First reading:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. (Is. 9:1)
Psalm:
The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Ps. 27)
Second reading:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. (1 Cor. 1:10)
Gospel:
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt. 4:17)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Do you feel overly oppressed or burdened by life’s demands or feel unsettled and anxious about where you find yourself? Many walk through life carrying very heavy sacks on their shoulders and are weighed down by them. Moments of joy and light are far and few between, with darkness and disappointment being more the norm. God desires that we live in light and experience joy. Christ has revealed this to us. Often, we give the world and things we have created too much power over us. We lose our sense of playfulness and freedom and allow other people and things to define and influence us. We are asked to reclaim ourselves today and realize that we are being asked to spread the Gospel of joy. Are we able and willing to do this?
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
- Respect for Life Novena: January 21 through the 29
- Talking Circles on Race and Racism: 6:00 p.m., January 30, Immaculate Conception church
- Second Wind Cottages Presentation: 2:00 p.m., January 26, Jacksonville United Methodist Church
- SouperBowl of Caring 2020: Food items collected January 25 and 26, monetary donations on February 1 and 2.
- Notre Dame High School Open House: 6:30–8:00 p.m., January 28
- 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
2019–2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). As of January 16, one hundred and one parish families have pledged $21,866 which is 72.94% of the 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.
Priest Coverage:
This weekend Fr. Bernard will be covering for Fr. Joseph Marcoux, pastor of St. Catherine’s, Ithaca. Fr. Bernard will also be away during the month of February. At the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap., will be the presider at the Masses for this weekend and during weekends throughout February. Fr. Richard will also be presiding over the weekday Masses at St. Francis, Tuesday through Friday, during February.
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.
Second Wind Cottages:
Everyone is invited to a presentation on Second Wind Cottages this Sunday, January 26, at the Jacksonville United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be Carmen Guidi, founder of Second Wind Cottages Inc. that provides housing and support for homeless adults in Tompkins County. This presentation is sponsored by the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC).
Souper Bowl of Caring 2020:
Super Bowl Sunday is next 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 that would go directly to the local food pantries in each of the communities that make up our parish. Food items may be brought to the churches beginning the January 25 and 26 and the weekend of February 1 and 2, but the monetary collections will only be done on February 1 and 2. Please consider being as generous as you possibly can as all items and monies collected will be going to our local food pantries to help those who have the need!
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.
Public Policy Weekend:
As Christians, we are called to reach out in love and compassion to those experiencing illness and suffering, not to abandon them during their time of need, and to offer our support, mercy and assistance. Those experiencing suffering at the end of life should have full access to palliative care, which eases physical pain while honoring the value and dignity of the patient. During our upcoming Public Policy weekend, February 8 and 9, please plan to sign the diocese-wide petition that will go to our state elected officials urging them to oppose physician assisted suicide and support the expansion of palliative care in New York. If you would prefer to sign the petition online, please go to www.dor.org/petition.
December Attendance and Collections:
On an average in the month of December there were 56 people at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Francis, 90 at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. James, and 58 at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Holy Cross. The average Mass collections during the month were: $831 at the Saturday evening Mass at St. Francis and, on Sundays, $794 at the Mass at St. James and $639 at the Mass at Holy Cross. Parishioners participating through the WeShare online giving contributed $2,264. Regarding the Christmas celebration, at St. James the Apostle’s 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass there were 226 people and the collection amounted to $2,316; at the Holy Cross Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m. there were 123 people and the collection amounted to $1,613. There were 37 people at St. Francis Solanus for the Christmas day Mass at 9:30 a.m. and the collection amounted to $755. “Thank you all for your attendance and offerings.”
A Hidden Life:
A new movie called A Hidden Life is about an Austrian Catholic named Franz Jägerstätter whose conscience did not allow him to swear loyalty to Hitler and Nazism. It’s a beautiful love story with gorgeous scenery and amazing acting, but most of all it’s a reminder of what courage looks like in the face of evil and of unbearable pressure to acquiesce to the status quo. Franz was beatified in 2007, a step on the way to being recognized as the saint he was. The film is presently showing at the Ithaca Cinemapolis. To see dates and times go to the Cinemapolis website at https://cinemapolis.org..
Thank You:
Rev. Robert C. Bradler, diocesan director for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, sent a letter of gratitude to the parish for the $705 we collected on World Mission Sunday, October 20, 2019.
Notre Dame High School Open House:
Notre Dame High School, for grades 7–12, is hosting an open house on Tuesday, January 28, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. as part of Catholic Schools Week. Visitors can meet faculty, take a student-led tour, and hear presentations on admissions and financial aid. Busing from the Ithaca area is available for interested students daily to/from Notre Dame. Notre Dame High School is located at 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira.
Pro-Life:
From Birthright International: “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.” Birthright is a safe place for people to get the information and friendly support needed to make important decisions for life.
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
January 25, at 5:00 p.m. (fourth weekend):
Lectors: Gerry and Millie Messmer
EMs: Cathy DelSignore, Millie Messmer and Kathleen Rourke (for Mary and Lee Davidson)
February 1, at 5:00 p.m. (first weekend):
Lectors: Karl Messmer, Scott Hamula
EMs: Kathleen Rourke, Millie Messmer, Robin Hamula
Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
January 26, at 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Tim O’Boyle
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
Ministry Schedule for Holy Cross, Ovid
Not available at this time