First reading:
“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you.” (Gn. 12:2a)
Psalm:
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. (Ps. 33)
Second reading:
He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design. (2 Tm. 1:9a)
Gospel:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Mt. 17:5b)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Have you ever given much thought to who you were really created to be? Our lives are the product of various circumstances, choices, predetermined scenarios, and a whole host of events and inherited baggage. All of these components come together and form the person we understand ourselves to be. Jesus knew who he was and who he was becoming. He showed his transfigured self to his disciples on a high mountain and revealed to them who he was really meant to be. The weaknesses, imperfections, fears, and impressions that we carry with us often color our choices and hinder us from really seeing the greater picture of who we are. What do you imagine your transfigured self to be? Jesus promises a new life in heaven. Have you ever given much thought to what that may mean for you?
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (March 17)
- 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 (March 16)
- Trumansburg Robotics: 5:00–8:00 p.m. on Mondays and 3:00–6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, St. James
- Family Hope Center: 12:00–4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Holy Cross rectory
- Catholicism Classes: 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays at St. Francis
- Fr. Bernard Is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays at St. Francis
- Confirmation Candidates Classes: 4:00 p.m., Sundays at St. James
- Stations of the Cross:
- 6:00 p.m., Thursdays of Lent, Holy Cross church, followed by a communal soup supper.
- 3:00 p.m., Fridays of Lent, St. James, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
- 40 Days for Life: now through 7:00 p.m. on April 5, Ithaca
- Second Greatest Story Presentation: 9:15 a.m.–10:45 a.m., Thursdays through April 9, Seneca Falls Community Center
- Food Pantry Donations: March 8, St. James
- Religious Education Monthly Gathering: after 9:00 a.m. Mass, March 15, St. James
- Patrick Brunch: after 10:30 a.m. Mass, March 15, Holy Cross
- Empty Bowls Event: from noon until 2 p.m., March 15, Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg
- Gaelic and Garlic Festival: from noon until 4:00 p.m., March 15, Lansing’s All Saints Catholic church
- Day of Prayer on Blessed Mother and Annunciation: 9:30 a.m.–noon, March 24, Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua
- Diocesan Day of Penance and Mercy: April 1
- Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend: April 17–19
Baptism:
Charlotte Rose DeMarco was baptized on March 8, 2020, during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross church in Ovid. Congratulations to Charlotte Rose and her family.
During the Season of Lent, the Church urges all the faithful to reflect a spirit of prayer, penance (conversion), and charity.
Lenten Reminders and Devotions:
The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (February 26) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 9). During these days the following will be in effect:
- “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.
- All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, i.e. meatless days, for all those who have reached the age of 14 and continues to oblige throughout one’s entire life.
- The readings for the Lenten Masses are chosen in relation to the themes of baptismal renewal and conversion.
Stations of the Cross:
Stations of the Cross will be available on Thursdays of Lent at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church followed by a communal soup supper. They will also be available on Fridays of Lent at 3:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Catholicism Classes:
During Wednesdays of Lent come and join in the Catholicism classes at St. Francis Solanus church in Interlaken. You have your choice of times to participate as the same class is held at 9:00 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick Brunch:
Holy Cross church is planning a St. Patrick’s Day brunch on March 15 after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. If you can help with the preparations and food, please contact Kathy Sinkiewicz 607 869-2285 or Phyllis Motill at 607-869-3818. All are welcomed to join us after Mass to celebrate St. Patrick and his many miracles and acts of faith.
January Attendance and Collections:
On an average in the month of January there were 45 people at the 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Francis on Saturdays, 87 at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. James, and 73 at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at Holy Cross. The average Mass collections during the month were: $366 at the Saturday evening Mass, and, on Sunday, $809 at the 9:00 a. m. Mass and $764 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The parish’s average weekly collection was $1,938. Additionally, parishioners participating through the WeShare online giving contributed $2,975 this month. “Thank you all for your attendance and offerings.”
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.
Food Pantry Volunteers Needed:
Every two months the churches of Trumansburg and Jacksonville take turns providing volunteers for the Trumansburg Food Pantry located in the Trumansburg United Methodist church. February and March are the months for Mary Mother of Mercy/St. James to provide volunteers this year. Please consider helping by signing up on the list provided in the foyer. There are various times and tasks available from which you can choose and the dates are March 16, and 30. Don’t forget to leave your phone number if you would like a reminder call. Thank you.
Expressions of Gratitude:
The area food pantries sent thank you notes to the parish for the generous amount of food and monetary gifts collected on Super Bowl Sunday (February 9). “Your faithfulness and generosity is very much appreciated.”
Rice Bowl:
Through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), our parish provides Rice Bowl boxes for people to use during Lent. Pick up your family’s CRS Rice Bowl in the foyer of the church and, throughout Lent, add in your pocket change or other money. This is an easy way for a family to give to those in need around the world and 25% of what is collected stays in our local community.
