First Reading:
For when you punished our adversaries in this you glorified us whom you had summoned. (Wis. 18:8)
Psalm:
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. (Ps. 33)
Second Reading:
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. (Heb. 11:10)
Gospel:
“You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Lk. 12:40)
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:
The fruits of our labors are not always seen in our lifetimes. Faith is not conditional on seeing results. Faith is a radical trust in what is unseen. It requires vigilance and self-investment. It requires our attention even when our efforts don’t bear fruit or are unappreciated or unrecognized. A person who is open to accepting God’s presence, however it comes, and is willing to share the love received with others is a true inspiration. Good works will flow from this vigilant depth of faith. It will be directed where it is most needed and detached from the need for recognition or gratitude. Faith exercised in secret is the most profound expression of faith and a testament of true love for our Creator. No one needs to know the humility, generosity, and goodness of our hearts, only God. Standing erect and watchful, we are prepared to receive the gift of Divine Love and freely share it with others, without recognition or self-benefit.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food Truck: South Seneca High School, September 5, 4:00–6:00 p.m.
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (August 8) 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
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Taizé Prayer: Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m., St. James
- Sweet Sundays: August 7, following 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. James the Apostle
Sweet Sundays at St. James:
Parishioners are invited for a social time after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle on the first Sunday of every month. The next Sweet Sunday is August 7.
Parish Feast Day and Picnic:
The Fellowship Committee of the Parish Council is working on the celebration of our Parish Feast Day and Picnic. Please note the date: Sunday, September 11, at St. Fidelis Friary beginning at 1:00 p.m. All parish households are invited. Please mark your calendars.
Fill the Bus:
Fill the Bus a school supply drive to benefit all four Seneca County school districts based on need. Items needed are: Crayola Crayons, colored pencils, #2 pencils, Elmer’s glue sticks, loose leaf paper, binders, notebooks, kid’s Fiskar scissors, and back packs. This is a “drop off event” on Friday, August 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Canoga Fire Department, 3576 State Route 89, Seneca Falls. Supplies can also be dropped off at any Seneca County Library prior to the event.
Food Donations Needed:
On the second Sunday of each month, non-perishable food items will be received at St. James the Apostle Church and placed on a table in front of the Blessed Mother statue. They will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also welcome. (Please make checks out to Mary, Mother of Mercy with “food pantry” in the memo line.) Thank you to all who contribute.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
This opportunity is available on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. at the St. James the Apostle Pine Room. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will be the facilitator. The format is a brief opening, a reflection, 25 minutes of silent prayer followed by an opportunity to share reflections that came during that time. Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].
Reading & Reflecting:
A time to gather to read and discuss a contemporary spiritual book will be available on Wednesday afternoons, 3:15–4:15 p.m., in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle Church. Sr. Anne Alderman, SSJ will be the facilitator. The book is Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr and John Feister.
Diocesan Office of Evangelization & Catechesis:
The Office is looking for married couples who would be interested in being a part of a teams to facilitate “in-person pre-canas.” For more information please email Don Smith at [email protected].
Lakeside Day Retreat:
Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Centers, Inc. invites you for a day of rest and renewal at our Seneca Lake property:
- Saturday, August 13, Suffering and Faith, facilitated by Ann Kern, and
- Thursday, August 25, Liturgy of the Hours with 3:00 p.m. Mass, facilitated by Deacon Ward Nolan and Jayne Badano-Bidwell. Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Anthony Amato.
For more information visit www.branchescenter.org or contact Donna Wieand at 716–901–4313 or [email protected].
Eucharist, God’s Gift to His People:
Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, NY is sponsoring retreat weekends to learn about,“The Eucharist, God’s Gift to His People.” The Notre Dame Retreat House team will offer thoughts on the different aspects of the Mass including the history, Mass as a Meal, Mass as Thanksgiving, and Mass as Mission. There are six weekends this Fall. Early registration is suggested! Visit notredameretreat.org for more details, or contact at 585-394-5700 or [email protected].
Online Giving – WeShare:
WeShare, our online giving provider, has been upgraded. When you log in, using your current email address and password, you will see the new landing page. Improvements include:
- Ability to donate to multiple collections at once
- Improved process of updating your payment information
- Ability for more detailed receipts
- Ability to upload documents
- Easier Account Creation
If you have any questions, please contact Eileen Heptig at [email protected]
Taizé Prayer:
Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France, and has become popular around the world, especially with young people (although more mature people like it, too). It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs. The room is lighted with candles. A good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day.
- When: Tuesday evenings in July and August at 7:00
- Where: St. James Pine Room, Trumansburg
- Facilitator: Sister Anne Alderman
- Suggested Donation: $5.00 (Benefits the Sisters of St. Joseph)
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.
