First Reading:
I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth. (Gn. 9:11)
Psalm:
Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant. (Ps. 25)
Second Reading:
Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. (1 Pt. 3:18)
Gospel:
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for 40 days, tempted by Satan. (Mk. 1:12-13)
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:
Throughout history God has given His people signs. Our season of Lent offers us God’s sign that it is time to stop the ordinary routines of our lives, create some desert space, and listen more attentively for God to reveal His presence. We are asked to unplug from our attachments, compulsions, obsessions, addictions, routines, and busyness to clear the slate and take stock in who we have become. We are asked to remember the ancient sign of God’s covenant with humanity in which He vowed to nurture, sustain, and protect the relationship He has with His people. Once we slow down a bit and clear away some of the clutter, we can see how the journey of our life is unfolding. We can see what brings us in and out of tune with God’s love and how we can better imitate God’s loving fidelity in our relationship with Him. Even though some good solid self-denial is the order of the day, greater happiness and wholeness will be the fruit of our labors. Pleasant journey through the desert!
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: Every other Tuesday (March 2), 4:00 p.m., South Seneca high school parking lot
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (March 1) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- AA Meetings:
- Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- Thursdays, Noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus (Fr. Bernard will not be available the Fridays in February.)
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
Please Note:
Fr. Bernard will be away until March 2. Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. and Fr. Roland Daigle, OFM Cap. will be covering the schedule of weekday and weekend Masses. They will also fill in whenever called upon. The Friday evening schedule for confessions/dialogue will be cancelled during that time.
Thank You:
The parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, was well represented at the Trumansburg food pantry in January and February. There were a number of people from our parish who showed up, making light work with many hands. Our community is fortunate in that many of our parishioners will continue throughout the year, providing a solid base of volunteers that help to make the pantry a success. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said: “Good works are links that form a chain of love.” On behalf of our neighbors, thank you for your generosity of time and effort!
Offertory Collection:
During this time of the pandemic, offertory collections cannot be taken up. When parishioners attend Mass, please place your offertory in the new collection stand at the entrances of the church. The new stand replaces the baskets at the entrances and offers security to your offering.
Lenten Reminders:
- The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (February 17) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 1)
- “Alleluia” is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent
- until the Easter Vigil.
- During Lent the altar is not to be decorated with flowers.
- Musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.
- The readings for the Lenten Masses have been chosen in relation to the themes of baptismal renewal and conversion.
- The Easter celebration is: Holy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday – the Easter Triduum (Three Days of Easter).
Season of Lent—Fridays:
Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, i.e. meatless days. Abstinence prohibits individuals from eating meat on a particular day. Abstinence obliges all those who have reached the age of 14 and continues to oblige throughout ones entire life.
The Word Among Us:
The season of Lent begins on February 17. Booklets containing daily meditations and daily Mass Sacred Scripture readings for February 17–April 4, 2021 are available in the foyers of the church. Please take one for yourself and your family and please bring a booklet to one who is homebound. A free will offering may be offered for the booklet.
Rice Bowls:
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowls are available in the foyers of the church. During the season of Lent the bowls are provided for households to keep in mind the poor throughout the world and to make a sacrificial financial offering for the support of the needy of the world. For stories of hope and other CRS Rice Bowl videos go to crsricebowl.org/videos.
Notre Dame Retreat House – Lenten Desert Days:
Notre Dame Retreat House is offering six dates to make a retreat. Attendance is limited to 15 people, so registration is required. For specifics on the retreat, please visit: notredameretreat.org. Other inquiries, please contact 585–394–5700 or [email protected].
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The active phase of our parish CMA campaign continues. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. If you have not yet responded, please prayerfully consider a gift. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. Every gift to the CMA helps those in need, supports the mission of the Church and comes back to help our parish. Pledge envelopes are available in the foyer of the Church. Please help us reach our parish given goal of $29,979.
A Family Lenten Practice:
A great help to parents and families is “The Family Zone” newsletter. It offers a listing of activities and opportunities for further learning one’s faith. The newsletter can easily be shared to encourage the promotion of parents as primary catechist. The newsletter is easy to follow, offers several topics in various formats, it is fun and most of all it is educational. The newsletter is for all in the family, young and elderly. Try it out. https://oec.dor.org/evangelization/the-family-zone-newsletter.
40 Days For Life—A Lenten Opportunity:
Through Palm Sunday, March 28, there will be fasting, prayer and peaceful public witness across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca Street, Ithaca. Your public presence offers a sign of hope and a resource of life-affirming options to women facing a crisis pregnancy. Visit 40daysforlife.com/ithaca for more information.
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].
The Bishop’s Reminder:
Due to the prevalence of the Coronavirus, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice. Those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 and those concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass. Those who feel in any way sick should not enter any parish building or church.
Year of St. Joseph:
On December 8, 2020, His Holiness, Pope Francis, declared a Year of St. Joseph, until December 8, 2021. This announcement comes on the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s December 8, 1870 proclamation of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis made this declaration to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal. During this period, the faithful will have the opportunity to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today.
Snow Days:
A reminder that during the week, if a “snow day” has been declared for local schools, there will be no 8:30 a.m. morning Mass.
Churches Will Be Closed on Weekdays:
Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, our parish churches of Holy Cross, Ovid and St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg will be open only for the weekend Masses. St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken, the Church and Parish Office, will remain open.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program:
This program is designed to provide up to three months of rent relief to eligible households who have experienced a loss of income related to the public health crisis. To learn more or apply, visit ithacanhs.org/rentalassistance or phone 607–277–4500. Assistance is available to renters in four counties including Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.
~Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. ~
Prayer Intentions:
Since we presently cannot have the prayer request books in our churches, do know that the prayer requests of fellow parishioners are still being listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). If you would like to add a request, please email the parish at [email protected] or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
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 Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2021. Let us keep in our prayers the two sisters praying for us and for all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
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.
Diocese of Rochester Request:
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel, 585–328–3228, ext. 1555. Toll-free 1–800–388–7177 ext. 1555 or by email to [email protected].
