September 3, 2017 ~ Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

First Reading:
I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. (Jr. 20:9)

Psalm:
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. (Ps. 63)

Second Reading:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. (Rom. 12:1)

Gospel:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?” (Mt. 16:24b-26)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Even as people of faith we often find ourselves reasoning our way through our trials and difficulties. It makes a huge difference using our own eyes and not those of God. God knows that we live in an imperfect world filled with suffering, pain, difficulties, disappointments, and death; all part of the mix. Jesus shows us by example that when we encounter hardships God transforms them into something better. We do not need to despair. God gives us hope. When we view our lives through God’s eyes and not our own this gift of hope and transformation becomes very apparent. We must lose our lives in order to gain them.

Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Peace begins with a smile.” ~St. Teresa of Calcutta

© 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. (September 5 and September 19). 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 11 and September 25).
• A Retreat on “Eucharistic Living:” presented by Deacon Dan Callan (St. Charles Borromeo Parish) on September 5 at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua
• Sacrament of Reconciliation change: beginning September 8 confessions will be heard at the Parish Center (St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken) on Fridays from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. and at St. James the Apostle on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children is September 9: A memorial service is scheduled for St. Mary’s Church, Waterloo, on Sunday, September 10, at 10:30 a.m.
• Beginning St. James Guitar Group: Rehearsal time has been set for Sundays, 9:30 a.m. beginning September 10 in the choir loft.
• Feast Day Celebration for the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy: Sunday, September 10, at the St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse
• Trumansburg Community Chorus: Monday evenings starting September 11, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Community Church
• Annual Hoedown for Hunger sponsored by the Geneva Community Lunch Program: on Wednesday, September 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Geneva on the Lake.
• Soup and Salad Supper and Presentation: at the Interlaken Reformed Church on Saturday, September 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. with Ms Eileen Banks, from Immanuel Baptist Church, Rome, N.Y., on using drama, singing, comedy, and science to put forth a message from the Word of God.
• 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.
• Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., Beatification: November 18 in Detroit, MI.

Year of the Eucharist:
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 sad and continuing decline of those faithfully attending Mass each week gives evidence that a significant number of Catholics do not understand or have not been taught the reality of the union of Christ and the Church and of Christ’s Real Presence at every celebration of the Eucharist. We continue to struggle to address this very disturbing reality. In fact, recent polls, while perhaps questionable, are no less disconcerting when they indicate the high percentage of Catholics who do not grasp the theology of the Real Presence or simply do not believe that Christ is truly present when bread and wine become His very body, blood, soul and divinity at the consecration of the Mass. Yet the Church has taught clearly and consistently that ‘In the institution narrative, the power of the words and the action of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, make sacramentally present under the species of bread and wine Christ’s body and blood, his sacrifice offered on the cross once for all.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1353)” The full pastoral letter is available on the diocesan website.

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 is 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, 2017. For uniformity sake please continue to stand after the Lamb of God until that October 1 date.

St. James Guitar Choir:
Rehearsal time has been set for Sundays at 9:30 a.m. beginning September 10 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 Feast Day Celebration:
Sunday, September 10, at the St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse is the date for the celebration of our feast day, for Mary, Mother of Mercy. A Mass at 1:00 p.m. on the friary grounds is planned. The annual parish picnic will follow the Mass. To help with the feast day celebrations, there are sign-up sheets in the vestibules of the churches. If you have a foldable lawn chair, it would be good of you to bring it. Last year we ran out of chairs.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Beginning September 8, this Friday, Confessions will be heard at the Parish Center (St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken) on Fridays from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Confessional times at St. James the Apostle will be changed to Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation may always be celebrated at any time by appointment with one of the priests.

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.

Maintenance Fund Envelope:
In support of the buildings and grounds, the basket will be passed next weekend at the announcement time.

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 a help for Catholics interested in furthering they knowledge of Gospel Faith. The program will begin in the Fall, the date is not set. The program usually takes place on Sunday mornings. Application forms for the program are located in the vestibule of the church.

Trumansburg Area Churches Food Pantry:
Please bring non-perishable food items to St. James Church next weekend. Place them or monetary donations on the table located in the front of the church at the statue of the BVM.

Love to Sing:
If you love to sing join the Trumansburg Community Chorus on Monday evenings starting September 11, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Community Church, Trumansburg Road, Jacksonville. Get details @ tburgchorus.com. Teens and adults are welcome.

Retreat Day:
There will be a retreat day on Tuesday, September 5, at the Notre Dame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua. The presenter will be Deacon Dan Callan with the theme “Eucharistic Living.” The day’s schedule is: 9:00 a.m. registration along with coffee and pastries, 9:30 conference, lunch at noon, reconciliation and Mass, ending at 3:00 p.m. For more details on the presentation and what the day offers, please visit the website: notredameretreat.org.

National Day of Remembrance:
On Saturday, September 9, pro-life Americans will honor the memory of the more than 50 million unborn victims of abortion during the “National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children.” Solemn prayer services will be held simultaneously at gravesites around the country where abortion victims have been buried, as well as at many other memorial sites dedicated in their honor. A memorial service is scheduled for St. Mary’s Church, Waterloo, NY, for Sunday, September 10, at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Annual Hoedown for Hunger:
The Geneva Community Lunch Program, which serves over 15,000 meals each year, is sponsoring this event. The “hoedown” will take place on Wednesday, September 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Geneva on the Lake. The cost is $35.00 per person or for two $65.00. Music will be provided by Rick Hoyt and the Cool Country Club with special guest caller Bob Nicholson. For more information contact Rhonda Zettlemoyer at 315 789 2235 ext. 104 or [email protected]. Tickets need to be purchased by September 6.

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

Invite to Parish Women:
The Women of the Interlaken Reformed Church invite all the ladies of our parish to a soup and salad supper on Saturday, September 16, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. After the meal, Ms Eileen Banks, from Immanuel Baptist Church, Rome, N.Y., will give a presentation on using drama, singing, comedy, and science to put forth a message from the Word of God. To attend please notify the church office, 607 532 4321 by September 11. A love offering will be taken to offset Eileen’s travel. We look forward to gathering together for a fun evening of food, fellowship, and inspiration.

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 9 and 10, 2017 (Second Sunday):

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

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Rich and Hilary Wong
EM: Lynne Stager, Glenn Stamps

Schedule for September 16 and 17, 2017 (Third Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Carol Kuklo and Barbara Willers
EM: Kathleen Rourke, Cathy DelSignore, Traci Bump

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Glenn Stamps and Nancy Olszewski
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Tom and Beth Duff

September 2017:

Ministry Schedules for St. Francis Solanus Church

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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