July 9, 2017 ~ Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

First Reading:
Thus says the LORD: Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. (Zec. 9: 9)

Psalm:
I will praise your name forever, my king and my God. (Ps. 145)
Or:
Alleluia.

Second Reading:
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Rom. 8: 11)

Gospel:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Mt. 11: 28–30)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” These words may seem a bit contradictory at first given how hard it can often be to be a disciple and live as Jesus taught. While the Gospel can be difficult, it is never a burden. On another occasion Jesus says of his Father, “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.” God desires our hearts and when we give him our hearts we become free. We become free of ourselves and discover the joy that comes from serving God and others. We can easily get very rigid in terms of our faith, think that we know better, and place expectations on others that can be more of a burden than a source of new life. Are we willing to be open and learn from Jesus?

Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“In everything, whether it is a thing sensed or a thing known, God Himself is hidden within.” ~ St. Bonaventure

©Liturgical Publications Inc.

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. (July 11 and July 23). 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. (July 17 and July 31).
• Fill the Bus: Beginning July 1 and ending the weekend of August 12 both Holy Cross and St. Francis Solanus churches will be collecting school supplies for Seneca County students
• St. Francis Solanus feast day is July 16: After the 8:15 a.m. Mass a breakfast will be served in the Annex
• Catholic Charities’ Open House: Tuesday, July 18, between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m., at 324 West Buffalo Street in Ithaca. At 5:00 p.m. Bishop Matano will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at Immaculate Conception church.
• Feast Day of St. James the Apostle is on July 25: There will be a 7:00 p.m. Mass (therefore no 9:00 a.m. Mass that day) followed by an ice cream social.
• Parish celebration: the second Sunday of September (this year September 10) will be the day we annually celebrate our parish.
• Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., Beatification: November 18 in Detroit, MI.

Funeral: Barbara Mearse died on Wednesday, June 28. She was buried in St. James the Apostle Cemetery on Friday, June 30, 2017.

The Church in Central and Eastern Europe:
This week, our second collection will be for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Your donation today helps restore the Church and build the future in twenty countries, many of which still struggle to recover in the aftermath of Soviet rule. Funds from this collection help support reconstruction, education, formation, and poverty outreach. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/ccee. Thank you for your generosity.

Cemeteries:
The cemetery committees of St. James the Apostle and Holy Cross are looking to increase their membership. There is a need for more people to become familiar with the cemeteries and their operation. It is an opportune time for new members because the Diocese of Rochester has initiated a wonderful new program for cemeteries. The more people we have that know the program the better off will be our parish cemeteries. Please phone the parish office to volunteer for membership on the committee.

Year of the Eucharist:
The following is taken from Bishop Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” in celebration of the 150 (Sesquicentennial) anniversary of the diocese. “…The month after his election, Benedict XVI delivered a homily to conclude the twenty-fourth Italian National Eucharistic Congress on the Congress’ theme, Without Sunday, We Cannot Live, saying: ‘The Sunday precept is not, therefore, an externally imposed duty, a burden on our shoulders. On the contrary, taking part in the Mass, being nourished by the Eucharist and experiencing the communion of our brothers and sisters in Christ is a need for Christians, it is a joy. Christians can replenish the energy they need to continue on the journey we must make each week’…” The full pastoral letter is available on the diocesan website.

Maintenance Fund Envelope:
There will not be a second collection for the Maintenance Fund this month of July. The collection is normally taken up on the second weekend of the month. However, this month the Church in Eastern and Central Europe collection will be taken up on that weekend. Please deposit the Maintenance Fund envelope in the regular weekend collection.

Feast Day of St. Francis Solanus:
In the United States St. Francis Solanus feast day is July 16 (a week from this Sunday). To enhance the celebration, after the 8:15 a.m. Mass a breakfast will be served in the Annex (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.) prepared by Kevin Barr, Charlotte Huyler, and Jennifer and Shane Sharp. A free will offering will be accepted. All are invited.

Feast Day of St. James the Apostle:
July 25 is the feast day of St. James the Apostle. This year it falls on a Tuesday. There will be a 7:00 p.m. Mass (therefore no 9:00 a.m. Mass that day) followed by an ice cream social. Rita Demerest, Laurenda Denmark, Gerri Todi, and Barbara Willers are preparing this event. Bring the children. All are invited. A free will offering will be accepted.

