“We do not want … a Church that moves with the world.
We want a Church that will move the world.” ~G. K. Chesterto
Gospel Meditation—Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time~November 17, 2019
Where would you go if the world was ending? What would you do? The last decade has seen a rise in doomsday prepping, the marketing of survival techniques, and a sea of products designed for you to weather the apocalypse. “The days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another that will not be thrown down,” Jesus warns in today’s Gospel. On the one hand, he is referring to the literal downfall of the city of Jerusalem. Indeed, many of his prophecies here have come true over the last few millennium. Nations have indeed “rise[n] against nation[s],” kingdoms against kingdoms. Surf any world news website today alone, and you will see stories of “powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues.” Jesus’ advice to his disciples, however, isn’t to build a bunker. It’s to persevere in faith…which won’t be easy.
“They will seize and persecute you…you will be handed over…you will be hated because of my name.” This warning, too, has come to pass in the Church throughout history in state-sponsored persecutions and martyrdoms. Jesus is the Messiah, but his first coming was not a coming of earthly victory. Any disciple of his can expect a challenge. The coming of Christ didn’t disrupt our free will. Evil still exists and sometimes even appears to triumph. This does not mean God has abandoned His people!
Jesus reminds the disciples—and us—of his constant presence. “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking.” In other Gospel passages, Jesus promises and sends the Holy Spirit upon his followers. The presence of God is real in our lives, no matter what trials come our way. It’s tempting to be distracted or dismayed by natural destruction and moral evil in the world. But the Church has weathered greater storms. The sacredness of the human person endures. We can have hope! This day and every day, we can persevere in hope and trust in God.
© 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!
I have Come to Serve:
The Diocese is inviting interested men of strong and active faith to explore a possible call to ordained ministry as a permanent deacon. A deacon is a man who can demonstrate a record of service in the communities in which they live, work, and worship, and who is called from the community that already recognizes his dedication to service. He is one who is ready to make a lifetime commitment to serving the People of God by proclaiming the Word, assisting and presiding at liturgies, and ministering in the areas of charity and social justice. A deacon gives witness to his availability to the community by addressing present and emerging needs of the Church. If you are interested, please speak with Fr. Bernard or you may contact Deacon Edward Giblin, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, at edward.giblin@dor.org. For more details see the diocese’s webpage: https://www.dor.org/vocations/deacons/
Mass Intentions at St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken for the week of November 16–November 24, 2019:
| Saturday, Nov. 16 | 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis | For the intentions of the McLaughlin family from their mother |
| Sunday, Nov. 17 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas V. Speno from Patricia Speno |
| 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross | For parishioners and benefactors | |
| Monday, Nov. 18 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Communion service |
| Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Special intention |
| Wednesday, Nov. 20 | 9:00 a.m. at St. Francis | Special intention |
| Thursday, Nov. 21 | 8:30 a.m. at Holy Cross | Special intention |
| Friday, Nov. 22 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Special intention |
| Saturday, Nov. 23 | 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis | For parishioners and benefactors |
| Sunday, Nov. 24 | 9:00 a.m. at St. James | Special intention |
| 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross | Special intention |
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.
