August 13, 2017 ~ Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year of the Eucharist June 18, 2017 – June 3, 2018

First Reading:
After the earthquake there was fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. (1 Kgs. 19:12-13a)

Psalm:
Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. (Ps. 85)

Second Reading:
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. (Rom. 9:3)

Gospel:
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Mt. 14:28-30)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and began to walk toward him. He became frightened at how strong the wind was and began to sink. He took his focus off of Jesus and allowed his fears to get the best of him. Fear often gets the best of us and cripples us. We sink. Many of our actions and thoughts are motivated by fear. Think of how many opportunities you have missed because of fear. Jesus tells us to trust and to meet each day with faith and confidence. God is with us. We have nothing to fear.

Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” ~St. Maximilian Kolbe

Holy Day Readings, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, 2017:

First Reading:
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev. 12:1)

Psalm:
The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold. (Ps. 45)

Second Reading:
Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. (1 Cor. 15:20-21)

Gospel:
“From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.” (Lk. 1:48b-49)

Live the Liturgy ~ Inspiration for the Week: 
Mary’s love for Jesus was surpassed by none other. She had a special love for her Son, who is God, that made a claim on her entire being, body and soul. It is no wonder then, that upon her death Mary was taken body and soul into heaven so that she in her totality could dwell forever with her Son. Our celebration gives us the opportunity to ponder what heaven may be like and help us to long, even more fervently, for the fulfillment and joy that only God can eternally provide.

© Liturgical Publications Inc.

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Church, on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: Ovid Federated Church on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (August 22 and September 5). The food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed Church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist Church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (August 14 and August 28).
• Summer Program at Branches Lakeside Retreat: “Most Holy Rosary” facilitated by Donna Wieand on August 15
• Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: this holy day of obligation is Tuesday, August 15
• Music Ministers Meeting: Thursday, August 24, 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus.
• Parish Choir: Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, August 29, at Holy Cross Church, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
• A Retreat on “Eucharistic Living:” presented by Deacon Dan Callan (St. Charles Borromeo Parish) on September 5 at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua
• Sacrament of Reconciliation change: beginning September 8 confessions will be heard at the Parish Center (St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken) from 6:30–7:00 p.m. Confessions will not be heard at St. James the Apostle church.
• Parish Celebration: Sunday, September 10, at the St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse
• Sesquicentennial Mass: Friday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
• Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., Beatification: November 18 in Detroit, MI.

Baptisms:
Kylieandra Skebal, Luka Ivani Frandovic, and Chloe Mari Frankovic were baptized on July 30, 2017, at St. James the Apostle church.

Wedding:
Matthew Patrick Donovan and Maria Anne Connell were married at St. James the Apostle church on July 29, 2017.

Bulletin Online:
The Sunday bulletin is always available online at the parish website: marymotherofmercy.com

Year of the Eucharist:
“Knowing the great love you have for the Mass, a love which I have experienced in my many pastoral visits throughout our Diocese, I know of and appreciate your cooperation with your parish priests and pastoral administrators in this endeavor of faith, which is Christ’s salvific work being actualized through His Church (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no 1187). This Eucharistic devotion is essential as we constantly seek to nurture, to understand more deeply and to reverence the Real Presence of Christ truly and substantially existing under the appearances of bread and wine.” (Taken from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a Year of the Eucharist in celebration of the 150 [Sesquicentennial] anniversary of the diocese. The full pastoral letter is available on the diocesan website.)

Liturgical Posture:
One of the items in Bishop Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a year of the Eucharist states the liturgical norm of the Roman Catholic Church that at Mass, after the Lamb of God, the assembly is to kneel. He expresses that in our churches we are to follow the rubric thereby keeping in union with the universal church. Our parish will eventually, and soon, adopt this norm and a date will be set for its implementation. For uniformity sake please continue to stand after the Lamb of God until the date is announced for the change. This announcement is in preparation for the eventual change.

Diocesan 150 Anniversary Mass:
The Sesquicentennial Mass is scheduled for Friday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. His eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Due to seating capacity limitations, our parish has been allocated three seats. Parishioners wishing to attend are asked to please notify the parish office with your email address no later than Tuesday, August 15. The first three parishioners to confirm their interest will be accepted.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
This feast day is Tuesday, August 15, and it is a holy day of obligation. The times and places of the Masses are: St. James the Apostle, 9:00 a.m.; St. Francis Solanus, 12:15 p.m.; Holy Cross, 6:00 p.m.; and St. James the Apostle at 7:00 p.m. Afterwards there will be an opportunity to continue the feast day celebration with a coffee hour after the 9:00 a.m. Mass, sandwiches after the 12:15 p.m. Mass, and wine and cheese after the 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. Masses.

