First Reading:
As for you, my sheep, thus says the Lord God, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. (Ez. 34:17)
Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (Ps. 23)
Second Reading:
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Cor .15:25-26)
Gospel:
“He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” (Mt. 25:33-34)
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.
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Titles and privileges, palaces and guards, banquets and benefits, servants and fine living, are all things earthly folks associate with kings and royalty. These have no place in Christ. To understand the kingdom of Christ and what it means to have Christ as our king, one must be willing and able to understand transformation, engagement and empowerment. To live in the kingship of Christ, we have to live deeply and contemplatively; allowing God to change not only how we act, but how we feel, think, and see. It is not an easy journey or one that is always welcomed. Sometimes, it is easier and safer to live as if Christ were our earthly king. It’s a more black and white world. But the kingdom of Christ exists in a world of gray where the hungry, thirsty, those who are strangers, naked, ill, and imprisoned find a welcome home. It is a kingdom that doesn’t always make sense, where the last are first and the weakest are most strong. World economics and secular philosophy doesn’t like this kind of king. Maybe that is why they crucified him the first time and continue to. Whatever we do to the least of God’s children, we do to God. Do you really want to inherit the kingdom?
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday (December 8), 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 (November 23)
- 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
Thanksgiving Day Mass:
This Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, our parish will have one Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken. Parishioners are encouraged to make the sacrifice to rise early on Thanksgiving Day and at the beginning of this day to gather to praise and thank God for blessings enjoyed in our beloved country. Doing this would be a great expression of our appreciation.
Advent Season:
The First Sunday of Advent, of the four Sundays before Christmas Day, is next Sunday, November 29. December 25, Christmas day, falls on a Friday this year.
The Word Among Us:
Daily meditations for Advent and the Advent daily Mass bible readings are available in the booklet, “The Word Among Us.” The booklets are in the church vestibules. A free will offering can be made for the booklet. It would be good that every household have and use the booklet daily during the Advent Season which begins Sunday, November 29.
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
As of November 12, 2020, 58 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. As of November 12, our parishioner households have contributed $11,422 which represents 38.10% of our given goal of $29,979.
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.
Angel Tree Tags:
This year there will not be tags on our angel trees for Christmas gifts for those in need. The Community Christmas Project Committee will provide gift cards to children instead of physical gifts. Please consider sending a tax deductible donation to: Cayuga Seneca Community Action (CSCAA). In the check memo line write: Christmas Project. Mail checks to Cayuga Seneca Community Action, 89 York St., Auburn, NY 13021. For questions or concerns, please email Gerry Frank at [email protected].
Sundays:
Sundays are great days. They are holy days rooted in the third commandment of God, “Keep holy the Sabbath day.” During this pandemic time, many rightly do not gather in church. Therefore, we try to keep the day holy by taking time in our own homes to reflect on the word of God and pray in praise of God and petition. To help in this regard there is “The Family Zone Newsletter.” It is a wonderful help to keep Sundays holy. Search the web for “The Family Zone Newsletter” or find it on our Parish website: marymotherofmercy.com.
Cemetery Fund Collection:
The parish has two cemeteries: Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg. They both operate with an annual deficit. Cemeteries must strive to maintain a fully funded “Permanent Maintenance Fund.” It is difficult to achieve this goal because the cemeteries do not have the opportunity to produce ongoing income to cover their costs. Your financial help is appreciated each year. Please mail contributions to the parish office, deposit them in the basket at the door of the churches, or make the offering through WeShare online giving. Thank you.
Local Red Kettle Campaign:
The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign will be conducted at the Trumansburg ShurSave grocery store. We need folks willing to donate their time to ring the bell. To sign up (or to get more information) call Judy Robertson at 607–387–6488. The campaign will be conducted from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve (November 27 through December 24). The money that is collected comes back to our community.
Birthright of Ithaca:
Birthright of Ithaca has moved to a new location at 223 Elmira Rd. Suite #1 Ithaca, NY. They are open four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.; and Thursday from 1:00–6:00 p.m. Birthright of Ithaca has been providing compassionate care for women and their families of all faiths for more than 38 years. For more information please phone 607–272–9070.
Child and Family Resources, Inc.:
For families in Seneca County, Child and Family Resources, Inc. is available for serving children and families. They are located at 263 Lake Street, Penn Yan. The phone number is315–536–1134 ext. 2310. The toll free childcare referral line is 800–881–5786. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Visit cfresources.org for more information.
Desert Days in Advent:
Notre Dame Retreat House (5151 Foster Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424) is offering “Desert Days in Advent.” There will be four dates available. Space is limited, so registration is required. Attendance is limited to fifteen people for each day. For specifics, please visit: notredameretreat.org. For other inquiries, please contact us at 585–394–5700 or [email protected]
Notre Dame High School:
Notre Dame High School in Elmira, NY, announces the 8th annual Turkey Day 5K. This year’s event will be held virtually over a three day period from Thanksgiving Day through Saturday, November 28. All proceeds will benefit Notre Dame High School Grades 7–12. To register please visit notredamehighschool.com. If you have questions, please contact Katie Lilley at 607–734–2267.
Tompkins County Workers’ Center:
People who feel that they have received unfair or illegal treatment at work are welcome to contact the Worker’s Right Hotline at 607–269–0409 or email [email protected]. The center works with each person’s individual circumstances and desires with the goal to empower them to be more effective and knowledgeable self-advocates and advocates for other workers in their workplaces.
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: 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].
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.
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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 [email protected] or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
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 Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, during 2020. In gratitude, let us pray for Sr. Anne Burns and all the Sisters of St. Joseph.
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.
