September 17, 2017 ~ Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year of the Eucharist June 18, 2017 – June 3, 2018

First Reading:
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. (Sir. 28:2)

Psalm:
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion. (Ps. 103)

Second Reading:
For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (Rom. 14:7-9)

Gospel:
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Mt. 18:21-22)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Relationships are the focus of our reflection again this week, calling us to practice forgiveness unconditionally. This is a difficult thing for us to do. Forgiving someone does not mean that we necessarily tolerate or condone their behavior. Rather, it has to do with letting go of the anger and the hurt that really is more self-destructive than productive. We are called to recognize the brokenness and sinfulness of each other. We may, at times, have to walk away from an abusive or destructive relationship. However, keeping in mind the lessons it taught, we can free ourselves from its hurtful grasp by learning how to forgive as God forgives. It’s a tall order.

Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” ~St. Padre Pio

© Liturgical Publications Inc.

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Church, on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: Ovid Federated Church on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. PM (September 19 and October 3). The food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed Church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist Church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (September 25 and October 9).
• Presentation about St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry: at the Masses on the weekend of September 16 and 17 by Mark R. Capellazzi from the school.
• Confirmation Classes: begin on Sunday, September 17
• The annual collection of winter coats for both St. Francis Solanus and Holy Cross Churches begins this weekend, September 17 and ends the weekend of October 1
• Second Rehearsal for the Parish Choir: Wednesday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
• Rehearsals for the St. James Guitar Choir: Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the choir loft.
• Sesquicentennial Mass: Friday, September 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
• Following Rubrics: Parishioners will kneel after the Lamb of God during Mass beginning October 1.
• Respect Life Sunday Mass with Bishop Matano: Sunday, October 1, at 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory/St. Joseph Church on 210 Pleasant St. in Downtown Rochester.
• Coat Distribution: on October 7, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Ovid VFW.
• Tom Lange Memorial CROP Hunger Walk: Sunday, October 8, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (all walkers register at 1:45 p.m.). Host and starting place will be St. James the Apostle Church, Whig St., Trumansburg.
• Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., Beatification: November 18 in Detroit, MI.

Brief Presentation this Weekend:
Mr. Mark R. Capellazzi, from the diocese’s St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, will give a brief address this weekend at the Masses to share what is new and exciting at St. Bernard’s and to make parishioners aware of the video conferencing location in Auburn.

Parish Feast Day Celebration:
Our Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, celebrated its feast day last weekend. There were over seventy people who attended the outdoor Mass on the front porch of St. Fidelis Friary at 1:00 p.m. and over 120 parishioners at the picnic at the Friary Boat House. It was a grand event attributed to so many parishioners who made it possible. We thank them all (too many to mention by name) and express our appreciation for the work involved. Thanks for all the “dishes to pass”—enjoyed by all.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development:
Please be generous in this week’s second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In the United States, one in six people live in poverty. With this collection, you support programs that address the causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those who are struggling across the country. In addition, twenty-five percent of funds collected remains in our diocese to fund local anti-poverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection and work on the margins. More information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can be found at www.usccb.org/cchd/collection.

Year of the Eucharist:
“Simple acts of reverence such as genuflecting to the Eucharistic Lord in the tabernacle and kneeling as liturgically prescribed by the Church (while pastorally appreciating health concerns which do not always make this possible) have been overlooked or ignored at times, perhaps reflecting a certain unconscious hesitation to assume a posture of humility before God and mistakenly believing that humanity has become God’s equal.” The above is taken from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” in celebration of the 150 (Sesquicentennial) anniversary of the diocese. The full pastoral letter is available on the diocesan website. 

St. James Guitar Choir:
Rehearsal time has been set for Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the choir loft. If interested in singing and learning new hymns, please come to the rehearsals and join the guitar choir. All are welcome to visit the choir after the 11:00 a.m. Mass for more information.

Parish Choir Rehearsal:
Second rehearsal will take place on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken. The rehearsal will focus on the Christmas Mass “Gloria,” “Night of Silence/Silent Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and “The First Nowell.”

Liturgical Posture:
One of the items in the pastoral letter from Bishop Matano announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” states the liturgical norm of the Roman Catholic Church that at Mass, after the Lamb of God, the assembly is to kneel. He expresses that in our churches we are to follow the rubric thereby keeping in union with the universal church. Our parish will begin to follow this norm on Sunday, October 1. For uniformity sake please continue to stand after the Lamb of God until that October 1 date.

