National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024
First Reading:
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more. (Jer. 31:34)
Psalm:
Create a clean heart in me, O God. (Ps. 51)
Second Reading:
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. (Heb. 5:8-9)
Gospel:
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (Jn. 12:24)
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:
Jesus reminds us that the grain of wheat can never realize its potential without sacrifice. God has a plan for each one of us. May He give you strength to become who you were born to be.
@LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
Events:
St. Patrick’s Day:
This Sunday, March 17, is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. It is also the feast day of St. Patrick. However, St. Patrick’s feast day is not celebrated liturgically. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to wish everyone a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.”
St. Joseph’s Feast Day:
Tuesday, March 19, is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a great day in honor of St. Jospeh.
Monday 8:30 a.m. Mass:
Regarding Mondays, from the last Monday in January until the first Monday of March 2024, there has been a Communion Service held at 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church, Trumansburg and the 8:30 a.m. Monday Mass at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken was cancelled. This practice will continue.
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available for celebration every Friday at St. Francis Solanus Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. During the Season of Lent two other opportunities have been scheduled:
- March 18, 6:30 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- March 19, 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross
Stations of the Cross: 
- Holy Cross: Thursdays in Lent, 6:00 p.m., followed by a soup supper
- James the Apostle: Fridays in Lent, 3:00 p.m.
Easter Vigil – Bishop Salvatore Matano:
We received the joyful news that our Bishop will be with us this Easter celebrating the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil (Saturday, March 30) will be celebrated at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken beginning at 8:00 p.m. All are invited.
Holy Week Schedule: 
- Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, March 28, 7:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Good Friday: The Passion of Our Lord, March 29, 3:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Easter Vigil: March 30, 8:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Easter Sunday: March 31
- 9:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- 10:30 a.m., Holy Cross
Washing of the Feet Ritual:
On March 28, this ritual will take place during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church. We need 12 adult parishioners to volunteer to participate in this rite. There are sign-up sheets in the foyers of the Church.
Funeral:
Our parishioner, Anna Marie Cafolla, died on March 5, 2024 at the age of 91. Her funeral Mass was held at St. Patrick’s Church, Seneca Falls, on March 11, 2024. Fr. Bernard was the celebrant.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt—Volunteers Needed:
All are welcome to participate in the Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle! We need volunteers next Sunday, March 24, following the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James to help fill the eggs. Your help is appreciated greatly.
Baptism / Confirmation / Holy Communion:
At the Easter Vigil the Gebhardt family will be celebrating Sacraments. Liana Gebhardt will be celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion). Matthew Gebhardt will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation. Their two daughters, Poppy Holiday and Violet Jubilee, will be celebrating Baptism. This is a great day for Gebhardt’s and the Church.
Jesus and the Eucharist Study:
Several of our parishioners have trained to facilitate small group discussions based on a series of videos provided by the organizers of the Eucharistic Revival. The videos are inspiring, well designed, and rich in content. Each one explores a different topic relating to the Eucharist. Each facilitator will be offering seven sessions in which the group members will watch the videos and engage in a discussion. The schedule will be available soon.
2023-2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
It was reported on March 6, 2004 that ninety-two parish households have pledged $26,382 which is 85.1% of our goal. “Thank you” to all who have made a pledge. We encourage all households to help us reach our given goal of $31,000. Participation is primary, what is pledged is secondary. If you have lost your pledge envelope, know they are in the foyers of the churches or request one by phoning the parish office. We need everyone’s help.
Easter Duty:
(Church Law #920) 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. In reference to this law the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year May 26).
Consider Online Giving:
WeShare Online Giving is safe and secure, and there are benefits for both you and our parish.
Benefits to you:
- Gifts may be made by bank account, credit card, debit card, or Google Pay.
- Recurring donations allow you to support our parish if you are unable to attend Mass.
- Convenient way to donate to Holy Days, second collections, parish cemeteries, and CMA.
Benefits to our parish:
- Reduced volume of collections counted by volunteers from our parish
- Guaranteed stream of income helps Parish expense budgeting, and
- Reduced data entry for our part-time parish staff.
It’s simple to sign up. Visit marymotherofmercy.com/giving.
Notre Dame Retreat House:
- “Lenten Change Maker Series:” free evening with a simple supper followed by a talk on a Social Justice Issue; March 18
- “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God”: Solar Eclipse Retreat, April 5 and/or 6
For more details visit notredameretreat.org.
Programs at St. James:
Sister Anne Alderman SSJ facilitates three reoccurring programs in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle church in Trumansburg.
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony is held every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. During this time Sr. Anne leads a time of silent prayer providing an opportunity for personal contemplation and healing. The session closes with a time to share any reflections that came to you. An evening version of Healing and Harmony is available on the second and fourth Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. The next dates for these sessions are March 14, April 11 and 25, May 9 and 23, and June 13 and 27. There is no evening session on March 28 due to it being Holy Thursday.
- Every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. all are invited to participate in a book study. The current book is The Way of the Heart: Connecting with God through Prayer, Wisdom, and Silence by Henri J. M. Nouwen.
- Taizé Prayer will take place on the first and third Fridays of each month at 1:00 p.m. The next dates are March 15; April 5 and 19; and June 7 and 21. Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs in a room lit by candlelight. It is a good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day.
All are welcomed to join any of these programs with a suggested donation of $5 which benefits the Sisters of St. Joseph. If you have questions, contact Sister Anne at 607-209-4206 or email a.alder1980@gmail.com.
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.
