“We do not want a Church that moves with the world.
We want a Church that will move the world.” ~G. K. Chesterton
A Letter from Our Pastor:
April 26, 2024
Dear Parish households,
When we gather this weekend for Mass, we will hear Jesus ask his disciples to “remain” in him, that is, to “stay” with him. Jesus says that to “remain” “stay” in him requires they adhere to what he has spoken. If they do that:
- They will create an abundant good for themselves and others.
- The Father will be glorified.
- They will be his disciples.
This weekend’s Mass, Jesus in the gospel (John 15:1-8) asks us to remain (stay) with him. To do that requires having in mind what he has spoken, to rejoice in its truth and beauty and live by it. Doing that, Jesus promises he will remain (stay) with us, that is, realize he is our companion as we travel the pilgrimage of life.
During the celebration of the Easter Season, the Church’s liturgy uses many acclamations and responses expressing the joy of Jesus victory over sin and death. Here are two more to be added to last week’s acclamations. They are good for meditation and prayer.
Christ Jesus you have risen from the dead, alleluia.
R/ Let the heavens and the earth rejoice, alleluia.
God has given us a new birth into a living hope, alleluia
R/ By raising Jesus from the dead, alleluia.
A reminder, Catholics are to make it a priority to participate in Mass every weekend. It is a long standing, ancient law binding Catholics as a way to keep the third commandment of God, “Keep holy the Lord’s Day.”
The study, “Jesus, and the Eucharist” has three remaining sessions. I hope that every parishioner has attended several or at least one session. Each session is different. One can jump in at any time. The following are the days and times offered. Please take advantage of these opportunities. Bring someone with you – study and socialize. Try it. I expect it of all able parishioners.
Sundays 10:00 a.m. St. James the Apostle
2:00 p.m. by Zoom
Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. Holy Cross
Thursdays 9:15 a.m. St. Francis Solanus
1:00 p.m. St. James the Apostle
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. St. Francis Solanus
With love for you all,
Fr. Bernard, OFM Cap.
P.S.
- Click here for the Zoom link for Session 4, this Sunday, April 28.
- I am available every Friday from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at the Parish Center. No appointment is required.
- The bulletin for this Sunday, April 21, is available on the bulletin page or by viewing it from this link: Bulletin for April 28 2024.
Gospel Meditation—Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture
Fifth Sunday of Easter ~ April 28, 2024
My friend and fellow pastor, Father Paul, noticed unsightly, overgrown trees near his parish church. He asked the maintenance crew to cut back the growth, which they happily did, telling him the trees would be much healthier and even fuller after a good pruning. A few days later, Father Paul received a letter from an irate man in the neighborhood who wrote, “Jesus would never prune trees like that. He loves trees, unlike you.”
I suspect that the neighbor was not familiar with this week’s Gospel in which Jesus says of his Father, “He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit” (John 15:2) I don’t mean to pick too much on that fellow. He was perhaps ignorant of arboriculture. But I’d wager his main confusion was the pruning and removing quality of God’s love. That confusion afflicts us all to some degree, doesn’t it? It is just so darn easy to react negatively when God cuts something out of our lives and assume it’s not his work at all. In the moment, all we see is the loss, and not the loving desire for future flourishing.
The cross is the great pruning of Christ’s body. Jesus’ rising is the brand-new growth. It is God’s promise to us that all the painful pruning in life is leading us somewhere beautiful. What has been cut back or out in your life? A friend, an opportunity, a sense of certainty, a job, health, a relationship? This week, offer those dry branches to the one who lovingly prunes us in order to make our lives burst with verdant growth.
~ Father John Muir
©LPi
Mass Class: “He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” (from the Nicene Creed)
Near the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, we recite either the Nicene Creed or in some settings, the Apostles Creed. The creed is a statement of our beliefs as Catholic Christians. During both prayers, we remember that Jesus ascended into heaven. We are nearing the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord, which is a holy day of obligation in our diocese and will take place on Thursday, May 8.
Pray: The Nicene Creed (or the Apostles Creed) are often difficult to memorize because of their length. Below are links to the words to both, so that you can practice saying them with your children. It is important to know the prayers so that we can be fully present and active in our participation at Mass.
Our Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is similar.
Share Your Faith: The Family Zone provides a link for the readings that you will hear at the Sunday Mass for the coming two weeks. This will give you a chance to prepare your heart and mind for full and active participation in Mass this weekend. Picture Jesus sitting next to you as you review the readings. What would you say to him about what you read?
Family Faith Conversation: During the Gospel of John proclaimed on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we will hear the words: “This I command you: Love one another.” (John 15:17). This command does not say: love only the people you care about, or only your family, or even only people that are good; it simply says “LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”
How does your family love others? What are ways you show love for your extended family, your friends, your neighbors and strangers? What do you do when it is hard to love someone like the kid who picks on you at school or the grumpy neighbor? Are there good strategies to help you show love even when you may not like someone? How can you be better at loving others?
