Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ October 27, 2019

First reading:
The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. (Sir. 35:12-13)

Psalm:
The Lord hears the cry of the poor. (Ps. 34)

Second reading:
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Tm. 4:18)

Gospel:
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk. 18:14b)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
God’s justice is not about seeing that people get what they deserve, good or bad, reward or punishment. God’s justice is about the restoration and alignment of relationships: our relationship with God, one another, our very selves, and creation. Sin distorts relationships, and justice brings them back into focus. God’s justice is all about taking responsibility for who we are and the relationships that are inherently a part of our lives. What happens to my brother or sister, God’s created world, and myself are extremely important for me to consider and factor into my decision-making. We are called to the virtue of humility, to see ourselves as one among many not one over many. Cooperating so that the world operates as God intends is the order of business for the day.

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. (October 29)
  • Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church every other Monday, 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30-6:00 p.m. (November 4)
• Catholicism Classes: Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., St. Francis
• Choir Rehearsal: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis
• Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis
• Trumansburg Robotics: Mondays 5:00–8:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 3:00–6:00 p.m., St. James
• Confirmation Candidates Classes: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
• Parish Ministry Fair:This weekend after Mass, October 26 and 27
• Capuchin Franciscans Annual Benefit Dinner: October 29, 6:00–10:00 p.m., in New Rochelle
• Catholicism Adult Formation Program: begins October 30, 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., St. Francis annex
• All Saints’ Day: November 1, is a holy day of obligation
• Diocese’s Vocations Week: November 3–9
• Birthright in Ithaca Luncheon: November 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hotel Ithaca, Ithaca
• Religion Education Monthly Gathering: November 17, after 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. James

Parish Ministry Fair:
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12: 6) By our baptism we are called to share in the ministry of the Church, using the gifts and talents God has provided. We invite you to think about your talents. What can you contribute to your church? The Worship Committee will be having a ministry fair at each of our churches this weekend, October 26 and 27. Stop by after Mass and enjoy some food as you speak with members of the various ministries that enrich our parish. You will have an opportunity to ask questions before signing up for the ministry that best fits your gifts and interests.

Solemnity of All Saints:
This Friday, November 1, is the Solemnity of All Saints, commonly referred to as All Saints’ Day. It is a holy day of obligation that requires Catholics who have celebrated their first communion to attend Mass unless “gravely inconvenienced.” The times and places of Masses for this holy day are:

• Thursday, Vigil Mass at 6:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus;
• Friday, Mass at 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle, and
• Mass, 6:00 p.m. at Holy Cross.

All Souls’ Day:
This Saturday, November 2, is All Souls’ Day. It is not a holy day but there will be a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus church. During this Mass the names of our beloved parishioners and others who have died within the year (November 3, 2018–November 2, 2019) will be proclaimed and a candle will be lit in their memory.

Envelopes for All Souls:
It is a tradition to have All Souls’ Day envelopes for parishioners to record the names of their beloved deceased. On November 2 these envelopes will be placed on the altar and remain there throughout the month. For this purpose, All Souls’ Day envelopes have been inserted in this week’s bulletin and are also in your boxes of offering envelopes. The envelopes may be deposited in the collection in time for All Souls’ Day.

Cemetery Fund Collection:
The parish has two cemeteries, Holy Cross in Ovid and St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg. They both operate with an annual deficit. Cemeteries must strive to maintain a fully funded Permanent Maintenance Fund but it is difficult to achieve this goal because the cemeteries do not have the opportunity to produce ongoing income to cover their costs. Your financial help is appreciated each year. A second collection in support of our parish cemeteries will be taken up next weekend, November 2 and 3.

2019-2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The active phase of our parish Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) campaign continues. By now past CMA donors have received a special letter in the mail with a personalized pledge card. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please consider making a gift. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. We need your financial support to reach our potential. Thank you and please pray for the success of our efforts.

CMA and Abuse Settlements:
All monies raised in the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) are to be used only for the programs, services, and ministries for which they are designated. No gifts to the CMA are used to satisfy legal fees or settlement costs associated with abuse. A listing of CMA allocations may be found at www.dor.org/cma.

