Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time~November 10, 2019

First reading:
When he was near death, he said, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope that God gives.” (2 Mc. 7:14)

Psalm:
Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. (Ps. 17)

Second reading:
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ. (2 Thes. 3:5)

Gospel:
“He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” (Lk. 20:38)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Our God is a God of the living. In God, there is no death. While life certainly presents hardships and has its measure of suffering, God does not promise anyone, not even his own Son, a way around it. What He does promise is His abiding, all-sustaining presence as a source of courage and hope so that we can more gracefully and purposefully endure it. Our faith in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ reminds us to carry the hope of resurrection with us in all things. We must never lose sight of the fact that we are works in progress and that what we see and experience here is only the beginning of greater marvels to come. This is why people like St. Paul and others of great faith consider their sufferings as nothing compared to the glory yet to be revealed.

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. (November 12)
  • 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 18)
• Confirmation Candidates Classes: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
• Catholicism Classes: Wednesdays, 9:30 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
• German Festival: November 10, from noon until 3:00 p.m., All Saints, Lansing
• Personality Styles and Prayer: November 12, Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua
• Cemetery Clean-ups: November 16, both cemeteries
• Birthright in Ithaca Luncheon: November 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hotel Ithaca, Ithaca
• Jude Thaddeus Relic: 10:00 a.m., November 16, Holy Cross parish, Freeville.
• Religion Education Monthly Gathering: November 17, after 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. James
• Ecumenical Choir Practice: November 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross
• Retirement Reception for Rev. Losey: November 23, from 2:00–4:00 p.m., Trumansburg United Methodist church’s Fellowship Hall
• Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service: November 24, 3:00 p.m., Holy Cross, Ovid

Food Pantry Collection:
This weekend, as we do every second Sunday of each month, parishioners are invited to contribute non-perishable food on the table placed in front of the Blessed Mother statue at St. James. The items will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks should be made out to Mary, Mother of Mercy, with food pantry in the memo line. Thank you to all who contribute!

Today’s Second Collection:
The second collection this weekend is for the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) throughout the U.S. St. John Paul II established the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) in 1985. It is the only U.S. diocese responsible for the pastoral care of men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, enrolled at a U.S. military academy, being treated as a patient at any of the 153 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Medical Centers, or working for the federal government beyond U.S. borders. AMS priests and deacons serve approximately 1.8 million Catholics across the world. All U.S. dioceses are faithfully served by the AMS, yet most Catholics still do no know about AMS, so continuing to increase awareness about and support for the AMS is both a critical challenge and opportunity. Thank you for your support of AMS.

Ecumenical Choir:
There will be an ecumenical Thanksgiving service (see below) on Sunday, November 24, at 3:00 p.m. in Holy Cross church in Ovid, complete with a choir. If you would like to participate in that choir, please join our rehearsal on Thursday, November 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Cross. In December there will be another ecumenical service in which you may also participate as part of the choir. The December 8 service is sponsored by the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) and will take place at the Presbyterian Church of Trumansburg. Please join us as we prepare for both of these ecumenical holiday events in our communities.

Thanksgiving Holiday Service:
An ecumenical Thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 3:00 p.m. at our own Holy Cross church in Ovid. Participating will be the Interlaken Reformed church, Ovid Federation church, Christ Episcopal church at Willard, and our parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. That Sunday is also the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The worship service will include both themes: Christ the King and Thanksgiving. All are invited.

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 parish goal of $29, 979. Thank you and please pray for the success of our efforts.

CMA Question:
Some people in the diocese have indicated they are hesitant to give to a “bankrupt” organization and questioned why they should. In response, all must know that their contribution provide funding to operate crucial ministries for people of all walks of life. While the Diocese reorganizes, these needs continue and can only be met with the financial support of the faithful. From the very beginnings of the faith and the early ministry of Our Lord, our church has depended on the faithful to provide their time and energy, skills and gifts in building the Kingdom of God. Without financial support, we could not continue the mission of the Church. The Body of Christ’s only real means of support is through the generosity of its members. A listing of CMA allocations may be found at www.dor.org/cma.

Catholicism Adult Formation Program:
The Catholicism Adult Formation Program has been created by Bishop Robert Barron to enhance and support the Church’s mission to evangelize and teach the content of the faith. The program explains not only what Catholics believe and why, but also displays—in breathtaking visual detail—the richness of the Church’s global culture. During each lesson, you will be invited to listen to a presentation of the Church’s essential teaching and to travel with Bishop Barron around the globe to see the faith in the depths of its belief and practices. The classes are held on Wednesdays, with the same class at 9:30 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Francis church annex, Interlaken. The classes are for all parishioners from the north, south, and in between and for those contemplating being Catholic and Catholics who have not celebrated the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. Please join us!