Connect to Our Church Calendar: April 29 is the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church. Catherine was born in Siena, Italy in 1347. She was the 25th child her parents had! Catherine was said to have many visions of Christ, Mary, the angels and the saints. Catherine joined the Dominican order and helped the poor and sick. She gained quite a following as a reformer and activist who fought for Church unity, and this reputation gave her an opportunity to correspond with many influential leaders including Pope Gregory XI, as well as kings and queens, who sought her advice. Catherine died at the age of 33 and her writings and life’s work were so valued that she was given the title of Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. One of Catherine’s famous quotes is: “Be who God meant you to be, and you set the world on fire.” Through Catherine’s intercession, we can strive to discover our own God-given purpose! St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
Serve Others: Write letters of encouragement like St. Catherine did. St. Catherine of Siena was well known for her letter writing to important people. Who are the important people in your family’s life that could use a letter of encouragement? Compose a letter for a family member, friend, or neighbor who you would like to encourage and affirm or invite your kids to write letters of affirmation to teachers, principals, catechists, or priests!
Build Traditions by Embracing the Sabbath: Due to our busy lives, we might spend Sundays racing through errands, attending sporting events for our kids, meal prepping, or even going to work to catch up on things; it is often ANYTHING but a day of rest. Embracing sabbath practices and committing to that time with and for your family and God can do wonders for your well-being!
Begin your day with Mass (or end your day with Mass if your parish offers a Sunday evening liturgy). Take the time to prioritize worship, prayer and gratitude with your children; we are obligated to attend Mass, but Mass is so much more than just an obligation! It’s time for our family to praise the God that loves and created us, to see ourselves as part of something greater, and to reaffirm our purpose. After Mass, enjoy leisure activities such as going for a hike, taking a Sunday drive, visiting, doing an art activity or a playing a family game! Engage in Sunday dinner with extended family or friends and then end your day with reading aloud or watching a show together. It sounds idyllic, right? It is not impossible. Our families benefit by setting these priorities. It is better for our relationships, our health, our kids, and our souls! Build up to this practice slowly, if you need to, by embracing sabbath, fully, at least a few times a month. Soon, you are likely to realize that this is your favorite day with your family and it will become a habit; all good things in life take practice and patience!
The Family Zone is a newsletter for families to bring the faith alive at home and is brought to you by the Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. It is an online newsletter designed to help you prepare for full and active participation in the liturgy as well as formation within your families. It is an interactive newsletter that “takes parents directly to online sites they can use, themselves, to be the primary instructors of their children’s faith.” To stay up to date with opportunities around the diocese, sign up for the Family Zone newsletter on their web page.
“Christ is Always with Us”
The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year movement to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” (Mission Statement for the National Eucharistic Revival, The Secretariat of Evangelization & Catechesis USCCB)
The National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024
Here is a link to the schedule for our parish’s discussions for the Jesus and the Eucharist Study sponsored by the National Eucharistic Revival organizers.
Go here to find out more about what our diocese is doing to participate in this important movement.
Will you join us?
“It is in knowing and in loving the Jesus of the Eucharist that you will have the means to understand life, to find security, to be a people with roots. It is Christ who sustains and supports us in the many trials, struggles, challenges, transitions and happenings of our human existence,” wrote our Bishop wrote in his pastoral letter on the Eucharist. “Join us in sharing the light of Christ!”
Those who cannot attend Mass in person are encouraged to check out the diocese’s list of Masses that are available online. Additionally, the diocese provides a variety of virtual events for “prayer, worship, and faith sharing.”
We look forward to seeing you Mass at any of our three churches: Holy Cross in Ovid, NY; St. Francis in Interlaken, NY; and St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, NY!
Mass Intentions at St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken for the week of April 27–May 5, 2024:
| Saturday, April 27 | St. Francis, 8:00 p.m. |
Robert Pritchard from his parents, Bill and Caroline Pritchard |
| Sunday, April 28 | St. James, 9:00 a.m. |
Maria Giuseppina Swenson from Gerry Todi and family |
| Holy Cross, 10:30 a.m. | Kaili M. Collins and Tom Margeit from Dan and Eileen Collins |
|
| Monday, April 29 | St. James, 9:00 a.m. | Communion service |
| Tuesday, April 30 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Wednesday, May 1 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Thursday, May 2 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Friday, May 3 |
St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Saturday, May 4 | St. Francis, 4:00 p.m. |
Connie Mott from Jane and Walter Depew |
| Sunday, May 5 |
St. James, 9:00 a.m. | Theresa and Frank Sardone from Mary and Santo Camobreco |
| Holy Cross, 10:30 a.m. | Parishioners and benefactors |
Mass intentions: Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass on a particular day and time and place may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. All of the Mass intentions presently scheduled can be seen on the parish calendar.
Sanctuary Lamp Intention:
A donation may be made to the parish for a sanctuary lamp to be lit for your intention in any one of our three churches. Contact the parish office to make your request known.
Prayer to Mary, Mother of Mercy
Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay you with praise and thanks for having rescued a fallen world by your generous consent! Receive our gratitude, and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins. Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God. May all who venerate you feel now your help and protection. Be ready to help us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God, for you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns forever.
Amen.
~Saint Augustine of Hippo
