Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ July 29, 2018

First reading:
“For thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and there shall be some left over’.” (2 Kgs. 4:43b)

Psalm:
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. (Ps. 145)

Second reading:
One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:5-6)

Gospel:
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. (Jn. 6:11)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Living the Gospel does not require much. In fact, less is sometimes more. Simple gestures or random acts of kindness can have unimaginable results and change lives. It is easy to believe that we do not have what it takes to make a difference, but we do! The key is to learn how to be grateful for the little gifts you possess and share them freely and abundantly. It does not take much to satisfy the hungers of the human heart or mend the wounds of sorrow and pain. All we need to know is that God is with us. All people need to know is that we are with them. God provides the rest. Truly be present to those you meet this week and offer them your most precious gift, the gift of yourself.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus church, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: There is a food pantry at the Ovid Federated church on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (August 7). A 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. (August 6).
• Fr. Bernard is Available: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, and no appointment is needed.
• First Feast Day Celebration: In honor of Blessed Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., there will be a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James on July 30.
• Sports and Faith Camp: July 31 and August 7, from 6:30 p.m.­–8:00 p.m., at the St Francis and St Clair Ministry Center in Waterloo
• Vacation Bible Camp: July 31 through August 2 from 5:00–7:30 p.m. at Jacksonville United Methodist Church
• Bishop’s Dinner for College/High School Students: Wednesday, August 1
• Lakeside Retreats: August 6 and August 15, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
• Summer Religious Education: August 13 through August 17 at the St. Fidelis Friary boathouse. Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 3:30 p.m.
• Preventing Suicides: “Talk Saves Lives” on August 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Seneca Community Church in Romulus.

Save Time and Donate Online:
Online giving is now available for parishioners with WeShare, an easy and convenient way to save time and support your parish. Donating is simple, safe, and completely secure.

With WeShare, you can set up a recurring weekly or monthly transaction using your checking, savings, or credit card account. You can decide how much to give to any collection and make changes any time, day or night. Plus, you can leave your checkbook at home on Sundays.

How to enroll in Online Giving:

Parishioners who have registered an email with the parish, please check your email for a message from [email protected] with the subject line: “Welcome to The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy-Interlaken, NY on WeShare.” Your login information and temporary password are included in this email.
Or
Visit mayrmotherofmercy.weshareonline.org. You will register with WeShare as you make your first donation.

If you have any questions or concerns about the program or would like help setting up your account, please email our business manager, Eileen Heptig, at [email protected].

First Feast Day Celebration:
Blessed Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., was beatified this past November. He will be honored with his first feast day on Monday, July 30, 2018. This is a very happy day for the Capuchin Franciscans. To mark this event, there will be a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle. All are welcome.

Society for the Propagation of the Faith:
Every summer the parishes throughout the United States welcomes missionaries to speak on behalf of their mission and to ask for the parish’s prayers and financial support. This year the Catholic Migrant Ministry in the Diocese of Rochester has been assigned to our parish to speak on behalf of the Missionary Cooperation Plan. Fr. Jesus Flores, coordinator of diocesan migrant ministry, will preside and preach at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, August 4, and Deacon Marcelo DeRisio will preach on Sunday, August 5, at the 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Gift:
Last May, parishes in the Diocese of Rochester were encouraged to submit proposals and estimates for maintenance care projects (not new projects) needed for their cemeteries. During the week of July 22, we received word that Holy Cross cemetery was awarded $82,200 and St. James cemetery was awarded $36,700. The approved projects, and only those projects, will be paid for by Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. We “thank” in particular Allan Gelatt for the work in formulating the proposals and submitting them and a “thank you” to the cemetery committee who considered and made the recommendations for the maintenance projects.

Prayer Request Book:
A prayer intention book is located in the foyer of the parish churches. If you have a particular intention to pray for, feel free to write the intention in the book. Our parishioners will keep these intentions in their prayers and also when we gather as a parish family.

