National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024
First Reading:
The rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful. (Is. 55:10)
Psalm:
The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest. (Ps. 65)
Second Reading:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God. (Rom. 8:18-19)
Gospel:
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. (Mt. 13:3)
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:
We are all sowers in the field. Our time, our money, our attention: these finite resources are the seeds, and the choice is ours where we scatter them. Do we focus our efforts on soil that will bear fruit for the kingdom?
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (August 1), 4:00–6:00 p.m., South Seneca High School
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (July 24) 3:30–6:30 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Bernard is available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Taizé Prayer: July 20, 7:30 p.m., St. James
- Parish Cemeteries Second Collection: July 22/23
Funerals:
- Edward J. Walawender died June 28, 2023 at the age of 95. There was a funeral Mass celebrated on July 6, 2023 at Holy Cross Church, Ovid.
- Maria Elmore died June 30, 2023 at the age of 83. The Rite of Committal was held at Mount Green Cemetery, Romulus.
Parish Cemeteries Second Collection:
The first monthly Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy Cemetery Collection will be the weekend of July 23rd. Our parish has two cemeteries. Because the maintenance of our cemeteries is costly, cemeteries do not generate regular income, and our cemeteries do not have a fully funded Permanent Maintenance Fund, the Parish Cemetery Advisory Committee has concluded to initiate, for one year, a monthly Parish Cemeteries Collection.
Employment Opportunities:
- Maintenance person: the parish needs a part time maintenance person. It would not be regular hours, but when maintenance projects arise, the person would be on call to respond when convenient for the maintenance person.
- Holy Cross Cemetery lawn mower: someone is needed 10 – 15 hours a week (less time in the hot summer) to cut grass using a zero-turn lawn mower. Grass trimming around tomb stones is not required.
For either job, please phone the parish office.
Taizé Prayer:
On the first and third Thursday of the month, Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ leads the Taizé Prayer in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg. Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs—a good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day. Contact Sister Anne at 607–209–4206 or a.alder1980@gmail.com for more information.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ leads a time of silent prayer on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg. The extended time of shared silence provides an opportunity for personal reflection and healing. The session closes with a time to share any reflections that came to you. You do not need to attend every session. Questions? Call Sister Anne at 607–209–4206 or email a.alder1980@gmail.com.
St. Francis Solanus Day:
In the United States, July 16 (this year it is a Sunday) is the feast day of St. Francis Solanus, the patron saint of one of Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish Churches in Interlaken, NY. St. Francis Solanus was born March 10, 1549 in Montilla, Spain and died on July 14, 1610 in Lima, Peru, South America. He was a very successful Franciscan missionary and is called the “Apostle of the Tucuman”, that is today northwestern Argentina and Paraguay.
Thank you:
Thank you to all who donated personal care products throughout the month of June. Your donations to benefit our local food pantries are greatly appreciated.
The Real Presence:
“Receiving the Eucharist means entering into a profound communion with Jesus. ‘Abide in me, and I in you’ (Jn15:4). This relationship of profound and mutual ‘abiding’ enables us to have a certain foretaste of heaven on earth.” – Pope St. John Paul II
Branches Lakeside Retreat:
Friday, August 4, from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Branches Christian Rest & Renewal Center, Lodi, is holding a retreat themed Seeking the Peace of Christ facilitated by Rick Paolini. There will be a 3:00 p.m. healing Mass celebrated by Rev. Lukasz Kopala. To register visit branchescenter.org or phone 716–901–4313.
Book Announcement:
“Alessandro Serenelli – A Story of Forgiveness” by Charles D. Engel is available through Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. It is the story about the man who killed St. Maria Goretti, his release from prison, his living thirty-three years with the Capuchin Franciscans as a Secular Franciscan and is now being considered for canonization.
Victims Assistance:
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel 525-328-3228, ext. 1555 or by email to victimsassistance@dor.org.
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: 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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at eileen.heptig@dor.org.
Family Hope Center:
The Family Hope Center has two locations: one in Geneva and a satellite location in Ovid in the Holy Cross Church Rectory. Family Hope Center fights for life by valuing life above all else. It means offering support through free pregnancy tests, a limited ultrasound referral, parenting and life skills classes, bible studies, material aid such as diapers and clothing, and through our forgiven and set free post abortion study. It means looking at our clients and saying, “I see your life; I value your life. I see and value your children’s lives. You are important and loved.” Women come to the Family Hope Center to be valued. 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.” To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, text: 315-945-1019, or email familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
Prayers for Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns and Sister Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2023. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sisters Anne Marie and Dolores, in your thoughts and prayers.
Mass Intention Requests:
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. There are several reasons why a person may ask a priest to offer a Mass for another individual: in thanksgiving; for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday); or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul and in memory of someone who has died.
Sanctuary Lamp:
In Catholic Churches, a candle is always lit to indicate that the Blessed Sacrament is present in the church. This candle is called the “sanctuary lamp.” Every week the candle or oil is renewed. In many churches, people donate to the church for the sanctuary lamp be lit for the week for the intention of the donor. This has been the custom at Holy Cross Church, Ovid and is now extended to St. James the Apostle and St. Francis Solanus Churches. In making the donation simply put on the envelope, “donation for the sanctuary lamp” and specify the week and, if so desired, your intention.
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.
Prayer Intentions:
Please feel free to add your prayer requests in the books available for that purpose in each church. The prayer requests of fellow parishioners are listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). You may also add a request by emailing the parish at immmercy@dor.org or phoning the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
Let Us Pray: Please remember in your prayers those members of our parish who are in the hospital, sick at home, in a nursing home, or who have requested our prayers (see the list on the parish’s PRAYERS page). We also ask you to pray for those who have died. May the Lord bring comfort to their family and friends during this difficult time and may they find hope in the Resurrection.
