Second Sunday of Advent ~ December 8, 2019

First reading:
Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. (Is. 11:3b-4a)

Psalm:
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever. (Ps. 72)

Second reading:
Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Rom. 15:7)

Gospel:
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Mt. 3:1-2)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
World, church, and local events continue to challenge our faith. This is all the more reason to continue to come together and find encouragement and hope in God’s word, sacraments, and our faith community. We are people of hope who are called to persevere, even in the midst of confusion and darkness, as we wait for what is to come. We are asked to repent, especially from our tendency to fall into doubt and despair. We are asked to repent and place our trust in Isaiah’s words that God’s world of innocence will be restored. We need to hear John the Baptist’s words today more than ever: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is a hand!” Rather than being disappointed by what human beings and world cannot give, let us commit anew to what God can and will provide.

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, 3:00 p.m. (December 10)
    • Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
    • Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church every other Monday, 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30-6:00 p.m. (December 9 and 16)
  • Confirmation Candidates Classes: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
  • Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross rectory
  • Catholicism Classes: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., St. Francis
  • Choir Rehearsal: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis
  • Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis
  • Trumansburg Robotics: Mondays 5:00–8:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 3:00–6:00 p.m., St. James
  • Offering for Christmas Flowers: This weekend, all churches
  • Food Pantry Donations: December 8, St. James
  • Angel Tree Gifts Due: December 8, St. Francis and Holy Cross
  • TAC Advent Concert: December 8, 4:00 p.m., Presbyterian church, Trumansburg
  • Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: December 9, 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. James
  • Religious Education Monthly Gathering: December 15, after 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. James
  • Extra Sweet Sunday: December 15, after Mass, St. James pine room
  • Trumansburg Food Pantry Breads Needed: St. James pine room, December 15
  • Daily Mass Schedule Changes: January 2, St. Francis, at 8:30 a.m.
  • Sweet Sunday Social: After Mass, January 5, St. James

Christmas Flower Offering:
There is a second collection today for the “Christmas Flower Offering.” Whatever you can give to help defray the cost for the Christmas flowers will be greatly appreciated.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception:
This feast day traditionally occurs on December 8 and is the patronal feast day for the United States. Because it falls on a Sunday this year it has been transferred to Monday, December 9, and it will not be a holy day of obligation. There will be a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle in celebration of our country’s feast day.

 

Advent Concert:
The annual Advent concert, sponsored by the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC), will take place this Sunday, December 8, at 4:00 p.m. in the Presbyterian church on Main Street, Trumansburg. Participating will be a number of our parish’s musicians, choir members, and song leaders who have prepared a selection of music for the concert. It is always a great and joyful event, so please come.

Angel Tree Tags:
The angel trees are up at both St. Francis and Holy Cross churches! If you take a child’s tag, the gifts must be returned no later than Sunday, December 8. All presents will be picked up Monday morning, December 9. Please do not wrap the gifts—parents need to see what has been given for their children, though wrapping paper, ribbons, or bows would be appreciated. You need to include the tag information where it can easily be seen. Distribution for gifts will be on Wednesday, December 11. If you have helped in the past you will be contacted for your assistance again. If you would like to volunteer for the first time please contact Gerry Frank at 869 5009.

Hat, Scarf, and Mitten Tree:
The annual hat, scarf, and mitten tree has been set up in the foyer at St. James church. Please consider making a donation of new items, for all ages. These much needed winter items will be taken to Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties for distribution before Christmas.

Share the Warmth:
The Trumansburg Rotary Club is sponsoring a collection bin on the front porch of the St. James rectory as part of their Share the Warmth campaign that runs through early December. Share the Warmth accepts all winter clothing in good repair: coats, snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, etc. Blankets also are welcome. All donations should be new or gently used, and clean for future recipients. Thank you to all who participate in sharing the warmth this winter.

Bakers Needed:
The Trumansburg Food Pantry needs over a dozen loaves of breads (banana, pumpkin, cranberry, etc.) for the Christmas distribution on December 16. Breads may be left in the St. James Pine Room after Mass on December 15. A sign-up list will be posted in the foyer. Thank you for all you do in support of the Food Pantry’s mission.

Thank You:
Thank you to all who purchased a pie from the recent sale at St. James. Your support has made it possible for the parish to sponsor three children from the Ulysses Christmas Bureau who will now have a brighter Christmas because of your thoughtfulness. God bless you!

Food Pantry Collection:
This weekend, December 8, as we do on the second Sunday of every month, parishioners are invited to contribute non-perishable food on the table placed in front of the Blessed Mother statue at St. James. The items will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks should be made out to Mary, Mother of Mercy, with food pantry in the memo line. Thank you to all who contribute!

Sunday Collection Counters Needed:
St. Francis Solanus church is in urgent need of two volunteers who are able and willing to count the weekend collection once a month at St. Francis. Please notify Fr. Bernard for more information.