Cemetery Clean-ups:
Fall cleanup day for both cemeteries will be November 16. Please have all previous seasons’ decorations/flowers removed, and taken home by November 11. Anything left, will be disposed of as the cemetery management deems appropriate.

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/

Trumansburg Retirement Reception:
Reverend Doctor Jeff Losey, pastor of the Trumansburg United Methodist church, will be retiring at the beginning of the new year. Rev. Losey has been pastor for thirteen years. A reception for family, friends, colleagues, and parishioners will take place on Saturday, November 23, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.

German Festival:
On November 10, from noon until 3:00 p.m., there will be a German festival at All Saints parish, 347 Ridge Road in Lansing. They will be serving traditional German foods and beverages and there will be family-friendly entertainment. Bakers are invited to compete in a contest for the best apple dessert! There is a great family rate of $45 which includes two adult meals and meals for kids under age 12. The cost for individual meals is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. Come join the fun this Sunday in Lansing!

St. Jude Thaddeus Relic in Freeville:
There will be a special one-day mission on November 16 at Holy Cross parish, 375 George Road, Freeville. Please join Fr. Patrick Tobin, O.P., director of the Dominican Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus, as he travels from Chicago to New York with the arm relic of St. Jude—the largest relic of an Apostle located outside of Europe! The day will begin with the rosary at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass and veneration of the relic, including anointing with St. Jude oil. The day will finish with a potluck lunch in Cleary Hall at noon.

Personality Styles and Prayer:
A day of prayer with the theme, “Personality Styles and Prayer,” will be presented by Deacon Dave and Anne Paluskiewicz of St. Theodore Parish in Rochester, on Tuesday, November 12, at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua. The conference will run from 9:30 a.m. through noon, followed by lunch, free time, confessions, and concluding with Mass at 2:00 p.m. There is a $25.00 fee. Please register by calling 585-394-5700 or email: [email protected]

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 Celebration:
November 16 marks the thirty-eighth anniversary of the opening of Birthright in Ithaca. Join us that day for a joyous time of acknowledging the mission of providing compassionate care to women and their families in our community at a fund-raiser celebration and luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hotel Ithaca, 222 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca. Luncheon tickets are $19.95 per person and include a silent auction, door prizes, and raffle. A true celebration! For more information contact Carolann Darling, 607-351-6668. If you can’t attend but would like to make a donation, please send a check to: Birthright of Ithaca, 605 W. State Street, Ithaca 14850.

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!

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 now 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.

Bishop’s Vita Award:
Our own Mary Camobreco was one of three people honored to receive the Vita Award from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano during the annual Respect Life Mass on October 6 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester. Vita Awards are given to people in the Diocese of Rochester whose actions reflect and promote the consistent life ethic—the principle that calls for all human life to be respected and affirmed, from conception until natural death. Mary, who attends both Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca as well as St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, became the founding director of Birthright in Ithaca in 1981—the first crisis pregnancy center ever for that city. She continued in that role for some thirty-four years before stepping down in 2015, serving on a volunteer basis the entire time. She still helps out at the Birthright facility, located at 605 W. State St., Ithaca, two days per week. Mary said that when she sought to establish a local Birthright, “I told God if I could be an instrument in saving one life, it would be worth it.” As it has turned out, she said, thousands of young women have been helped—and in many instances, the lives of would-be aborted babies have been spared. Mary has gladly devoted herself to helping others, noting that she’s done so out of gratefulness for blessings in her own life. “I have been given so much,” she remarked. “I just thank God.”

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.

November 9, at 5:00 p.m. (second weekend):
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke, Barbara Willers
EMs: Cathy DelSignore, Robin Hamula

November 16, at 5:00 p.m. (third weekend):
Lector: Scott Hamula, Ann Buddle
EM: Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore

November 10, at 9:00 a.m. (second Sunday):
Lectors: Tim Davis (for Mark Scibilia-Carver) and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager, Beth Koeng, Tim O’Boyle (for Mary Szymanski)

November 17, at 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Donna Ryan and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short

Ministry Schedule for Holy Cross, Ovid

Not available at this time