Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ November 12, 2017

Year of the Eucharist June 18, 2017 – June 3, 2018

First reading:
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. (Wis. 6:12)

Psalm:
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. (Ps. 63)

Second reading:
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thes. 4:13-14)

Gospel:
“The bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you’.” (Mt. 25:10b-12)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Are we ready and prepared for what life will ask of us? The answers to life’s challenges, especially those that involve purpose, meaning, and happiness are not found in material things or by searching the Internet. Many things in life require a journey of the heart and the acquisition of wisdom. When one acquires wisdom, one acquires priceless wealth. Sadly, pursuing wisdom is not valued by our world these days. Examining our lives, pondering the bigger questions, reflecting on where we have been and where we are going, are invaluable exercises that not only bring us wisdom but open our eyes to God’s presence. Those who seek wisdom shall not be disappointed and will always be ready for whatever comes their way.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!”
~St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Church, on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: Ovid Federated Church on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (November 14 and November 28). The food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed Church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist Church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (November 20 and December 4).
• Rehearsals for the St. James Guitar Choir: Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the choir loft.
• Holy Hours on Fridays: from 7:00–8:00 p.m. at the parish center
• “Share the Warmth” campaign: at St. James from November 2 through the end of the month. Distribution is scheduled for December 4–15, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Confirmation Candidates’ Program Classes: November 12 and 19 at St. James the Apostle
• Complimentary Veterans Breakfast: November 12, from 8:00–11:00 a.m. at the Trumansburg American Legion.
• Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., Beatification: November 18 in Detroit, MI.
• Holy Cross Cemetery Cleanup: November 18, at 10:00 a.m.
• Magnificat Rochester Women’s Breakfast: Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, at the Ramada Plaza Inn Airport in Rochester
• Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) Concert: 4:00 p.m. on December 3 at the First Baptist Church, Trumansburg.

Pie Sale:

The St. James Women’s Guild is sponsoring a pie sale this year. All the pies are made with fresh fruits, such as apple, peach, raspberry, rhubarb, blueberry, cherry, and raspberry/blueberry. The pies, frozen and ready to baked for the upcoming holidays, will be distributed November 18 and 19 after the Masses. Arrangements can be made to have them available for earlier pick-up. Pies are available for all parishioners and sign up sheets are located at St James church lobby. The money collected from the pie sales will go to the Trumansburg Food Bank and will be used to purchase winter clothing and toys for a needy family for Christmas.

Holy Day Socials:
The parish is indebted to those who planned and worked on providing a social after each of the Masses on All Saints day, a holy day of obligation, on November 1. The 9:00 a.m. Mass was followed by a coffee hour; the 12:15 p.m. Mass had lunch afterwards; the 6:00 p.m. Mass had a dish to pass; and the 7:00 p.m. Mass was followed by cider and donuts. Everyone enjoyed the social gathering times. Again “Thank you” to the coordinators and helpers.

Holy Cross Cemetery:
Volunteers are invited to clean the Holy Cross Cemetery in Ovid on Saturday, November 18, at 10:00 a.m.

Maintenance Fund Collection:
This weekend (November 12) there will be a second collection for the support of our parish buildings and grounds.

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma:
It has been reported that our parishioners contributed $6,276.44 for the relief efforts for the victims of Harvey and Irma. This is most generous and inspirational. The Lord will reward you many times over for your help.

Mass Attendance for September:
September average attendance for the Masses: 5:00 p.m. had 79 people; 8:15 a.m. had 81; 9:30 a.m. had 104, and 11:00 a.m. had 71.

Year of the Eucharist:
The following is taken from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” in celebration of the 150 (sesquicentennial) anniversary of the diocese. “Indeed, our life, our hope, our strength are derived from the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist in union with the whole Church. Acknowledging this most essential reality of faith, we must all work together to foster constantly and everywhere devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. We are called to be evangelizers in our homes, parishes and communities, gently inviting others to the House of the Lord.” The Bishop’s letter in its entirety may be found on the diocese website.

Dinner Dance:
The Parish Council’s Fellowship Committee is hoping to have a parish dinner dance in April. Please consider being part of the planning committee. If interested and able please phone the parish office (607-294-0064) and volunteer. The committee would love to have you.

2017-2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The active phase of our parish Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) campaign continues. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please give consideration to your financial participation. Another letter and pledge form have been mailed to everyone who has not yet responded. 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. An update report of November 1 on how we are doing: our parish goal for the Appeal is $30,549. Sixty-four donors have pledged $10,645, which represents 34.85% of our goal. A “thank you” to all who have made a pledge to the appeal. We ask all households who have not yet done so to make a pledge as soon as possible. Pledge envelopes have been mailed and there are envelopes in the foyers of the churches. “Participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary.”

