First Reading:
“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)
Psalm:
The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth. (Ps. 97)
Or
Alleluia
Second Reading:
The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)
Gospel:
That they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. (Jn. 17:23)
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 all have our ideas of who God is. We have to remember, however, that our ideas of God often do not capture who God really is. God is a wonderful mystery whose identity is inexhaustible. This makes life an exciting journey in search of belief, love, glory, and unity. Displaying all of the tenderness of a real love story, we hear from Jesus that God wants nothing more than for the world to believe. The same depth of affection given to Jesus, God the Father desires to share with us. Receiving this love gives the believer an even greater understanding of what gives us purpose and meaning. With God’s unconditional love as our anchor, we can endure the greatest of hardships knowing that we carry the hope of glory within us. Sharing in the same incredible eternal destiny and glory that God gave His Son, we can all be one just as Jesus and the Father are one. Why is understanding all of this important? Because given the myriad choices of what can possibly define us, we now have the primordial truth of who we are given to us by God. We know, beyond doubt, where to look for true happiness and where our lives will end.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (June 6) 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.–2:00 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
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.
- James the Apostle: June 1 & 15
- Holy Cross: May 25; June 8 & 22
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: June 1 & 15; 3:15 p.m.; St. James the Apostle
- Pentecost brunch: June 5, after 10:30 a.m. Mass, Holy Cross
- Food, Faith, & Fun: June 5, 5:00 p.m., St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse
Funerals:
- Douglas J. Lynch, age 58, died May 11, 2022. A grave-side service was held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Ovid on May 16.
- Peggy Jean Hubbell, age 74, died May 2, 2022. A grave-side service was held at Grove Cemetery, Trumansburg on May 17.
Pentecost Brunch:
The brunch will take place on Sunday, June 5, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross Rectory. As in past years it is a potluck brunch held on Pentecost Sunday where the attendees bring a dish to the meal. Everyone is welcome to this grand parish event.
Food, Faith and Fun:
A gift has been given to the parish for a gathering of people between the ages of 21 and 45. The gathering will take place on Sunday, June 5 at the St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse, 7790 County Road 153, Interlaken, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a sit-down dinner. After the meal there will be a brief faith presentation and sharing followed by a planned activity. Space is limited. To register, contact the parish office at 607–294–0064 or [email protected] by next Sunday, May 29. If interested in helping to work on this event please notify the parish office. Thanks.
Call for Singers and Musicians:
Singers and Musicians are invited to sing and play at the three churches in the parish of Mary Mother of Mercy to praise our Lord. Anyone interested in participating or who wants more information can inquire with choir members, Fr. Bernard or contact Leo at [email protected] We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Parish Council Selection of New Members:
The selection of new Parish Council members will take place this Sunday, May 29, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The Parish Council is a council to the pastor. It is not a governing body nor board. Newly selected members will attend the June 9, 2022 Parish Council meeting. June 9 is the last Parish Council meeting of the year. At the June 9 meeting, in preparation for the September meeting, an executive committee will be elected and members will be assigned to the Parish Council standing committees of their choice.
Regarding the Burial of the Deceased:
In 1963, an instruction was issued from Rome that “all necessary measures must be taken to preserve the practice of reverently burying the faithful departed”, adding however that cremation is not opposed … to the Christian religion” and that no longer should the Sacraments and funeral rites be denied to those who have asked that they be cremated. This directive was incorporated into the Code of Canon Law (1983) and the Code of Canons of Oriental Churches (1990). Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church insistently recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased. When cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose. The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect. For the reasons given above, the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted. The ashes may not be divided among various family members. It is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other ways, nor be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects. Regarding Burial of the Deceased and the Conservation of Ashes was issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, August 15, 2016. Copies of the complete instruction can be obtained at the Parish Office.
Desert Day of Prayer:
June 1, from 8:45 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, NY is offering a day for individuals seeking a one day retreat alone with God. During your time with us, our priests are available for confession and/or conversation and will offer mass at the closing of our day. The cost is $25.00 and includes lunch! Attendance is limited to 25. To register, please contact us at 585–394–5700 or [email protected]
Camp Stella Maris:
Each year, Camp Stella Maris sends hundreds of kids to camp through the Charles M. Bayer Campership Program. Campership awards are extended to families who may not have the opportunity to send their children to camp. Camp Stella Maris awards more than $150,000 to campers-in-need annually. For more information phone 585–346–2243.
Summer Academies & Girls Basketball Camp:
Notre Dame High School is accepting registrations. Visit: notredamehighschool.com/summer-camps-and-academies. All registrations will be taken online. Email: Michelle Barkley at [email protected] with questions. All camps are held at Notre Dame High School, Elmira, NY.
Pending U.S. Supreme Court Decision:
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization give the Supreme Court an opportunity to undo the grave injustice of 1973, when Roe V. Wade decided that a whole class of human beings, the preborn, are outside the protection of the law. Since that decision, more than 60 million innocent lives have been taken. If Roe is overturned, states will again be able to protect the lives of preborn children, and in doing so, also protect millions of women from the tragic consequences of abortion.
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].
Easter Duty:
All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by 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 12) Canon #920
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
You are invited to gather for a time of quiet prayer for healing and harmony. These gatherings are Wednesdays and begin at 2:00 p.m. The upcoming dates at St. James are June 1 and 15. At Holy Cross, there will be gatherings on June 8 and 22. Questions? Contact Sister Anne at 607–209–4206 or [email protected].
Spiritual Book Reading and Discussion:
Sister Anne Alderman SSJ is facilitating a discussion of the book Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr & John Feister on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St. James at 3:15 p.m. The next dates are June 1 and 15. This event will run through June.
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 of Rochester have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2022. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sr. Anne Marie, 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.
The 56th World Communications Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 29, 2022. This year’s theme is “Listening with the ear of the heart”.