National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. (Is. 50:6)
Psalm:
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Ps. 22)
Second Reading:
He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him. (Phil. 2:8-9)
Gospel:
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (Mt. 26:54)
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:
Our relationship with Christ should leave us mesmerized—“shaken,” like Biblical Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It should leave our jaws hanging. If it does not, we should ask ourselves: what needs to change?
©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 (April 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 (April 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 (but not on Good Friday, April 7).
- Confirmation Class: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. (Cancelled April 5)
- Thursdays, April 13 & 27, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: April 20, 7:30 p.m., St. James
- Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James (Cancelled April 5)
- Sweet Sunday: April 2, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Easter Egg Hunt: April 9, 10:00 a.m., St. James
Easter Triduum Schedule:
- Holy Thursday Mass: April 6, 7:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Good Friday: April 7
- Passion of Our Lord, 3:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Stations of the Cross, 7:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Sacrament of Reconciliation follows the Stations
- Easter Vigil Mass: April 8, 8:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Easter Sunday Masses: April 9
- 9:00 a.m., St James the Apostle
- 10:30 a.m., Holy Cross
Sweet Sunday at St. James & Egg Hunt Preparation:
Next Sunday, and the first Sunday of Every month, parishioners are invited to stay after the 9:00 a.m. Mass for a social hour. At this particular Sweet Sunday, parishioners can help fill eggs with candy for the Easter egg hunt the following Sunday.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt:
All are welcome to participate in the Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle! Join us!
Washing of the Feet Ritual:
This ritual will take place during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church. We need 12 adult parishioners to volunteer to participate in this rite. There are sign-up sheets in the foyers of the Church.
Pontifical Good Friday Collection:
Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are not less than 2% of the population. Your support is essential to help the Church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, and offer religious education. The collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines of Christianity, including in Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, to name only a few. When you contribute to the Good Friday Collection, you join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. Please be generous. For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit www.custodia.org.
Distribution of Holy Communion:
The parish received the minutes of the Diocesan Presbyteral (Priests) Council of March 3, 2023. The minutes contained Bishop Matano’s Pastoral Reflections. Among the reflections, resulting from a discussion he had with the Council membership, was the topic of the reception of Holy Communion under both species (the Body and Blood of Christ). What resulted from the discussion is that at this time it is not opportune to offer the Precious Blood in parishes sighting among other concerns hygiene and contagion. Therefore, Holy Communion will continue to be distributed in the Diocese under one species, the Body of Christ.
The Doctrine of Concomitance:
“Christ is ‘truly, really and substantially contained’ in Holy Communion.” His presence is not momentary or simply signified, but wholly and permanently real under each of the consecrated species of bread and wine.” (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the United States of America, No. 8). As relates to the distribution of Holy Communion under both species, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 282, states: “Above all, they (the pastors) should instruct the faithful that the Catholic faith teaches that Christ, whole and entire, and the true Sacrament, is received even under only one species and hence that as regards the resulting fruits, those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any grace that is necessary for salvation.
2022-23 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Our given parish goal is $31,000. Ninety-six parish households have thus far pledged $28,605 which represents 92.27% of the goal. If you have not yet made a pledge, please do so soon. Pledge envelopes are available in the foyer of the church. Your pledge helps support important Diocesan programs, services and ministries within our parish and the diocese. “Thank you” to all who have already participated in the Appeal.
Parish Easter Offering:
There is one collection on Easter. In previous years parishioners generally increase their offering by being more generous on that day than usual. The parish has come to rely on the Easter offering collection. Please do what you are able. Thank you.
Healing and Harmony/Book Study/Taizé Prayer:
These weekly events held in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle on Wednesdays and Thursdays will be cancelled on April 5 & 6 as it is Holy Week.
“SouperBowl” Sunday:
On the weekend of February 12, parishioners participated in “SouperBowl” Sunday and contributed $807.00 for the local food pantries. This is exceptional and praiseworthy. The food pantries: Trumansburg, Interlaken and Ovid were most appreciative.
Celebration of Marriage:
All married couples and guests are invited to join Bishop Matano for a Mass and renewal of their vows on Sunday, May 21. You can register online (head count for planning purposes only) at https://conta.cc/3Pne1pD or email [email protected]. The Catholic Courier will also be recognizing those celebrating Jubilees this year (25, 50, and 50+). If you would like to be included in their June issue you can submit your information when you register at the link above, or email your your names, church and town where you were married, wedding date/year, and a wedding photo (optional) to [email protected]. Submissions are needed by April 30.
Retrouvaille (pronounced: retro-vi):
Retrouvaille is a Catholic marriage help program. Local programs will be held April 21. Register at helpourmarriage.org or call 585-293-1552.
Word of Life:
“Despite our best efforts, it can sometimes be difficult to recognize the profound value of human life when we see its full weakness and fragility. Yet, the faithful care of human life until its natural end is entrusted to every person.” USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities.
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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at [email protected].
Blood Drive:
The Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Saturday, April 8, from 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the American Legion in Trumansburg (4431 Seneca Road). To schedule an appointment to donate call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
The Catholic Catechism in a Year:
Ascension Press launched The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast. With this podcast, Catholics will read the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 days and transform their relationship with the Church that Christ founded. For more information go to: ascensionpress.com.
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. In reference to this law the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year June 4). (Church Law #920)
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. 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.” To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, text: 315-945-1019, 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 have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns and Sister Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2023. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sisters Anne Marie and Dolores, 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.
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.
