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:
Alleluia! Christ is risen! We are called, by how we live our lives, to celebrate the risen Christ. How do we do that? Our faith in the resurrection gathers us here today to celebrate this incredible event. The good news is that the doors of eternity are open! We can now understand that the fullness of who we are will be discovered when we one day meet God face-to-face in heaven. Our faith in the truth of who God is and who we are affects how we live our lives and the decisions we make. We are called to love our neighbor…to love those who hurt us…to work on behalf of the poor and the weak…to be people of justice, integrity, and hope…to practice compassion and mercy above anything else. Our lives are meant to be oriented around the axis of the Gospel. Are they?
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- AA Meetings:
- Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- Thursdays, noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food Truck is every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (April 30)
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church every other Monday, 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30-6:00 p.m. (April 29)
- Confirmation Candidates: Eighth and ninth graders, Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., St. James
- Robotics: Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 6:00-8:00 p.m., St. James
- Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis
- Shroud of Turin presentation: April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis-St. Clare Ministry Center, Waterloo
- Finance Council: April 25, 1:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Blue Sunday: April 28, day of prayer for victims of child abuse
- Diocesan Social Ministry Conference: May 2, 10:30 a.m., Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua.
- Coffee Hour: May 5, after 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. James
- Mass for Individuals with Special Needs: May 5, noon, St. John of Rochester
Happy Easter:
Jesus, the Christ, has indeed risen, alleluia! May glory be His forever. Enjoy this holy season of the year rejoicing in Jesus’s 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 Offering:
There is one collection on Easter. In previous years parishioners on Easter generally increase their offering by being more generous on that day than usual. The parish has come to rely on the Easter offering collection. Please do what you are able. “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 the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year June 16).
Finance Council Meeting:
The parish’s Finance Council will meet this Thursday, April 25, at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Francis annex.
2018–2019 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
It was reported on April 9 that 108 parish households have pledged $30,472 to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). We have reached and surpassed the given goal of $29,979! This is exceptional and good news. A “thank you” to all who have made this possible. Be aware that our parish will receive 50% of what is received over goal. Those wishing to make a pledge to the CMA can still do so. The CMA provides funding for important ministries, services and programs that support our parish and strengthen our whole Church. To make a pledge to the CMA, there are pledge envelopes in the foyer of each church that may be mailed directly, sent to the parish office, or deposited in the offertory collection. To make a gift online go to www.dor.org/cma.
Parish Is on Social Media:
Social media got you down? Come and follow Mary, Mother of Mercy, on Facebook and Instagram! Both platforms will keep you updated on parish events (including photos), and the church community. It is also a good way to view positive devotional messages. The Facebook link is www.facebook.com/marymotherofmercyparish and on Instagram you can find us at @marymotherofmercyparish. If you have something you would like to add to our parish pages, please contact Susan Guydosh at [email protected].
Shroud of Turin:
A presentation on the Shroud of Turin, providing the latest scientific evidence, will be held on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis-St. Clare Ministry Center, 25 Center St. in Waterloo. The presentation is based on six days of the highest-level forensic studies. “This review provides the forensic evidence behind the belief that the Shroud is not a forgery but holds the miraculous image of a man, Jesus Christ.” For more information call presenter Frank Netti at 315 246-7021.
40 Days For Life:
We thank all of who have participated in our largest campaign ever! What’s next you ask? Day 41! Come join others praying peacefully on Fridays throughout the year, or, any day that suits your schedule. Stay up to date with state legislative motions that will protect women, the unborn, and families affected by abortion expansion-join the Catholic Action Network of the NYS Catholic Conference. For more information go to http://www.nyscatholic.org.
Trumansburg Food Pantry:
There is one more day, April 29, for Mary, Mother of Mercy, parishioners/St. James people to help-out at the Food Pantry located in the Trumansburg United Methodist church. There are various times and tasks still available. See the sign-up sheets in the foyer. Also, the pantry’s main fundraising campaign is occurring through the month of April. Please make checks payable to “Trumansburg Food Pantry” and mail it to PO Box 162, Trumansburg, N.Y. 14886. Your support helps the Food Bank of Southern Tier Backpack Program for Trumansburg Central School District students and maintains an emergency hotline for those in need of immediate food assistance (607 387 8260), in addition to the regular food pantry distribution. Thank you for your support!
Right to Life:
A video is available to help you understand the different procedures of abortion at different stages of fetal development. Go to: https://www.liveaction.org/news/court-rules-ohio-defund-planned-parenthood.
Annual Diocesan Social Ministry Conference:
This year’s conference is entitled “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love” and is an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ recent pastoral letter on the sin of racism and how to promote this teaching in your parish. The conference is open to pastors, parish staff, and parishioners, especially parish council members, religious education teachers, youth group leaders, and social ministry committee members. The conference will be held on May 2, beginning with Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Notre Dame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Road, Canandaigua. There will be workshops on Catholic social teaching issues and their connection to racism and social division, including farmworker rights, pro-life issues, and care for creation. The registration fee is $20 (including lunch) and is due April 26. For more information, or to register, contact [email protected] or phone 607-734 9784.
Blue Sunday:
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since 1983 the number of abused children has grown from half a million to over 6 million along with 1,600+ children dying annually as a result of their abuse. These numbers do not include missing or children exploited through trafficking. Additional resources including videos and fact sheets, are available online at www.bluesunday.org. Blue Sunday is a national faith-based movement to pray for victims of child abuse and for those who rescue them on the last Sunday of April, April 28.
Rice Bowl Collection:
Parishioners participating in the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Lenten Rice Bowl program may bring their full CRS Rice Bowl to Mass, or count the amount in the bowl and write a check to Mary, Mother of Mercy, with a memo “Rice Bowl” and deposit the check in the weekend collection. You can also give online at crsricebowl.org/give.
Mass for Individuals with Special Needs:
All are invited to a Mass at St. John of Rochester on Sunday, May 5, at 12:00 pm, to celebrate the special members of our community and the unique gifts that they offer to our Church and the world. St. John of Rochester is located at 8 Wickford Way in Fairport. Refreshments will be served in the “Gathering Room” immediately following Mass. This event is sponsored by the Diocese of Rochester, St. John of Rochester, and the Knights of Columbus. For more information contact Steve Coyle at 585-503-2858.
Prayers from the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry and Sr. Dolores Bachman and Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish throughout 2019. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as well.
Support Group:
Many people who have suddenly lost a family member, friend, classmate or colleague find that sharing openly with fellow survivors about what they have lived through can help with the healing process. The Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition hosts twice-monthly support groups which meet in Waterloo and Ovid for convenience of the entire community. These groups are held on the first- and third- Monday of every month; and provide people who are survivors of loss or survivors of suicide the opportunity to talk in an open and inclusive environment, free of judgment or stigma. The Waterloo Public Library plays host on the first Monday of every month and the Ovid session takes place on the third Monday at the Ovid Federated Church. Both sessions run from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. For more information see www.facebook.com/SenecaSuicidePrevention or contact Mary Joslyn at [email protected].
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.
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).
Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
April 27, at 5:00 p.m. (fourth weekend):
Lectors: Gerry and Millie Messmer
EMs: Cathy DelSignore, Mary Davidson
May 4, at 5:00 p.m. (first weekend):
Lectors: Karl Messmer, Scott Hamula
EMs: Kathleen Rourke, Millie Messmer, Robin Hamula
Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
April 28, at 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Tim O’Boyle
May 5, at 9:00 a.m. (first Sunday)
Lectors: Donna Ryan (for Lynne Stager) and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Beth Koeng