“We do not want … a Church that moves with the world.
We want a Church that will move the world.” ~G. K. Chesterton
A Message from Our Pastor:
Fr. Bernard will be away during the month of February, returning on March 3. His weekly communications to parishioners will resume the first week of March. The Sunday bulletins will continue to be shared weekly by post or email and the latest bulletin is linked below.
- In some way, please attempt to share these communiques with other family members. This weekend’s bulletin is available here.
- Each weekend the Parish Sunday Mass is video taped and can be viewed through this link on Sunday or anytime during the week.
Click HERE for Sunday Mass
The Mass for the Second Sunday in Lent is available for viewing through this link.
Gospel Meditation—Encourage Deeper Understanding of Scripture
February 28, 2021 ~ Second Sunday of Lent
A pregnant woman was walking in the store and met an old friend. Her friend exclaimed, “You are absolutely beaming!” The new life God placed in her womb radiated throughout her body. It was brightly visible on her face and in her eyes. Transformation and change usually happen from the inside out. It is very rare that simply imposing structure from the outside does any good. Yes, it is true that routines and habits can change when things are done differently. But, for this change to last there has to be an interior renewal and metamorphosis as well. Simply regulating behavior and bringing someone into conformity with accepted protocols doesn’t mean their heart and soul come with them.
Peter was a homeless man who lived in a very remote and rudimentary tent community. He was happy to make his daily trip to McDonald’s and always welcomed a gift card or two so that he could buy some coffee and something to eat. A generous advocate worked to secure him an apartment in hopes of moving Peter out of his makeshift housing and into something safer. Peter finally got the grand tour of his new “digs,” received his own key, remarked how wonderful the place was, closed the door behind him when they left and never returned. He preferred his tent. No matter how much things changed on the outside, Peter was happy where he was. A poignant lesson was learned that day.
How is your Lent going? By now you ought to have a sense of whether you’re really “into it” this year and something transformational is happening. For many, it’s only the stuff on the outside that changes for a few weeks and then they return to business as usual. For others, there are some real inner changes happening that are deepening their relationships with God, others, self, and creation. If we are serious about moving to a new place and radiating with the presence of new life and joy, then we have to clear the way to listen for God’s call. Then, there is God’s request to change things up a bit and order our lives differently. After realizing we have been called and given a mission, we have to trust that this is where we need to be. And then, after all of this hard work we are asked to act. The fruit that is revealed will indicate whether our journey is authentic. The brilliance of conversion will begin to shine on our faces as we contemplate the One to whom we are asked to listen.
©LPi
For Families
The Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, continues to discover and develop new ways to reach out to families in these unprecedented times. The latest issue of their weekly newsletter, Family Zone, is now available.
“It is good that we are here!” The Transfiguration sees Jesus standing alongside Moses and Elijah—two great figures in the story of the Jewish people. In the same way, Jesus stands alongside the different moments of our own stories. Any of your family stories—whether religious or not—have Jesus in the midst. In a very special way, Jesus remains a central figure in our Catholic story—fully present at each celebration of the Eucharist and always interceding on our behalf to the Father. This week’s issue of The Family Zone helps you to explore the Mass and to reconnect with the communal aspect of the Mass if you have been worshiping at home; wherever you are…Jesus is present!
This issue also continues a year long exploration of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. Pope Francis has proclaimed 2021 a year of St. Joseph, in honor of the the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Let’s learn more, together, about this wonderful model of faith in our Catholic story. Each week you will see a section devoted completely to learning more about St. Joseph and our questions will invite you to wonder through the eyes of this saint as we travel throughout our year.
The school-year format of the Family Zone will allow you to choose quick, simple, 5-20 minute family activities that will help you reinforce the messages found in the weekly Mass readings. The Family Zone is an interactive newsletter that “takes parents directly to online sites they can use, themselves, to be the primary formators 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.
Our Church’s Responses to COVID-19
In response to information provided by the diocese, along with guidelines provided by local and state government and health officials concerning COVID-19, daily Masses have resumed in St. Francis church, Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. Weekend Masses have also resumed, with an added 4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass at St. James the Apostle church. All Masses have limited occupancy, based on civil and church guidelines. For those who cannot attend in person, the parish Mass is taped and linked above.
The diocese provides a variety of virtual events for “prayer, worship, and faith sharing.” For updated and additional information, including information on the vaccines, please visit the diocese’s web page related to the Covid-19 response.
From the Bishop’s 2020 Christmas message: “Indeed, this past year has been quite challenging and difficult as we continue to deal with the pandemic crisis and other serious concerns. How much we all need the joy of Christmas!”
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 prayer at any of our three churches which are open each day for private devotions.
To join the parish community or to celebrate the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, or marriage, please phone the parish office (607 294–0064) or email: immmercy@dor.org to make arrangements.
Father is available for confessions at St. Francis church in Interlaken every Friday from 6:30–7:30 p.m. (social distancing will be respected), except for the Fridays in February (it will resume on March 5). You may also phone the parish office (607 294–0064) to make an appointment to receive the sacrament of reconciliation with a priest.
Joining Fr. Bernard Maloney in residence at St. Fidelis Friary in Interlaken and part of our faith community:
- Rev. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap., chaplain at Cayuga Correctional Facility, Moravia, N.Y.;
- Rev. Roland Daigle, OFM Cap.; and
- Br. Antonine Lizama, OFM Cap.
Mass Intentions at St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, Holy Cross in Ovid, and St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken for the week of February 27–March 7, 2021:
| Saturday, February 27 | St. James, 4:00 p.m. Limited assembly (54) |
Intentions of Jim Doolittle from Scott and Robin Hamula |
| St. Francis, 5:00 p.m. Limited assembly (35) |
Special intention | |
| Sunday, February 28 | St. James, 9:00 a.m. Limited assembly (54) |
Parishioners and benefactors |
| Holy Cross, 10:30 a.m. Limited assembly (80) |
Micheline Wood from David Wood | |
| Monday, March 1 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Tuesday, March 2 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Wednesday, March 3 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Caroline Valaro from Frank and Kim Mason |
| Thursday, March 4 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Friday, March 5 | St. Francis, 8:30 a.m. | Special intention |
| Saturday, March 6 | St. James, 4:00 p.m. Limited assembly (54) |
Special intention |
| St. Francis, 5:00 p.m. Limited assembly (35) |
Special intention | |
| Sunday, March 7 | St. James, 9:00 a.m. Limited assembly (54) |
Parishioners and benefactors |
| Holy Cross, 10:30 a.m. Limited assembly (80) |
Special intention |
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass on a particular day and time and place may phone the parish office (607-294-0064) expressing their request. You may also print out the Mass Intentions Request form, fill it out, and mail it to the parish office. All of the Mass intentions presently scheduled can be seen on the parish calendar.
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.
