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
Couples Weekend Retreat :
February 18–20 there will be a couples retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua. The retreat theme is: “Eucharist, God’s Gift To His People.” Join other couples for a weekend of listening, sharing, and building friendships. For more information visit notredameretreat.org or call 585–394–5700.
Blessing of Throats:
On the feast day of St. Blaise, February 3, it is the custom in the church to bless throats with crossed candles with the following prayer: “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The blessing will take place at the parish 8:30 a.m. Mass on Thursday.
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.
2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
We received word on January 19, 2022 that 99 parish households have pledged $25,320 toward our given goal of $28,085. This represents 90.15 % 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.
Care for the Marginalized with an Equitable NYS Budget:
Do you know that nearly 1 in 5 children ages 0–4 in New York lives in poverty? Do you know that children ages 0–4 are not covered in the Empire State Child Tax Credit? Modest increases in income to low-income families can yield tremendous benefits for children and their families, including improved physical, emotional and behavioral health, and higher educational achievement. The benefits are particularly significant – and most acutely needed – in families with young children. This year, our Diocesan Public Policy Committee is asking parishioners to advocate for increased funding for our New York State budget to support people who are struggling. Specifically, one thing we’re advocating for is that the Empire State Child tax credit be expanded to include babies and children up to four years old. You’ll have the opportunity to petition our governor and legislators advocating for this during Public Policy Weekend, February 12–13 by going online at www.dor.org/petition
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.
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
On-line Giving:
The WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for donors to pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).
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
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.
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.
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 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.
