First Reading:
I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst. (Jer. 31:8)
Psalm:
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. (Ps. 126)
Second Reading:
No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. (Heb. 5:4)
Gospel:
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” (Mk. 10:46-52)
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:
“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him the greatest human achievement.” These words of St. Augustine are timeless. Every human being would certainly profit with wisdom if they realized Who calls them and to Whom they belong. There is only one way to satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart and that is in relationship with our Creator. When we seek God with true sincerity of heart and God passes us along our way, we will cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” We will instinctively know that it is only our Divine Master who can restore our sight and heal us. The blind man fell in love with Jesus, embarked upon this life-saving adventure to reach him and achieved a goal many have only remotely thought possible. This is mercy in action. No matter how far we stray or how blind we become God patiently waits to console us, guide us, and heal us. All we need to do is desire Him with all our heart.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: November 9, 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 25) 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
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: October 27, 1:00 p.m., Holy Cross Rectory
- Religious Education: October 31, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- World Mission Sunday special collection: October 23 & 24
- Cemetery Fund collection: November 6 & 7
Funeral:
Michael C. Iannone, age 30, died October 12. There was a graveside service October 16, 2021, at Holy Cross Cemetery, Ovid. For the past seven years Michael did the grass cutting at Holy Cross Church and Cemetery and recently at St. James Catholic Cemetery. He also did the snow plowing at Holy Cross. Michael died of COVID. The parish was always appreciative of Michael’s work and his faithfulness. We keep him in our hearts and prayers.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
The next gathering for prayer will be at Holy Cross Rectory on Wednesday, October 27. Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the prayer sessions. For more information phone 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].
World Mission Sunday 2021:
Today is World Mission Sunday. We celebrate this day by remembering our baptismal call – to bring the Gospel to all! The collection today for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith supports the work and witness of the Mission Church, as it provides for priests, religious and lay leaders who offer the Lord’s mercy and concrete help to the most vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions. Thank you for your generosity.
Baby Leighton Update:
Several weeks ago, Fr. Richard asked parishioners to pray for a baby relative of his. Fr. Richard reports that the baby is doing fine. Thank you all so much for your prayers. Everyone is so grateful.
All Saints’ Day – November 1:
November 1 is a Monday, therefore this year All Saints’ Day is not a holy day of obligation. On All Saints’ Day there will be one Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus in Interlaken.
All Souls’ Day is November 2:
It is the day the Church commemorates all the faithful departed. It is the custom that the names of one’s beloved deceased be submitted to be remembered and prayed for on that day and throughout the month of November. Envelopes are available in the churches to record the names of those to be remembered and prayed for. The envelopes will remain on the altar for the month of November. On that day, at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, the names of all those whose burial took place through the ministry of the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy during the past year will be announced, and a candle will be lit in remembrance of them.
Cemetery Fund Collection:
Collection for the support of our two parish cemeteries will be taken up on the weekend of November 7. In preparation for that collection envelopes have been placed in the churches.
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.
Parish Annual Financial Report:
The annual financial report, fiscal year July 1, 2020–June 30, 2021, was distributed by email or postal service to all parishioners on the weekend of October 10, 2021. Copies of the report are in the foyers of the Church. Thank you for your financial support and for keeping the parish solvent. You are a blessing.
2021-2022 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Hopefully, you have received the Catholic Ministries Appeal mailing and have had a chance to review the materials. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Forward in Faith.” The CMA 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 it 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.
Synod of Bishops:
Pope Francis I has convoked an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Synod: a church meeting to consult on church matters) to take place in Rome in October 2023—two years from now. Preliminary work for the Synod begins this month in all dioceses throughout the world. The theme for the Synod of Bishops is: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. The first phase is described as “listening to one another and walking forward together, guided by the Holy Spirit” on a Diocesan level.
Seneca County Christmas Project:
Applications (sign-up) for participation in the Christmas Project will be accepted at the Ovid Food Pantry on Mondays through November 8 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and at the Interlaken Food Pantry on Fridays through November 5 from 3:00–6:00 p.m. For more information phone 315–835–1996.
Birthright of Ithaca:
Birthright of Ithaca is celebrating 40 years of service to women and children in need in our surrounding communities. Come help us celebrate and see our new space! We will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, November 13, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. We are located at 223 Elmira Rd. in Ithaca. We hope to see you there!
Worldwide Marriage Encounter:
Marriage Encounter will be November 12–14 at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua. Register online at wwme.org. Couples can apply for a discount rate with the code ED&LEO35 at wwme.org. The WWME weekend teaches communication techniques such as active listening, listening with the heart and empathy towards your spouse’s feelings. It is based on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and expresses the importance of love in the union and encourages this love be taken out into the world in various ministries to serve God by strengthening the couples and families in the church.
October—Respect Life Month:
The month of October is dedicated to helping Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects life. During this Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis I invites us to reflect more deeply on how St. Joseph loved Jesus with a father’s heart. Joseph’s unhesitating adherence to God’s will as he faithfully and lovingly protected the Christ Child and the Blessed Mother bears witness to our own call as Christians to safe guard God’s gift of human life. May St. Joseph help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life, especially where it is vulnerable or threatened, and obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things.
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].
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.
