Third Sunday of Advent ~ December 11, 2022

National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025

First Reading:
Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. (Is. 35:4)

Psalm:
Lord, come and save us. (Ps. 146)
Or
Alleluia.

Second Reading:
Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. (Jas. 5:7)

Gospel:
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Mt. 11:2-3)

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:
We can often feel parched, desolate, lifeless, and dark. Even though we still engage in the business and demands of life, we find ourselves somewhat detached, disengaged, and removed. We lack joy, wonder, awe, and zest. Rather than being an experience of freedom and excitement, life holds us captive. We are tethered to systems, agendas, protocols, regulations, and expectations that go against the grain of what it means to be God’s child. We find ourselves in a desert. Jesus came to release us from all of this negativity and desolation. John the Baptist announced the arrival of the One who embodies healing, reconciliation, freedom, and life. Stop complaining about what you don’t have. Prepare for the arrival of the remedy to life’s despair. Be strong, fear not! Christ will save us from life’s distortions, illusions, and disappointments. Be patient. With proper time and care, all will be well.
©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 (December 19) 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
  • Prayer for Healing and Harmony: James Pine Room
    • Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, December 22, 7:30 p.m.
  • Taizé Prayer: December 22, 4:00 p.m., St. James
  • Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James Pine Room

Update: 2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The given parish goal is $31,000. It was reported on December 1 that 77 parish households have pledged $20,465 which represents 66.02% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.

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.

Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession):
A Catholic tradition in the Church is that before a major holy day or major event in one’s life, Catholics take the opportunity to be shriven of their sins, that is, to present oneself to a priest for confession of their sins since their last confession, receive a penance, and absolution. Jesus set people free from their sins and the guilt resulting from their sins. He gave his Church the Sacrament of Reconciliation for people to celebrate in an experiential way God’s forgiveness and be reminded that God will cast one’s sins behind them never to be remembered. The Sacrament will be celebrated in the parishes three churches from 6:30–7:30 p.m.:

  • Wednesday, December 14, at St. James the Apostle Church
  • Thursday, December 15, at Holy Cross Church; and
  • Friday, December 16, at St. Francis Solanus Church.

Christmas Festival at St. James the Apostle:
Spread the word! All are invited to a Christmas Festival on December 18 from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church, Trumansburg. Come make decorations, participate in a cookie exchange, and enjoy hot chocolate while spending time with your parish community. To volunteer at this event, email Russ Wedemeyer at [email protected] or contact the parish office. 

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

Please do two things:

a) make preparations for attendance, and b) spread the news regarding the schedule of Christmas Masses at the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy.

Volunteer for Trumansburg Food Pantry:
December is the month for our parish to provide volunteers for the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Find more details and the sign-up sheets in the vestibules of our Churches. Monday, December 19 is the final date to help. Thank you.

Birthright Donations and Mitten Tree:
As we have done in the past during Advent, our parish will be collecting baby and toddler items for Birthright in Ithaca. Please place your donations, unwrapped, in the basket near the side altar at St. James. They are especially in need of diapers (size 4 &5).
Another tradition at St. James has been the Mitten Tree. Children’s or adults’ mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and socks can be hung on the tree during Advent. Items will be brought to Catholic Charities in Ithaca. (There is a special need for men’s items.)

Angel Tree Tags:
If you took a child’s tag, the gifts (unwrapped) must be returned by this Sunday, December 11. They will be picked up the following morning. Please include the tag information where it can easily be seen. Also, wrapping paper, ribbon or bows would be appreciated. If you would still like to participate, gift cards from Walmart or the Ovid Big M would be appreciated. Gifts can be returned to the churches. At St. Francis, please leave the gifts in the annex, and at Holy Cross please leave the gifts in the back of the church. If you have any questions, please contact Gerry Frank at 607-869-5009 or email [email protected]

Season of Advent – Daily Prayer:
The booklet titled, The Word Among Us, is available in the foyer of the church. The booklet contains daily meditations for the Advent Season. Please take one for your home and for daily prayer.

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. Visit eucharisticrevival.org to sign-up for the free newsletter.

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:

  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]

Trumansburg Area Christmas Bureau:
For over 70 years, the Christmas Bureau has helped families by providing clothes and toys for children and food for their families for the holidays by anonymously connecting neighbors who can help with neighbors in need. Families requesting assistance must live in the Trumansburg School District and have children ages 18 or younger. To apply or to be a child sponsor, email [email protected] or phone 607–387–3428. For more info, visit: trumansburgareachristmasbureau.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, 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Dec. 22)
  • Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
  • Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Dec. 22)

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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