First Reading:
Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. (Wis. 2:20)
Psalm:
The Lord upholds my life. (Ps. 54)
Second Reading:
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. (Jas. 3:18)
Gospel:
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” (Mk. 9:31)
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.
©LPi
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
What does it mean to be God’s servant? In essence, it means being willing to call the world back to its childlike innocence, showing all that a joy-filled playfulness has a place in life. The servant of God serves to foster the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is not a sterile, unhappy, strict, and rigid reality. It is quite the opposite. It is a kingdom devoid of jealousy and selfish ambition where peace, gentleness, mercy, and good works abound. To be a servant of this kingdom means that selfish ambition must be set aside so that others can be first, and justice pursued at all cost. The prayer of this kind of servant is not focused on self-advancement or need. Rather, the servant’s prayer seeks to detach from self-concern in order to be used by God. In this way, we who are servants can be inspired, guided, empowered, and led by God. We can then be used to lay the cornerstones of the kingdom: faith, hope, and love. It is upon these that God’s firm dwelling is built. Accepting this call may place us last in the world’s eyes but first in God’s.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food truck: October 12, 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 27) 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.–2:00 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
- 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: October 6 & 20
- Holy Cross Rectory: September 22; October 13 & 27
- CROP Walk: October 10, 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
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.
Break the Cycle of Poverty:
Support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) collection this weekend, September 18 and 19. 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.
Confirmation Program:
Candidates for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin classes next Sunday, September 26 at 4:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Pine Room. Please note, the beginning date has been changed from September 19.
Vocations Committee:
The Diocesan Vocation Directors have requested that each parish develop a committee to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life in their parish. They have materials available to assist this ministry. Our church needs priests and religious. Please consider helping and volunteer for the committee.
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 (October 6 & 20) and at Holy Cross Rectory on the second and fourth Wednesdays (September 22; October 13 & 27). On the fifth Wednesday there will be a gathering at St. Francis Solanus (September 29). 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.
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.
October – Respect Life Month:
The first Sunday of October, which is Respect Life Sunday, begins the Respect Life Month. The month is dedicated to helping Catholics understand and value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects life. During this Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis I invites us to reflect more deeply on how St. Joseph loved Jesus with a father’s heart. Joseph’s unhesitating adherence to God’s will as he faithfully and lovingly protected the Christ Child and the Blessed Mother bears witness to our own call as Christians to safe guard God’s gift of human life. May St. Joseph help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life, especially where it is vulnerable or threatened, and obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things.
Respect Life Mass:
Sunday, October 3, at 11:15 a.m. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano will be the principal celebrant and homilist at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rochester celebrating a “Respect Life Mass”. He has a desire that each parish send two delegates or more to the Mass as an expression of the parish’s commitment to life issues. If you are so inclined, please notify Fr. Bernard at the parish office.
40 Days for Life:
40 Days for Life is an international campaign of fasting and peaceful prayer outside of abortion clinics. Here in Ithaca we pray across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St. The next prayer campaign takes place September 22–October 31, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. everyday. 40daysforlife.com/ithaca offers daily devotions, resources, and an online calendar to select your hour to pray. Together, our peaceful prayer and witness will offer hope and life-affirming options to vulnerable women. For more info contact Carolann Darling, 607–351–6668.
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.
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 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.
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.
