First reading:
The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly. (Acts 6:7a)
Psalm:
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. (Ps. 33)
or Alleluia
Second reading:
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pt. 2:9)
Gospel:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn. 14:6)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
What do you imagine the resurrected life of heaven to be like? When we try to get our minds around such an enormous concept, we can easily find ourselves at a loss. For some folks, the enormity of the question actually causes them to ignore the reality of heaven or even conclude that it does not exist. Jesus knew that the magnitude and grandeur of eternal life are really too much for us to grasp. He kept it simple and described it in terms of relationship. The disciples treasured their relationship with Jesus, and he assured them, “Where I am you also may be.” Ultimately, that was enough for them to know. They would be with him. Strengthen your relationship with God as He is the way, the truth, and the life. Is the assurance that you will be with Him enough for you as well?
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
NOTE: All regularly scheduled public Masses and parish social and educational events are suspended until further notice. Please consult the parish website for more information: marymotheofmercy.com
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday (May 12) at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot at South Seneca High School
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–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 Monday (May 11)
- Bishop’s Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m., live stream from Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Food Donations: Week of May 10, St. James
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish Churches: Opened daily for private visiting and prayer
Mother’s Day:
Today we praise God for our mothers. Their continued loving service is rejoiced in and is an inspiration for us to imitate. We pray God to bless all mothers in our parish family and beyond. Mothers enjoy the day dedicated to you. Rejoice in the expressions of love, reverence, and gratitude that you receive this day. For you this day we pray: “Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless the mothers of our parish that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
Parish Council Nominations:
During the month of May we ask parishioners to nominate themselves or others for membership on the parish council. Given our social distancing this year, please phone the parish office to place your name or another parishioner’s name in nomination. The council meets a minimum of four times a year. Members are assigned, after expressing their preference, to one of the standing committees: Word, Worship, Witness, or Fellowship. The term of membership is three years. The selection of new members will take place on the last Sunday of May (this year, May 31). New members will be invited to attend the council’s meeting on June 11, 2020, (hopefully we will be able to meet on that date). At that meeting, membership on the standing committees will be established.
Parish on Social Media:
Just a reminder that you can follow the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, on Facebook and Instagram. Both platforms will keep you updated on parish events (including photos) and the church community. It is also a good way to view positive devotional messages. There are links to the parish’s social media pages from our web site and you may also access our Facebook and Instagram pages directly by searching for MaryMotherofMercyParish. If you have something you would like to add to our parish pages, please contact Susan Guydosh at Susan.Guydosh@dor.org.
Parish Census:
For the past several weeks attempts have been made to get our parish census updated—a continuous endeavor. Email addresses have been corrected and added, resulting in them being used for the past several weeks to communicate with parish households. If there is a member of a household that would like to receive their own email from the parish, separate from the household’s email, please let the parish office know. Households that do not have email (about 70 households) have received parish communications through the U.S. postal system. If you have not received either an email or a postal letter, please notify the parish office as soon as possible. The parish does not want anyone to be left out.
The parish census program comprises different categories: registered-active, non-registered-active, and registered-inactive. The parish is in communication with members in each of these three categories. Unfortunately, due to a lack of information, the parish is not in communication with nonregistered-inactive households (that is, Catholics who live within our parish territory but do not have an affiliation with our parish). There are two other groups of households, “contributor” or “unknown.” These are generally people who live outside our parish territory but retain some connection to our churches.
It would be most helpful if you could please alert the parish office when you have a change of address, phone number, or email address. The pastor and his staff hope you are enjoying the recent communiqués sent to parish households during this time of social distancing. We live in the hope that social distancing will never happen again.
Food Donations Needed:
On May 10, and ever second Sunday of a month, parishioners are invited to contribute non-perishable food for those in need, an even more urgent request given today’s world. The donations may be placed in front of the Blessed Mother statue at St. James throughout the week and will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks should be made out to Mary, Mother of Mercy, with food pantry in the memo line. You may also donate food in the Food Pantry box at the ShurSave. Whatever food you contribute, please check the expiration date first as they cannot use food items that are past the printed date. We can never have enough food to distribute but it needs to be safe too. Thank you to all who contribute!
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 Eileen.heptig@dor.org.
Parish Cemeteries:
Our parish has two cemeteries: Holy Cross cemetery in Ovid, N.Y., and St. James the Apostle cemetery in Trumansburg, N.Y. The cost to purchase a traditional burial plot in either cemetery is $650. St. James cemetery also has a green burial section. A plot in this section costs $950. When a person purchases a burial plot they are acquiring the right of burial, the cemetery retains title to the land and the property. Along with the right of burial is the right to place a stone marker as a memorial according to the rules and regulations of the cemetery. For inquiries and/or purchase of a burial plot (that is, the right to be buried in either of our cemeteries) please phone the parish office (607-294-0064).
Easter Duty:
Because of the inability to attend Sunday Mass due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Easter duty can be fulfilled by receiving Holy Communion at some time during the year. Church law allows for this. The canon reads: “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” (Church law #920).
Free Online Access to Prayers and Readings:
Magnificat, a monthly subscription booklet, is temporarily offering the online access FREE so that anyone with a computer or smartphone can have those texts for each day at home. To access the English version: www.magnificat.com/free; for the Spanish version: www.magnificat.com/gratis.
Needing Assistance:
During this pandemic of COVID-19 the town of Ulysses is working with Tompkins County to coordinate access to community resources that are available for people, from food assistance to mental health. Simply phone 2-1-1 to connect with a wide range of resources.
Church Continues:
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to require us to maintain social distancing from one another, please be aware of the following:
- Bernard, Fr. Richard, and Bro. Antonine celebrate Mass daily at the friary praying for the well being of all and the ending of COVID-19.
- Bernard is at the parish office daily and at all times he is only a phone call away (607-294-0064).
- Bernard he is available every Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus church (social distancing will be respected).
- Each of the churches is open daily for visits and private prayer.
- The Sunday bulletin is published weekly and is found on the parish website and in the foyers of each church.
- While public Masses are suspended, there is an encouragement to participate in Mass by viewing it on TV or live stream via the diocesan website: dor.org.
- Our parish ordinary expenses average $10,500 per month. Without weekend collections we are not able to meet the parish ordinary expenses.
- To financially support the parish during this difficult time please consider making donation via on-line giving by going to the giving page on our parish website, https://marymotherofmercy.com/giving, and follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section or mail a check to: the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, PO Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847.
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.
Employment Opportunity:
Could you use a little extra income? The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people to collect important information for the 2020 census in their own communities. These are temporary, part-time, or full-time positions with flexible hours. The hourly wages are $17 an hour for an enumerator/lister and $18.50 for a census field supervisor. Mileage is reimbursed at $0.58 per mile. No experience or educational requirement is necessary. If you are interested or have questions go to https://2020census.gov/en/jobs. This is your chance to be a part of history!
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” 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.
Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.
