The Presentation of the Lord ~ February 2, 2020

First reading:
Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me. (Mal. 3:1a)

Psalm:
Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord! (Ps. 24)

Second reading:
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. (Heb. 2:18)

Gospel:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.” (Lk. 2:29-30)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Today’s celebration can be seen as another “epiphany” of sorts, whereby Jesus is recognized as the one who will fulfill the Jewish people’s messianic expectations. Jesus is the one who comes to purify and refine humanity and provide us with proper direction and focus. Jesus also presents himself to each one of us. Will we accept him as he is or only as we want or need him to be? The Gospel message is meant to be heard, whole and entire. When it is, it is always a very challenging, table-turning experience that can make even the holiest among us feel a bit uncomfortable. Being purified and refined never comes easy and requires that we give ourselves fully to God and His design. Are we willing to do so?

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. (February 4)
    • 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 (February 3)
  • Trumansburg Robotics: 5:00–8:00 p.m. on Mondays and 3:00–6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, St. James
  • Family Hope Center: 12:00–4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Holy Cross rectory
  • Fr. Bernard Being Available: Will resume on February 28 at St. Francis
  • Confirmation Candidates Classes: Will resume on March 1 at St. James
  • Catholicism Classes: Will resume on March 4 at St. Francis
  • Souper Bowl of Caring 2020: Food items and monetary donations collected on February 1 and 2.
  • Sweet Sunday Social: After Mass, February 2, St. James
  • Public Policy Weekend: February 8 and 9
  • Food Pantry Donations: February 9, St. James
  • Religious Education Monthly Gathering: after 9:00 a.m. Mass, February 16, St. James
  • Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend: April 17–19

2019–2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
A second follow-up mailing from the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) office is scheduled for the week of February 18. This mailing will go to all donors who have given to the CMA in 2016–2017, 2017–2018, and 2018–2019, but not yet this year. Parishioners who have not made a pledge to this year’s ministries appeal are asked to please do so soon, to avoid receiving the letter. Pledge envelopes may be obtained in the foyer of each church.

Souper Bowl of Caring 2020:
Super Bowl Sunday is this Sunday, February 2. Across this nation it is also the date for the Souper Bowl of Caring. All three churches that make up the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, will be participating in this event. The idea is to collect donations of non-perishable food items and cash to support the local food pantries in each of the communities in our parish. Food items may be brought to the churches along with monetary donations during the weekend of February 1 and 2. Please consider being as generous as you possibly can as all items and monies collected will be going directly to help those in our communities who have the need! 

Public Policy Weekend:
Catholics need to speak out for the vulnerable and one way to do this is by opposing physician-assisted suicides in New York. Next week you’ll have the opportunity to sign our diocese-wide Public Policy Weekend petition in opposition to physician assisted suicide. It will read: “I strongly oppose any legislation to legalize assisted suicide in New York State. Allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose for patients to end their lives devalues human life. There is also significant potential for abuse. I urge you to focus instead on improving palliative care, to ensure compassionate, comprehensive care and pain management for those who are terminally ill. We need to accompany rather than abandon them.” If you would prefer to sign the petition online, please go to www.dor.org/petition.

Parish Finance Council:
The finance council met on January 23 to review the parish’s financial statements for the ending of the second quarter of the fiscal year on December 31, 2019. The year to date operating revenue amounted to $120,325.17. The operating expenses amounted to $95,474.27, leaving a net operating revenue of $24,850.90. The parish received a bequest of $10,000 for St. Francis Solanus church from Betty M. Hill. This inflated our ordinary revenue for which we are most grateful. Regarding the weekend collections, they are down $2,812.68 from the previous year. This trend is happening because of the lack of Mass attendance on the Lord’s day. Please invite people to return to the habit of going to church to celebrate their union with Jesus. The Christmas collection amounted to $6,049, which is $448.90 higher than the previous year. A “thank you” to all who supported the parish in an extraordinary way at Christmas. Thank you to everyone for the support you give the parish. You have to know it is appreciated greatly.

Food Pantry Volunteers Needed:
Every two months the churches of Trumansburg and Jacksonville take turns providing volunteers for the Trumansburg Food Pantry located in the Trumansburg United Methodist church. February and March are the months for Mary Mother of Mercy/St. James to provide volunteers this year. Please consider helping by signing up on the list provided in the foyer. There are various times and tasks available from which you can choose and the dates are February 3 and 17 and March 2, 16, and 30. Don’t forget to leave your phone number if you would like a reminder call. Thank you.

Food Donations at St. James:
Next Sunday, February 9, and every second Sunday of the month, please bring non-perishable food items to St. James church. You may place the item(s) in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Monetary gifts are also welcome. Checks should be made out to Mary, Mother of Mercy, with food pantry in the memo line. Your contributions will go directly to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Thank you to all who contribute!

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
The parish has several homebound parishioners. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, in their appointment by the bishop, can and are invited to bring Holy Communion to the homebound. Please phone the parish office to volunteer. Thank you.

Catholicism Classes:
The classes will resume on Wednesday, March 4, and continue on the following Wednesdays through the season of Lent. The same class will be held at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the annex at St. Francis Solanus church. Plan now to participate in this adult formation program created by Bishop Robert Barron. 

Rice Bowl:
Through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), our parish provides Rice Bowl boxes for people to use during Lent. Pick up you family’s CRS Rice Bowl in the foyer of the church and, throughout Lent, add in your pocket change or other money. This is an easy way for a family to give to those in need around the world and 25% of what is collected stays in our local community.

Ithaca Loves Life:
The next monthly “Stand Out for Life” prayer vigils will be on Saturday, February 22, from 9:00–10:30 a.m., across the street from Planned Parenthood. These vigils are a peaceful, prayerful public witness to end abortion and to offer information to the abortion-minded. Let us unite and boldly come together in love for ninety minutes each month. For more information call MaryAnne Tissot (315-246-4749) or Carolann Darling (607-351-6668).

Marriage Enrichment:
If you’re ready for more in your marriage consider attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. The encounter weekends this year are April 17–19 and again November 20–22. “One weekend can change everything.” For more information go to wwme.org.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Throughout February, please phone the parish office for an appointment for reconciliation. The sacrament is also offered at Immaculate Conception church in Ithaca on Saturdays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.; at St Mary’s in Watkins Glen on Sundays, 7:00–7:45 a.m.; and at St Francis DeSales in Geneva on Saturdays, 3:30–4:15 p.m., and Mondays through Fridays, 11:45a.m.–12:00 p.m.

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 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.

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.

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 January 31. 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!

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

February 1, at 5:00 p.m. (first weekend):
Lectors: Karl Messmer, Scott Hamula
EMs: Kathleen Rourke, Millie Messmer, Robin Hamula

February 8, at 5:00 p.m. (second weekend):
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke, Barbara Willers
EMs: Lee and Mary Davidson, Robin Hamula


Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg

February 2, at 9:00 a.m. (first Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Beth Koeng

February 9, at 9:00 a.m. (second Sunday):
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver and Barbara Willers [Elvira Brockman in April]
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager, Beth Koeng, Mary Szymanski


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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