First Reading:
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. (Dn. 7:14)
Psalm:
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty. (Ps. 93)
Second Reading:
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. (Rv. 1:5-6)
Gospel:
So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king.” (Jn. 18:37)
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:
God is wonderfully and surprisingly creative! He turns the tables on our understanding of what it means to be a king by sending us a king who embraces poverty, insults, suffering, ridicule, rejection, and even death. This is our king. Jesus is not the king of prestige or grandeur but the king who brings light to darkness, hope to despair, sinners to mercy, and new life out of death. God dances on, around, in and through all of the silliness and ugliness of the world bringing all of creation to the eternal dance of new life and hope. Whether we accept it now or hope that we one day do, Christ is king of the universe. Christ is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. Every human being, even those who scorned and rejected him and failed to see him in the least of our brothers and sisters will look upon him. Only those who understand truth will understand that we are on this awesome universal journey to Christ. It is a journey of surprises but also a journey of enlightenment when we will one day see and experience with the deepest joy our being in Christ. We will be restless until we are all one day together united in Christ our King.
©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: December 1 & 15
- Holy Cross Rectory: November 24, December 8 & 24
- Religious Education: November 28, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Mass of Thanksgiving: November 25, 9:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Catholic University of America special collection: November 27 & 28
- Advent gathering/holy hour: December 3, 7:00 p.m., Francis Solanus
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 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].
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.
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).
The Catholic University of America Collection:
This collection will take place next weekend, the weekend of November 28. Catholic University seeks to:
- Prepare the next generation to address complex social, economic, and scientific problems, and to offer beauty to a world seeking transcendent meaning.
- Spearhead exploration, discovery, and invention in our age. Commit ourselves to the education of the next generation of research pioneers.
- Lead theological, philosophical, and moral inquiries into the most important issues of our time.
Catholic University is taking a bold step forward in its commitment to contribute to society her best citizens — the thinkers, explorers, innovators, artists, and faith leaders of tomorrow. By undertaking the most ambitious campaign in our history, the University will light the way as the leading national Catholic research university.
A Holy Hour 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.
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.
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.
Year of St. Joseph:
Pope Francis announced a special year dedicated to St. Joseph. The year began on December 8, 2020 and will conclude this December 8, 2021. The year of St. Joseph marked the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. The hope of the year was that Christians would grow in the knowledge of St. Joseph’s virtues and imitate them. During the year our parish prayed the Litany of St. Joseph on Wednesdays after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. The Litany contains a list of the many virtues of St. Joseph. The Litany was prayed for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and that all people would have a respect for human life from conception to death.
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.
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.
