Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God ~ January 1, 2023

National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025

First Reading:
“So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them (Nm. 6:27)

Psalm:
May God bless us in his mercy. (Ps. 67)

Second Reading:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman. (Gal. 4:4)

Gospel:
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. (Lk. 2:16)

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:
The shepherds returned from Bethlehem “glorifying and praising God.” They were affected deeply by the sight of the infant Messiah and the message of the angels. What would the world look like, if we allowed ourselves to be likewise impacted by the word of God?
©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 (Jan. 3), 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 (January 2) 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
  • Religious Education: January 14, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
  • Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
    • Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, January 12 & 26, 7:30 p.m.
  • Taizé Prayer: January 12 & 26, 4:00 p.m., St. James
  • Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
  • Bernard is away: January 27–February 25

2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The CMA report of December 14, 2022 reported that 85 parish households 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. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. The given parish goal is $31,000 and our parish households have pledged $23,795 which represents 76.76% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.

Christmas Season:
The Christmas Season always ends with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. This year that feast day occurs on Monday, January 9, 2023. Next Sunday, January 8th in our country, is the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord, many times referred to as “Little Christmas”.

Pastor Will be Away:
Fr. Bernard will be away Saturday, January 21, through Saturday, February 25, 2023, the weekend of the First Sunday of Lent. The Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or personal dialogue held on Fridays from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church are cancelled while Fr. Bernard is away.

Coverage During the Absence of the Pastor:
Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. will be covering for Fr. Bernard for the weekend Masses and the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Francis Solanus Church.

Kathleen E. Rourke will lead a communion service at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at St. James the Apostle Church.

Thank you:
Ron Singer is the Chair of the Parish Buildings and Grounds Committee. He spends hours volunteering to oversee the repairs and needed renovations required for the care of our buildings and grounds. The recent installation of heat pumps at St. James and St. Francis is an example of the hours spent with contractors and eventually hours spent with overseeing the installation. Our parish is indebted to him, and for this we want parishioners know of his service and publicly express our appreciation and gratitude.

Parish Christmas Social:
On Sunday, December 18th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the St. James the Apostle Pine Room, a parish social was held. Parishioners from all parts of our parish territory were present. We “thank” the Fellowship Committee of the Parish Council: Russ Wedemeyer, Scott Hamula, Jacqueline Leindenfrost and Susan Guydosh for the planning and set-up for the event. We “Thank” also the many who brought Christmas pastries for the gathering.

Boxed Offertory Envelopes:
Boxed offertory envelopes for 2023 are available in the foyers of the churches for parishioners who are presently using them. Parishioners wishing to have boxed offertory envelopes, please notify the Parish Office and a box to envelopes will be made available for pick-up.

“Thank You”:
Carol Grove, Coordinator of the Trumansburg Food Pantry, sent Christmas greetings saying, “Thank you! Your Pantry volunteers are wonderful! … for helping our friends in the community feel supported and loved.”

Parish Cemeteries:
The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy has two cemeteries: St. James the Apostle Cemetery and Holy Cross Cemetery. The Parish Cemetery Advisory Committee met on November 29, 2022 to revise the cost for grave sites and burials set in 2016. The revised cost schedule for a grave site is $700. A “Green Burial Site” at St. James the Apostle Cemetery will cost $950. The following will be the cost for burials: for a full burial, that is, for a body and casket, the cost will be $800; and for cremation remains, $500. The new cost schedule will begin January 1, 2023.

Prayer For Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have notified our parish that Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Sister Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parishioners and parish during this 2023 year. We thank the sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness to us. In the same thoughtfulness and kindness may we pray for the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Come & See Discernment Weekend:
The Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary will hold this weekend January 20–22, 2023, at St. Michael Friary, Brooklyn, NY. Men between 18 (post high school) and 40 interested in and actively discerning a vocation to religious life are welcome. For more information please contact Fr. Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap. at 203–382–4513 or [email protected].

Euchre Tourmament:
Beginning January 7 through April 15, The Knights of Columbus will be holding a monthly Euchre Tournament at St. Mary’s gym, 35 Center St., Waterloo. Games will take place on Saturday each month. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. Game begins at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $20. Six games are played on each game date. There will be cash payouts for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th places.

Donating to Your Parish:
Online giving by WeShare is safe, simple and convenient. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

  1. Visit the parish website’s giving page: marymotherofmercy.com/giving
  2. Follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section.
  3. 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]

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 (January 12 & 26), 7:30–8:30 p.m.
  • Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
  • Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays (January 12 & 26), 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email [email protected].

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.


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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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Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester   ·   1150 Buffalo Road   ·   Rochester, NY 14624
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