First Reading:
I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. (Is. 50:6)
Psalm:
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Ps. 22)
Second Reading:
He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him. (Phil. 2:8-9)
Gospel:
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. (Lk. 23:46)
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD. The English translation of Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Hailed one moment and rejected the next. This seems to be the pattern that repeats itself not only throughout history but in our own lives as well. Jesus wants to be triumphantly welcomed into our hearts with joy! And welcome him we do! Then come the times when we do exactly the opposite and we reject the teachings of the Gospel and turn our backs on God’s friendship. The one who at one time is a friend now becomes an enemy. Jesus understands our ambivalence. He lived it on the way to the cross. Understanding the full array of human emotion, God accepts us where we are. There is a great deal of drama on the road to Calvary. Our lives can be dramatic as well. In all of those whirlwind moments it can be difficult to find God’s presence and understand his will. We walk with Jesus this week seeking inspiration and hope, the essential keys needed to unlock the door to God’s presence in our lives.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: April 12, 4:00 p.m., South Seneca High School parking lot
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (April 18) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., and Thursdays 4:00–6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Fr. Bernard is available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Religious education: April 10, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions): 7:00-8:00 p.m.
- April 11, St. James the Apostle
- April 12, Holy Cross
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: 2:00 p.m.
- James the Apostle: April 20
- Holy Cross: April 13 & 27
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: April 20; 3:15 p.m.; St. James the Apostle
Easter Triduum Liturgical Services Schedule:
- April 14, Thursday of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), 7:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church
- April 15
- Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday), 3:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church
- Stations of the Cross, 7:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church
- April 16, The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night (Holy Saturday), 8:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church (no 4:00 p.m. Mass)
Easter Sunday Masses, April 17:
- 9:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle Church
- 10:30 a.m., Holy Cross Church
Washing of the Feet Ritual:
This ritual takes place during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church. We need 12 adult parishioners to volunteer to participate in this rite. There are sign-up sheets in the foyers of the Church.
Good Friday – Fast and Abstinence Day:
On Good Friday, Catholics 14 years of age and older abstain from eating meat. Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 fast, that is, they have one full meal, other meals not to equal the full meal.
Good Friday – Holy Land Collection:
This collection helps the Church in the Holy Land not only to support the sacred shrines but also to support parishes in the holy land as they provide faith formation programs and humanitarian aid in a place where there is unrest and instability especially hard on Christians. For more information visit: www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions):
Besides the regularly scheduled time for Confession (Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., at St. Francis Solanus Church), the Sacrament may be celebrated at 7–8 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at St. James the Apostle Church and Tuesday, April 12, at Holy Cross Church. These are wonderful opportunities to be shriven of one’s sins and the guilt attached to them and to be reconciled to God and his church. It is the Sacrament of Peace.
Parish Easter Offering:
There is one collection on Easter. In previous years parishioners generally increase their offering by being more generous on that day than usual. The parish as come to rely on the Easter offering collection. Please do what you are able. “Thank you.”
Easter Egg Hunt:
After the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Easter Sunday there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. All children are welcome.
Sacrament of Confirmation:
On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, three parishioners, Lucas Grove, Grace Olney, and Michael Torres, were confirmed by Bishop Salvatore Matano at the Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist completes one’s initiation into the Kingdom of God. Confirmation celebrates one’s faith and trust in Jesus and the commitment to imitate him in thought and deed. The parish rejoices in our newly fully initiated Christians.
Seder Meal:
The First Baptist Church, 4443 E. Seneca Road, Trumansburg, invites everyone to a “Seder Meal” on Monday April 11, at 6:00 p.m. The theme: “Christ in the Passover”. RSVP by calling 607–387–7705.
Easter Duty:
All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. The precept must be fulfilled during the Easter Season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time during the year. In reference to this law, the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year June 12) Canon #920
April—Child Abuse Prevention Month:
It is reported that over six million children are abused annually and 1,600 die annually because of abuse. These numbers do not include missing or exploited children through trafficking. Please join in creating an environment of awareness in our society. Sunday, April 24 is the National Blue Sunday Day of Prayer. Resources, including videos and fact sheets, are available online at www.bluesunday.org.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter:
This weekend is planned for April 22-24 at the Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua, NY. Register online at wwme.org. The WWME weekend teaches communication techniques. It is based on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and expresses the importance of love in the union and encourages this love be taken into the world in ministries to serve God.
Camp Stella Maris:
Each year, Camp Stella Maris sends hundreds of kids to camp through the Charles M. Bayer Campership Program. Campership awards are extended to families who may not have the opportunity to send their children to camp. Camp Stella Maris awards more than $150,000 to campers-in-need annually. For more information phone 585–346–2243.
