“We do not want … a Church that moves with the world.
We want a Church that will move the world.” ~G. K. Chesterton
Gospel Meditation—Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ August 18, 2019
The Prince of Peace wants to set the world on fire? This Sunday’s Gospel can sound more intense than what we may be accustomed to. It’s a passage of contradictions. Jesus so clearly prays for unity, yet here he speaks of division. Why would our God who comes as an offering of love speak so frankly about causing relationships to be torn apart?
The sobering truth is that Jesus is divisive. We see this throughout the Gospels, as the Pharisees critique him, the Romans condemn him, and not everyone in the crowd is enthusiastic about his words. Jesus has not come for the purpose of dividing, but what he does is so radical that it upends the status quo. And it doesn’t end with his preaching and miracles! “There is a baptism with which I must be baptized.” Jesus isn’t talking about his baptism at the Jordan River, which has already occurred, but the passing through the waters of death on the Cross and rising again to new life in the resurrection. This is divisive stuff! Christ’s spiritual fire turned the “fathers”—the Jewish people and Pharisees—against the “sons”—the common people. Not everyone wants the Gospel Jesus is preaching. Not everyone wants to be set on fire with the desire to love others. Some prefer to put on a warm sweater and curl up in front of the TV.
In living and loving as Jesus did, we, too, might ruffle some feathers. In disciplining our teenage child for sneaking out, we may cause some division (temporarily, we hope!). In standing up to gossip and the spread of cruel rumors in our workplace, we might cause division. In emphasizing the dignity of both the desperate mother and the unborn child, we might cause division. Not everyone wants the Gospel Jesus is preaching. Not everyone wants the Gospel we are invited to live. But that’s no excuse not to live it.
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Welcome to the web page for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. This parish has three churches:
- Holy Cross in Ovid, New York;
- St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken, New York; and
- St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, New York.
The parish office is located at the Parish Center: 3660 Orchard St., Interlaken, New York.
The title Mother of Mercy is thought to have been first given to Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Odo (d.942), Abbot of Cluny. It is a fitting title of Our Lady both because she brought forth for us Jesus, the Christ, the visible manifestation of the mercy of the invisible God, and because she is the spiritual mother of the faithful, full of grace and mercy. Please join us in faith and in person at any of our three churches. Our mass schedule is listed below and additional resources are available on subsequent pages.
To join the parish community or to celebrate the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, or marriage, please phone the Parish Center (607 294–0064) or email: immmercy@dor.org to make arrangements.
A list of our Mass intentions (also below) and parish meetings and events are available on our parish calendar page. All are welcome!
Message from the Bishop:
The Diocese of Rochester has produced a new video which includes a special message from the Bishop concerning the New York State Child Victims Act and outlines diocesan efforts to create a safe environment for everyone. The web address for the video is linked here: https://www.dor.org/letter-to-the-faithful-2019/
Victims of abuse should always report abuse to the civil authorities. To report a case of possible sexual abuse and to receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, victims are encouraged to contact the victim’s assistance coordinator, Deborah A. Housel, by phone at (585) 328-3228, ext. 1555; toll-free at 1–800–388–7177, ext. 1555; or by email: victimsassistance@dor.org.
Mass Intentions at St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken for the week of August 17–August 25, 2019:
| Saturday, Aug. 17 | 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis | Bonnie Joseph Everts from Pat Cloyes |
| Sunday, Aug. 18 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Roger Mills from Russ Wedemeyer |
| 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross | Henry and Ida Bromka from the Bromka family |
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| Monday, Aug. 19 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Communion service |
| Tuesday, Aug. 20 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | For parishioners and benefactors |
| Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis | Special intention |
| Thursday, Aug. 22 | 8:30 a.m. at Holy Cross | Joseph Pacilli from Beatrice Schwoerer |
| Friday, Aug. 23 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Catherine James from Linda and Mark Scibilia-Carver |
| Saturday, Aug. 24 | 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis | Lawrence and Rosemary Lynch from Phil and Barbara Butterer |
| Sunday, Aug. 25 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Deceased members of the Murphy family from the Murphy family |
| 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross | For parishioners and benefactors |
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.
