Processional Gospel:
“Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” (Mt. 21:9b)
First reading:
The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced. (Is. 50:7a)
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. (Phil. 2:8)
Gospel:
But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. (Mt. 27:11-50-51
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Listen carefully to the passion of Christ as it unlocks the door that brings us to the true meaning of human life. Holding what seems like opposite polarities of human existence, it weaves us through the highest of triumphs and the darkest of tragedies. As we witness and meditate upon Jesus’s last days on earth, we see most vividly that God is present in and through it all. God is not only the glue that holds all of life’s seemingly opposing experiences together, but He is the One who offers incredible promise and hope on our road to fulfillment and eternal life. It was only through experiencing the burning agony of suffering’s loneliness and heart-wrenching pain that Jesus experienced the joyful exultation of his resurrected self. There are profound lessons here for all of us to learn.
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
NOTE: All regularly scheduled public Masses and parish social and educational events are suspended until further notice. Please consult the parish website for more information: marymotheofmercy.com
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (April 14)
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15-6:00 p.m., every other Monday (April 13)
- Bishop’s Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m., live-stream from Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Food Pantry Donations: April 12, St. James
- Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends: April 17–19 and November 20–22, Canandaigua.
During the season of Lent, the Church urges all the faithful to reflect a spirit of prayer, penance (conversion), and charity.
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Palms and Palm Sunday
Blessed palms have been placed in the churches and will be available during the week. All are welcome to pick up a palm branch for your home. Placing the palm in your home is a good reminder throughout the year that the people in Jesus’s day rejoiced in his teachings and healings, as they proclaimed him their King. We too rejoice in Jesus’s teachings and His enlightenment, which brings about the well being of humanity. The palm symbolizes our rejoicing in Him.
Holy Week and Easter Sunday
This week, in a special way, we celebrate God’s love for us as expressed in the person of His Son, Jesus. It is celebrating God’s love that makes the week holy. This week, we too, celebrate our love of God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Given our present COVID-19 situation, however, there is a sadness. We will not be able to gather as Jesus’s people to celebrate His suffering, death, and resurrection, which we would have done on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Therefore, I encourage families, and individuals, to set time aside, together or alone, to read and meditate on the Sacred Scriptures given us in the liturgy on those holy days. The scripture readings for those days are found in the Lenten booklet The Word Among Us which many of you have or, if you don’t have one yet, there are extra copies of the booklet you can pick up in each of the churches. The Sacred Scripture readings are also available online at the USCCB website. I would also recommend on those holy days that you participate from home in the Masses and ceremonies provided online from our Diocesan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. These services will be live-streamed by the Catholic Courier website or linked through the diocesan website (www.dor.org):
- Holy Thursday at 6:00 p.m.,
- Good Friday at 3:00 p.m.,
- Holy Saturday at 7:00 p.m., and
- Easter Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
There is sadness in our inability to gather to celebrate God’s love and our love of God through the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. However, it offers the opportunity for us, as individuals and as families, to celebrate God’s love in private way or in a family way (“family” as in the domestic church). This too is a good thing.
Letter to the Parishioners:
In an attempt to be in touch with parishioners Fr. Bernard sent a letter on March 27 via email to those whose email addresses we have on file. Highlights of the letter include the following:
- Fr. Bernard, Fr. Richard, and Bro. Antonine celebrate Mass daily at the friary praying for the well being of all and the ending of COVID 19.
- Fr. Bernard is at the parish office daily and is only a phone call away (607- 294-0064).
- Fr. Bernard is available every Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus church.
- All three churches are open daily for visits and private prayer.
- The Sunday bulletin is published weekly, is available in the foyers of the churches, and is found on the parish website.
- While public Masses are suspended, there was an encouragement to participate in Mass by viewing it on TV or live stream via the diocesan website: dor.org.
