First Reading:
“To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43)
Psalm:
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (Ps. 118)
Or
Alleluia.
Second Reading:
Think of what is above, not what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:2-3)
Gospel:
Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. (Jn. 20:8)
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.
©LPi
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Alleluia! Christ is risen! About today’s feast, St. Augustine writes: “And he departed from our sight that we might return to our hearts and find him there. For he left us, and behold, he is here.” Christ’s resurrected presence lives not only in the highest heaven but in the fragile human heart. Christ’s life inspires us and moves us to see a future for every human being and discover our true purpose and meaning. Every human being has a desire to live, and this cry can be heard within. There is a longing for a connection with Someone greater than ourselves that gives an import to our existence that we cannot supply. Today, our deepest questions find answers.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: Every other Tuesday (April 13), 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 12) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- AA Meetings:
- Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- Thursdays, Noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
- Divine Mercy Service: April 11, 3:00 p.m., Immaculate Conception, Ithaca
- First Holy Communion 2021 Meeting: April 18,10:00 a.m., St. James
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Our given Appeal parish goal is $29,979. As of March 18, one hundred and ten parish households have pledged $28,501 which represents 95.07% of goal. We need $1,478 to reach our goal. Participation in the Appeal is primary, what is pledged is secondary. Please do what you are able. To make your gift please use the CMA pledge envelopes located in the foyers of the church or go online to www.dor.org/cma. Thank you for considering this request.
Happy Easter:
Jesus, the Christ, has indeed risen, alleluia! Glory be His forever. Enjoy this holy season of the year rejoicing in Jesus’ victory over death and the fact that He shares that victory with us. Heaven is promised to us. May this promise always be a source of hope and strength in times of trouble. Rejoice and be glad.
Easter Duty:
“All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the 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.” (Church law #920) In reference to this precept the Easter season is considered the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year May 30).
Easter Offering:
As in the past, parishioners on Easter have increased their offering, being more generous on that day than usual. The parish has come to rely on the extraordinary offering on Easter. Please do what you are able. “Thank you.”
The Sacrament of Confirmation:
Four of our parishioners will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation this Saturday, April 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano will be officiating. Those being confirmed are: Adam Arco, Allyson Marion, Annabelle Tingue, and Leah Wiggins. We rejoice in their being fully initiated into the Church. Like all followers of Jesus, we pray they will continue do their part in promoting the teachings of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
Second Sunday of Easter:
Next Sunday, April 11, is the Second Sunday of Easter also known as the Sunday of Divine Mercy. This day is a reminder to always celebrate that God’s love conquers all adversity.
Divine Mercy Service:
On Sunday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 113 N. Geneva Street, Ithaca, Deacon George Kozak will be leading a Divine Mercy Service with recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Rosary and Adoration and Benediction. All are welcome.
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.
Year of St. Joseph:
Pope Francis initiated the Year of St. Joseph in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Catholic Church. This year is dedicated to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.
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].
The Bishop’s Reminder:
Due to the prevalence of the Coronavirus, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice. Those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 and those concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass. Those who feel in any way sick should not enter any parish building or church.
Churches Will Be Closed on Weekdays:
Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, our parish churches of Holy Cross, Ovid and St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg will be open only for the weekend Masses. St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken, the Church and Parish Office, will remain open.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program:
This program is designed to provide up to three months of rent relief to eligible households who have experienced a loss of income related to the public health crisis. To learn more or apply, visit ithacanhs.org/rentalassistance or phone 607–277–4500. Assistance is available to renters in four counties including Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.
~Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. ~
Prayer Intentions:
Since we presently cannot have the prayer request books in our churches, do know that the prayer requests of fellow parishioners are still being listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). If you would like to add a request, please email the parish at [email protected] or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
Prayers from the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. They have informed our parish that Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2021. Let us keep in our prayers the two sisters praying for us and for all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
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.
