First Reading:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35)
Psalm:
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. (Ps. 98)
Or
Alleluia.
Second Reading:
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. (1 Jn. 4:7)
Gospel:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn. 15:12-13)
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:
God is love. These three simple words deserve a great deal of attention. They have the power to transform our relationship with God from something that is static and distant to one that is personal and real. We all know the power of love and how important it is to completing all of the human and divine circuits of our lives. But we do not often consider the awesome fact that it is given to us as a gift and is not simply part and parcel of the human package. God is the author of love and love itself. When we truly love another human being, it is really God being God in and through us. The love to which we are called and the love of which the Gospel speaks is a selfless love that seeks the wellbeing of not only our significant others but of all of our brothers and sisters. This love, which is of God, is a love that will endure all things and bring immeasurable joy when experienced. It is the most sincere form of friendship.
©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 11), 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 10) 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
- Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy’s Sunday Mass can be viewed at our parish website: marymotherofmercy.com
- Easter Sacraments presentation on the Eucharist: May 11, 7 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Ascension Mass schedule: May 13, 9:00 a.m., St James and 6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Diocesan Missions offering: May 15 and 16
- Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting: May 27, 10:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
Funerals:
- A funeral service was held at Holy Cross Cemetery for Chester Goslicki, on April 27, 2021. Chester died on March 26, 2021 at the age 86.
- A funeral service was held at St. James the Apostle Cemetery for Joan Craig on April 28, 2021. Joan died on May 24, 2020 at the age of 92.
- A funeral service was held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Ovid on May 1, 2021 for Beverly M. McDonald, age 87, who died on December 27, 2020.
- A Funeral Mass was celebrated for Carol Northrup at St. James the Apostle Church on May 3, 2021. Carol died on April 27, 2021 at age 82.
Mother’s Day:
Today we praise God for our mothers. Their continued loving service is rejoiced in and is an inspiration for us to imitate. We pray God to bless all mothers in our parish family and beyond. “Mothers, enjoy the day dedicated to you. Rejoice in the expressions of love, reverence and gratitude that you receive this day.” For you this day we pray: “Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless the mothers of our parish that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
Ascension Thursday:
This Thursday is a holy day of obligation, The Ascension of the Lord. It marks 40 days since Easter. The places and times of the Masses are as follows: St. James the Apostle, 9:00 a.m. and Holy Cross, 6:00 p.m. There will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus on Ascension Thursday.
The Easter Sacraments:
Fr. Bernard will give a presentation on the Sacrament of Eucharist this Tuesday, May 11, at the Parish Center, Interlaken, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Diocesan Missions Sunday:
Next 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 on next weekend 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.
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.
Finance Council:
The Council met on April 29 with the new Diocesan Regional Finance Director, Ms. Rebecca Pizzirusso, to review among other items the third quarter financial report. The good news is that we are in the black. Year to date (March 30, 2021), the ordinary receipts amounted to $159,914.04 and the ordinary expenditures amounted to $152,487.05. In relation to the previous year’s third quarter reporting our ordinary receipts were up $4,238 and our expenditures were down $8,156. Many thanks to all for your financial support to the parish. You are a blessing.
Birthright of Ithaca:
“Due to COVID-19, Birthright of Ithaca is unable to hold their annual Mother’s Day flower sale again this year. This is one of our major fundraisers to be able to continue our services of providing pregnancy tests, counseling, referrals, diapers, formula, and more to our clients in need. In lieu of the flower sale we will have a donation box at each Mass on the weekend of Mother’s Day. Won’t you please consider making a donation to Birthright of Ithaca so that we may continue God’s mission of helping women in crisis or unplanned pregnancies?”
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.
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].
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.
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).
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].
Holy Day of Obligation