When Writing Checks to the Parish:
This is a reminder to please not make checks out to the church name but to the parish name, “Mary, Mother of Mercy.”

August 2017 Church Attendance:
The average Mass attendance was 77 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, 89 at the 8:15 a.m. Mass, 108 at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, and 85 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
If you know of someone who is interested in learning about the Catholic Faith, make them aware of the parish RCIA program and invite them to participate. Adult Catholics who have not yet celebrated the sacraments of Confirmation and or Holy Communion are most welcome. The program is also helpful for Catholics interested in furthering they knowledge of Gospel Faith. The program will begin in the Fall, the exact date is not yet set. The program usually takes place on Sunday mornings. Application forms for the program are located in the vestibule of the church.

Tom Lange Memorial CROP Hunger Walk:
The twenty-ninth annual Trumansburg CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, October 8, at 2:00 p.m. (all walkers register at 1:45 p.m.). Host and starting place will be St. James The Apostle Catholic Church, Whig St., Trumansburg. The Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) sponsors this annual walk to support this national effort of Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP). TAC sponsored the start of the Food Pantry and the Hunger Walk in the same year. Last year T’Burg raised over $9,100; with 25% of that going to the T’Burg Food Pantry and the rest to national and international programs. Community members of all ages and faiths come together to step out for neighbors close to home and throughout the world in need of food programs and clean water! Visit www.crophungerwalk.org/trumansburgny. Note that folks may donate or sign up on-line. Thanks to all! Questions: Carolyn Lange: 607 387 5220 home or 607 275 7083 cell/text or email [email protected]

Extra Vegetables and Fruit:
Don’t let your veggies grow up to be compost! Donate extra produce (vegetables, fruit, and eggs) from your garden or CSA share at 94 West Main Street Trumansburg every Monday 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. until October 1. It will be distributed to a local family the next day. No donation is too small. For more information visit http://friendshipdonations.org/hubs

Winter Coat Collection:
The annual collection of winter coats for both St. Francis Solanus and Holy Cross Churches begins this weekend, September 17 and ends the weekend of October 1.  This is a great opportunity to live our faith by our works to help those in need. Warm winter coats from infant through adults are needed. The coats can be new or gently used clean coats. The collection bins are located at Holy Cross at the ramp entrance and at St. Francis Solanus in the vestibule. The coats you donate are shared locally. Coat Distribution is scheduled on October 7 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Ovid VFW. We are in need of volunteers to help children find their “perfect coat.” If you want to volunteer or need further information, please contact Gerald Frank at 607-869-5009 or Charlotte Huyler 607-532-8506.

Diocesan Respect Life Mass:
Celebrate Respect Life Sunday with Bishop Matano on Sunday October 1 at 4:30 p.m. Bishop Matano will celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Victory/St. Joseph Church on 210 Pleasant St. in Downtown Rochester. This year’s USCCB Respect Life Program theme is “Be Not Afraid: Behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Our Lord’s assurance gives us courage to be a witness life, from the moment of conception to natural death. Kick-off your witness during Respect Life Month at this Mass. Contact Suzanne Stack, Life Issues Coordinator with any questions at 585-328-3210 x1304 or [email protected].

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2017, Sister Dolores Bachman and Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as an expression of gratitude. Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.ssjrochester.org.

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.

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.

Cancer Services Program (Cortland and Tompkins Counties):
This a program that provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information call 1-866 442 2262.

Ministry Schedules for St. James the Apostle

Schedule for September 23 and 24, 2017 (Fourth Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Paul Povinelli and Carol Kuklo
EM: Cathy DelSignore, Joan Hogan, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
EM: Mary Szymanski, Glenn Stamps, Tim O’Boyle

Schedule for September 30 and October 1, 2017 (First Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Scott Hamula and Amy Panek
EM: Barbara Willers, Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Maria Connell
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Glenn Stamps, Mary Szymanski

September 2017:

October 2017:

Lector Schedule

September 2017

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion 

September   2017

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki and Maryann Dendis before giving to congregation.

Altar Server Schedule:

September 2017

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