Third Sunday of Advent ~ December 15, 2019

First reading:
Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. (Is. 35:4b)

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. 5:8b)

Gospel:
“This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.” (Mt. 11:10)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Do you ever feel inwardly dry and parched? Where do you turn to gain a refreshed sense of being and purpose? Just as we often do not refresh our physical bodies with what is healthiest, we make the same mistake with our soul. We do not always reach for the healthiest spiritual food. We confuse our inner dryness with something else and reach out for the wrong thing. It is no wonder why so many people are lost and confused. We will never be completely satisfied or whole this side of our journey. A good measure of patience and waiting is needed as we hope for the rainwater of God’s presence to fall upon us. When are we going to finally realize that Jesus is the One who has come to refresh us, and we no longer have to search for another? Our souls will find refreshment and rest only when they rest in God.

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. (December 24)
  • Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
  • Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30-6:00 p.m., every other Monday (December 16)
• Confirmation Candidates Classes: 4:00 p.m., Sundays, St. James
• Family Hope Center: 12:00–4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Holy Cross rectory
• Catholicism Classes: 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays, St. Francis
• Choir Rehearsal: 6:30 p.m., Thursdays, St. Francis
• Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis
• Trumansburg Robotics: 5:00–8:00 p.m. on Mondays and 3:00–6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, St. James
• Religious Education Monthly Gathering: after 9:00 a.m. Mass, December 15, St. James
• Extra Sweet Sunday: after Mass, December 15, St. James pine room
• Trumansburg Food Pantry Breads Needed: December 15, St. James pine room,
• Decorate St. Francis church: After Mass on December 21, St. Francis
• Daily Mass Schedule Changes: 8:30 a.m. beginning January 2, St. Francis,
• Sweet Sunday Social: After Mass, January 5, St. James
• Food Pantry Donations: January 12, St. James

Baptism:
Maeve Madison was baptized at St. James the Apostle church on November 30, 2019. We welcome this latest addition to our faith community.

Burial:
Barbara S. Harding from Middleburgh, New York, died on November 13, 2019, at the age of 77. Her burial took place at Holy Cross cemetery on November 25.

Extra Sweet Sunday:
There will be an additional coffee, pastries, and conversation social after Mass at St. James this Sunday, December 15. All are welcome!

Bakers Needed:
The Trumansburg Food Pantry needs over a dozen loaves of breads (banana, pumpkin, cranberry, etc.) for the Christmas distribution on December 16. Breads may be left in the St. James Pine Room after Mass this Sunday, December 15. Thank you for all you do in support of the Food Pantry’s mission.

Help Decorate St. Francis:
Next Saturday, December 21, everyone is invited to stay after evening Mass to help decorate the church for Christmas and the Christmas season (which ends Sunday, January 12, 2020). It will not take too long and it is always a joyous and happy event.

Hat, Scarf, and Mitten Tree:
The annual hat, scarf, and mitten tree has been set up in the foyer at St. James church. Please consider making a donation of new items, for all ages. These much needed winter items will be taken to Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties for distribution before Christmas.

Share the Warmth:
The Trumansburg Rotary Club is sponsoring a collection bin on the front porch of the St. James rectory as part of their Share the Warmth campaign that runs through early December. Share the Warmth accepts all winter clothing in good repair: coats, snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, etc. Blankets also are welcome. All donations should be new or gently used, and clean for future recipients. Thank you to all who participate in sharing the warmth this winter.

Sunday Collection Counters Needed:
St. Francis Solanus church is in urgent need of two volunteers who are able and willing to count the weekend collection once a month at St. Francis. Please contact Fr. Bernard for more information.

Catholicism Classes:
This Wednesday’s lesson is part two of “The Indispensable Men” and will focus on St. Paul: devout Jew, his youth and education, his conversion and mission, and Paul’s theology of the Resurrection and participation in Christ. If you can’t make all the classes—come when you are able and when there is a topic of interest to you. Bishop Robert Barron created the Catholicism Adult Formation Program. Our parish classes are held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m., both at the St. Francis church annex in Interlaken.

Changes in the Daily Mass Schedule:
Our parish presently has daily morning Mass on Tuesday through Friday, in different places and without a consistent time. To provide an equal opportunity for all parishioners and to eliminate the confusion regarding the place and time, beginning January 2, 2020, the daily Mass (Tuesday through Friday) will be centrally located at St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The communion service will continue on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. at St. James. Please spread the word. Thank you.

Parish Christmas Mass Schedule:
Christmas is on a Wednesday this year. Our schedule of Masses for the holiday begins on Christmas Eve with Mass at 4:30 p.m. at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg, and an 8:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Ovid. On Christmas Day, December 25, there will be one Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken. We hope to see you at one of these Masses.

Ring Those Bells:
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring the bell near the red bucket at the Shur-Save from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas, any time between 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Most shifts are an hour in length; though feel free to stay longer. It is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors while helping those in need. The money raised will mainly be used in our local community. If you are interested in bell ringing, please call Judy at 387-6488. Thank you!

2019-2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). As of November 27, fifty-one parish families have pledged $7,070, which is 23.58% of our 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.

CMA Allocations:
In anticipation of a challenging fiscal and fundraising environment in the coming year, the Diocese of Rochester is not increasing the CMA 2019–2020 parish goals. While holding the overall CMA goal flat this year, the diocese is still committed to maintaining the usual level of services to the parishes. These include Catholic Charities, ministries to youth and young adults (faith formation, Catholic schools, campus ministry, CYO, etc.), seminarian and deacon education, and other CMA funded programs. It is important to remember that the CMA covers about 57% of the diocesan budget, not the entire diocesan budget.

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.

To a Suffering Church:
Bishop Robert Barron has written a letter to Catholics who feel demoralized, scandalized, angry beyond words, and ready to quit because of the sexual abuse scandal in the Church. Many are asking “Why stay Catholic with so much scandal?” It is a compelling letter encouraging Catholics to stay and fight—and to do so on behalf of themselves, and their families, but especially on behalf of those who have suffered so grievously at the hands of wicked men. Copies of the letter (contained in a small booklet format) are located in the foyer of each church in our parish. Please take a copy and, after reading the letter, pass it on to other Catholics. For an interview with author go here.

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 November 30. 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!

Prayers from the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry and Sr. Dolores Bachman and Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish throughout 2019. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as well.

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.

December 14, at 5:00 p.m. (third weekend):
Lectors: Scott Hamula, Ann Buddle
EMs: Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore

December 21, at 5:00 p.m. (fourth weekend):
Lectors: Gerry and Millie Messmer
EMs: Cathy DelSignore, Mary and Lee Davidson

December 28, at 5:00 p.m. (fifth weekend):
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke, Ann Buddle
EMs: Millie Messmer, Robin Hamula, Cathy DelSignore

December 15, at 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager (for Donna Ryan) and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short

December 22, at 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Donna Ryan (for Beth Duff) and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager (for Tom Duff), Mary Szymanski (for Tim O’Boyle), Beth Koeng

December 24, Christmas Eve, 4:30 p.m. Children’s Mass:
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Carol Kuklo
EMs: Robin Hamula, Eileen Heptig, Anne Haus
Altar Servers: Ben Hamula, Alex Hamula, Deborah Short
Sacristan: Carol Kuklo

December 29, at 9:00 a.m. (fifth Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tim O’Boyle, Mary Szymanski

Ministry Schedule for Holy Cross, Ovid

Not available at this time