First Reading:
The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live. (Hab. 2:4)
Psalm:
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Ps. 95)
Second Reading:
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord. (2 Tm. 1:7-8)
Gospel:
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Lk. 17: 6)
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:
Why does God allow evil and suffering to occur? Looking around at what is happening in the world, it is tempting to get angry with God for not actively intervening. Jesus walked among the suffering and evil of his day. While he healed some things, he simply sat with the sinner, challenged the leaders, and spoke against injustice. Jesus spoke of God’s kingdom and his vision for humanity. But he made it very clear that it is our responsibility to realize this vision. The disciples saw how Jesus lived and dealt with the day’s circumstances. They wanted that same faith and determination. They wanted his fortitude and courage. Mostly, they wanted Jesus’ confidence and patience that God’s vision would someday be fulfilled. In the meantime, waiting in joyful hope, we become servants who do what is necessary: love, repent of our sin, show mercy, be compassionate and fight injustice. Willingly giving witness to our faith, we expect nothing in return.
©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 (October 4), 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 10) 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; October 13 & 27; 7:30 p.m.
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James Pine Room
- Sweet Sundays at St. James: October 2, 10:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- Religious Education: October 8, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Taizé Prayer: October 13 & 27, 4:00 p.m., St. James
Food Donations Needed:
On the second Sunday of each month, non-perishable food items will be received at St. James the Apostle Church and placed on a table in front of the Blessed Mother statue. They will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also welcome. (Please make checks out to Mary, Mother of Mercy with “food pantry” in the memo line.) 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.
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.
Community Christmas Project & Coat Distribution:
The Winter Coat Distribution will take place on October 15, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the Ovid VFW, 7068 Rte. 96, Ovid. Seneca County residents may pick up coats for their children as well as submit applications for the Community Christmas Project. Applications for the Christmas Project will also be accepted at the Ovid Food Pantry on Mondays from September 26–October 31 and the Interlaken Food Pantry on Fridays from September 30–October 28. Proof of address and income are required. Contact Gerry Frank at gfrank@ottcmail.com with any questions.
St. Francis of Assisi:
The Church celebrates on Tuesday, October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. He was born in 1181 and died in 1226. His conversion to our heavenly Father inspired him to imitate Jesus, and he was acclaimed as a most Christ like person, even to receiving the gift of having the five wounds of Jesus imprinted on his body. He was the founder of three religious orders: the Friars Minor, the Poor Clare’s and the Secular Franciscan. The whole church rejoices in the inspiration given by his way of life which is the gospel life. There will be one Mass, the daily 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Solanus Church in celebration of his feast day.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
The Diocese is launching the 2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). The purpose and necessity for the CMA is unchanged after 40 years. We are responsible for continuing the Church’s mission through good times and bad – through prosperous times and lean times. People are still poor, hungry, in need of pastoral care, education and employment. The faithful are in need of ministry and a vibrant parish life. Our youth and young adults are yearning to learn and grow in their relationship with Christ. The Church and our Diocese are in need of trained and educated seminarians, deacons, and pastoral leaders to lead our Church into the future. We cannot close our eyes to these needs. Starting next weekend, we will have more information to share with you about this year’s appeal. The first mailing for the Appeal was sent out the week of September 15th. The given goal for our parish is $31,000.
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. 13 & 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 Thursday, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Oct. 13 & 27; Nov. 10; Dec. 8 & 22)
Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email a.alder1980@gmail.com.
Respect Life Sunday:
This Sunday is Respect Life Sunday. It is a day dedicated to prayer for preborn children and their parents. On this day there is a National Life Chain. Participants will gather in Cortland on the Corner of Groton Ave, Main/Clinton at 2:00 p.m. For more information go to lifechain.net.
40 Days for Life Speaker:
Former Planned Parenthood manager and director of outreach of 40 Days for Life, Ramona Trevino, will be speaking at the Ithaca prayer vigil on October 11 at 10:00 a.m. across from Planned Parenthood, 620 West Seneca St., Ithaca. For information about the Ithaca campaign, visit: www.40daysforlife.com/ithaca.
Catholic Men’s Conference:
The 2022 Rochester Catholic Men’s Conference is on October 15 from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Jude’s Church, 4100 Lyell Road, Rochester. The Conference will also be livestreamed. The theme of the Men’s Conference is Called and Sent. The featured speaker is Dave Nodar of ChristLife. Information is available: exultrochester.org. Mail in registrations are available in the sacristies of our Churches.
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.
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 eileen.heptig@dor.org
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 familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
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 familyhopecenter@outlook.com.
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 immmercy@dor.org 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.
