Live The Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
It is important to know who we are and from where we come. Having a clear sense of identity allows us to make choices that further express and develop our ultimate purpose and goals. We are reminded today of Jesus’ unique identity as God’s Son and that by our baptism we are given the gift of sharing in that same intimate relationship with God. May knowledge of this make a difference in how we live our lives!
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Ask Jesus what He wants from you and be brave!” ~Pope Francis
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. (January 24 and February 7). The Interlaken Food Pantry is at the Federated Church on Fridays, 3:00 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. (January 16 and 30).
- Sunday collection counters meetings: Thursday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. or at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken. A snow date will be the following Thursday, January 26.
- Usher meetings after Masses: 5:00 p.m. January 21 at St. James the Apostle, 9:30 a.m. on January 22 at Holy Cross, 8:15 a.m. on January 29 at St. Francis Solanus, and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 29 at St. James the Apostle
- Scripture study classes of the Gospel: will resume on Tuesdays beginning January 24, 2017, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James
- March for Life 2017 Diocese of Rochester (DOR) to DC: Buses leave Thursday night, January 26 and return Friday night, January 27.
- Public Policy Weekend: February 4 and 5, 2017.
- Nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring 2017: Collecting donations of non-perishable food items on January 28 and 29 and collecting monetary offerings on February 5.
- Immaculate Conception School Open House: February 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on February 4 from 5 p.m. –6:30 p.m.
- Planning for Your Legacy: Two free seminars, at 7:00–8:30 p.m. on March 13 at St. Francis DeSales Parish Center, Geneva and at St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish Center, Watkins Glen.
Donations/Contributions Made by Check:
When making donations to the church, please make checks out to: the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. On the memo line of the check you may name of the church be it St. James the Apostle, St. Francis Solanus, or Holy Cross.
Parish Mailing Address:
When mailing items to one of the three churches, please use the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s address: P.O. Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847 (as on the front cover of the bulletin and on the parish contact web page). The U.S. post office is continuously encouraging that we remind parishioners to use only the new address and not the names and addresses of the individual churches.
Sunday Collection Counters:
It is a diocesan policy that an annual meeting be held in the month of January for the Sunday collection counters, to review the policies and procedures related to those responsibilities and to sign a statement accepting the responsibilities. Sunday collection counters please schedule yourself for one of two meetings to be held on Thursday, January 19, at 1:00 p.m. or at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken. A snow date will be the following Thursday, January 26. This is an important service to the parish. Parishioners interested in helping with this service, please phone the parish center to volunteer. Attending this annual meeting would be a great way to begin this ministry as a Sunday collection counter.
Ushers (Greeters of Hospitality):
It is the diocesan policy that an annual meeting be held in the month of January for ushers to review the policies and procedures related to taking up and securing the collections. The schedule for usher meetings after Mass is as follows:
5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass on January 21 at St. James the Apostle
9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 22 at Holy Cross
8:15 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 29 at St. Francis Solanus
11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass on January 29 at St. James the Apostle
2016-2017 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. We need all parishioners to help reach our parish given goal of $29,855. A report issued on January 3, 2017 stated that our parish has pledged $23,635. We are a distance from our goal. Pledge envelopes are located in the vestibules of the church. Please respond as soon as possible.
March for Life 2017:
Buses are leaving from around the diocese to the March for Life in D.C. Join 1000’s marching for a day when every human life will be valued and protected. Buses leave Thursday night, January 26 and return Friday night, January 27. There will be a Mass with Bishop Matano at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. March with Bishop Matano and others from the DOR. Make your bus reservations today. Contact: or 315-246-7479.
Assisting Those Who have Been Wounded by Abortion:
A word from Pope John Paul II to those suffering because of abortion: “Do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope…. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation” (Evangelium Vitae, no. 99). Call Project Rachel for a confidential referral to those who can help: 585-328-3210 or email: Deacon David Snyder, or Suzanne Stack, " target="_blank" rel="noopener">.
Planning for Your Legacy:
Two free seminars to help you make informed choices regarding wills and estate planning, health care proxies, the power of attorney and other legal documents and legacy gifts that make an impact will be offered: March 13 at St. Francis DeSales Parish Center, 130 Exchange Street, Geneva, and at St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish Center, 905 N. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. Both seminars will be at 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Physician-assisted Suicide is Bad Medicine:
End-of-life decisions, for ourselves and for loved ones, are among the most challenging we will ever face. Our church offers comfort and practical guidance. Visit www.CatholicEndofLife.org to watch a video and read the New York State bishops’ document “Now and at the Hour of Our Death.” Learn why the church favors
palliative medicine and comfort care, and why the church opposes physician-assisted suicide. Sign a letter or petition to your legislators opposing assisted suicide on Public Policy weekend, February 4–5.
Nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring 2017:
Sunday, February 5, is Super Bowl Sunday and across this nation it is also Souper Bowl of Caring. Our parish will be participating in this one-day event by collecting donations of non-perishable food items beginning on the weekend of January 28 and 29. Our parish’s second year Confirmation students, as part of their community service project, will be present at the doors of the church on February 5 to collect monetary offerings for the local food pantries as part of the national Souper Bowl of Caring Program. For more information see https://souperbowl.org/welcome
Immaculate Conception School Open House:
Immaculate Conception School will be hosting an enrollment open house for the 2017–2018 school year on February 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on February 4 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the difference our Catholic school will make for your child’s education. Families of those who tour are invited to our Catholic Schools Week family roller skating party on February 4 to meet other families. Immaculate Conception School continuously accepts registrations for all of our academic programs, pre-K through sixth grade. Tuition assistance and parish subsidy are available. Call the school at 273-2707 or visit icsithaca.org for more information about Ithaca’s Catholic School. To find out the great things that are happening in our classrooms and the community visit https://www.facebook.com/ICSIthaca.
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.
Scripture Study:
Parishioners are welcome to join an informal study of The Gospel According to Mark which will resume January 24, 2017, on Tuesday mornings after the 9:00 a.m. Mass (St James the Apostle Church). The study is facilitated by Debbie Short and Camille Taranto. The Liguori Catholic Bible Study will be used. Questions: contact Camille at (607) 387-3125.
Ministry Schedules for St. James
Schedule for January 21 and 22, 2017 (fourth Sunday):
5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Paul Povinelli and Carol Kuklo
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Cathy DelSignore, Joan Hogan
11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tim Davis (for Tara and Leon Webster)
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mary Szymanski, Glenn Stamps
Schedule for January 28 and 29, 2017 (fifth Sunday):
5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Barbara Willers and Kathleen Rourke
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Traci Bump, Carol Kuklo, Robin Hamula
11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Susan Stafford, Mary Szymanski
Ministry schedule for Holy Cross
January 2017
1/15/17 | 1/22/17 | 1/29/17 | |
Greeter in addition to Usher | C. Conroy | M. Maleski | |
Altar Ser 1 | G. Frank | G. Frank | P. Schirmer |
Altar Ser 2 | |||
Lector 1 | P. Motill | K. Knapp | L. Kurkchi |
Lector 2 | J. Swanson | J. Leidefrost° | M. Frank |
Extraordinary Min 1 | L.A. Fox | F. Grasak | D. Moore |
Extraordinary Min 2 | M. Frank | D. Brandow | A. Calice |
Extraordinary Min 3 | S. Limoncelli | K. Sinkiewicz | D. Traphagen |
Usher 1 (Lead) | A. Reagan | S. Brandow | J. Taylor |
Usher 2 | E. Conroy | S. Limoncelli | E. Conroy |
Usher 3 | P. Marrella | M. Maleski | P. Marrella |
Usher 4 | T. Grasak | A. Reagan |
Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church
Lector Schedule
January through March 2017
DATE | FIRST READING from OLD TESTAMENT | SECOND READING from NEW TESTAMENT |
January 15 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Millie Messmer | Gerry Messmer |
January 22 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Stephanie Houck | Jeff Houck |
January 29 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Sheila Haddad | Marie Roloson |
February 5 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Barbara Willers | Ann Buddle |
February 12 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Gerry Messmer | Millie Messmer |
February 19 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Charlotte Huyler | Sheila Haddad |
February 26 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Pat Messmer | Karl Messmer |
March 1 Ash Wednesday | Volunteers needed if | there is a Mass. |
March 5 1st Sunday of Lent | Marie Roloson | Barbara Willers |
March 12 2nd Sunday of Lent | Jeff Houck | Stephanie Houck |
March 19 3rd Sunday of Lent | Ann Buddle | Charlotte Huyler |
March 26 4th Sunday of Lent | Heather Cranford | Barbara Willers |
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
January through March 2017
DATE | Precious Blood | SET UP AND PURIFICATION | Precious Blood |
January 15 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Pat Messmer | Charlotte Huyler | Patti Perry |
January 22 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time | Chris Duthie | Marie Roloson | Mary Ruckdeschel |
January 29 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Jennifer Sharp | Maryann Dendis | Michele Barr |
February 5 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Jeanie Wiggins | Pat Messmer | Charlotte Huyler |
February 12 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Cathy Millspaugh | Patti Perry | Michele Barr |
February 19 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Millie Messmer | Jennifer Sharp | Marie Roloson |
February 26 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Charlotte Huyler | Chris Duthie | Mary Ruckdeschel |
March 1 Ash Wednesday | Volunteers | needed if there | is a Mass |
March 5 1st Sunday of Lent | Maryann Dendis | Chris Duthie | Pat Messmer |
March 12 2nd Sunday of Lent | Mary Ruckdeschel | Jeanie Wiggins | Jennifer Sharp |
March 19 3rd Sunday of Lent | Cathy Millspaugh | Marie Roloson | Patti Perry |
March 26 4th Sunday of Lent | Chris Duthie | Charlotte Huyler | Millie Messmer |
REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki before giving to congregation.
12/29/16-cmh