First Reading:
“But the wise shall shine bright like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” (Dn. 12:3)
Psalm:
You are my inheritance, O Lord! (Ps. 16)
Second Reading:
For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. (Heb. 10:14)
Gospel:
“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.” (Mk. 13:26-27)
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:
Every human being asks and answers a very important existential question. What happens to us when we die? The answer we provide will determine how we chart the course of our existence. It will also determine whether the Second Coming of Christ will be of any concern to us. For many, life is simply a random occurrence with no significant intention or meaning about it. For these people, their eventual death, and the end of the earth as they know it, have little importance beyond their personal consequences. But, for people of faith our natural death and the Second Coming of Christ have huge implications. It is to these things that our faith speaks volumes and can bring a keen understanding and direction that the secular world simply cannot provide. This is where the call to vigilance and the primordial virtues of faith, hope, and love become useful and meaningful. We are works in progress who can either resist the inspirations of the Divine Artist or give into the wonderful surprising creativity of his will.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: December 14, 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 (November 22) 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
- Confirmation program: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
- James Pine Room: November 17, December 1 & 15
- Holy Cross Rectory: November 24, December 8 & 24
- Religious Education: November 14, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Mass of Thanksgiving: November 25, 9:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Advent gathering/Holy hour: December 3, 7:00 p.m., Francis Solanus
On-line Giving:
The WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for donors to give to the parish Christmas Flower collection and pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).
Lectors:
In the sacristy of the church, please pick up your 2022 Workbook for Lectors. Each book has a label with your name.
Thanksgiving Day:
The national holiday this year is November 25th. There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church.
Angel Tree Tags:
This year the tags for the Angel Tree will need to be requested in advance. The tags would be for children up to age 12. While we cannot guarantee a specific gender or age for the child’s tag you might receive, all the children do come from families that have been or are having a difficult time and could use some outside support to help ensure a joyful Christmas for their children. If you would like to sponsor a child, or more than one child, please contact Gerald Frank at 607–869–5009 and leave a message or e-mail to [email protected]. All requests will receive a confirmation. All gifts for the children will be due no later than December 5. Additional information will be provided with the tags that you receive. Thank you in advance for your kindness to those you don’t know.
Share the Warmth:
Trumansburg Rotary Club has placed a collection bin for winter outerwear on the St. James the Apostle Rectory porch. So, if you have coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, etc. that are not being used, drop them off to benefit another. This year, the annual Share the Warmth distribution of free winter outerwear will take place at Ithaca Catholic Charities from November 8-12 and November 15-19. Friendly volunteers are needed to wait on customers. Covid-19 safety protocols will be enforced. Contact Michaela to sign-up at [email protected] or 607–272–5062.
A Gathering:
Please mark your calendars for Friday, December 3, for a gathering at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken to participate in a holy hour marking the beginning of the Advent Season. The holy hour will begin with Br. Francisco and a presentation on the Advent Season with the Blessed Virgin Mary as a role model during this season. The hour will conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 6:30–7:30 p.m. and after the Holy Hour.
Capuchin Franciscans: New York-New England:
The Capuchin Franciscans of New York – New England will hold their Provincial Chapter of Content (not a chapter for electing a Provincial & Counselors) at Holy Family Retreat and Conference Center, West Hartford, CT beginning on Sunday evening November 28 until December 1. The friars at St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken are to be in attendance. Please keep the friars in your thoughts and prayers.
Season of Advent – Daily Meditations:
A booklet titled, The Word Among Us, is available in the foyer of the church. The booklet contains daily meditations for the Advent Season. Also the booklet contains the scripture Mass readings for each day of Advent. Please take one for your home and for daily prayer.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
Prayer sessions are held on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. The next dates at St. James the Apostle are November 17 and December 1 & 15. At Holy Cross Rectory the next dates are November 24 and December 8 & 22. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the sessions. For more information phone 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].
2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. By now past CMA donors have received a special letter in the mail with a personalized pledge card. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. Every gift to the CMA helps those in need, supports the mission of the Church, and comes back to help our parish. Thank you. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
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].
Synod of Bishops:
Pope Francis I has convoked an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Synod: a church meeting to consult on church matters) to take place in Rome in October 2023—two years from now. Preliminary work for the Synod begins this month in all dioceses throughout the world. The theme for the Synod of Bishops is: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The first phase is described as “listening to one another and walking forward together, guided by the Holy Spirit” on a Diocesan level.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Year of St. Joseph:
Pope Francis initiated the Year of St. Joseph in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Catholic Church. This year is dedicated to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.
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.