Young People:
Pope Francis has requested worldwide feedback concerning issues that will be addressed at the October 2018 Synod of Bishops on “Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” To prepare for next year’s Synod, Pope Francis has written a “Letter to Young People” (ages 16–29). The letter is available through a link on the Diocese of Rochester homepage website www.dor.org. The letter is also available in the foyer of our churches. In response to the Holy Father’s request, the diocese invites the young to respond to an online questionnaire at www.surverymonkey.com/r/TXNSXP5. Please encourage young people to take time to answer the questionnaire. One does not need to answer all the questions, just answer as many as possible based on one’s experiences. It is not a lengthy questionnaire.

Holy Cross Buildings and Grounds:
This committee is in need of membership to review and suggest planning for the maintenance of the Holy Cross’s buildings and grounds. The committee meets about six times a year. The next meeting is July 19 (Wednesday), at a time yet to be set. If interested in helping, please contact David Moore at [email protected] or phone 315 585 6227. You may also contact Fr. Bernard at the Parish Center.

2016–2017 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
Our given parish goal was $29,855. At the end of May, the completion of the appeal, our parishioners contributed $28,791. We were shy of the goal by $1,064. On behalf of the Diocese, “Thank you” to all who made a pledge and donated to the appeal. You are wonderful for your participation in support of our diocesan needs which directly and indirectly gives support to our parish. May the Lord reward you many times over for your generosity.

Sunday, a Holy Day of Obligation:
The following is the average attendance at our weekend Masses for the month of May: 92 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, 72 at the 8:15 a.m. Mass, 96 at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, and 76 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Catholics invite Catholics “Come to Mass in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day.”

Fill the Bus School Supply Collection:
Beginning July 1 and ending the weekend of August 12 both Holy Cross and St. Francis Solanus churches will be collecting school supplies for the “Fill the Bus” collection for Seneca County students. We are in need of glue sticks; pencils; blue and black pens; rulers; thick and thin magic markers; crayons; one subject spiral notebooks; composition books; loose leaf paper; 1, 1 ½, and 2 inch binders; tab dividers; two pocket folders; and pencil cases. All supplies will be collected at the Fayette Fire Department on August 16 and then taken to the four school districts in the county. We will need volunteers to help sort and box the collected supplies on August 16. If you’re able donate an hour or more of your time to help, it would be greatly appreciated as always. Please contact Gerald Frank 869-5009 or email: [email protected].

Catholic Charities Twentieth Anniversary:
Since opening its doors in Tompkins County in 1997, Catholic Charities has served thousands of low income and vulnerable people, thanks to the support of this community. Please stop by Catholic Charities’ Open House on Tuesday, July 18, between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m., at 324 West Buffalo Street in Ithaca, to learn more about Catholic Charities’ programs serving homeless women, families, immigrants, refugees and others in need. At 5:00 p.m. Bishop Matano will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at Immaculate Conception church that day. All are welcomed to attend.

Hearing Impaired:
Holy Cross Church has portable transmitters available for the hearing impaired. Before Mass, please go to the sacristy and inquire about this service.

Gardening Enthusiasts Needed:
St. James is in need of help with our Building and Grounds Committee and welcome all to join our group. The committee is especially interested in volunteers to help make the grounds beautiful. You don’t need to join the committee to help make the grounds lovely. Maybe you would enjoy taking a small area and designating it as your own to plant and garden as you wish. You could also get together with a few friends to plant your favorite flowers and bushes. If interested please contact Kathleen Rourke at [email protected] or Sandy Tielens at [email protected], co-chairs of the St. James Building and Grounds Committee. We look forward to hearing from you. We need you!

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

Schedule for July 15 and 16, 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

Schedule for July 22 and 23, 2017 (Fourth Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Paul Povinelli and Carol Kuklo
EM: Cathy DelSignore, Joan Hogan

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver and Beth Duff
EM: Mary Szymanski, Glenn Stamps

Schedule for July 29 and 30, 2017 (Fifth Sunday):

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

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Mary Szymanski

July 2017:

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

Lector Schedule

 (forthcoming)

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:

 (forthcoming)