Prayer Chain:
A newly formed prayer chain of fourteen ladies has begun within the parish. If you wish to be part of the prayer chain or have a prayer request please call Cathy Millspaugh at 532-4788 or 342-7112. This is in addition to programs that are already in place.

Lakeside Retreats:
Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Center, located on Seneca Lake, is offering two retreats in August. The first is on “Contemplating Christ with Mary,” and is facilitated by Sr. Kathleen Murphy, OSF, on Monday, August 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The second, on Wednesday, August 15, discusses “The Day of Apparitions—God’s Dialogue with His People through His Mother” and is facilitated by Lena Shipley. It runs from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. For more information on either event visit branchescenter.org, phone 716- 901-4313, or email: [email protected].

Priesthood Vocations:
The Diocese of Rochester’s biggest vocation event of the year is the “Bishop’s Dinner for College/High School Students.” It will be held on Wednesday, August 1. See Fr. Bernard if you are interested in attending.

Canonization:
Archbishop Oscar Romero will be canonized a saint at a Vatican ceremony on October 14, 2018. He murdered in 1980 for speaking out against military oppression and denunciations of government killings and kidnappings in El Salvador, Central America. On one occasion, Archbishop Romero gave a Congressional address in Washington, D.C. pleading with the United States to end the shipment of military arms to El Salvador. The military arms enhanced the misery El Salvadorian people were experiencing and it was delaying the work toward peace making.

Trip to Italy in 2019:
St. Catherine of Siena church in Ithaca is hosting a trip to Assisi, Siena, and Rome, Italy. A flier with full details will be available at the end of July at St. Catherine’s website: www.stcathofsiena.org. If interested in the trip please email Ann Marie at [email protected] to be put on the priority list to receive additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Sudden Loss / After Suicide:
Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition sponsors a support group that meets from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the Waterloo Library, Waterloo, and on the third Monday of the month at the Ovid Federated Church, Ovid. For more information: www.facebook.com/SenecaSuicideePrevention/ or phone 315 651 0043.

Preventing Suicides:
All are welcome to a presentation called “Talk Saves Lives” scheduled for August 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Seneca Community Church in Romulus. The “Talk Saves Lives” presentation contains the nuts and bolts for preventing suicides.

School Supply Collection:
United Way of Seneca County coordinates a countywide effort to help local students through its “Fill the Bus” campaign, which runs from July 1 through August 16 of this year. “Fill the Bus” provides the basic supplies that students attending elementary school need to start the year. Collected by individuals, businesses, and local organizations, they are distributed to the local school districts based on enrollment, with each school determining the best way to use the contributions. The churches in the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, are among the collection sites. Volunteers are needed on August 16 at the Fayette Fire Hall, 4200 State Route 414, in Seneca Falls to help sort, organize, and deliver supplies to the area schools. Monetary donations are also welcome and checks should be made out to the United Way of Seneca County.

Vacation Bible Camp 2018:
Jacksonville United Methodist Church is welcoming students to a Vacation Bible Camp that will take place this week, July 31 (Tuesday) to August 2 (Thursday). The theme is “Treasure Hunters.” The hunt is for God’s treasures of love, faith, and peace. The camp will run from 5:00– 7:30 p.m. each day with dinner, bible stories, music, mission projects, games, crafts, and a treasure hunt. Registration is appreciated but not required. Contact [email protected] or phone 607 882-0002.

Faith, Hope, and Love:
Come, strengthen your roots to grow and bloom in your walk with Christ and others. Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua is offering several weekend retreats for men and women, and one weekend for couples this coming fall based on the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. Join us for an enriching experience. For more information please visit notredameretreat.org or phone 585-394-5700.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2018 Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Such an act of love offers us the opportunity to keep Sr. Anne Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.

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.

Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle

July 29, 9:00 a.m. (fifth Sunday):
Lectors: Patty Messmer and Lynne Stager
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle

August 5, 9:00 a.m. (first Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Joan Hogan, Patty Messmer, Mark Scibilia-Carver

Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church

5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays