National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. (Gn. 2:7)
Psalm:
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. (Ps. 51)
Second Reading:
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:19)
Gospel:
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights. (Mt. 4:1-2)
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 worship a God who understands human limitation. A God who has felt the pangs of fasting and the enticements of the tempter. Our God, hungry and tired and weakened, has stared into the face of the devil and said: “I am stronger than you.”
©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 (March 6), 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 (Feb. 27) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and Thursdays 4:00–6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Fr. Bernard is available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus Will resume March 3
- Confirmation Class: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Black, Native American, & Hispanic Mission Collection: February 25 & 26
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 9 & 23, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: March 9 & 23, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Stations and Benediction: at St. Francis on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Stations and Soup: Thursdays throughout March at Holy Cross Church beginning at 6:00 p.m.
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
- Sweet Sunday: March 5, 10:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- Religious Education: March 11, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
Second Collection – This Weekend:
The Black, Native American, and Hispanic Mission collection is to be taken up this weekend. It exists to help local African American, Native American, and Hispanic diocesan communities throughout the United States spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and respond to real and pressing needs on the ground. Your help is appreciated.
Sweet Sundays at St. James:
Next Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, parishioners are invited for a social time after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle.
Easter Flower Collection – Next Weekend:
Next weekend, a basket will be placed in the back of the church for the Easter Flower Offering. This collection is always a great help to the parish meet the cost of Easter flowers that beautify the sanctuary for the great feast of Easter. Whatever you can do to help will be appreciated.
Stations of the Cross and Benediction:
During Lent Stations of the Cross will be held at St. Francis on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Stations of The Cross and Soup Supper:
Stations of the Cross, followed by a Soup Supper, will take place on Thursdays throughout March at Holy Cross Church beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you wish to volunteer to bring soup, there is a sign-up sheet in the back of Holy Cross Church, or you may contact the parish office.
Lent – Daily Meditations:
Booklets, The Word Among Us, are available in the foyers of the Church. The booklets contain a meditation for each day of lent. They are most useful for private and family gathering use. Please be sure to take a booklet to anyone who might be interested in using this resource.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl:
CRS rice bowls are available in the foyers of the Church. The sacrifices we make to support the CRS Rice Bowl during Lent have the power to change lives by deepening our connection to our one human family. 75% of donations are used globally, and 25% stay local.
Thank You:
Our parish has received a thank you note from a parishioner regarding our card ministry: “As a thankful recipient of your monthly communications, I wanted to tell you how much your cards and notes are appreciated. It means a lot to me to know I am being thought of by others. While I can’t get to church these days, your correspondence enables me to feel like I am an important member of the parish community. God bless each of you who participate in this important ministry.”
St. Patrick’s Day and Abstinence:
The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, that is, meatless days. This Lenten practice affects Catholics over the age of 14.
This year, the Feast Day of St. Patrick, March 17, 2023, falls on a Friday. Bishop Matano has granted a dispensation from abstinence to all the faithful in the Diocese of Rochester that we might commemorate this feast day.
Lenten Reminders:
- The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (February 22) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 6).
- “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).
- During the Season of Lent, the Church urges all the faithful to reflect a spirit of prayer, penance (conversion), and charity.
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 June 4).
Online Giving:
WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for parishioners to give to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), Easter Flowers, Easter collection, and the CRS Rice Bowl.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
To support important Diocesan programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our Church in the Diocese of Rochester, our parish has been given an appeal goal of $31,000. To meet this goal, we need your help. Please do what you are able. CMA pledge envelopes are available in the foyers of the Church. A “thank you” to all who have already participated in the Appeal.
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 [email protected].
Lent – Daily Meditations:
Booklets, The Word Among Us, are available in the foyers of the Church. The booklets contain a meditation for each day of lent. They are most useful for private and family gathering use. Please be sure to take a booklet to anyone who might be interested in using this resource.
The Catholic Courier—Please Support the Parish:
Each parish in the Diocese of Rochester is required to financially support the publication of The Catholic Courier. Each year our parish bill amounts to $4,908, and every year we ask for help in paying this bill.
Next weekend, baskets will be placed in the back of the church for your donation. The offertory envelope boxes have a recommended donation of $11.00, and you can also donate with our online giving, WeShare. Whatever help you can give will be appreciated greatly. Thank you.
Help for Victims
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To report a case of possible sexual abuse and to receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, victims are encouraged to contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel at 585-328-3228, ext. 1555; or 1-800-388-7177, ext. 1555; or via e-mail at [email protected].
Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:
- Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 p.m., and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays (February 23), 7:30–8:30 p.m.
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays (February 23), 4:00–5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email her at [email protected].
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. To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, or email [email protected].
Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic and for world peace, especially in Ukraine.
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:
Parishioners requesting a Mass intention for a particular date and time can do so by completing the “Mass Intentions Request Form” located in the foyers of the churches. Mass intentions may also be requested by phoning the parish office.
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.
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
