The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy
In October of 2015 the Bishop of Rochester came to the conclusion that “one faith community better serves our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ” in the area between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in New York State. Bishop Matano explained his reasoning for merging the parishes of St. James the Apostle in Trumansburg, St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken, and Holy Cross in Ovid in a letter dated October 1, 2015. A planning committee was formed with members representing each of the three parishes.
In February 2016 Bishop Mattano affirmed his support of a Mass schedule that includes at least one weekend Masses at each of the three churches. He conveyed his gratitude to Fr. Bernard and the planning team for all the work being done to create a unified faith community and ensure a vibrant Catholic presence between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. In June, 2016, Bishop Matano choose Mary, Mother of Mercy, as the name for the new parish from the ones suggested by parishioners. In the letter announcing the name of this new parish Bishop Matano stated: “This title seems to embrace all the themes and virtues contained in the other proposed titles and the exiting titles of the Churches.”
Beginning July 1, 2016, the three churches, who maintain their individual building names, were united under the one parish name of Mary, Mother of Mercy. The corporate merge of the three parishes took effect in January of 2017 and a shared finance council soon began meeting. A new parish office was created in the annex to St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken as that is a central location for the parishioners. A unified faith community and a vibrant Catholic presence continues to thrive between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.