Summer Academies & Girls Basketball Camp:
Notre Dame High School is accepting registrations. Visit: notredamehighschool.com/summer-camps-and-academies. All registrations will be taken online. Email: Michelle Barklet at [email protected] with questions. All academies and camps are held at Notre Dame High School, Elmira, NY.
Online Giving:
The WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for parishioners to give to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), Easter Flowers, Easter collection and the Rice Bowl.
Couples Celebrating their Marriage Anniversary:
Anniversary couples are invited to a Mass of Recognition of the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Mass will be Sunday, May 8, at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, (296 Flower City Park, Rochester). All married couples and their guests are welcome to attend and renew their vows with Bishop Salvatore R. Matano. Those celebrating milestone jubilees will be given special recognition. To register your attendance, go to: https://conta.cc/31DXmKu or email [email protected]. Additionally, the June issue of the Catholic Courier will feature a Wedding Jubilee section. If you would like your name and anniversary (25, 50, and above) to be included, please send an email or a letter with the following information: Names, Church, Town where you were married, wedding date/year, and a wedding photo (optional). Email: [email protected] or mail Wedding Anniversaries, Catholic Courier PO Box 24279 Rochester, NY 14624-0379. Submissions are due by April 30.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
You are invited to gather for a time of prayer for healing and harmony. These gatherings begin at 2:00 p.m. The next dates are April 20 at St. James and April 27 at Holy Cross. Questions? Call or email Sister Anne at 607–209–4206 or [email protected].
Spiritual Book Reading and Discussion:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ is facilitating a discussion of the book Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr & John Feister on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St. James at 3:15 p.m. The next dates are April 20. This event will run through June.
40 Days For Life:
Visit 40daysforlife.com/Ithaca to select a time to pray at the vigil site across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca. Join others in this peaceful time of prayer, fasting, and witness to life. Now through Palm Sunday.
Donating to Your Parish:
Online giving by WeShare is safe, simple and convenient. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- Visit the parish website’s giving page: https://marymotherofmercy.com/giving.
- Follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section.
- Set up your donation or payment.
That’s it! Your account will be created and you can put away your checkbook. If you experience any problems, please email Eileen at [email protected].
Family Hope Center:
The Family Hope Center has two locations: one in Geneva and a satellite location in Ovid in the Holy Cross Church Rectory. Family Hope Center fights for life by valuing life above all else. It means offering support through free pregnancy tests, a limited ultrasound referral, parenting and life skills classes, bible studies, material aid such as diapers and clothing, and through our forgiven and set free post abortion study. It means looking at our clients and saying, “I see your life; I value your life. I see and value your children’s lives. You are important and loved.” Women come to the Family Hope Center to be valued. To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, or email [email protected].
Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and for world peace, especially in Ukraine.
Prayers for Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2022. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sr. Anne Marie, in your thoughts and prayers.
Mass Intention Requests:
Parishioners requesting a Mass intention for a particular date and time can do so by completing the “Mass Intentions Request Form” located in the foyers of the churches. Mass intentions may also be requested by phoning the parish office.
Sanctuary Lamp:
In Catholic Churches, a candle is always lit to indicate that the Blessed Sacrament is present in the church. This candle is called the “sanctuary lamp.” Every week the candle or oil is renewed. In many churches, people donate to the church for the sanctuary lamp be lit for the week for the intention of the donor. This has been the custom at Holy Cross Church, Ovid and is now extended to St. James the Apostle and St. Francis Solanus Churches. In making the donation simply put on the envelope, “donation for the sanctuary lamp” and specify the week and, if so desired, your intention.
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
The Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes is located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva with an office in Ovid at 7231 Main St. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself.” For more information phone 315 789 0708, text: 315-945-1019, or e-mail [email protected].
Cancer Services Program (CSP):
Cortland and Tompkins Counties offer free cancer screenings to those who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings. The screening services are provided in local health centers, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. For more information, contact CSP at 866 442 2262.
Prayer Intentions:
Please feel free to add your prayer requests in the books available for that purpose in each church. The prayer requests of fellow parishioners are listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). You may also add a request by emailing the parish at [email protected] or phoning the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
Let Us Pray:
Please remember in your prayers those members of our parish who are in the hospital, sick at home, in a nursing home, or who have requested our prayers (see the list on the parish’s PRAYERS page). We also ask you to pray for those who have died. May the Lord bring comfort to their family and friends during this difficult time.
