First Reading:
Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. (Is. 55:3a)
Psalm:
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. (Ps. 145)
Second Reading:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)
Gospel:
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. (Mt. 14:19-20a)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
What do you really hope and hunger for? We are most familiar with our physical hungers and cravings as they are quite obvious. What we don’t always realize is that we also have emotional and spiritual hungers. Many are starving for acceptance and love. Many others hunger for a sense of purpose, more focused direction, and deeper connection and meaning. Our hungers can easily get confused. We think we are in need of one thing but are actually being driven by another. We need to recognize and pursue our spiritual hungers. If we do not do so, we will attempt to fill these needs with lesser, and not always healthier, things. God, ultimately through the Eucharist, is the only One who can quench our more profound thirsts. Have we discovered this yet?
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck is every other Tuesday (August 4) at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot at South Seneca high school
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00–6:00 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 Mon-day (August 10)
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish Churches: Opened daily for private visiting and prayer
- Live/Virtual Music for the Soul: 7–8 p.m., August 2, First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses, Trumansburg
- Vigil Against Nuclear Weapons: 10–11 a.m., August 8, Ithaca
Parish Mass:
During this time of social distancing the parish has provided ways for attending Mass in celebrating the memory of Jesus’s death and resurrection and the presence and union with Jesus in 
Holy Communion. The parish has four Masses on the weekend (two at St. James the Apostle, one at St. Francis Solanus, and one at Holy Cross); an 8:30 a.m. daily Mass at St. Francis (Monday – Friday); and a video of the Sunday Mass is on the parish website. The attendance at public Masses is limited to 33% of the total building occupancy which percentage has never been reached in the churches. It has been suggested that parishioners might consider attending a daily Mass where social distancing is more easily attained.
Live/Virtual Music for the Soul:
The First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses (FPCU) on Main St. in Trumansburg invites the community to a unique music gathering on Sunday, August 2, from 7–8 p.m. in the FPCU Church Yard under the tent. Music will be provided by Joe Pepper on the keyboard, church members, singers from around the world, and audience. This event will occur in the sanctuary in case of inclement weather with seating arranged for social distancing. Please bring your own chair. We hope you’ll attend and enjoy the uplifting music program.
Helping our Seniors:
Many of us begin to experience mobility limitations, physical impairments, and cognitive changes over time. Moreover, during the current global pandemic, new needs can arise. Since not every senior has a family member nearby to lean on, there is a large gap the church community can help fill, in addition to praying for our elders. Standup for Caregivers, has provided a list of web pages, available here, with information that will help you understand the needs of our elderly and how you might be able to be of assistance. Standup for Caregivers is an organization that was created in 2017 to help those who provide care for others, protecting and advocating for the health and wellbeing of all adult caregivers.
Family Faith Formation:
Registration for the 2020 Family Faith Formation program is underway! The program begins on September 20 and is open to families with children in grades K-7. Like last year, this year’s program will consist of a weekly home based portion and a monthly gathering for families (when permitted) on the third Sunday of each month after the 9 a.m. Mass at St. James. We are switching to the Faith and Life book series this year. The theme for this year’s group gatherings will be the Saints. We will learn about a different Saint each month: their background, their accomplishments, and their motivations. Due to public health concerns, a take home kit for the monthly gathering will be available to families who request it or when gatherings are not permitted. Click here for the registration form. Please register by August 25 so book orders can be placed. Contact Susan Guydosh at [email protected] with any questions.
Fall Semester at St. Bernard’s:
The School of Theology and Ministry is offering fall semester courses beginning August 20. A few course highlights include: Sacred Scripture; Faith, Fiction and Film: the Drama of Belief; History of Philosophy; and Discernment and Formation for Ministry. For more information phone: 585–271–3657 or go to www.stbernards.edu.
Habitat for Humanity:
Construction for the Habitat House located at 2320 County Road 139 in Ovid has started. It is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4–8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Volunteers are needed, and even an hour is appreciated. Any groups, organizations, clubs, or individuals who may be interested may stop by during the above times or email [email protected] with “Habitat” in the subject line.
Helping People in Need:
Usually on the second Sunday of a month parishioners are invited to contribute non-perishable food at St. James the Apostle church to be distributed by the Trumansburg Food Pantry, sponsored by Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) and associated with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. COVID-19 directives do not allow us to continue the practice of collecting food items in a church at this time. Instead you are invited to send monetary donations directly to the Trumansburg Food Pantry at P.O. Box162, Trumansburg, N.Y. 14886. Thank you to all who contribute! “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” Matthew 25: 35
Vigil Against Nuclear Weapons:
The Ithaca Catholic Worker invites you to join us for a special vigil on August 8 from 10–11 a.m. at the corner of Clinton St. and S. Meadow St. We want to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). Nuclear war remains a terrible imminent threat to all life on earth. Nuclear weapons eviscerate the rule of law, enforce white supremacy, perpetuate endless war and environmental destruction, steal from all in our nation and world by their theft of much-needed resources. It represents a crime against humanity. We declare our opposition to this madness and invite you to stand with us on August 8. We will observe safe distancing and wear masks. We welcome your participation. Bring signs.
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].
Parish Cemeteries:
St. James the Apostle and Holy Cross churches have cemeteries. Each cemetery has a committee to oversee the cemeteries. The parish has the need for more volunteers to be committee members. Please phone the parish office to join the committee. Thank you.
Lakeside Day Retreats:
Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Centers, Inc., invites you for a day of rest and renewal at their Seneca Lake property. Their 2020 summer schedule included:
- “Saint Pope John Paul II The Great,” facilitated by Ann Kern on Saturday, August 8; and
- “In HIS Steps Retreat and Healing Mass,” facilitated by Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM, Cap., on Friday, August 14.
For more information visit www.branchescenter.org or contact Donna Wieand by phone: 716–901–4313, or email: [email protected].
Mass Intentions:
Those wishing to have others remembered at a Mass on a particular day and time and place may phone the parish office expressing their request. Please be sure we have the name of the person or the intention stated, whether the person is deceased or living, who is requesting the mass intention and what date and time would be preferred. There is a handy form, linked from here, that has all of these questions listed. Just tap on the link, print out the Mass intention form, fill it out, and send it into the parish office.
Right to Life:
“We must not be surprised when we hear of murders, of killings, of wars, of hatred. If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for us to kill each other.” ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Fill Out your 2020 US Census:
The every-10-year-census count is extremely important. It determines how many state and federal representatives our region will get and informs the distribution of billions of dollars of federal and state funding. You can answer the quick census questionnaire at www.my2020census.gov/ or by phoning 844–330– 2020 or by filing out the questionnaire you received in the mail. And tell others, “Fill out your 2020 US Census.”
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.
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
The Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes is located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself.” 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.
