National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. (Is. 9:5)
Psalm:
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. (Ps. 96)
Second Reading:
Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all. (Ti. 2:11)
Gospel:
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” (Lk. 2:10-11)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
The true meaning of Christmas is not found in the twinkling lights, the beautifully adorned trees, or the exchanged gifts. It is revealed when we find God along the way of our lives, especially when we feel displaced, desperate, and alone. Fleeing from their home, Joseph and Mary cautiously made their way through the uncertain, complex, and dark paths to a longed-for place of safety and welcome. Not sure where to lay their heads, they created makeshift preparations for the birth of their child, the Son of God. God, who always was, is, and will be, without beginning or end is the one constant in life who sees us through difficult and scary times. Jesus is the light, which enlightens everyone, and comes into the world to show us the truth. It is joyful good news that calms our fears and allows us to go forth into the nighttime of our lives, courageously. This is the meaning of Christmas. We are never lost or alone. God is with us, loving us and leading us where we need to be.
©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: 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
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.
Christmas Mass Schedule:
Saturday, December 24:
- 4:00 p.m. St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- 8:00 p.m. Holy Cross, Ovid
Sunday, December 25 – one Mass only:
- 9:00 a.m. St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
8:30 a.m. Daily Mass:
On Monday, December 26, and Tuesday, December 27, there will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass.
Friday, December 30:
The feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas. However, because this year the Eighth Day of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God fell on the first Sunday after Christmas, the feast of the Holy Family has been transferred to Friday, December 30. It is a family day celebration and a good time to gather families to celebrate the family’s union with Jesus in the Eucharist (Holy Communion). There will be one Mass that day: 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus.
January 1, 2023 (Sunday):
New Year’s Day is the Octave Day (Eighth Day) of Christmas. It is also the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In celebration of that day, the Masses will be the parish’s regularly weekend Mass schedule, that is: Saturday, December 31, 4:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church; and Sunday, January 1, 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church and 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church.
Update: 2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The CMA report of December 8, 2022, reported that 82 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 $23,555 which represents 75.98% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
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.
2023 Parish Calendars:
Parish Calendars for next year (2023) have been placed in the foyers of the churches. Parishioners are welcome to take one for their home. The calendar theme is Feasts And Saints.
Priesthood:
Men interested in possibly being ordained a priest are invited to a dinner, discussion and prayer on Thursday, December 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Our Mother of Sorrows Rectory, 5,000 Mt. Read Blvd. Rochester, NY. Please phone or email Fr. Joseph Martuscello: 607–438–7337 or Fr.Joseph.Martuscello@dor.org.
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.
The Catholic Catechism:
Ascension Press is launching The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) on January 1, 2023! With this podcast, Catholics will read the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 days and transform their relationship with the Church that Christ founded. If you have ever wanted to understand what it means to be Catholic—this podcast is for you! For more information and to sign-up go to: ascensionpress.com.
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 eileen.heptig@dor.org
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 a.alder1980@gmail.com.
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 familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
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 familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
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 immmercy@dor.org 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.