Catholicism Classes:
Bishop Robert Barron created the Catholicism Adult Formation Program. Our parish classes are held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m., both at the St. Francis church annex in Interlaken. This Wednesday’s lesson is part one of “The Indispensable Men” and will focus on St. Peter, the transfiguration, Peter’s call, and his profession of faith. If you can’t make all the classes—come when you are able and when there is a topic of interest to you.

Changes in the Daily Mass Schedule:
Our parish presently has daily morning Mass on Tuesday through Friday, in different places and without a consistent time. To provide an equal opportunity for all parishioners and to eliminate the confusion regarding the place and time, beginning January 2, 2020, the daily Mass (Tuesday through Friday) will be centrally located at St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The communion service will continue on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. at St. James. Please spread the word. Thank you.

Extra Sweet Sunday:
There will be an additional coffee, pastries, and conversation social after Mass at St. James on December 15. All are welcome!

Parish Christmas Mass Schedule:
Christmas is on a Wednesday this year. Our schedule of Masses for the holiday begins on Christmas Eve with Mass at 4:30 p.m. at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg, and an 8:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Ovid. On Christmas Day, December 25, there will be one Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken. We hope to see you at one of these Masses.

Ring Those Bells:
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring the bell near the red bucket at the Shur-Save from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas, any time between 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Most shifts are an hour in length; though feel free to stay longer. It is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors while helping those in need. The money raised will mainly be used in our local community. If you are interested in bell ringing, please call Judy at 387-6488. Thank you!

2019-2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). As of November 27, fifty-one parish families have pledged $7,070, which is 23.58% of our parish goal of $29,979. What is primary is our parishioners’ participation. What is secondary is what is pledged. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our whole Church.

CMA Allocations:
In anticipation of a challenging fiscal and fundraising environment in the coming year, the Diocese of Rochester is not increasing the CMA 2019–2020 parish goals. While holding the overall CMA goal flat this year, the diocese is still committed to maintaining the usual level of services to the parishes. These include Catholic Charities, ministries to youth and young adults (faith formation, Catholic schools, campus ministry, CYO, etc.), seminarian and deacon education, and other CMA funded programs. It is important to remember that the CMA covers about 57% of the diocesan budget, not the entire diocesan budget.

Snow Days:
A reminder that if during the week a “snow day” for the local schools has been declared there will be no morning Mass or communion service that day.

Daily Meditations for Advent:
The Word Among Us booklets are available in the foyer of each church. The booklet contains, among other things, meditations and Mass prayers and readings for each day of Advent. The booklets are costly, so whatever donations you can make toward the expense would be appreciated.

To a Suffering Church:
Bishop Robert Barron has written a letter to Catholics who feel demoralized, scandalized, angry beyond words, and ready to quit because of the sexual abuse scandal in the Church. Many are asking “Why stay Catholic with so much scandal?” It is a compelling letter encouraging Catholics to stay and fight—and to do so on behalf of themselves, and their families, but especially on behalf of those who have suffered so grievously at the hands of wicked men. Copies of the letter (contained in a small booklet format) are located in the foyer of each church in our parish. Please take a copy and, after reading the letter, pass it on to other Catholics. For an interview with author go here.

Habitat House for Sale:
There is a Habitat for Humanity home available for sale in Trumansburg. The home has three bedrooms and one bath and is located at 19 Salo Drive on .36 acres. Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties provides an affordable home ownership opportunity by offering a “hand up, not a hand out” and evaluate applications based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. The total gross household income should be at least $28,000. Other details about partnering with Habituate in owning your own home are available on their website: https://tchabitat.com/homeownership. Applications for the Salo Drive home will be accepted until November 30. If interested in the home call 607-844-3529 or email Liz Warner at [email protected]. We want to help you purchase your own home!

Employment Opportunity:
Could you use a little extra income? The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people to collect important information for the 2020 census in their own communities. These are temporary, part-time, or full-time positions with flexible hours. The hourly wages are $17 an hour for an enumerator/lister and $18.50 for a census field supervisor. Mileage is reimbursed at $0.58 per mile. No experience or educational requirement is necessary. If you are interested or have questions go to https://2020census.gov/en/jobs. This is your chance to be a part of history!

Prayers from the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry and Sr. Dolores Bachman and Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish throughout 2019. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as well.

Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.

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.

Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.



Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken

December 7, at 5:00 p.m. (second weekend):
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke, Barbara Willers
EMs: Lee and Mary Davidson, Robin Hamula

December 14, at 5:00 p.m. (third weekend):
Lectors: Scott Hamula, Ann Buddle
EMs: Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore


Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg

December 8, at 9:00 a.m. (second Sunday):
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager, Beth Koeng, Mary Szymanski

December 15, at 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager (for Donna Ryan) and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short


Ministry Schedule for Holy Cross, Ovid

Not available at this time

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© 2024 The Parish of Mary Mother of Mercy
3660 Orchard St., P.O. Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847
607-294-0064

St. James the Apostle, 17 Whig St, Trumansburg, NY
Holy Cross, 7231 Main Street, Ovid, N.Y.
St. Francis Solanus, 3660 Orchard St., Interlaken, N.Y.
Diocese of Rochester
www.dor.org

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