Annual Financial Report:
The annual financial report was provided to parishioners at the beginning of October and copies are the report are still available in the foyers of the churches. The report showed that we had a deficit in our last fiscal year (July 1, 2018–June 30, 2019). In order to meet our ordinary expenses, a recommendation was given that active parishioners increase their weekly offering by at least $3.00. Another recommendation was given that parishioners encourage non-active parishioners to financially support their parish by participating in the on-line WeShare program. Whatever financial help you are able to give, please know it is appreciated greatly.

Catholicism Adult Formation Program:
The Catholicism Adult Formation Program is not a video lecture, Church history, or Scripture study; but an engaging and interesting formational program that uses the art, architecture, literature, music and all the treasures of the Catholic tradition to illuminate the timeless teachings of the Church. The program will explain not only what Catholics believe and why, but also display the richness of the Church’s global culture as you travel with Bishop Robert Barron around the globe to see the faith in the depths of its belief and practices. The classes will be held on Wednesdays beginning October 30 in the St. Francis church annex. The same class will be held at 10:00 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. The classes are for all parishioners from the north, south, and in between, as well as for those contemplating being Catholic or Catholics who have not yet celebrated the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. Please join us!

September Attendance and Collections:
On an average in the month of September there were 60 people at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, 90 at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, and 99 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The average Mass collections during this month were: $567 at the Saturday evening Mass at St. Francis and, on Sundays, $926 at the 9:00 a. m. Mass at St. James and $842 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross. Parishioners participating through the WeShare online giving contributed $2,610. On September 8, at Fr. Bernard’s fiftieth ordination anniversary Mass, there were over 300 people in attendance and the collection amounted to $1,965. Thank you all for your attendance and offerings.

Called to Be a Deacon:
The Diocese is inviting interested men of strong and active faith to explore a possible call to ordained ministry as a permanent deacon. A deacon is a man who can demonstrate a record of service in the communities in which they live, work, and worship, and who is called from the community that already recognizes his dedication to service. He is one who is ready to make a lifetime commitment to serving the People of God by proclaiming the Word, assisting and presiding at liturgies, and ministering in the areas of charity and social justice. A deacon gives witness to his availability to the community by addressing present and emerging needs of the Church. If you are interested, please speak with Fr. Bernard or you may contact Deacon Edward Giblin, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, at [email protected]. For more details see the diocese’s webpage: https://www.dor.org/vocations/deacons/

Thank You:
The parish is in receipt of a letter of gratitude from the Society for the Propagation of the 
Faith for our participation in the August 4 Missionary Cooperative Plan to benefit Eight 4 World Hope. Deacon Kevin Carges made the appeal and the collection amounted to $1,955. “Please tell the parishioners how much we appreciate what they have done for the Missions.”

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 homeownership 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!

Birthright in Ithaca:
Celebrate thirty-eight years of compassionate care for women and families at a fund-raiser luncheon, November 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hotel Ithaca, 222 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca. Advanced purchased tickets are $19.95 and are available through Birthright. RSVP by November 1 to Birthright, 605 W. State St. #1, Ithaca, New York, 14850. Also, they are seeking items for a silent auction as part of the Birthright fund-raiser event. Do you have a family-friendly service, skill, or craft item and are willing to make a donation? Possibly you might be willing to create a themed gift basket? Please contact Carolann Darling, 607-351-6668, or the Birthright director, Beth, 607-272-9070.

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.

October 26, at 5:00 p.m. (fourth weekend):
Lectors: Gerry and Millie Messmer
EMs: Anne Haus (for Cathy DelSignore), Kathleen Rourke, Robin Hamula (for Mary and Lee Davidson)

November 2, at 5:00 p.m. (first weekend):
Lectors: Karl Messmer, Scott Hamula
EMs: Kathleen Rourke, Millie Messmer, Robin Hamula

October 27, at 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Tim O’Boyle

November 3, at 9:00 a.m. (first Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff (for Mark Scibilia-Carver), Beth Koeng

Ministry Schedule for Holy Cross, Ovid

Not available at this time