First Reading:
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight. (Ex. 17:11)
Psalm:
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Ps. 121)
Second Reading:
So that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tm. 3:17)
Gospel:
“Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?” (Lk. 18:7)
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:
Does God finally answer our persistent prayers to stop us from bothering Him? The thought that persistent prayer can be disturbing or upsetting to God does not ring true with the images of God as compassionate, understanding, merciful, and loving that our tradition conveys. Yet, Jesus tells his disciples to “pray always without becoming weary.” Maybe the type of prayer necessary to endure the trials of discipleship and the challenges and criticisms of Christian teaching goes beyond words. We need to tend to the realities of human life. The persistent prayer of which Jesus speaks is the prayer of the heart. This contemplative, silent, loving prayer gives us the vision to see God in all things, especially in each human soul. Desiring God alone and not only what we want God to do for us places this love relationship foremost in our minds, hearts, and souls. As we breathe in and exhale out, the Divine Life flows. This alone can provide the strength of endurance to confront anything contrary to the truth of faith.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (November 1), 4:00–6:00 p.m., South Seneca High School
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (October 24) 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.–12:00 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: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: James Pine Room
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursdays; Oct. 27; 7:30 p.m.
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James Pine Room
- Sweet Sundays at St. James: November 6, 10:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- Religious Education: October 8, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
Collection Counters:
Our parish needs Sunday Collection Counters. Every parish is to have four teams and substitute counters. With many volunteers the need to count would be twelve times a year. Our parish is also in need of a “remote deposit person” who, by the computer, deposits checks directly into the bank. This person is needed every week for less than an hour. Please consider helping your parish in this ministry.
Cemetery Collection:
Annually, there is a second collection for the support of our cemeteries, St. James the Apostle Cemetery and Holy Cross Cemetery. This year the collection will be taken up on the November 6th weekend. The operating expenses for each cemetery override the ordinary income and therefore our cemeteries operate with an annual deficit. We are posting this Cemetery Collection announcement early to petition parishioners to please consider making a special financial gift to the cemeteries. Your help will be appreciated greatly.
Clothing Drive for Refugees:
Men’s clothing only is being collected by Wednesday’s “Healing and Harmony Group”. Clean jackets, shoes, boots, pants (36” or smaller), sweatshirts, sweaters, new socks, new underwear, and backpacks are needed. Please bring items in bags or boxes. Donations can be left in the entry way of St. James the Apostle by Tuesday, October 25th. The clothing will be delivered to St. Michael’s Church, Brooklyn, (a parish staffed by the Capuchin Franciscans). That area of Brooklyn being inundated with refugees in need of clothing. Thank you for your kindness. Any questions phone Gerry Todi at 607–387–6657.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
Hopefully, you have received the Catholic Ministries Appeal mailing by this time and have had a chance to review the materials. The theme for this year’s campaign is I am With You Always. The CMA allows us to extend Christ’s presence to others. It supports each of us in our faith life and enables us to live out our purpose as Catholics. Through gifts to the CMA, we support the larger Church so that it may meet real needs throughout the Diocese. Your gift to the CMA enables the Church to be responsive and caring in fulfilling its mission. Please be as generous as your means allow in your response. Every gift is needed and important! Please pray for the success of our efforts. Thank you.
Trumansburg Food Pantry:
The Trumansburg Food Pantry is looking for folks to fill volunteer leadership roles. Help brainstorm and follow through with new ideas to combat food insecurity. Come train in 2023 and be ready to take the reins in 2024. Contact Carol Grove, Pantry Coordinator at 607–387–6128.
An Opportunity to Learn How to Civilize It:
As part of our diocesan effort to participate in Civilize It, Catholic Charities and the Tompkins County parishes invite you attend a workshop on “Skills for Bridging the Divide” to explore how to better engage in civil dialogue. This event is October 20 at All Saints Church, 347 Ridge Rd, Lansing. There will be a 6:00 p.m. soup supper followed by the program at 7:00 p.m. The workshop leaders are members of an organization called Braver Angels, a national movement working to bridge the partisan divide. Whether you’re progressive or conservative, you should attend! RSVP at [email protected] or 607–272–5062 ext. 12.
Healing Journey Class:
People experience life tragedies, and they can leave one paralyzed in depression and questioning their faith. A 29 week Healing Journey class will begin October 25 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Interlaken Reformed Church. Steve Messmer will lead the class. For more information phone: 607–882–1374. To register, phone the church office: 607–532–4321.
Invitation:
All are welcome to the Ovid Federated Church on Thursday, October 27 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for a pulled pork, mac & cheese, coleslaw and bundt cake dinner. No charge, simply, come to the table.
Marriage Encounter Weekend:
The Marriage Encounter weekend is November 11-13 at the Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua. The Marriage Encounter gives busy couples much needed time together to focus on each other and deepen their communication. The application fee is $100. For more information, contact Mike and Kathy Williams at 585–872– 5432 (home) or 585–217–3899 (Cell).
Online Giving – WeShare:
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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at [email protected]
Heat Pumps:
Heat pumps will be installed at St. Francis Solanus and St. James the Apostle Churches. They will provide heat in the winter (however, the boilers will continue to be in operation) and air conditioning in the summer. The heat pumps will be installed at St. Francis Solanus Church and up in running by the end of the October 17th week. They will be installed at St. James the Apostle Church and up and running by the end of the October 31st week. Switzer Services, Inc. will do the installation and maintenance of the heat pumps.
Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:
- Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 p.m., and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Oct. 27; Nov. 10; Dec. 8 & 22)
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Oct. 27; Nov. 10; Dec. 8 & 22)
Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email [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 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 and may they find hope in the Resurrection.
