Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ July 8, 2018

First reading:
They shall know that a prophet has been among them. (Ez. 2:5b)

Psalm:
Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy. (Ps. 123)

Second reading:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9a)

Gospel:
When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!” (Mk. 6:2)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
It seems that Jesus is always facing some kind of opposition. Today, those from his native place amaze him because of their lack of faith. We oppose Jesus as well. It is not easy to be challenged and realize our great need to change. We grow comfortable with ourselves and our surroundings and resist change. We become defensive when the wisdom Jesus utters asks us to leave ourselves and our concerns and think more about others. We lack faith in God, faith in ourselves, and faith in one another. We are asked to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and allow ourselves to be stretched. Jesus knows what he is talking about. Do we really believe this?

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus church, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: There is a food pantry at the Ovid Federated church on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (July 10 and July 24). A food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (July 9 and July 23)
• Fr. Bernard is Available: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, no appointment needed.
• Retreat Day: July 17 at Notre Dame Retreat House on “Talking with God: Insights from St. Alphonsus de Liguori”
• Bishop’s Dinner for College/High School Students: Wednesday, August 1.
• Lakeside Retreat: “Contemplating Christ with Mary,” facilitated by Sr. Kathleen Murphy, OSF, on August 6, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Branches Retreat: “The Day of Apparitions—God’s Dialogue with His People through His Mother” facilitated by Lena Shipley, on August 15, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
• Summer Religious Education: from Monday, August 13, through Friday, August 17, at the St. Fidelis Friary boathouse. Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 3:30 p.m.

The Church in Central and Eastern Europe:
This week, we will take up the collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. This collection supports the Church in over twenty-five countries that are still struggling to recover in the aftermath of communist rule. Funds from this collection support pastoral care, catechesis, building renovations, and seminary formation. Your support restores the Church and builds the future in this region. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection next week. More information can be found at www.usccb.org/ccee. Thank you for your generosity

Save Time and Donate Online:
Online giving is now available for parishioners via WeShare, an easy and convenient way to save time and support the church. Donating is simple, safe, and completely secure. With WeShare, you can set up a recurring weekly or monthly transaction using your checking, savings, or credit card account. You can decide how much to give to any collection and make changes at any time, day or night. Plus, you can leave your checkbook at home on Sundays.

Parishioners who have registered an email with the parish will soon receive a welcome email from [email protected] with the subject line: “Welcome to The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy-Interlaken, NY on WeShare.” General login information and a temporary password will be included in this email. You may also visit https://marymotherofmercy.weshareonline.org/ directly. Your registration with WeShare will occur as you make your first donation. If you have any questions or concerns about the program or would like help setting up your account, please email the parish business manager, Eileen Heptig, at [email protected]. “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” Luke 6:38

Buildings and Grounds Committees:
There are a number of parish projects being worked on by the three buildings and grounds committees. The parking lot at St. James needs to be repaved and, while that is being done, problems with the storm drainage will be addressed. The parking lots at St. Francis and Holy Cross need to be resealed so the parish is looking at getting all three lots done by one contractor to save money. The St. James the Apostle rectory porch needs to be replaced and there are plans for a major renovation of the sacristy at St. Francis Solanus. At Holy Cross the trim on the church and rectory needs to be painted. Also being considered are new parish outdoor signs that will look the same for all three churches, and maybe the cemeteries too.

Communion service:
There will be no communion service at St. James the Apostle church for the next two Mondays: July 9 and 16. The communion service will resume at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 23.

Parish Council:
A parish council meeting was held on June 21 at the parish center. At the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting an executive committee was elected for the coming year and members and alternates were appointed to the council’s standing committees. The executive committee includes Barbara Willers as chair, Gerald Frank as vice chair, and Kathleen Rourke as secretary. The word committee includes: Andrew Morpurgo (chair), Timothy Davis, and Laurenda Denmark. Worship committee members are: Thomas Duff (chair), Jacqueline Leidenforst, and Jessica Portillo. The witness committee includes: Michelle Humulock (chair), Richard Pell, and Leo Kawczenski. Fellowship committee members are: Janice McLaughlin (chair), Susan Guydosh, Scott Hamula, Norman Hummel, and Nancy McGourty. At the meeting an expression of gratitude was conveyed to members and alternates whose terms expired. The parish is indebted to: Cathy Millspaugh (who was chair for the past two years), Donna Brandow, Shirley Cleere, Charlotte Huyler, Pam Jasikoff, Lydia Kurkchi, and Jeanie Wiggins. Our prayer is that the Lord will reward them for their generosity in serving on the council and for their ministry to our parish.

Letter of Gratitude:
Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, in a letter to the parish dated June 18, wrote: “I write to express my most sincere gratitude to … the very dedicated parishioners for exceeding the assigned goal in contributions and pledges for the 2017–2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal. The very significant donation … is a great help to the Annual Fund and such generosity must never be taken for granted.”

Talking with God:
There will be a day retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House (5151 Foster Rd. in Canandaigua) on July 17. The theme is “Talking with God: Insights from St. Alphonsus de Liguori,” and is being presented by Fr. Dennis Bill, C.Ss.R., and five Redemptorists seminarians who are making their final vows. Come and learn about St. Alphonsus, the founder of the Redemptorist order of priests and brothers, and his approach to prayer. There is a $25 fee. Please call 585-394-5700 or email: [email protected] to register. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with morning coffee and end with reconciliation and Mass.

Lakeside Retreats in August:
Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Center, located on Seneca Lake, is offering two retreats in August. The first is on “Contemplating Christ with Mary,” and is facilitated by Sr. Kathleen Murphy, OSF, on Monday, August 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The second, on Wednesday, August 15, is on “The Day of Apparitions—God’s Dialogue with His People through His Mother” and is being facilitated by Lena Shipley. It runs from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. For more information on either event visit branchescenter.org, phone 716 901 4313, or email: [email protected].

Priesthood Vocations:
The Diocese of Rochester’s biggest vocation event of the year is the Bishop’s dinner for college/high school students. It will be held on Wednesday, August 1, at a time and place to be determined. See Fr. Bernard if you are interested in attending.

Daily Meditations:
The Center for Action and Contemplation, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers daily material for prayerful reflection. Go to [email protected].

Seneca County Transportation Corps:
The Seneca County Transportation Corps provides rides for residents of Seneca County to medical and dental appointments and other health-related destinations. If you need a ride phone 315–333–2179 or email [email protected].

Trip to Italy in 2019:
St. Catherine of Siena Church in Ithaca is hosting a trip to Assisi, Siena, and Rome, Italy. A flier with full details will be available at the end of July at St. Catherine’s website: www.stcathofsiena.org. If interested in the trip please email Ann Marie at [email protected] to be put on the priority list to receive additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2018 Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Such an act of love offers us the opportunity to keep Sr. Anne Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.

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.

Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle

July 8, 9:00 a.m. (second Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle

July 15, 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Barbara Willers and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short

Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church

5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays