First reading:
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:4)
Psalm:
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. (Ps. 104)
or Alleluia
Second reading:
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12)
Gospel:
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (Jn. 20:22-23)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
With Pentecost, the disciples significantly changed. They were charged up and ready to go. They received the Holy Spirit and no longer harbored fear and apprehension. They knew who they were and what needed to be done. With the peace of the Lord and the power of the Spirit within them, they set out to do amazing things with simple means. We have received the Holy Spirit as well. What keeps us from truly understanding the mission of Christ and continuing the advancement of the Gospel? Some may think this was a work of the past and not relevant now. Others may believe that the work set before me is simply about doing what I need to do to merit heaven and has little to do with my brothers and sisters. Take a good look at the world. More are in need of hearing the Good News than there ever were. We have the power to get up and out and start doing life-changing things!
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 (June 9) at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot at South Seneca High School
- 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 (June 1)
- 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
- Parish Churches: Opened daily for private visiting and prayer
Pentecost Sunday:
Today marks the ending of the Easter Season. At the Pentecost liturgy there are two distinctive rubrics required namely, after the second reading and before the Gospel, the Pentecost sequence, “Come O Holy Spirit” is obligatory and the Mass dismissal concludes with a double “alleluia,” like the double “alleluia” on Easter Sunday at the beginning of the Easter season. The Easter season concludes with the evening prayer (Vespers) of Pentecost. The Easter candle is then placed near the baptismal font where it is displayed with honor.
Parish Council Selection:
Members of the Parish Council whose three-year term ends this June have accepted the option of renewing their membership for another three-year term. They are: Gerald Frank, Scott Hamula, Jacqueline Leidenforst, Andrew Morpurgo, and Richard Pell. On this last Sunday of May we will select three alternates from those nominated for the Parish Council. An alternate has a one-year term as a non-voting member, participates in all council meetings, is assigned to a standing committee, and takes the place of a council member who is unable to complete their term. A “thank you” to all who renewed their membership and to all who accepted their nomination to the council.
2019-2020 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
It was reported on May 21, 2020, that 114 parish households pledged $29,741 toward the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). This represents 99.21% of our given goal of $29,979. “Thank you” to all families that have made a pledge and a special “thank you” to donor(s) who remain anonymous and whose pledge(s) amounted to $6,000. It was the anonymous pledges that brought us ever so close to reaching our goal and saved the parish the total expense of making up the difference between pledges and the goal. “Thank you to all.” The annual appeal concludes this Sunday.
Update On a Return to Mass:
We received a communication on May 22 that throughout New York State congregant services can begin on May 21, though no more than 10 people may be present. Every parish will need to arrange a plan for how they would limit admittance to 10 people, and how they will seat those who arrive and be able to follow the directives given by the state for this religious service to take place. The following are general principles for the celebration of Mass during the pandemic:
- The obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice.
- Those who are at a higher risk for COVID-19 and those who are concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass.
- Those who feel in anyway sick should not enter the church.
- The faithful must wear cloth face coverings when they come to church.
- Attendees should sanitize their hands at the entrance of the church via sanitizer stations.
- All present at Mass are to sit 6 feet or more away from others in all directions—families of the same household may sit together.
- Ushers should assist in helping those present to observe these directions and be given training to properly carry out this task.
- Seating placement in pews for individuals are to be marked with tape. One side of the church may be used for families, while the other may be used for individuals.
- A decision about the feasibility of restrooms must be made.
- “Cry rooms” and other ancillary areas in the church are to be closed and locked.
- There are to be no social gatherings before or after Mass.
These are but a few directives selected from nine pages of instructions from the bishop. There are additional requirements for: disinfecting cleaning both before and after Mass; for physically preparing the church; for enlisting volunteers for liturgical ministries; instructions regarding the general principles for Mass and ritual considerations; and directives for the distribution of Holy Communion. See the diocesan website for more information about the diocese response to Covid-19.
Parish Website Mass:
Sunday and holy day Masses are now available on through the home page on the parish website. The Masses have been videotaped at our parish churches and Fr. Bernard is the presider. Please join in thanking Alan and Joan Gelatt for initiating, supporting, and arranging for this to happen. We also thank Tom Duff who stepped forward to coordinate the audio portion of the tape.
To All Parish Households:
In recent weeks, households have become more aware of themselves as domestic churches. To help support the church at home, the Diocese of Rochester’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis provides families with weekly gospel reflections, catechesis, ideas for family time, parent support, and more. Each week a newsletter titled Family Zone is posted on the diocesan Facebook page. The newsletter may also be obtained by searching on the web for the Family Zone newsletter/evangelization and catechesis or by clicking on the link on our parish’s web page. The newsletter is proving to be a great resource and it has something that appeals to people of all ages. Even if you are living alone, you will find it of great interest, both stimulating and inspirational. Simply check it out and see for yourself.
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].
Needing Assistance:
During this pandemic of COVID-19 the town of Ulysses is working with Tompkins County to coordinate access to community resources that are available for people, from food assistance to mental health. Simply phone 2-1-1 to connect with a wide range of resources.
Parish on Social Media:
Just a reminder that you can follow the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, on Facebook and Instagram. Both platforms will keep you updated on parish events (including photos) and the church community. It is also a good way to view positive devotional messages. There are links to the parish’s social media pages from our web site and you may also access our Facebook and Instagram pages directly by searching for MaryMotherofMercyParish. If you have something you would like to add to our parish pages, please contact Susan Guydosh at [email protected].
Parish Cemeteries:
Our parish has two cemeteries: Holy Cross cemetery in Ovid, N.Y., and St. James the Apostle cemetery in Trumansburg, N.Y. The cost to purchase a traditional burial plot in either cemetery is $650. St. James cemetery also has a green burial section. A plot in this section costs $950. When a person purchases a burial plot they are acquiring the right of burial, the cemetery retains title to the land and the property. Along with the right of burial is the right to place a stone marker as a memorial according to the rules and regulations of the cemetery. For inquiries and/or purchase of a burial plot (that is, the right to be buried in either of our cemeteries) please phone the parish office (607-294-0064).
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.