Empty Bowls Event:
The fifth annual Empty Bowls event will be held on Sunday, March 15, from noon until 2 p.m. at the Atlas Bowl in Trumansburg. Tickets cost $25 and may be purchased ahead of time at Atlas Bowl or at the door the day of the event. Each ticket allows you to choose a beautiful original handcrafted ceramic bowl, which you can then fill with delicious soup crafted by many of our best local restaurants. There will also be bread baked by Wide Awake Bakery. Cookies provided by local churches will round out the meal. At the event T-shirts will be available for purchase as will raffle tickets, the latter sold for $2 each or 6 for $10. There will also be a silent auction and bowling is free during the event. All proceeds from Empty Bowls will benefit the Trumansburg Food Pantry. If you can’t attend Empty Bowls, a donation can be made to the Trumansburg Food Pantry, Box 162, Trumansburg, NY, 14886 or through the United Way designating Trumansburg Food Pantry as the recipient. Additional information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Cookies Needed:
Each church in our community is asked to provide four-dozen cookies for the Empty Bowls event (see above). The cookies need to be delivered to Atlas Bowl before noon on Sunday, March 15. A sign up sheet will be available in the foyer. Thank you!
Day of Penance:
There will be a diocesan day of penance and mercy held throughout the diocese on Wednesday, April 1. On that day priests will be available at all the parishes for confession. In our parish, confessions will be heard after the 8:30 a.m. Mass; from 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.; and 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., all at St. Francis Solanus church in Interlaken.
Prayerful, Peaceful, and Present:
During Lent consider participating in a special prayer opportunity by being present as the hands and feet of Christ—praying and offering life-affirming options for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. “40 Days for Life” begins at 7:00 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and continues through 7:00 p.m. on Palm Sunday, April 5, at the “prayer chapel” across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St. in Ithaca. Visit www.40daysforlife.com/Ithaca to select your weekly hour(s) of prayer and invite a friend or prayer group to join you! “40 Days for Life” is a proven global, peaceful, and prayerful outreach offering hope and nonjudgmental caring options for women in crisis pregnancies. For more information contact campaign leader MaryAnne Tissot of Good Shepherd Catholic Community, 315-246-7479.
Blessed Mother and the Feast of the Annunciation:
Join Notre Dame Retreat House’s day of prayer on Tuesday, March 24: “Blessed Mother and the Feast of the Annunciation,” presented by Rev. William Leone, pastor of St. Jerome Parish in East Rochester. Fr. Bill, who has been a priest since 1974, is a retired military chaplain and a veteran of the Army. The conference runs from 9:30 a.m. until noon followed by lunch, free time, confessions, and ends with Mass at 2:00pm. There is a $25.00 fee. The Notre Dame Retreat House is located at 5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua, N.Y. Please register by calling 585-394-5700 or email [email protected].
Time of Divine Mercy:
The Second Greatest Story Ever Told is a multi-episode DVD journey with a best-selling author and popular speaker, Fr. Michael Gaitley of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Gaitley weaves a tapestry of wonder and beauty from the threads of the dramatic history of Poland, the transformative message of St. Faustina Kowalska, the prophetic apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, the powerful witness of St. Maximillian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope Saint John Paul II. This event is being presented by the Catholic Study Society as a Lenten study of Divine Mercy every Thursday morning, February 27 through April 9, from 9:15 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Seneca Falls Community Center on Water Street. Sessions will include prayer, episodes from the DVD, an instruction and question period, and refreshments. Those coming are encouraged to attend each session, but this is not mandatory. A downloadable program guidebook is available for free or a hardcover book is available for approximately $9.00. For either one contact [email protected] or call 315-568-5286. There is no admission fee and all are welcome.
Gaelic and Garlic Festival:
Lansing’s All Saints Catholic church will host an Irish and Italian festival at All Saints Church on Sunday, March 15, from noon until 4:00 p.m. There will be $15 Italian plates and $5 kids’ meals served until 3:00 p.m. There is also a $45 family-rate option, which includes two adult plates and plates for kids 12 and under. Bakers are invited to compete in a contest for the best Italian or Irish dessert. Watch local Irish step dancers, hear Italian music, participate in face painting, and enjoy great beverages. Come join the fun at All Saints, across from Lansing Middle School! More details will be posted at netcatholic.org.
Marriage Enrichment:
If you’re ready for more in your marriage consider attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. The encounter weekends this year are April 17–19 and again November 20–22. “One weekend can change everything.” For more information go to wwme.org.
Your 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 7). This is church law #920.
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!
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.
Catholics Invite Catholics:
“Come to Mass in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day.” A way to remind people of a way to be faithful to the third commandment: Keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Snow Days:
A reminder that if during the week a “snow day” for the local schools has been declared there will be no morning Mass or communion service that day.
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.
Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
March 7, at 5:00 p.m. (second weekend):
Lectors: Kathleen Rourke, Barbara Willers
EMs: Millie Messmer and Cathy DelSignore (for Lee and Mary Davidson), Robin Hamula
March 14, at 5:00 p.m. (third weekend):
Lectors: Scott Hamula, Ann Buddle
EMs: Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore
Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
March 8, at 9:00 a.m. (second Sunday):
Lectors: Mark Scibilia-Carver and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lynne Stager, Beth Koeng, Mary Szymanski
March 15, at 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Donna Ryan and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short
Ministry Schedule for Holy Cross, Ovid
Not available at this time