First Reading:
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. (Jb. 7:4)
Psalm:
Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted. (Ps. 147)
or Alleluia
Second Reading:
I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. (1 Cor. 9:22-23)
Gospel:
He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. (Mk. 1:34)
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.
©LPi
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you could see the future and know how things turn out? While it’s intriguing to ponder what life would be like if we possessed this knowledge, actually knowing could easily rob us of the thrill, adventure, and soul-searching graces of our journey. Like Job, life does not always leave us on a happy note. Life experience can bring us face-to-face with our mortality and leave us with a profound sense of helplessness. We do not see the wholeness and fulfillment that will one day come and cannot grasp the certainty that a resolution to our plight will come our way. We need to learn how to reach for Jesus’ hand and let him help us to our feet. Living a life of faith means realizing that we are not here to figure out life on our own. In order to drink deeply of what life presents us, we have to wrestle in the depths of our souls, agonize and search, possibly reach the lowest point of desperation, and cry out for the Divine healing we need to restore our faith, hope, and love. It is no wonder that those who are touched by God’s healing power want to then serve others and show them the deeper waters that can be explored. Knowing too much can rob us of joyful surprises.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: Every other Tuesday (February 16), 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 (February 15) 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
- Fr. 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
- Ash Wednesday Masses: February 17
- 9:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- 6:00 p.m., Holy Cross, Ovid
Please Note:
Fr. Bernard will be away from January 27 to March 2, 2021. 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.
Ash Wednesday – Distribution of Ashes:
On February 17, ashes will be distributed at a 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg and at a 6:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Ovid. There will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus on Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday – Vatican Directives:
The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship has modified the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday (February 17) during this time of the pandemic. It is as follows: the priest, after blessing the ashes and sprinkling them with holy water, addresses those present, reciting once the formula found in the Roman Missal: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask, and distributes ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places. He then sprinkles the ashes on each person’s head without saying anything. Therefore, this year there will be no marking the forehead with ashes.
Public Policy Advocacy Weekend – February 13/14:
The New York State initiative program Nourish New York ended December 31, 2020. It is imperative that this effective program, created to alleviate the impact of the pandemic, continue. Therefore, we call on New York State leaders to provide $50 million for state fiscal year 2021-2022 to make Nourish New York an ongoing program to respond to the need for hunger relief and farm survival across New York State.
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.
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 home bound. A free will offering may be offered for the booklet.
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.
Trumansburg Food Pantry Volunteers:
The parish is responsible for providing volunteers at the next Trumansburg Food Pantry on February 15. If you would like to help out, please feel free to signup. Thank you.
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].
Faith Formation:
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.
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.
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].
Respect Life:
All are welcome to come and pray every Friday morning from 8:30–11:00 a.m. at Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, and be available to offer life-affirming options to women considering abortions. For more information contact Carolann Darling at 607–351–6668.
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].
