First reading:
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (Ps. 23)
or Alleluia
Second reading:
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Pt. 2:24)
Gospel:
“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (Jn. 10:9)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
When you wake up in the morning, whose voice is the first one you listen to? Your own? Someone else’s? Or God’s? We all listen to someone and follow some sort of guidelines and principles. If it is a secular voice that propels us to get up in the morning and take up the task of the day’s agenda, then we may find ourselves off track. The advice found in the Acts of the Apostles was as true then as it is now, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Most of what we listen to in secular voices is off the axis of truth and distorted. It may sound attractive, but it is deceptive at best. Many have gone astray like sheep and need to return to the Good Shepherd. Only Jesus can offer us the gate of life, and only Jesus as the Good Shepherd can really motivate us to take on the challenges of life. If we don’t recognize his voice, we can risk facing destruction.
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, 3:00 p.m. (May 12-Confirm May Date?)
- 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)
- Food Donations: May 10 at St. James for Trumansburg Food Pantry
- Bishop’s Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m., live stream from Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
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).
Scheduled Mass Intentions:
During this time of suspended public Masses, when a Mass intention has been scheduled for a particular day and time, that Mass intention will be remembered in a private Mass offered on the day scheduled.
Food Donations Needed:
On May 10, and ever second Sunday of a month, the St. James community is invited to contribute non-perishable food for those in need, an even more urgent request given today’s world. The donations may be placed on the table placed in front of the Blessed Mother statue 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!
2019–2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). As of April 8, one hundred and nine parish families pledged $23,146, which is 77.21% of the parish goal of $29,979. What is primary is our parishioners’ participation. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. If you have not made a pledge, please do so as soon as possible. If we do not reach our given goal, the parish is billed to make up the difference.
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 a wide range of available resources, from food assistance to mental health. To access that help phone 2-1-1.
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 [email protected].
Summer Courses Online:
St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry is offering a free audit of any one of their upcoming online summer courses. Visit stbernards.edu/course-catalogue for more information.
In Regard to the Diocese of Rochester:
The U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the western district of N. Y. reported that on September 12, 2019, the Diocese of Rochester filed for protection under chapter 11 of title 11 of the U.S. Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Bankruptcy Court has established August 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. as the deadline to file proofs of claim against the Diocese (the Bar Date”). If you have a claim against the Diocese, including, without limitation, a claim related to sexual abuse committed by any person connected with the Diocese, you must file a claim on or before the Bar Date. Please visit https://case.stretto.com/rochesterdiocese or phone 855 347 3773 for more information on how to file your proof of claim. IF YOU DO NOT TIMELY FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM, YOU MAY FORFEIT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON ANY PLAN OR REORGANIZATION AND TO SHARE IN ANY DISTRIBUTION MADE TO CREDITORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEBTOR’S CHAPTER 11 CASE.
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).
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.
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.
