September 12, 2021 ~ Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Year of St. Joseph

First Reading:
I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. (Is. 50:8)

Psalm:
I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. (Ps. 116)

Second Reading:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (Jas. 2:14)

Gospel:
And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” (Mk. 8:29)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Rest in the presence of God simply because God is God and you are you. This is all that is necessary. Out of this relationship will come inspiration, understanding, courage, constancy, truth, and virtues of all kind. We will find ourselves knowing the true meaning of things and developing a depth of insight that is not found following purely human venues. It is God who inspires and opens human hearts to see truth and beauty. In God, we understand all of our relationships with a richer appreciation and come to know who Jesus, who speaks of God’s kingdom, really is. The trust that is fostered from resting with the Divine One allows us to see that God’s ways are not our ways. There is something bigger going on in this picture of life. It is something mystical and magical that seeks to surprise us at every turn. It is not for us to cling to this world and its limitations. Our adventure is to dream bigger and brighter, realizing that it is even in suffering that the radiant light of the dawn will come. God’s ways allow for our paths to be rocky, challenging, difficult, and even crippling at times. Purely human eyes cannot understand the ‘why’ of such experiences. The eyes and mind of God, however, reveal and detail a journey that ends in glorious resurrection joy. When we lose our axis and become too human in our thinking, Jesus rebukes us and gently reminds us how to see.
©LPi

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

 


Events:

  • Food Pantries:
    • Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
    • Food truck: September 14, 4:00 p.m., South Seneca high school parking lot
    • Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.,
    • Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (September 13) 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., Methodist church
  • Family Hope Center (Summer Hours): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Holy Cross
  • Fr. Bernard is Available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
  • Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection: September 18 & 19
  • Family Faith Formation begins: September 19, 9:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
  • Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
    • St James the Apostle: September 15; October 6 & 20
    • Holy Cross Rectory: September 22; October 13 & 27
  • CROP Walk: October 10, 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle

Parish Feast Day:
On the second Sunday of September our parish celebrates its feast day in honor of Mary, Mother of Mercy. Happy feast day. There are popular prayers that speak of Mary as Mother of Mercy. For example, “Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy” …and, later: “turn, then, your eyes of mercy towards us.” In another prayer, the Memorare, we hear: “To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful, O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me.” In recognizing Mary as our mother and as a mother of mercy, it is easy to approach her in prayer with confidence and joy.

Mary, Mother of Mercy Needs You:
The parish needs people who may be called upon to occasionally perform various small tasks, such as weeding one flower garden, changing a few light bulbs, or helping to move tables, chairs, fans, etc. Please sign up today. Sign up sheets are located on the churches’ bulletin boards.

This Weekend—Mission Cooperative Appeal:
The Diocese of Rochester Propagation of the Faith office has invited the Diocese of Kumbakonam, India to participate in the Mission Cooperative Appeal in our parish this year. Rev. Antony Muthu will speak at all the Masses this weekend – September 11/12. The Kumbakonam Diocese is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Catholic population is 6% and is served by 224 diocesan and 79 religious priests, 620 nuns, 12 trained catechists and 330 untrained lay catechists and 2 social service centers.

Break the Cycle of Poverty:
Next weekend, September 18 and 19, is the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). CCHD addresses the root causes of poverty in America by supporting community-controlled, self-help organizations of low-income people. Here in our Diocese, four life-changing community organizations are being funded with major CCHD national grants! They include a farmworker organization, a workers’ center, a land trust of low-income people becoming homeowners in inner city Rochester, and a refugee organization empowering their members to know their rights as tenants. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect will remain in our diocese to fund smaller anti-poverty projects. By supporting this collection, you are standing with people on the margins and making positive social change.

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.

Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
The gathering for prayer will take place Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. They will be at St. James the Apostle Pine Room on the first and third Wednesdays (September 15, October 6 & 20) and at Holy Cross Rectory on the second and fourth Wednesdays (September 22; October 13 & 27). Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ will facilitate the prayer sessions. For more information phone: 607–209–4206 or email [email protected].

Family Faith Formation at Mary, Mother of Mercy:
The Family Faith Formation program will begin Sunday, September 19 at St. James and is open to all families with children in grades K-7. If you have not yet registered, you can find the registration form available here along with more information. You can also phone the parish office or email [email protected] with any questions.

Food Pantry Donations Resume:
Non-perishable food items are once again being accepted at all three of our parish churches. Donations left at Holy Cross will go to the Ovid Federated Church; donations left at St. Francis Solanus will go to the Reformed Church in Interlaken; and food left at St. James the Apostle will be taken to the Trumansburg Food Pantry.

CROP Hunger Walk:
The annual Trumansburg Tom Lange Memorial CROP Hunger Walk, sponsored by the Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC), will take place on Sunday, October 10, at 2:00 p.m. (all walkers register at 1:45 p.m.). The host and starting place will be St. James the Apostle Church. The initials CROP stand for Christian Rural Overseas Program and/or Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, and their goal is “ending hunger one step at a time.” To register for the walk or to help sponsor the event with a donation please go here. Also, checks can be mailed to the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses, Attn: Carol MacLeod, 69 E. Main Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886. Please make checks out to CWS/CROP. During this COVID time, waivers for all walkers must be completed and signed. Waivers will be available at the event or online.

Day of Prayer:
On Wednesday, September 15, Rev. Robert Werth will present “Feeding the Spiritual Hungers” at the Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua. Fr. Werth has been a priest within the Diocese of Rochester for the last 42 years. He is currently serving as Parochial Vicar at Cabrini Rochester. He has a Masters in Scriptures and in Social Work. The conference is from 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. followed by lunch, free time, confessions, and the day will end with mass at 2:00 p.m. There is a $25.00 fee. Please register by calling 585–394–5700 or email [email protected].

The Healing Journey Class:
The Interlaken Reformed Church is hosting classes for anyone struggling with loss, grief, or depression. They are biblically based and designed for all, regardless of your faith perspective. To register please phone the church office at 607–532–4321. For more information, phone the class leader, Steve Messmer at 607–882–1374. The classes will begin September 21 on Tuesday evenings from 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Reception of Holy Communion:
During these pandemic times, the church gives the encouragement to receive Holy Communion in the hand – the ancient and longest tradition of the Church. An added precaution for those choosing to receive Holy Communion on the tongue: please come up last in the Communion procession.

Donating to Your Parish:
Online giving by WeShare is safe, simple and convenient. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

  1. Visit the parish website’s giving page: marymotherofmercy.com/giving.
  2. Follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section.
  3. 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].

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.

Respect Life:
All are welcome to come and pray every Friday morning from 8:30–11:00 a.m. at Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, and be available to offer life-affirming options to women considering abortions. For more information contact Carolann Darling, 607–351–6668.

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.

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 Sisters Anne Marie Burns and Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2021. Let us keep in our prayers the two sisters praying for us and for all the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester.

Year of St. Joseph:
Pope Francis initiated the Year of St. Joseph in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as patron of the Catholic Church. This year is dedicated to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.

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.

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© 2024 The Parish of Mary Mother of Mercy
3660 Orchard St., P.O. Box 403, Interlaken, NY 14847
607-294-0064

St. James the Apostle, 17 Whig St, Trumansburg, NY
Holy Cross, 7231 Main Street, Ovid, N.Y.
St. Francis Solanus, 3660 Orchard St., Interlaken, N.Y.
Diocese of Rochester
www.dor.org

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