Society of the Propagation of the Faith:
Next weekend we will host a visiting missionary from India. His name is Fr. Eugene Savarimuthu. Fr. Eugene will preach at all the Masses and a collection will be taken up for the support of his missionary work in India. The insert in this Sunday’s bulletin provides helpful information regarding Fr. Eugene and the missionary activities in the Diocese of Kumbakonam. Envelopes for this purpose are available in the church.

Preliminary Annual Finance Report:
The Parish Finance Council met on July 20 to review the finances for fiscal year July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. The ordinary income amounted to $239,119.83 and the ordinary expenses were $220,262.96. The parish net operating was a positive, $18,856.87. For our first year as the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, “thank you” for your financial support over the year. A more complete financial report will be issued containing the balance sheet and non-operating revenue and expenses. A report will also be issued for our parish cemeteries, Holy Cross Cemetery and St. James the Apostle Cemetery. The finance council was also made aware, through the Buildings and Grounds Committees, of major construction, maintenance, and repair projects for the three churches.

Maintenance Fund Collection:
The maintenance fund offering will be taken up this weekend. Your support of the parish buildings and grounds is greatly appreciated.

Parish Feast Day Celebration:
Save the date: Sunday, September 10, at the St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse for the celebration of our feast day for Mary, Mother of Mercy. A Mass at 1:00 p.m. on the friary grounds is planned. The annual parish picnic will follow the Mass.

Parish Choir:
Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, August 29, at Holy Cross Church, 6:30–8:00 p.m. The choir will be rehearsing for Advent, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All parishioners are welcome to join the parish choir. We are especially in need of altos, tenors, and instrumentalist of all kinds. For more information please contact Jessica Portillo at [email protected] or 210 268 7662.

Music Ministers Meeting:
The next music ministers meeting will take place on Thursday, August 24, 6:30 p.m., at St. Francis Solanus. Music ministers meet twice a year to discuss current and upcoming events, needs of music ministry, special masses, etc. All current music ministers and all interested in joining music ministry are encouraged to attend.

July Sunday Mass Attendance:
During the month of July the average Mass attendance was: 87 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, 89 at the 8:15 a.m. Mass, 111 at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, and 95 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. “Catholics invite Catholics to come to Mass on the Lord’s day in the Lord’s house.” For Catholics, Sundays are holy days of obligation.

Place and Schedule Change for Confessions:
Beginning September 8, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be heard at the Parish Center (St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken) from 6:30–7:00 p.m. Confessions will not be heard at St. James the Apostle on Saturday afternoons. The Sacrament of Reconciliation may always be celebrated at any time by appointment with one of the priests.

Extra Vegetables and Fruit:
Don’t let your veggies grow up to be compost! Donate extra produce (vegetables, fruit, and eggs) from your garden or CSA share at 94 West Main Street Trumansburg every Monday 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. until October 1. It will be distributed to a local family the next day. No donation is too small. For more information visit http://friendshipdonations.org/hubs/

Seneca County Veterans Service Agency:
The deputy director of the Seneca County Veterans Service Agency, will be meeting with clients every first and third Thursday of the month, regarding benefits. These meetings will be held at the Romulus Municipal Building, 1435 Prospect Street in Willard between 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Clients will be seen by appointment only. Please phone 315 651 0430.

Pro-life:
“For thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

Eucharistic Living:
Deacon Dan Callan (St. Charles Borromeo Parish) will present a retreat on “Eucharistic Living” on Tuesday, September 5, as a day retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House (5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua, NY). The day’s schedule is: 9:00 a.m. registration along with coffee and pastries; 9:30 a.m. conference begins; lunch at noon; reconciliation and mass; day ends at 3:00 p.m. For more details on the presentation and what the day offers, please visit our website: notredameretreat.org. You may call 585-394-5700 to register. A fee of $25 is payable at registration. Inspired by Bishop Matano’s letter: “The Year of Eucharist”, Deacon Dan will relate the letter to social teachings of the church as well as share his own experience of linking suburban parishioners to the needs within the inner city of Rochester.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2017, Sister Dolores Bachman and Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as an expression of gratitude. Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.ssjrochester.org.

Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.

Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.

Cancer Services Program (Cortland and Tompkins Counties):
This a program that provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information call 1-866 442 2262.

Ministry Schedules for St. James the Apostle

Schedule for August 12 and 13, 2017 (Second Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke and Scott Hamula
EM: Barbara Willers, Carol Kuklo, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Rich and Hilary Wong
EM: Lynne Stager, Glenn Stamps

Schedule for August 19 and 20, 2017 (Third Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Carol Kuklo and Barbara Willers
EM: Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore, Traci Bump

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Glenn Stamps and Nancy Olszewski
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tom and Beth Duff

August 2017:

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

Lector Schedule

July – August – September 2017

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion 

July – August – September   2017

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki and Maryann Dendis before giving to congregation.

Altar Server Schedule:

July – August – September 2017

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