First Reading:
So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people. (Ex. 32:14)
Psalm:
I will rise and go to my father. (Ps. 51)
Second Reading:
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Tm. 1:15)
Gospel:
“I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” (Lk. 15:7)
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:
It is easy to worship things other than God. Our perception of reality gets distorted as well as our understanding of truth. Ideologies and theories that find a popular reception are extolled when they are simply lies. Human beings easily get lost. God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ to rescue us from our sins and keep us where we need to be. But we have to realize that we are living in darkness before we can ask for light. We have to recognize that we are lost so that we can desire to be found. And, we have to know that we have sinned so that we can repent. God always patiently waits. God is delighted when one of His children chooses life over death and runs toward His unconditional Mercy. Let’s not be so stubborn and stiff-necked that we fail to recognize that we may have wandered into the wrong pasture.
©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 (October 4), 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 (September 12) 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 program: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: James Pine Room
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursdays, September 22, October 13 & 27; 7:30 p.m., at 7:30 p.m.
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James Pine Room
- Parish Picnic: September 11, 1:00 p.m., St. Fidelis Friary
- Catholic Campaign for Human Development second collection: September 17/18
- Taizé Prayer: October 13, 4:00 p.m., St. James
Catholic Campaign for Human Development:
Next week our special collection will support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. More than 37 million people in the United States live in poverty. This collection supports programs that empower people to identify and address the obstacles they face in bringing permanent and positive change to their communities. Learn more about the Campaign at www.usccb.org/cchd.
Parish Picnic / Parish Feast Day Celebration
This Sunday, September 11, at St. Fidelis Friary’s front lawn beginning at 1:00 p.m. will be the celebration of our parish feast day, Mary, Mother of Mercy with a picnic. The picnic will take place under a tent. Pulled pork on a roll will be supplied by the parish. Please bring a dish to pass. Lemonade, iced tea and water will be available.
Sacrament of Confirmation Program:
Students in the eighth grade and above are eligible to prepare for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Diocese of Rochester, it is a two-year program. Classes will begin this Saturday, September 10th at 5:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken. Registration forms have been mailed to possible candidates. Forms can be returned to the parish office or at the time of the first gathering of youth. Parishioners please alert families of that age group and invite and encourage them to participate in the gathering and program.
Finance Council:
The Finance Council met with the Reginal Finance Director, Rebecca Pizzirusso, and Parish Business Manager, Eileen Heptig to review the 2021-2022 fiscal year financial report. The fiscal year ended, June 30, 2022. A complete report to the parish will be forthcoming. Regarding the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, the year’s revenues amounted to $240,276.55 and the expenditures amounted to $227,396.22 ending with a net operating revenue of $12,880.33. Thank you all for your financial support and for an outstanding donation to the parish of $10,000. All financial gifts are a blessing and help to keep the parish solvent.
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, 7:30–8:30 p.m. (Sept. 22; Oct. 13 & 27; Nov. 10; Dec. 22)
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (“Hope Against Darkness” by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: second Thursday, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Oct. 13; Nov. 10; Dec. 8)
Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email [email protected].
Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Centers, Inc.:
On Monday, September 19, “Divine Mercy is Really Present” will be facilitated by Rev. Matt Nycz with Mass at 3:30 p.m. For more information visit branchescenter.org or contact Donna Wieand at 716–901–4313 or [email protected].
Pope’s Letter to the Faithful (called an Encyclical):
In his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis makes it clear that we have a moral obligation to care for the Earth. The Laudato Si Action Platform is the Vatican’s seven-year effort calling all Catholics to this mission. It invites all sectors of the Church, including families, parishes, schools, and businesses, to participate in this crucial work. Learn more at www.laudatosiactionplatform.org Let’s pray for this mission using some of the words from Laudato Si’:
“O God of the poor help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.”
Forty Days for Life:
The 40 Days for Life Campaign has been praying at Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St. Ithaca every Friday morning from 8:30–11:00 a.m. More volunteers are welcome. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Becky at [email protected] or phone Carol or Roy at 607–277–3843/607–592–0557.
Death Penalty Abolition:
Pope Francis is inviting the whole Church to pray for the global abolition of the death penalty throughout the month of September. When praying please remember this invitation and keep the intention in mind.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
The first mailing for the Appeal will be sent out this week, September 15. The given goal for our parish is $31,000. The launching of the Appeal will be the weekend of September 24/25, 2022.
Online Giving – WeShare:
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]
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 of Rochester have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2022. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sr. Anne Marie, 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.