- You are encouraged to financially support the parish during this difficult time by going to the giving page on our parish website and follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section or by mailing a check to: the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, PO Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847. Parish expenses continue in spite of the ramifications of the coronavirus.
No Mass but Churches are Open:
New York State, through the New York State Catholic Conference, reports that “churches can remain open for personal prayer but not congregant services.” Our parish churches will be open as follows: St. James the Apostle and Holy Cross will be open during the day and St. Francis Solanus church is always open, night and day.
Fast and Abstinence Day on Good Friday:
This year, abstinence from eating meat on Fridays of Lent has been suspended. However, “fasting” requires that only one full meal be taken and two other smaller meals may be taken during the day. This obliges those between the ages of 18 and 59.
Scheduled Mass Intentions:
During this time of suspended public Masses, when a Mass intention has been scheduled for a particular day and time, that Mass intention will be remembered in the private Mass offered on the day scheduled. From your home, join in reflecting on the readings of that day at that time. The Mass readings for each day are linked from website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and are also available through the Magnificat magazine and The Word Among Us booklets (see below).
Online Donors:
The opportunity to donate to the Easter flower fund, the 2020 CRS Operation Rice Bowl, and Easter is now available for a limited time (until April 15) on the parish’s online giving page. Please visit that page through the giving tab on our website.
2019-2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
Thank you to everyone who has responded with a pledge to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). On March 19, one hundred and eight parish families had pledged $23,046, which is 76.87% of the parish goal of $29,979. What is primary is our parishioners’ participation. The CMA provides funding for important programs, services and ministries that strengthen our whole Church. If you have not made a pledge, please do so as soon as possible. If we do not reach our given goal, the parish is billed to make up the difference.
Job Opportunity:
The Trumansburg United Methodist church is looking for someone to fill their administrative coordinator position. It would require ten hours a week and the hourly wage is $15. The hours are negotiable. Currently the office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon through 3:00 p.m.
Online Access to Prayers and Readings:
Magnificat magazine is a monthly subscription booklet that has the prayers and readings for all the Masses of the month, plus morning and evening prayer, brief writings by/about the saints, and more. They are temporarily offering online access for FREE so that anyone with a computer or smartphone can have those texts each day at home. To access the English version: www.magnificat.com/free; for the Spanish version: www.magnificat.com/gratis.
Virtual Mass in Difficult Times:
Bishop Salvatore R. Matano will offer the following Masses and ceremonies from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. These services will be live-streamed by the Catholic Courier website or linked through the Diocesan website
- Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, 11:15 a.m.
- Tuesday, April 7, Solemn Mass of Chrism, 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, April 9, Thursday of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, April 10, Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday), 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 11, The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, April 12, Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday), 11:15 a.m.
Additionally, please note that the Pope is televising his morning Mass for people who cannot get to church. The Catholic Courier website also lists a number of local churches offering live-streaming Masses. Keep the faith!
Marriage Enrichment:
If you’re ready for more in your marriage consider attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next planned weekends will be on April 17–19 and Nov 20–22 of this year in Canandaigua. “One weekend can change everything.” Go to wwme.org.
Knights of Columbus Insurance:
The Knights of Columbus is seeking a field agent for a career opportunity representing their insurance program in the Western New York area. The Knights offer a complete benefits package with this full-time position. In order to qualify one must be eligible for membership in the Knights of Columbus. For more information, please contact, John Hoolick, general agent at 570-654-3390 or [email protected].
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 Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, during 2020. In gratitude, let us pray for Sr. Anne Burns and all the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Employment Opportunity:
Could you use a little extra income? The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people to collect important information for the 2020 census in their own communities. These are temporary, part-time, or full-time positions with flexible hours. The hourly wages are $17 an hour for an enumerator/lister and $18.50 for a census field supervisor. Mileage is reimbursed at $0.58 per mile. No experience or educational requirement is necessary. If you are interested or have questions go to https://2020census.gov/en/jobs. This is your chance to be a part of history!
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.
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.
Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.