People Helping People:
The Seneca County Transportation Corps is providing rides for residents of Seneca County to medical and dental appointments and other health-related destinations. If you are in need of a ride please phone 315–333–2179.

Substitute Collection Counters Needed:
Parishioners interested in helping to count the weekend collection—we need fill-in substitutes. Please volunteer. If interested, phone the parish office at 607–294–0064. Thanks for considering the request.

TAC Concert:
The guitar choir group at St. James in Trumansburg is starting practices every Sunday for the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) concert, which will be at 4:00 p.m. on December 3 at the First Baptist Church of Trumansburg, 4443 E. Seneca Road. This is a free concert open to the public that many area churches perform in. If you are interested and over 15 years of age, please see us in the choir loft before or after the 11:00 a.m. Mass Sunday. You can also contact Debbie Swartz at 607-387-9717 for more information. The deadline to join is November 11.

Share the Warmth:
St. James parishioners can help others cope with the oncoming cold weather by contributing new or gently used winter clothing and blankets to the twenty-fifth annual “Share the Warmth” campaign. Donations of jackets, boots, coats, and winter accessories such as hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens are distributed by Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga through the Samaritan Center free of charge to individuals who are in need of such items. The collection bin at St. James will be available by November 2 and will be accessible until the end of the month. Distribution is scheduled for December 4–15, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Parishioners willing to volunteer for a two-hour shift during this two week event can phone Catholic Charities at 607-272-5062 to be scheduled.

Discernment and Formation for Ministry:
Within the Biblical tradition, God continually speaks to humanity, calling them to the holiness of life. Recognizing the lifelong development of Christian spiritual formation, this course, taught by Professors Hawkins and Palma, guides the beginning student in the practice and art of spiritual discernment. Based on the great spiritual masters of the Catholic tradition, this course will help those attempting to discern how God calls and to what ministry within the baptized assembly on is called. The class will take place on various Wednesdays in the spring semester: 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 4/11, 4/25, and 5/2; from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 pm. You may attend the class in person at St. Bernard’s school in Pittsford or participate via video-conferencing, which is available at LeMoyne College, Apalachin, Auburn, Elmira, and Ithaca. If interested, contact St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry at 585–271–3657.

Ministry to Catholic Women:
Magnificat Rochester invites all women to a breakfast on Saturday, December 2, at the Ramada Plaza Inn Airport at 911 Brooks Ave. in Rochester. Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. and the event ends at 12 noon. Our speaker is Jeanne Walker, a mother, grandmother, and widow who has experience death of her loved ones, divorce, and physical pain. She has survived by learning how God has loved and protected her all along and always will. Reservations are presently $20.00; but after November 25 it will be $22.00. The cost for students is $12.00. Registration is required, as no tickets will be sold at the door. To register, mail your check to: Magnificat Rochester, P.O. Box 24787, Rochester, N.Y., 14624. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and email address. You can also register via PayPal on our website at www.MagnificatRochester.org. For more information email: [email protected]

Witnessing to the Sanctity of Human Life:
Jerome Lejeune MD committed himself to the pro-life cause when he discovered that children with Down syndrome were being aborted in ever-greater numbers. In 1991, he wrote a summary of his reflections on medical ethics: “1) Christians, be not afraid. It is you who possess the truth. Not that you invented it but because you are the vehicle for it. To all doctors, you must repeat: ‘You must conquer the illness, not attack the patient.’ 2) We are made in the image of God. For this reason alone all human beings must be respected. 3) Abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes. 4) Objective morality exists. It is clear and it is universal. 5) In so-called pluralistic societies, they shout it down our throats: ‘You Christians do not have the right to impose your morality on others.’ Well, I tell you, not only do you have the right to try to incorporate your morality in the law but it is your democratic duty.”

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2017, Sister Dolores Bachman and Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as an expression of gratitude. Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.ssjrochester.org.

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.

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.

Cancer Services Program (Cortland and Tompkins Counties):
This a program that provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information call 1-866 442 2262.

Ministry Schedules for St. James the Apostle

Schedule for November 11 and 12, 2017 (Second Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke and Scott Hamula
EM: Barbara Willers, Carol Kuklo, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager (for Rich and Hilary Wong)
EM: Lynne Stager, Glenn Stamps

Schedule for November 18 and 19, 2017 (Third Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Carol Kuklo and Barbara Willers
EM: Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore, Traci Bump

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Glenn Stamps and Nancy Olszewski
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tom and Beth Duff

December 2017:

Lector Schedule

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

/cmh-10/14/17

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki and Maryann Dendis before giving to congregation.

Altar Server Schedule:

10/18/17-cmh