First Reading:
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you. (Is. 63:19b)
Psalm:
Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80)
Second Reading:
God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor. 1:9)
Gospel:
“Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.” (Mk. 13:35)
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:
Be watchful! Be alert! The core message of Advent cannot be more direct or simple. As those who are postured in a spirit of readiness and anticipation, we must always be attentive and vigilant. We have to be ready not only for the anticipated arrival of our Lord, but watchful and attentive to the unexpected visit as well. While we know that the Christ is coming, we also do not know the exact time. Cultivating this expectant attitude is the purpose of this season. It is easy to grow slack, inattentive, and too self-assured. We can easily deaden ourselves to the wonder and surprise of God’s presence. We get so absorbed in so many other distractions that it can seem like Christ’s second coming, and even Christ’s coming in time are of lesser importance. When it finally dawns on us that we have wandered far away from where we need to be, and lost our attentiveness and focus, we will wonder how this all happened. We may even try to put the onus on God and blame God for a lack of involvement or presence. We are the ones, who through our own choice, put the distance in our relationship and lost touch. Now it’s time to come back and perk ourselves up a bit!
©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 (December 7)
- 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
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.
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 19, our parishioner households have contributed $16,326 which represents 54.46% 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:
There will be no Angel Tree tags this year. Due to the pandemic, the Community Christmas Project Committee will provide gift cards to children instead of physical gifts. The cut-off date for donations is November 30. Donations received after November 30 will be applied to next year. It is projected that 800 children will be recipients of this year’s drive. 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 way to help keep Sundays holy. Search the web for “The Family Zone Newsletter” or find it on our Parish website: marymotherofmercy.com.
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.
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 is 315–536–1134 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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
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].
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.
