First Reading:
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. (Wis 6:12)
Psalm:
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. (Ps 63)
Second Reading:
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thes 4:14)
Gospel:
“Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:11-13)
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:
Do you consider yourself spiritually mature and awake? We can become a little presumptuous in the Christian life and even put a little too much stock in God’s mercy. We foolishly believe that in the end, God is going to give everyone a passing grade and all will be well. Therefore, until that time comes, I can remain mediocre in my faith disciplines and put aside the effort needed to go from okay to excellent. We can be accomplished procrastinators! The meeting of God face-to-face either when we die or when Christ comes again, whichever comes first, is not going to be as casual as we may think. There is no earthly meeting in our experience that can even compare to what it will be like to meet God. To say that we are going to be caught up in awe is an understatement. But, there is something even more significant than that to consider: If we haven’t learned how to be attentive, recognize, and long for the holy of holies in this life, what make us think we are going to recognize and desire it in the next? Pray for the wisdom to act prudently.
©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 (November 10), 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 9)
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- AA Meetings:
- Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- Thursdays, Noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Bernard is Available: 6:30–7:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish Churches: Opened daily for private visiting and prayer
Sacrament of Reconciliation – More Time Allotted:
Friday evenings, beginning October 30, Fr. Bernard will be available from 6:30–7:30 p.m. (or beyond that time if needed) at the Parish Center, St. Francis Solanus Church in Interlaken for Confessions and for anyone (Catholics and non-Catholics) wishing simply to speak with him.
2020/2021 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. We received a report on October 28 that thirty-six Mary, Mother of Mercy parish donors have pledged $7,947 toward our given parish goal of $29,979. This represents 26.52% of the goal.
Cemetery Cleanup:
Please have all prior season’s decorations at Holy Cross and St. James cemeteries removed by November 13. Thank you.
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.
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.
Angel Tree Tags:
This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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. If you would still like to participate in giving to those less fortunate, please consider sending a tax deductible donation for the Seneca County Community Christmas Project in care of Cayuga Seneca Community Action (CSCAA). Checks may be made out to CSCAA with Seneca Co. Christmas Project in the memo line. You may mail checks to Cayuga Seneca Community Action, 89 York St., Auburn, NY 13021. If you have questions or concerns, please email Gerry Frank at [email protected]. Thank you.
Share the Warmth:
The annual Share the Warmth distribution of free winter outerwear (coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, etc.) will take place at Catholic Charities from November 9–13 and November 16–20. Volunteers are needed, especially needed during morning shifts. Covid–19 safety protocols will be enforced. Please contact Michaela at [email protected] or 607–272–5062 to sign up. There is a collection bin on the rectory porch at St. James the Apostle, and collection bins in stores around the area where you may leave donations.
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.
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.
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: 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].
~
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. 