First Reading:
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her. (Wis. 7:7-8)
Psalm:
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy! (Ps. 90)
Second Reading:
No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. (Heb. 4:13)
Gospel:
“Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mk. 10:21)
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:
Presumption can be a great sin. We can easily convince ourselves that as long as we do the bare minimum or master the basics, it is sufficient. Love doesn’t operate this way. If we are truly in love with God, then the basics are not going to be enough. That love is going to want to get expressed in going above and beyond, in leaving the comfortable and familiar, in stretching and growing and in following a voice other than our own. This is what those who are truly in pursuit of wisdom come to realize. Just like any human relationship worth achieving reveals, we never reach a plateau in following the Gospel or growing in wisdom and holiness. Wisdom is the rudder that guides us through all of life’s attractions and options. It alone determines what is worth pursuing and what must be left behind. That is why those who are only concerned about checking the boxes and doing the least amount possible often walk away sad when offered God’s gift of life eternal. They are not truly in love.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: October 12, 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 (October 11) 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
- Confirmation program: Sundays, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- RCIA: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
- St James the Apostle: October 20
- Holy Cross Rectory: October 13 & 27
- CROP Walk: October 10, 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The Fall Appeal Letter from Bishop Matano was mailed to our parishioners sometime during this past week. Hopefully you have all received the Appeal letter. Our parish given goal this year has been decreased from $29,979 to $28,086. Please respond to this Appeal as soon as you are able. Participation in the Appeal is primary. Please note that if all our parish households participated, our goal would be easily reached.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
This is a faith formational program for people interested in learning about Jesus Christ and His Church, with a leaning toward being baptized, confirmed and celebrating Holy Communion. It is also for Catholics who have yet to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation and/or Holy Communion. It is also for Catholics who are interested in continuing their religious education formation. The classes will be begin on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, St. Francis Solanus Church. Parishioners knowing people who might be interested in such a program please inform Fr. Bernard or Br. Francisco. For more information and/or to register, please phone the parish office.
Cemeteries Fall Cleanup:
The fall cleanup for Holy Cross and St. James cemeteries will take place on Saturday, November 13. Please have all previous season’s decorations removed by that date. If possible, please take them home for disposal.
CROP Hunger Walk:
The CROP Hunger Walk, sponsored by the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC), will take place this Sunday, October 10, at 2:00 p.m. (all walkers register at 1:45 p.m.). The host and starting place will be St. James the Apostle Church. To register for the walk or to help sponsor our team with a donation please go to: events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/team/the-parish-of-mary-mother-of-mercy. Also, checks can be mailed to the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses, Attn: Carol MacLeod, 69 E. Main Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886. Please make checks out to CWS/CROP. If you would like to contribute directly on behalf of the parish, please go here.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
The gathering for prayer will take place Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. They will be at St. James the Apostle Pine Room on the first and third Wednesdays (October 20) and at Holy Cross Rectory on the second and fourth Wednesdays (October 13 & 27). Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the prayer sessions. For more information phone: 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].
Vocations Committee:
The Diocesan Vocation Directors have requested that each parish develop a committee to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life in their parish. They have materials available to assist this ministry. Our church needs priests and religious. Please consider helping and volunteer for the committee.
Synod of Bishops:
Pope Francis I has convoked an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to take place in Rome in October 2023. Preliminary work for the Synod begins this month in all dioceses throughout the world. On October 10, 2021, Bishop Matano, in union with our Holy Father, will celebrate the convocation of the Synod of Bishops under the theme: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” The Mass will be at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 11:15 a.m. The invitation to the Mass is extended to all parishioners.
Rosary Rally:
This annual rally is promoted by a group called “America Needs Fatima.” The rally commemorates the last apparition of our Lady of Fatima and the miracle of the sun which occurred on October 13, 1917 and offers prayers for our nation, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary there will be an ending of the chaos, immorality, and social upheaval in our nation. A rosary rally will take place on October 16 at 12:00 p.m. at Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Center, 8251 Lower Lake Road, Lodi. On that date and time, it is expected that over 20,000 rosary rallies will be taking place throughout our nation.
40 Days for Life Prayer Campaign:
40 Days for Life is an international campaign of fasting and peaceful prayer outside of abortion clinics. In Ithaca we pray across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St. The next prayer campaign begins September 22–October 31, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. everyday. 40daysforlife.com/ithaca offers daily devotions, resources, and an online calendar to select your hour to pray. Together, our peaceful prayer and witness will offer hope and life-affirming options to vulnerable women. For more info contact Carolann Darling, 607–351–6668.
Winter Coat Distribution:
Children’s coats will be distributed on Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m.–Noon – bring your child/children with you to the Ovid VFW, 7068 Route 96, Ovid. The event is sponsored by the Community Christmas Project. The free coats are for Seneca County residents only, you must have proof of address and income. 2021 community Christmas project applications will be accepted at the coat give-away.
“The Devil Made Me Do It”:
On Wednesday, October 13, Deacon Eric Bessette will give a presentation on what the Catholic Church teaches about the devil. It will take place at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua beginning at 9:00 a.m. The cost is $25. There will be lunch, free time, confessions and Mass at 2:00p.m. Please register by phoning 585–394–5700 or email [email protected].
ExultRochester Catholic Men’s Conference:
This conference will be held on Saturday, October 23 from 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Parish of the Holy Family at St. Jude, 4100 Lyell Rd, Rochester. Information and registration are available online: exultrochester.org.
GriefShare Meetings:
Ovid Federated Church will be starting a cycle of GriefShare meetings on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. The GriefShare Program is a Biblical, Christ-centered seminar that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. For information call the Ovid Federated Church office at 607–869–2794 or Judy Mellgard at 814–762–6928.
Notre Dame High School:
The 16th annual McAuley Award evening will be held on Tuesday, October 19. This year, it is a hybrid event and those who are unable to be physically present at the Elmira Country Club can join virtually via Zoom. For more information or to register, visit https://www.notredamehighschool.com/mcauley-awards Questions may be directed to Theresa Tobey, Director of Advancement at 607-734-2267.
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].
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
