National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Gn. 12:2)
Psalm:
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. (Ps. 33)
Second Reading:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life. (2 Tm. 1:8-9)
Gospel:
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun. (Mt. 17:1-2)
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:
We have been tasked with the awesome responsibility of bearing witness to Jesus transfigured. We have seen what is real. We have heard what is true. Do we have the courage to rise, and not be afraid?
©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 (March 6), 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 13) 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
- Confirmation Class: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 9 & 23, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: March 9 & 23, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
- Easter Flower Collection: March 4 & 5
- Sweet Sunday: March 5, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Parish Council: March 9, 7:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Religious Education: March 11, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Stations of the Cross & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays in Lent, 7:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Stations of the Cross & Soup Supper: Thursdays in March, 6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
Sweet Sundays at St. James:
This Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, parishioners are invited for a social time after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle.
Easter Flower Collection – This Weekend:
This weekend, a basket will be placed in the back of the church for the Easter Flower Offering. This collection is always a great help to the parish 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 Opportunities at Our Parish:
- Stations of the Cross & Soup Supper: Thursdays in March; 6:00 p.m.; Holy Cross Church, Ovid. If you wish to volunteer to bring soup, there is a sign-up sheet in the back of Holy Cross Church, or you may contact the parish office.
- Stations of the Cross & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays in Lent; 7:00 p.m.; St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
Food Donations Needed:
On the second Sunday of each month, non-perishable food items will be received at St. James the Apostle Church and placed on a table in front of the Blessed Mother statue. They will be donated to the Trumansburg Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also welcome. (Please make checks out to Mary, Mother of Mercy with “food pantry” in the memo line.) Thank you to all who contribute.
Lent – Daily Meditations:
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. Please be sure to take a booklet to anyone who might be interested in using this resource.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl:
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 by deepening our connection to our one human family. 75% of donations are used globally, and 25% stay local.
In the Dry Corridor of Honduras, climate change causes a persistent drought, making farming nearly impossible. With support from CRS, a farmer was able to repair an old reservoir and install a new irrigation system to improve his harvests. Thanks to the watering system and his new skills, he can harvest his crops even if it doesn’t rain. Increased produce and income are now enough to feed his family and help others in his community.
Lenten Retreat at Immaculate Conception, Ithaca:
There will be a Lenten retreat this Saturday, March 11, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca. The retreat, Blessed, Broken and Scared— Becoming the Eucharist for a Starving World, is led by Brian Pusatari, a Catholic lay evangelist, author, and founder of brokendoorministries.com.
Brian uses words, music, pictures, and stories to depict the actions Jesus took at the Last Supper. Participants will discover how those actions challenge them to become Eucharist for a starving world. For more information contact Dan Carney at 202-702-1170 or [email protected].
National Eucharistic Revival:
Sign-up for the weekly newsletter, “Heart of the Revival.” at eucharisticrevival.org. This newsletter contains weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
The Catholic Catechism in a Year:
Ascension Press launched The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) on January 1! 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.
St. Patrick’s Day and Abstinence:
The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, that is, meatless days. This Lenten practice affects Catholics over the age of 14.
This year, the Feast Day of St. Patrick, March 17, 2023, falls on a Friday. Bishop Matano has granted a dispensation from abstinence to all the faithful in the Diocese of Rochester that we might commemorate this feast day.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
To support important Diocesan programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our Church in the Diocese of Rochester, our parish has been given an appeal goal of $31,000. To meet this goal, we need your help. Please do what you are able. CMA pledge envelopes are available in the foyers of the Church. A “thank you” to all who have already participated in the Appeal.
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].
Lent – Daily Meditations:
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. Please be sure to take a booklet to anyone who might be interested in using this resource.
The Catholic Courier—Please Support the Parish:
Each parish in the Diocese of Rochester is required to financially support the publication of The Catholic Courier. Each year our parish bill amounts to $4,908, and every year we ask for help in paying this bill.
Next weekend, baskets will be placed in the back of the church for your donation. The offertory envelope boxes have a recommended donation of $11.00, and you can also donate with our online giving, WeShare. Whatever help you can give will be appreciated greatly. Thank you.
Help for Victims
Victims of sexual abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To report a case of possible sexual abuse and to receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, victims are encouraged to contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator: Deborah Housel at 585-328-3228, ext. 1555; or 1-800-388-7177, ext. 1555; or via e-mail at [email protected].
Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:
- Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 p.m., and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays (March 9 & 23), 7:30–8:30 p.m.
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays (March 9 & 23), 4:00–5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email her 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 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.
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.
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.
