First reading:
“He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:42)
Psalm:
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (Ps. 118)
or Alleluia
Second reading:
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. (Col. 3:4)
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)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Our world wants us to believe that life is only what we make of it. Today, we realize how untrue that is. Life is ultimately about what God makes of it, and the resurrection of Jesus reveals this. Alleluia, Christ is risen! Who do you understand yourself to be? What we did yesterday, are doing today, and may do tomorrow pretty much determine how we perceive ourselves. We even perceive Jesus this way in limiting our vision of him to his earthly accomplishments. But, we know through today’s triumphant celebration that Christ is much more than his earthly legacy. The transfigured and resurrected Christ is the beginning, the end, and the fulfillment of all things and every person. All that Jesus did stands in second place to who we now know him to be. Do we realize that this will be our journey too? Christ is risen. Alleluia, alleluia!
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
NOTE: All regularly scheduled public Masses and parish social and educational events are suspended until further notice. Please consult the parish website for more information: marymotheofmercy.com
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (April 14)
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15-6:00 p.m., every other Monday (April 13)
- Bishop’s Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m., live-stream from Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Food Pantry Donations: April 12, St. James
- Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends: April 17–19 and November 20–22, Canandaigua.
Happy Easter:
Some of the happiness has been taken out of Easter this year given that we cannot gather as the Church of Christ to celebrate Jesus, human and divine, who conquered evil and death. This year, unlike other years, we rejoice in this event within our own homes, socially distanced from others. Therein is the sadness joined with our happiness this Easter day. So, despite this sadness, may it not dampen our joy in praising God for this historical event. Jesus conquered death and reveals the power of God over death and that as He raised his Son from death He will raise us from death also and place us in the company of His risen Son. That is our happiness. Alleluia.
Church Continues:
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic requiring our social distancing from one another, please be aware of the following:
- Bernard, Fr. Richard, and Bro. Antonine celebrate Mass daily at the friary praying for the well being of all and the ending of COVID 19.
- Bernard is at the parish office daily and at all times he is only a phone call away (607-294-0064).
- Fr. Bernard he is available every Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus church (social distancing will be respected).
- The churches are open daily for visits and private prayer.
- The Sunday bulletin is published weekly and is found on the parish website and in the foyers of each church.
- While public Masses are suspended, there is an encouragement to participate in Mass by viewing it on TV or live stream via the diocesan website: dor.org.
- Our parish ordinary expenses average $10,500 per month. Without weekend collections we are not able to meet the parish ordinary expenses.
- To financially support the parish during this difficult time please consider making donation via on-line giving by going to the giving page on our parish website, https://marymotherofmercy.com/giving, and follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section. You may also mail a check to the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, PO Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847.
- Please alert others to our financial situation and encourage them to help through online giving or check. Thank you.
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 from the first Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year June 7).
Easter Offering:
On Easter, like on Christmas, Catholics generally make a special increased financial offering to the parish. Parishes, including ours, have come to rely on the Easter offering collection. Please do what you are able, especially during this most unusual time when we are not able to gather as an assembly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Thank you.”
No Mass but Churches are Open:
New York State, through the New York State Catholic Conference, reports that “churches can remain open for personal prayer but not congregant services.” Our parish churches will be open as follows: St. James the Apostle and Holy Cross will be open during the day and St. Francis Solanus church is always open, night and day.
Sunday Bulletins:
The parish web page will continue to post the weekly Sunday bulletin. A limited number of Sunday bulletins will also be placed in the vestibules of the churches. Visiting the churches for prayer is always encouraged.
Scheduled Mass Intentions:
During this time of suspended public Masses, when a Mass intention has been scheduled for a particular day and time, that Mass intention will be remembered in the private Mass offered on the day scheduled. From your home, join in reflecting on the readings of that day at that time. The Mass readings for each day are linked from website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Online Donors:
The opportunity to donate to the Easter flower fund, the 2020 CRS Operation Rice Bowl, and Easter is now available for a limited time (until April 15) on the parish’s online giving page. Please visit that page through the giving tab above.
2019-2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). As of March 19, one hundred and eight parish families had pledged $23,046, which is 76.87% of the parish goal of $29,979. What is primary is our parishioners’ participation. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. If you have not made a pledge, please do so as soon as possible. If we do not reach our given goal, the parish is billed to make up the difference.
Food Donations Needed:
On every second Sunday of the month, parishioners are invited to contribute non-perishable food items at St. James church. Donations may be placed on the table in front of the Blessed Mother statue and will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks should be made out to Mary, Mother of Mercy, with food pantry in the memo line. Thank you to all who contribute!
Job Opportunity:
The Trumansburg United Methodist church is looking for someone to fill their administrative coordinator position. It would require ten hours a week and the hourly wage is $15. The hours are negotiable. Currently the office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon through 3:00 p.m.
Online Access to Prayers and Readings:
Magnificat magazine is a monthly subscription booklet that has the prayers and readings for all the Masses of the month, plus morning and evening prayer, brief writings by/about the saints, and more. They are temporarily offering online access for FREE so that anyone with a computer or smartphone can have those texts each day at home. To access the English version: www.magnificat.com/free; for the Spanish version: www.magnificat.com/gratis.
Marriage Enrichment:
If you’re ready for more in your marriage consider attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next planned weekends will be on April 17–19 and Nov 20–22 of this year in Canandaigua. “One weekend can change everything.” Go to wwme.org.
Knights of Columbus Insurance:
The Knights of Columbus is seeking a field agent for a career opportunity representing their insurance program in the Western New York area. The Knights offer a complete benefits package with this full-time position. In order to qualify one must be eligible for membership in the Knights of Columbus. For more information, please contact, John Hoolick, general agent at 570-654-3390 or [email protected]
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 Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, during 2020. In gratitude, let us pray for Sr. Anne Burns and all the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Employment Opportunity:
Could you use a little extra income? The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people to collect important information for the 2020 census in their own communities. These are temporary, part-time, or full-time positions with flexible hours. The hourly wages are $17 an hour for an enumerator/lister and $18.50 for a census field supervisor. Mileage is reimbursed at $0.58 per mile. No experience or educational requirement is necessary. If you are interested or have questions go to https://2020census.gov/en/jobs. This is your chance to be a part of history!
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.
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.
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.
