First Reading:
But Moses answered him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!” (Nm. 11:29)
Psalm:
The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart. (Ps. 19)
Second Reading:
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like fire.” (Jas. 5:3)
Gospel:
“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire.” (Mk. 9:43)
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:
Who are the little ones? They are the many and varied faces of people who see hope in Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God. They have come to believe that there is a different world to be had: a place where everyone has a home, all have an equal opportunity to share in God’s bountiful gifts and blessings, where justice reigns, truth presides, and peace fills hearts. The little ones are those who may have left their former views behind, perhaps even their former lives to follow Jesus and believe in the Beatitudes as God’s world vision. They are the poor, the marginalized, the women and men at the well, the Zacchaeus’ looking for Jesus from a tree, the blind who want to see, and the lame who want to walk. They are the lepers who have been told that they are unclean, and the ones who have learned that suffering and death are nothing to fear. These are all of the little ones. Jesus gathers and protects them as a shepherd guards his sheep. Whoever causes one of these little ones to sin deserves the greatest wrath. Be more concerned about what people are doing than where they came from.
©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
- Confirmation program begins: September 26, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- RCIA begins: October 6, 7:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
- St James the Apostle: October 6 & 20
- Holy Cross Rectory: October 13 & 27
- Francis Solanus: September 29
- 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.
Confirmation Program:
Candidates for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin classes this Sunday, September 26 at 4:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Pine Room.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
This is a faith formational program for people interested in learning about Jesus Christ and His Church, with a leaning toward being baptized, confirmed and celebrating Holy Communion. It is also for Catholics who have yet to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation and/or Holy Communion. It is also for Catholics who are interested in continuing their religious education formation. The classes will be begin on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Center, St. Francis Solanus Church. Parishioners knowing people who might be interested in such a program please inform Fr. Bernard or Br. Francisco. For more information and/or to register, please phone the parish office.
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 (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].
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 Prayer Campaign:
40 Days for Life is an international campaign of fasting and peaceful prayer outside of abortion clinics. In Ithaca we pray across the street from Planned Parenthood, 620 W. Seneca St. The next prayer campaign begins 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.
Volunteer with Catholic Charities:
You can be a friend to elders, youth and families who visit Catholic Charities by volunteering in our free clothing closet. People stop by in search of outfits for job interviews, work, school and general purposes. For some folks, just having a friendly conversation is as important as getting a shirt or pair of pants. We’re seeking volunteers to commit to one morning shift per week, Tuesday through Friday, to wait on customers and help sort donations at our office in downtown Ithaca. Covid-19 safety protocols will be enforced. Contact Michaela to sign-up at [email protected] or 607–272–5062.
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 through this link. If you would like to contribute directly on behalf of the parish, please go here.
ExultRochester Catholic Men’s Conference:
This conference will be held on Saturday, October 23 from 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Parish of the Holy Family at St. Jude, 4100 Lyell Rd, Rochester. Information and registration are available online: exultrochester.org.
GriefShare Meetings:
Ovid Federated Church will be starting a cycle of GriefShare meetings on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. The GriefShare Program is a Biblical, Christ-centered seminar that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. For information call the Ovid Federated Church office at 607–869–2794 or Judy Mellgard at 814–762–6928.
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.
