First Reading:
“You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying.” (2 Mc. 7:9)
Psalm:
Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. (Ps. 17)
Second Reading:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. (2 Thes. 2:16-17)
Gospel:
“And he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Lk. 20:38)
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:
Every believer wonders about what the experience of heaven will be like. Popular images of people walking around in white robes, becoming like angels, and reunions with those who have gone before us all tickle human imagination. Jesus never got too specific about what heaven actually looks like. But he assures us that it exists and that all are alive in God. Clinging to the traditions of our faith, we persevere through life’s challenges confident that God’s promise of eternal life will come to be. We are told that we shall become like God and see God as He is. As God has made us, He also loves us and sustains us. Desiring to be with God above all other desires gives us the hope that when we close our eyes in death, we will fall into the arms of the One who will gently bring us where we need to be. Knowing ahead of time what we find when we arrive changes little.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (December 6), 4:00–6:00 p.m., South Seneca High School
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (November 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.–12:00 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: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: James Pine Room
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 10, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: November 10, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James Pine Room
- Sweet Sundays at St. James: November 6, 10:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- Parish Council: November 10, 7:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Religious Education: November 12, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Lector gatherings:
- November 12, 11:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- November 19, 11:00 a.m., Holy Cross
Food Donations Needed:
On the second Sunday of each month, non-perishable food items will be received at St. James the Apostle Church and placed on a table in front of the Blessed Mother statue. They will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also welcome. (Please make checks out to Mary, Mother of Mercy with “food pantry” in the memo line.) Thank you to all who contribute.
Two Second Collections:
- Cemetery Collection:
Annually, there is a second collection for the support of our cemeteries, St. James the Apostle Cemetery and Holy Cross Cemetery. This year the collection is taken up this weekend, November 5 & 6. The operating expenses for each cemetery override the ordinary income and therefore our cemeteries operate with an annual deficit. Your help will be appreciated greatly.
- Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS):
This week our parish will take a collection to benefit the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), a collection approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to be taken every three years. The AMS is the Archdiocese for the Military Services, not of the Military Services. This is an important distinction, because the AMS receives no funding from the U.S. Government or U.S. Military and has no parishes from which to receive a weekly assessment. Instead, it must rely on the generosity of those whose values and priorities align with its mission, programs, and services, to meet its costs. Please prayerfully consider a contribution to this special collection to support active-duty military men and women, and their families – including those from our own parish. Please give generously.
Lectors:
Lectors, please plan to attend one of two scheduled gatherings to review the texts related to Lectors as published in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and to review the procedures related to the GIRM. The gatherings will take place on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church on November 12 and at Holy Cross Church on November 19.
Liturgical Ministers Invite:
Our parish needs more liturgical ministers. If so inclined, please consider serving as an usher (minister of hospitality) an altar server, lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. The church also needs musicians, cantors, and choir members. Volunteer by speaking with Fr. Bernard and/or by phoning the parish office. You are needed.
Parish Council:
Council members and alternates will meet this Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken. The agenda, among other items, will be reviewing the reports from the standing committees, Word, Worship, Witness, and Fellowship and a report from the Finance Council.
Sweet Sundays at St. James:
Parishioners are invited for a social time after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle on the first Sunday of every month. The next Sweet Sunday is next Sunday, November 6.
Religious Education Program:
Families with children in 1st to 7th grades will meet after the 4:00 p.m. Mass in St. Francis Solanus Church Annex for the monthly meal, a presentation by Fr. Bernard, doing an activity and reviewing the students work for four lessons contained in their text book.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The given parish goal is $31,000. It was reported on October 19th that 52 parish households have pledged $13,450 which represents 43.39% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
National Vocation Awareness Week (Nov. 6-12):
Did you know that in our country, compared to 50 years ago, there are 20,000 fewer priests and 129,000 fewer religious sisters? Many factors have contributed to the decline: secularism, prolonged adolescence, attitudes about commitment, freedom, and celibacy. But God does continue to call our young people to serve the community. Pray that our young men and women listen to that call. And please do your part to encourage them to consider this vocation.
National Eucharistic Revival:
Sign-up for the weekly newsletter “Heart of the Revival”. The newsletter contains weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you enkindle, rekindle, and deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. Visit eucharisticrevival.org to sign-up for the free newsletter.
The Family Zone Newsletter:
The Diocese of Rochester publishes a newsletter for everyone to learn and live our faith. To view this publication go to oec.dor.org/evangelization/the-family-zone-newsletter. Most informative and fun.
Election Night – November 8th:
The Ovid Federated Church invites you to Election Night Supper at 5 PM. $12 per person, $6 age 3-9. Enjoy a pork dinner. Take-outs are available at $12 each, till sold out.
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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at [email protected]
Trumansburg Area Christmas Bureau:
For over 70 years, the Christmas Bureau has helped families by providing clothes and toys for children and food for their families for the holidays by anonymously connecting neighbors who can help with neighbors in need. Families requesting assistance must live in the Trumansburg School District and have children ages 18 or younger. To apply or to be a child sponsor, email [email protected] or phone 607–387–3428. For more info, visit: trumansburgareachristmasbureau.org.
Trumansburg Food Pantry:
The Trumansburg Food Pantry is looking for folks to fill volunteer leadership roles. Help brainstorm and follow through with new ideas to combat food insecurity. Come train in 2023 and be ready to take the reins in 2024. Contact Carol Grove, Pantry Coordinator at 607–387–6128.
Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:
- Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 p.m., and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Nov. 10; Dec. 8 & 22)
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Nov. 10; Dec. 8 & 22)
Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email [email protected].
Marriage Encounter Weekend:
The Marriage Encounter weekend is November 11-13 at the Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua. The Marriage Encounter gives busy couples much needed time together to focus on each other and deepen their communication. The application fee is $100. For more information, contact Mike and Kathy Williams at 585–872– 5432 (home) or 585–217–3899 (Cell).
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 and for world peace, especially in Ukraine.
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.
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.
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.
Let Us Pray:
Please remember in your prayers those members of our parish who are in the hospital, sick at home, in a nursing home, or who have requested our prayers (see the list on the parish’s PRAYERS page). We also ask you to pray for those who have died. May the Lord bring comfort to their family and friends during this difficult time and may they find hope in the Resurrection.
