Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ November 19, 2023

National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025

Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024

First Reading:
She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. (Prv. 31:12-13)

Psalm:
Blessed are those who fear the Lord. (Ps. 128)

Second Reading:
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. (1 Thes. 5:4-5)

Gospel:
“Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’” (Mt. 25:21)

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:
God entrusts special gifts to each of us, but they are not gifts to be hoarded and hidden. Let’s work each and every day to multiply those gifts in the world.
@LPi

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

Events:

• Food Pantries:
  • Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
  • Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (Dec. 5), 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 (November 20) 3:30–6:30 p.m., Methodist church
  • Lodi’s Community Pantry, Saturdays, 12:30–2:00 p.m., Lodi Rod & Gun Club, 9382 Lodi Center Rd
• Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
• Fr. Bernard is available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., no appointment necessary, St. Francis Solanus
• 2023–2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA): Pledges are being accepted. Parish goal is $31,000.
• Adult Inquiry & Confirmation Preparation classes: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
• Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
  • Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.
  • November 30; 7:00 p.m.
• Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
• Taizé Prayer: December 7 & 21, 7:30 p.m., St. James
• Eucharist and the Mass discussion: December 2, 5:00-6:15 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
• Sweet Sunday: December 3, 10:00 a.m., St. James
• Encounter Night: December 7, 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross
• Family Faith Formation: December 9, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus

First Friday and First Saturday Devotion:
In response to parishioners’ inquiry regarding this devotion, a handout titled “How to Observe First Fridays and First Saturdays” has been placed in the foyers of the Church. Because of the times in which we live, this devotion is popular today.

2023-2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
The CMA is happening. The Appeal serves people in need; provides diocesan wide services to parishes and institutions; supports seminarians, Deacons, and Pastoral Leaders; educates the young in the Catholic faith; and funds the operation of diocesan office/ministries, etc. Our parish given goal is $31,000. As of November 8th, fifty-eight parish households have pledged $14,015 which is 45.21% of our goal. Please participate in the Appeal. Participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary.

Priesthood Vocation Awareness
A series of nine short videos has been produced by the Catholic Courier. These profile the current ministries and the vocational journeys of several of the priests of our diocese. They have all been uploaded to YouTube, and links are available at catholiccourier.com/priestlife/. The videos are of interest and informational for everyone’s viewing.

Thanksgiving Day:
This Thursday is a national holiday. The Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church.

This Week – Daily Mass Schedule Changes:
There will be no 8:30 a.m. Masses on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 22, 23, & 24. As previously announced, the Thanksgiving Mass will be on Wednesday, November 22^nd, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church. On Friday, November 24, there will be a communion service at 9:00 a.m. at St. James.

Trivia Night Thank You:
Thank you to our fellowship committee: Russ Wedemeyer (chair), Barbara Bero, Liz Coats, and Jackie Leidenfrost, for organizing the Parish Trivia Night on November 8. It was a delight to gather with fellow parishioners for an such an enjoyable evening.

Year of Parish Eucharistic Revival – the Mass:
During this year parishes are invited to reinvigorate worship. The Worship Committee of the Parish Council is promoting a class on deepening our understanding of the Eucharist and Mass – the Sacrifice of Christ’s Body and Blood instituted by Jesus. The class will be held on Saturday, December 2, after the 4:00 p.m. Mass (5:00–6:15 p.m.) at St. Francis Solanus Church.

Eucharistic Holy Hour – Encounter Night:
Spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist. Encounter Nights create the opportunity for a personal encounter with Our Lord. They are monthly opportunities to experience a powerful form of worship as a parish. The next Encounter Night will be Thursday, December 7, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church. For many in the parish it will mean making the sacrifice to travel. January’s Encounter Night will be at St. James the Apostle.

Saturday Classes–Adult Inquiry & Confirmation Preparation:
Adults interested in knowing more about Jesus of Nazareth or interested in Catholicism or adults desiring to celebrate their first Communion and/or Confirmation, and students eighth grade and above who have not celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation, are invited to attend classes on Saturdays (with one exception: the second Saturday of the month) at 5:00–6:15 p.m. in the St. Francis Solanus Annex. There will be no class on Saturday, November 25^th – Thanksgiving weekend.

Angel Tree Tags:
The Angel Trees will soon be up at both St. Francis and Holy Cross Churches for the Seneca County Community Christmas Project! If you take a child’s tag, gifts must be returned by Sunday, December 10th. Please do not wrap the gifts–parents need to see what has been given to their children. Also, please include the tag information where it can easily be seen. If you would like to participate but would prefer not to take a tag from the tree, gift cards from Walmart would be appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact Gerry Frank at 607–869–5009 or gfrank@ottcmail.com.

Volunteer for Trumansburg Food Pantry:
Mondays, November 20 and December 4 & 18, are our parish’s dates to provide volunteers for the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Sign-up sheets and descriptions of each task are provided in the foyers.

The Word Among us Advent Booklet:
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.

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.

Holiday Bazaar:
The Jacksonville United Methodist Church, 1869 Trumansburg Rd, Jacksonville, is holding their annual Holiday Bazaar on November 25 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Prayer Vigil for Peace:
All are welcome to gather to pray for peace on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:00–2:00 p.m. and on Thursdays 8:30–10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Trumansburg.

Seneca County Senior Center Events:

• Movement & Music: November 21, & 28, 1:15 p.m.
• Tea and Talking: November 30; 1:00 p.m.

These events will take place at Verona Village in Ovid and are open to Seneca County residents 60 and older.

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 eileen.heptig@dor.org.

Programs at St. James the Apostle:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ facilitates three programs in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg.

• Prayer for Healing and Harmony: On the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., Sr. Anne leads a time of silent prayer. This provides an opportunity for personal reflection and healing. The session closes with a time to share any reflections that came to you. You do not need to attend every session.
• The Taizé Prayer is facilitated on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs—a good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day.
• Every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m., all are invited to participate in a book study. The current book is Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittiston.

Questions? Contact Sister Anne at 607-209-4206 or a.alder1980@gmail.com

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. 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.” To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, text: 315-945-1019, or email familyhopecenter@outlook.com.

Prayers for Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns and Sister Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2023. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sisters Anne Marie and Dolores, in your thoughts and prayers.

Mass Intention Requests:
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. There are several reasons why a person may ask a priest to offer a Mass for another individual: in thanksgiving; for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday); or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul and in memory of someone who has died.

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.

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 immmercy@dor.org 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.