National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024
First Reading:
“I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” (Gn. 22:12)
Psalm:
I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. (Ps. 116)
Second Reading:
He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? (Rom. 8:32)
Gospel:
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mk. 9:7)
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:
The Transfiguration left the disciples with more questions than answers. What had they just seen? What had they just heard? They were confused, but they trusted Jesus. Let’s follow in their example, trusting in God’s care as we journey deeper into Lent.
@LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (March 5), 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 (March 4) 3:30–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
- Lodi’s Community Pantry, Saturdays, 12:30–2:00 p.m., Lodi Rod & Gun Club, 9382 Lodi Center Rd.
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross (Cancelled until April)
- Fr. Bernard’s availability on Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, will resume in March.
- Recitation of the Rosary: Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
- 2023–2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA): Pledges are being accepted. Parish goal is $31,000.
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.;
- March 14, April 11 & 25, 7:00 p.m.
- Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
- Taizé Prayer: March 1 & 15, 1:00 p.m., St. James
- Black, Native American, Hispanic Mission Collection: February 17/18
- Easter Flower Collection: February 24/25
- Sweet Sunday: March 3, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Encounter Night—Eucharistic Holy Hour: March 7, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
Thank you:
Last Sunday, parishioners enjoyed an afternoon of team trivia. The event was fun and brought smiles to many faces. Thank you to our Fellowship Committee for organizing this event. The parish is grateful for the many events coordinated by this committee.
Stations of the Cross: 
- Holy Cross: Thursdays in Lent, 6:00 p.m. followed by a soup supper
- James the Apostle: Fridays in Lent, 3:00 p.m.
Easter Flower Collection – This Weekend:
This weekend there will be a second collection for the Easter Flower Offering. This collection is always a great help to the parish to meet the cost of Easter flowers that beautify the sanctuary for the great feast of Easter. Whatever you can do to help will be appreciated.
Lenten Daily Mediations and CRS Rice Bowls:
Booklets, The Word Among Us, are available in the foyers of the Church. The booklets contain a meditation for each day of Lent. They are most useful for private and family gathering use. All are welcome to make a free will offering toward the cost of the booklets.
CRS rice bowls are available in the foyers of the Church. The sacrifices we make to support the CRS Rice Bowl during Lent have the power to change lives. 75% of donations are used globally, and 25% stay local.
Sweet Sunday:
Next Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, parishioners are invited to a social time following the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg.
Taizé Prayer at St. James the Apostle:
Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs. The room is lighted with candles. A good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day.
Taizé Prayer will take place on the 1st & 3rd Fridays at 1:00 p.m.: March 1 & 15; April 5 & 19; and June 7 & 21 in the Pine Room at St. James
Eucharistic Holy Hour – Encounter Night:
Spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist. Encounter Nights create the opportunity for a personal encounter with Our Lord. They are monthly opportunities to experience a powerful form of worship as a parish. The next Encounter Night will be Thursday, March 7, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus.
Fasting and Abstinence:
- Day of fasting affects Catholics between the ages of 18 & 59. That is, no food may be eaten between meals. Only one full meal a day is allowed. Two other small meals are allowed with the total amount of food not exceeding the full meal.
- Abstinence: Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from meat.
- Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, i.e. meatless days.
Easter Duty:
(Church Law #920) 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 May 26).
The Pastor Will Be Away:
Fr. Bernard is away until March 5. Frs. Brendan Buckley and Regis Armstrong will be covering the Mass schedule.
There will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass on Mondays at St. Francis Solanus during this time. Instead, there will be a communion service at St. James the Apostle at 9:00 a.m. lead by Kathleen Rourke.
Also, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) will not be scheduled on Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus during the month of February.
Confession Offerings while Pastor is Away: 
- Immaculate Conception, Ithaca: Saturdays, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
- Our Lady of Peace Parish, Geneva:
- Our Lady of Peace Chapel: Monday–Friday, 11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m
- Francis deSales Church: Saturdays, 3:30–4:15 p.m.
2023-2024 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
We thank those who have given generously to the Catholic Ministries Appeal and ask all who have not yet given to prayerfully consider doing so. Participation in the Appeal is primary. What is pledged is secondary. The CMA helps our Church and our parish in many ways. Our given parish goal is $31,000. On January 24, 2024, it was reported that eighty-seven parish households have pledged $23,665 which is 76.34% of goal.
Red Cross Blood Drive:
March 2, 7:30–11:30 a.m., Trumansburg American Legion. The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving in 20 years. Call 1–800–733–2767 or visit redcrossblood.org to donate.
Lenten Reminders:
- The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday
- (February 14) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (March 28).
- “Alleluia” is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil.
- During Lent the altar is not to be decorated with flowers.
- Musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.
- The readings for the Lenten Masses have been chosen in relation to the themes of baptismal renewal and conversion.
- The Easter celebration is: Holy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday – the Easter Triduum (Three Days of Easter).
- During the Season of Lent, the Church urges all the faithful to reflect a spirit of prayer, penance (conversion), and charity.
Online Giving:
WeShare online giving provides the opportunity for parishioners to give to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), Easter Flowers, Easter collection, and the CRS Rice Bowl. Also, a Mass Intention Request form is now available on WeShare.
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 eileen.heptig@dor.org.
Notre Dame Retreat House:
- “Lenten Change Maker Series:” Four free evenings with a simple supper followed by a 1 hour inspirational talk on a Social Justice Issue (Immigration, Food Insecurity, Care for God’s Creation, Ethical Purchasing), March 4 & 18
For more details on and how to register, visit notredameretreat.org or phone 585–394–5700.
Programs at St. James:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ facilitates three reoccurring programs in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg.
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m., and every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., Sr. Anne leads a time of silent prayer providing an opportunity for personal reflection and healing. The session closes with a time to share any reflections that came to you.
- Every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m., all are invited to participate in a book study. The current book is Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittiston.
If you have questions, contact Sister Anne at 607-209-4206 or email a.alder1980@gmail.com.
Victims Assistance:
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel 525-328-3228, ext. 1555 or by email to victimsassistance@dor.org.
Mass Intention Requests:
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. There are several reasons why a person may ask a priest to offer a Mass for another individual: in thanksgiving; for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday); or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul and in memory of someone who has died.
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 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.
