First Reading:
Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)
Psalm:
The Lord has set his throne in heaven. (Ps. 103)
Or
Alleluia.
Second Reading:
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. (1 Jn. 4:11)
Gospel:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” (Jn. 17:11b)
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:
When Jesus was physically with his disciples, he guarded and protected them. One of his greatest desires was that they share his joy completely. God’s love is the source of all things and their sustenance. As we conduct the normal routines of our lives it is easy to get caught up in the immediacies of this world and lose focus. We become very self and worldly dependent, forgetting that God wishes to guard and protect us. The joy the resurrected Christ can offer cannot be found in this world. It takes a bit of faith to realize that God’s will is a constant in our lives and that God desires only the sustenance and goodness of both our bodies and our souls. We need to trust in God’s constant and rejuvenating love. This radical resurrection trust allows us to experience the joy of God’s presence in all of the good and the bad, positive and negative, life building and life destructive events that we encounter. God remains where love remains.
©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 (May 25), 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 (May 24) 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 (Site temporarily changed)
- Thursdays, Noon, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
- Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
- Diocesan Missions offering: May 15 and 16
- Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting: May 27, 10:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
Reception into the Catholic Church:
Next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Karen Salino will make a Profession of Faith in the Catholic Church. For the past two years, Karen has been preparing for this celebration of reception. At Mass, Karen will be called forward to proclaim the Nicene Creed with the assembly. Immediately after she will make a profession of faith in the Catholic Church. The celebrant will accept her profession on behalf of the Church and the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will follow. This is a joyful event for Karen and for the Parish. Alleluia – Praise God.
Diocesan Missions Sunday:
This weekend, May 15 and 16, we shall observe Diocesan Missions Sunday. Proclaiming the Gospel is not something we can do once for all, but is an ongoing part of the Church. This is the message of the new evangelization. “Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.” Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel” (127). Our dedicated Sisters of Mercy in Chile and the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brazil have been on pilgrimage sharing their gifts of faith and service to God’s people. We are called to help them with our prayers and a sacrificial gift, so that they may continue to bring Christ into a world where darkness, despair and emptiness prevail. Surely, we can help to bring hope to them.
Litany of St. Joseph:
This year is dedicated to increase our love for St. Joseph, to encourage us to implore his intercession, and to imitate his virtues and his zeal. In some Christian cultures the weekday Wednesday has been a day dedicated to St. Joseph. Beginning this Wednesday, after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, we will pray the Litany of St. Joseph which is an inspiration as to St. Joseph’s many virtues and to ask his intercession for the increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life and for the continuing awareness of the sanctity of life.
Cemetery Advisory Committee:
The Diocese of Rochester requires that parishes with a Cemetery or Cemeteries must establish a Cemetery Advisory Committee. At present, St. James the Apostle and Holy Cross have separate cemetery committees. These will be merged into the Cemetery Advisory Committee. Members of the parish who are able and willing are welcome to join. Please phone the parish office to volunteer. Thank you for your kind consideration of the help.
Buildings and Grounds Committee:
The parish has three Buildings and Grounds Committees. The Parish Finance Council proposed, and it was accepted, that the parish have one committee. The first meeting of the committee will be Thursday, May 27, at 10:00 a.m. at the Parish Center, Interlaken. The Diocesan Regional Finance Director, Ms. Rebecca Pizzirusso, will be present. Members of the parish interested in the Buildings and Grounds Committee please notify Fr. Bernard and/or phone the parish office.
Bible Study:
If you’ve struggled to read the Bible, this podcast is for you. Ascension’s Bible in a Year Podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and featuring Jeff Cavins, guides Catholics through the Bible in 365 daily episodes. Each 20–25 minute episode includes: two to three scripture readings; reflection from Fr. Mike Schmitz; and guided prayer to help you hear God’s voice in his Word. Unlike any other Bible podcast, Ascension’s Bible in a Year Podcast for Catholics follows a reading plan inspired by the Great Adventure Bible Timeline® learning system, a groundbreaking approach to understanding Salvation History. One can participate by using any free podcast app on your smartphone or tablet or via your browser at ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.
Young Adult Retreat (Ages 18 –40):
The theme of this one day retreat is: From Love, For Love – Discerning God’s Will. The retreat will be held on Saturday, May 22, from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at St. Hyacinth Church, 61 Pulaski St., Auburn, NY. The fee is $10, which includes lunch. To register and for more information please go to stmaryauburn.org. You can also contact Carlo Stebbings at [email protected] or 315–252–3429.
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.
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].
Notre Dame Retreat House:
“Desert Days” are special days for individuals seeking a one-day retreat alone with God. We will give you the time, space and materials . . . all you need to do is come with a willing heart and an open mind. The dates for Spring are: May 19, and June 2. The day begins at 8:45 a.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m. During your time with us, our priests will be available for confession and/or conversation and will offer Mass at the closing of our day. The cost is $25.00 and includes lunch! To register, please contact us at 585–394–5700 or ndretreat@rochester.rr.com.
Notre Dame High School Open House:
Notre Dame High School, Grades 7–12 is hosting a Spring Open House on Wednesday, May 19, at 6 p.m. The evening will begin with a brief presentation in the Auditorium at the school at 6:00 p.m. with campus tours to follow. Notre Dame is a college preparatory school. Additionally, Notre Dame offers a competitive athletic program along with many opportunities to participate in the performing, visual, and language arts. Notre Dame High School is located at 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira. There is a transportation option available for students residing in Ithaca and the surrounding area. Notre Dame is currently accepting applications for new students for the 2021-22 school year. Please RSVP for the Spring Open House by visiting notredamehighschool.com or calling 607–734–2267 ext. 8.
Easter Duty:
“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) In reference to this precept the Easter season is considered the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year May 30).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Year of St. Joseph:
Pope Francis initiated the Year of St. Joseph in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Catholic Church. This year is dedicated to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.
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].
