Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ July 22, 2018

First reading:
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow. (Jer .23:3a)

Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (Ps. 23)

Second reading:
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Eph. 2:18)

Gospel:
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. (Mk 6:34)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
The many images we have of God help frame our relationship with Him. Have we ever imagined Jesus so deeply moved with emotion and engulfed with pity for us? We often are sheep without a shepherd who are lured by the emptiness of worldly attractions and superficial desires. We become lost. God, in the depth of His being, is deeply moved by our pain, loneliness, and heartache. God does not judge or condemn. He loves and is mercy itself. He knows firsthand the pain that comes with being lost and alone and desires to teach us about His merciful love. Do we want to be taught? Listen to God’s word and be open to God’s presence in the Eucharist.

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. (July 24 and 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. (July 23 and August 6).
• Fr. Bernard is Available: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, and no appointment is needed.
• Sports and Faith Camp: July 24 and 31 and August 7, from 6:30 p.m.­–8:00 p.m., at the St Francis and St Clair Ministry Center in Waterloo
• St. James the Apostle Feast Day: July 25 at 7:00 p.m. at St James church. There will be no 9:00 a.m. Mass that morning. The evening Mass will be followed by an ice cream social.
• Festival: Annual summer festival for St. Francis and St. Clare in Waterloo during the evenings of July 26, 27, and 28.
• 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.

Wedding:
Chris Balish and Jennifer Cleveland were married on July 14, 2018, at Holy Cross church in Ovid. Fr. Michael Panicali from the Brooklyn Diocese officiated.

St. James the Apostle Feast Day and Ice Cream Social:
Wednesday, July 25, is the feast day of St. James the Apostle. There will be a 7:00 p.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle church and no 9:00 a.m. Mass that day at St. Francis Solanus. Following the 7:00 p.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle there will be an ice cream social. All are invited. It is a special treat for children.

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].

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.

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.

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.

Sports and Faith:
Students in grades nine through twelve are invited to participate in a mini camp highlighting how one can live their faith in Christ through playing sports. The camp will run for three consecutive Tuesdays, July 24 and 31 and August 7, from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. at St. Francis and St. Clare Ministry Center gymnasium in Waterloo. For additional information please contact Fr. Mike at 315 539 2944 or email [email protected].

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.

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.

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.

June Mass Attendance:
The average Mass attendance in the month of June were: 91 parishioners at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, 122 at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, and 102 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Festival:
St. Francis and St. Clare in Waterloo is having their annual summer festival during the evenings of July 26, 27, and 28. The admission is free for free entertainment. There will be over 75 food and game booths. On Thursday there is a chicken B-B-Q, Friday has a fish fry, and Saturday will offer “Ala Carte Specials.”

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 22, 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle

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

Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church

5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays