First Reading:
When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out. (Jon. 3:10)
Psalm:
Teach me your ways, O Lord. (Ps. 25)
Second Reading:
For the world in its present form is passing away. (1 Cor. 7:31)
Gospel:
The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. (Mk. 1:15)
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.
©LPi
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
“Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Some type of honest and sincere repentance is necessary for any type of authentic growth and maturity. We have to come to the realization, unless we are happy wallowing in immaturity and superficiality, that the way we have been doing things is not the best or the healthiest. There isn’t a human being alive who hasn’t acted foolishly or erratically at the cost of almost losing a treasured relationship. “Why did I act that way?” is a question we often ponder after some reflection and enlightenment. Faith works the same way. Stumbling through life and bumping up against meaninglessness, a person can begin to see that something significant is missing. They see that there is merit to a relationship with God and an embrace of faith. Before these can take root, sincere sorrow for past wrong doing, missed opportunities, errors in judgment, and short sightedness is necessary. Repentance is necessary. Then having realized that we were walking in darkness, we can rejoice that by God’s grace we now see the light.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: Every other Tuesday (February 2), 4:00 p.m., South Seneca high school parking lot
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (February 1) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- AA Meetings:
- Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- Thursdays, Noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus (Fr. Bernard will not be available January 29 or the Fridays in February.)
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
Please Note:
Fr. Bernard will be away from January 27 to March 2, 2021. Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. and Fr. Roland Daigle, OFM Cap. will be covering the schedule of weekday and weekend Masses. They will also fill in whenever called upon. The Friday evening schedule for confessions/conference will be cancelled during that time.
2020/2021 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
As of January 14, ninety-five (95) parish families have contributed to the CMA. We thank those who have given generously and ask all who have not yet given to prayerfully consider doing so. The CMA helps our Church and our parish in so many ways. Please consider all the ways that God has blessed you and your family and think how the Church has brought goodness into your lives. Join our appeal and give back what you can so that we remain strong and able to do God’s great work. Our parishioners have contributed $22,316 which represents 74.44% of our given goal of $29,979.
The Word Among Us:
The season of Lent begins on February 17 Booklets containing daily meditations and daily Mass Sacred Scripture readings for February 17 – April 4, 2021 are available in the foyers of the church. Please take one for yourself and your family and please bring a booklet to one who is homebound. A free will offering may be offered for the booklet.
Sunday of the Word of God:
Pope Francis has designated the Third Sunday In Ordinary Time (this year January 24) as The Sunday of the Word of God to be held every year. The day is to remind us of the importance and value of Sacred Scripture for the Christian life, as well as the relationship between the word of God and the liturgy: “As Christians, we are one people, making our pilgrim way through history, sustained by the Lord, present in our midst, who speaks to us and nourishes us. A day devoted to the Bible should not be seen as a yearly event but rather a year-long event, for we urgently need to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the Risen Lord, who continues to speak his word and to break bread in the community of believers. For this reason, we need to develop a closer relationship with Sacred Scripture; otherwise, our hearts will remain cold and our eyes shut, inflicted as we are by so many forms of blindness.”
Blessing of Throats:
On the feast day of St. Blaise, February 3, it is the custom in the church to bless throats with crossed candles with the following prayer, “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This year, because of the pandemic, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship issued the following directive: the priest/deacon will give the blessing to all assembled by extending hands, without crossed candles, over the people while saying the prayer of blessing. The blessing will take place at the parish daily 8:30 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, February 3.
Public Policy Advocacy Weekend – February 13/14:
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard. In particular, the pandemic has focused a spotlight on two vulnerable groups in New York State: farmers and our neighbors who are food insecure – may are newly hungry due to job losses caused by the pandemic. The Diocesan Public Policy Committee invites us to join in helping both on Diocesan Public Policy Advocacy Weekend (February 13/14) by calling on state leaders to allocate $50 million to continue the NOURISH NEW YORK initiative during state fiscal year 2021-2022.
Trumansburg Food Pantry Volunteers:
The next Trumansburg pantry is February 1. If you would like to help out, please feel free to signup. All are welcome as more hands make light work. The parish is responsible for providing volunteers for two more dates: February 1 and 15. Thank you and God Bless.
Capuchin Franciscan Burses:
The purpose of the Capuchin Franciscan Burse is to fund the recruitment, education, training, preparation, and mission work of friars in the Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order. A “Burse” is opened in memory of a deceased person, in honor of a saint, or in the name of any person or organization. One hundred dollars opens a new Burse. Contributions in any amount may be made to an existing Burse. Each Burse is complete at $5,000. For more information please contact the Province of St. Mary, 914–761–3008 or email: [email protected].
Faith Formation:
A great help to parents and families is “The Family Zone” newsletter. It offers a listing of activities and opportunities for further learning one’s faith. The newsletter can easily be shared to encourage the promotion of parents as primary catechist. The newsletter is easy to follow, offers several topics in various formats, it is fun and most of all it is educational. The newsletter is for all in the family, young and elderly. Try it out. https://oec.dor.org/evangelization/the-family-zone-newsletter.
Reminders:
• Parish 2021 Calendars
In the foyers of our churches the Parish 2021 Calendars are available. Simply, please, one calendar per household.
• Boxed Offertory Envelopes
Boxed offertory envelopes for 2021 are available in the foyers of the churches for parishioners who are presently using them. Parishioners wishing to have boxed offertory envelopes, please notify the Parish Office and a box of envelopes will be made available for pick-up.
• Offertory Collection
During this time of the pandemic, offertory collections cannot be taken up. When parishioners attend Mass, please place your offertory in the new collection stand at the entrances of the church. The new stand replaces the baskets at the entrances and offers security to your offering.
Respect Life:
All are welcome to come and pray every Friday morning from 8:30–11:00 a.m. at Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, and be available to offer life-affirming options to women considering abortions. For more information contact Carolann Darling at 607–351–6668.
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 problems, please email Eileen at [email protected].
The Bishop’s Reminder:
Due to the prevalence of the Coronavirus, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice. Those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 and those concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass. Those who feel in any way sick should not enter any parish building or church.
Year of St. Joseph:
On December 8, 2020, His Holiness, Pope Francis, declared a Year of St. Joseph, until December 8, 2021. This announcement comes on the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s December 8, 1870 proclamation of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis made this declaration to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal. During this period, the faithful will have the opportunity to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today.
Snow Days:
A reminder that during the week, if a “snow day” has been declared for local schools, there will be no 8:30 a.m. morning Mass.
Churches Will Be Closed on Weekdays:
Due to the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, our parish churches of Holy Cross, Ovid and St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg will be open only for the weekend Masses. St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken, the Church and Parish Office, will remain open.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program:
This program is designed to provide up to three months of rent relief to eligible households who have experienced a loss of income related to the public health crisis. To learn more or apply, visit ithacanhs.org/rentalassistance or phone 607–277–4500. Assistance is available to renters in four counties including Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.
Please take time this week to pray the rosary for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prayer Intentions:
Since we presently cannot have the prayer request books in our churches, do know that the prayer requests of fellow parishioners are still being listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). If you would like to add a request, please email the parish at [email protected] or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
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 Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2021. Let us keep in our prayers the two sisters praying for us and for all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.
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.
Diocese of Rochester Request:
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel, 585–328–3228, ext. 1555. Toll-free 1–800–388–7177 ext. 1555 or by email to [email protected].
