First reading:
“Let whoever is simple turn in here.” To the one who lacks understanding, she says, “Come, eat of my food.” (Prv. 9:4-5a)
Psalm:
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (Ps. 34)
Second reading:
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. (Eph. 5:17)
Gospel:
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” (Jn. 6:54)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
“Show me what is physically different between a host that is consecrated and one that is not.” These are words that can be heard on the lips of anyone struggling with faith. Perhaps, they are heard on yours. Physical tests will reveal no difference. The difference is seen through faith. In one sense, it is simple. Either we believe that the risen Christ is present—soul and divinity—or we do not. The fruits of faith are the proof. In the Eucharist, God enters into the very depths of who we are. However, it is our choice whether we ignore what He does or act fully upon it. The Eucharist can change us. When people see that we are different, they in turn will themselves believe.
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
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 21). 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 20). The food pantry in Trumansburg will not be open on Labor Day.
- Bernard is Available: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, and no appointment is needed.
- Pro-life Novena: from August 3 to September 28
- The French Boys Choir Concert: at Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca on August 20, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
- Benefit for Notre Dame HS Bus: chicken barbeque dinner on August 22 from 5:30 p.m. or until the chicken is gone at St. Catherine of Siena’s Mahler Hall
- Preventing Suicides: “Talk Saves Lives” on August 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Seneca Community Church in Romulus.
- Meetings for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: August 23 at 7:00 p.m. or September 15 at 11:00 a.m. Both are being held at St. Francis church.
- Coffee Hour at St. James: September 2 after Mass
- Breakfast by the Rochester chapter of Magnificat: at the Diplomat on 1 Diplomat Way in Rochester on September 8 from at 8:30 a.m. until noon.
- Come and See Discernment Weekends: September 7–9 at the CYFM Retreat Center located in Garrison, N.Y., and November 16–18 at San Lorenzo Friary in Boston.
- Parish Picnic:September 9 at the St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken
Baptisms:
Benjamin and Nico Aguilera were baptized in St. Francis Solanus church on August 4. Officiating was Rev. Jesus Flores-Rivera.
Parish Picnic:
Sunday, September 9, is the parish picnic marking the celebration of our parish patronal feast: Mary, Mother of Mercy. The celebration will be held on the grounds of St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken. Parishioners are asked to please mark their calendars and plan to be present.
Prayer Request Book:
A prayer intention book is now 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. For privacy issues people are encouraged not to record other people’s last names. If the prayer request is for yourself then you can make the judgment as to whether or not to list your full name. Please try to keep the reasons for a prayer requests as general as possible. Our parishioners will keep these intentions in their prayers and also when we gather as a parish family.
Coffee Hours at St. James:
In order to share the good work of the Knights of Columbus and recruit new members, the local Knights Council is sponsoring coffee hours at St. James on the first Sunday of September, October, and November. The coffee hour will be held in the Pine Room after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. For more information or to contribute baked goods, please email Grand Knight Mike Barry at [email protected].
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. If you would like to enroll in Online Giving, please visit our website at https://marymotherofmercy.weshareonline.org/ and click on “Giving.” Follow the instructions you will see on that page. 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]
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
There will be a meeting for all parish Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to review the procedures for the distribution of Holy Communion. As happens, over a period of time, not everyone is following the same procedures that are expected to be the same for each church in the parish. Eucharistic ministers are encouraged to plan and attend one of the following gatherings: this Thursday, August 23, at 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. Both gatherings will take place at the parish center, St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken.
July Average Mass Attendance:
During the month of July, 2018, the number of parishioners at the 5:00 p.m. Mass averaged 69; at the 9:00 a.m. Mass there were on average 137 parishioners in attendance; there were 123 on average attending the 10:30 a.m. Mass. A reminder: “Catholics invite Catholics to come to Mass on the Lord’s Day in the Lord’s house.” Invite and bring them with you.
Bishops’ Call for a Pro-Life Novena:
The U.S. bishops are asking all people of good will to join with them each Friday in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life, from August 3 to September 28. To participate in the Novena and call to prayer sign up at www.usccb.org/pray. By any measure, the Roe decision has been a heartbreaking failure, taken millions of innocent lives and demonstrably divided the country for decades. The bishops urge all to join in the Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life at this critical time. Additional Novena prayer and education materials are accessible online.
Notre Dame High School Announces Busing Option:
Considering a Catholic education for your student? Notre Dame High School in Elmira is pleased to offer a busing option to students in grades pre-k through grade 6 and high school students in grades 7–12, making a Catholic education a viable option for students residing in Ithaca and the surrounding areas. The Ithaca bus will transport students from the Plain Street entrance of the former Immaculate Conception School (between Buffalo and Court Street) to St. Mary Our Mother Elementary School (pre-k through grade 6) and to Notre Dame High School (grades 7–12). For more information regarding St. Mary Our Mother School contact Jean Yorio at 607-739-9157. For information regarding Notre Dame High School contact Michelle Barkley 607-734-2267 x321.
Benefit for Notre Dame Bus:
Fr. Joe, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church and former professional chef, will be cooking a wonderful chicken barbecue dinner on Wednesday, August 22, from 5:30 p.m. or until the chicken is gone at St. Catherine of Siena’s Mahler Hall, (309 Siena Drive, Ithaca). The event is for the support of the Notre Dame High School’s (Grades 7–12) Ithaca bus, which is now also transporting students to St. Mary Our Mother School (pre-k through sixth grade). Donations will be gratefully accepted at the door. There will also be a fun raffle with awesome prizes!
Magnificat of Rochester:
The Rochester chapter of Magnificat invites all women to a breakfast on Saturday, September 8. Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at noon. The breakfast will take place at the Diplomat on 1 Diplomat Way off of Lyell Ave. Confessions will be heard at 8 a.m. and also at the end of the program. Reservations are initially $20.00, but after September 1 will be $22.00, and students are $12.00. Registration is required. To register, mail check to: Magnificat Rochester, PO Box 24787, Rochester NY, 14624. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and email address. You can also register via PayPal on our website at www.MagnificatRochester.org. For more information: call Kathy Murty at 585-436-1284, or send an email to: [email protected]. Magnificat provides ministry to Catholic women and is approved by the Diocese of Rochester.
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.
Discernment Weekends:
The Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary invite men to two “Come and See Discernment Weekends.” The first will be held on September 7–9 at the CYFM Retreat Center located in Garrison, N.Y., and a second will be held November 16–18 at San Lorenzo Friary in Boston. For further information go to www.capuchin.org/vocations, phone 603 836 4063, or email: [email protected].
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
August 19, 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Donna Ryan and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short
August 26, 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle
Ministry schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m.
August 18, 2018 (Third Weekend): (Begin new schedule)
Lectors: Scott Hamula, Ann Buddle
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore
August 25, 2018 (Fourth Weekend):
Lectors: Gerry and Millie Messmer
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Patti Perry, Cathy DelSignore, Marie Roloson
NOTES:
- Saturday Mass depends on the Sunday calendar date. If Sunday is the first day of the month then the Saturday Vigil Mass will be considered a “First weekend.”
- Everyone is asked to find a substitute if they cannot serve at an assigned Mass
- First named EM on the schedule distributes the host and also sets up for Communion and cleans up.
- The second and third EM on the schedule distributes the precious blood.
8/11/18~KER