First Reading:
“Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” (1 Kgs. 3:9a)
Psalm:
Lord, I love your commands. (Ps. 119)
Second Reading:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)
Gospel:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Mt. 13:44)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
When a merchant finally finds a priceless, perfect pearl, he sells all he has and buys it. He does this because that pearl matters to him. It has significance and brings a depth of joy like none other. What matters and is of importance to you? When what matters to us has something to do with the kingdom of God, God is delighted. His exuberant happiness is hard to contain because He knows that we are happy stumbling upon this beautiful wisdom. Ask God to help you discover this pearl of great price. There are many things competing for our attention every day. But not all of these things are important. We focus too much energy on the unimportant, superficial stuff and neglect paying attention to the things that really make a difference and have the greatest impact. Things all too easily become more significant than people, and our agendas become more essential than God’s. We do not have to empty our bank accounts and totally detach from everything we have in order to serve God. But, we are asked to prioritize our lives and make what matters to God what matters most to us. In doing so, when we rise each day, we will be able to see what really needs our attention and embrace it with great joy!
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday (August 4) at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot at South Seneca high school
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., every other Monday (July 27)
- Bishop’s Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m., live stream from Sacred Heart cathedral
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish Churches: Opened daily for private visiting and prayer
The Bishop’s Reminder:
Due to the prevalence of the Coronavirus, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice. Those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 and those concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass. Those who feel in any way sick should not enter any parish building or church.
Helping our Seniors:
Many of us begin to experience mobility limitations, physical impairments, and cognitive changes over time. Moreover, during the current global pandemic, new needs can arise. Since not every senior has a family member nearby to lean on, there is a large gap the church community can help fill, in addition to praying for our elders. Standup for Caregivers, has provided a list of web pages, linked here, with information that will help you understand the needs of our elderly and how you might be able to be of assistance. Standup for Caregivers is an organization that was created in 2017 to help those who provide care for others, protecting and advocating for the health and well being of all adult caregivers.
Live/Virtual Music for the Soul:
The First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses (FPCU) on Main St. in Trumansburg invites the community to a unique music gathering on Sunday, August 2, from 7–8 p.m. in the FPCU Church Yard under the tent. Music will be provided by Joe Pepper on the keyboard, church members, singers from around the world, and audience. This event will occur in the sanctuary in case of inclement weather with seating arranged for social distancing. Please bring your own chair. We hope you’ll attend and enjoy the uplifting music program.
Habitat for Humanity:
Construction for the Habitat House located at 2320 County Road 139 in Ovid has started. It is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4–8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Volunteers are needed, and even an hour is appreciated. Any groups, organizations, clubs, or individuals who may be interested may stop by during the above times or email [email protected] with “Habitat” in the subject line.
Corona Virus Safety Precautions:
The celebration of Mass in our churches has resumed, though with a limited number of people in attendance: 33% of the total occupancy of each building (refer to the front cover of the weekend bulletin for the number allowed at Mass in each of our parish churches). Please be assured that the following procedures are being done to keep everyone safe:
- The pews are sanitized before and after Mass.
- Parishioners attending are to sanitize their hands at the entrance of the church.
- People are to wear face masks and keep a six foot distance between themselves and others not of the their household.
- The church doors will remain open so that people will not need to touch the doors to enter or leave.
- Cry rooms are closed.
- All unnecessary chairs, tables, and furniture have been removed.
- All hymnals and other paper resources have been removed from the pews.
- Holy Water fonts have been emptied and will remain empty.
- The books of intercessions have also been removed (prayer requests can be made by phoning the parish office).
- Offertory collections will not take place. Parishioners can make monetary contributions in the baskets provided at the entrance(s) of the church or, better yet, contribute online.
- Collections of food, supplies, etc. for charitable giving cannot take place.
- Going up to communion starts at the front of the church.
- The opposite takes place at the end of Mass, with people in the back of the church leaving first.
- People are encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand. Those wishing to receive on the tongue are to come last in the communion procession.
- The priest must sanitize his hands each time after giving Holy Communion on the tongue.
All of us owe a debt of gratitude to the parishioners who have assumed responsibility for the planning and execution of these directives. Thank you.
Weekend Mass Schedule:
A 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle has been temporarily added to the weekend Mass schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our weekend Mass schedule for Saturday is:
- 4:00 p.m. at St. James the Apostle church in Trumansburg and
- 5:00 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus church in Interlaken.
The Sunday Mass schedule is:
- 9:00 a.m. at St. James and
- 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross church in Ovid.
Mass Intentions:
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass on a particular day and time and place may phone the parish office expressing their request. Please be sure we have the name of the person or the intention stated, whether the person is deceased or living, and who is requesting the Mass intention and what date and time would be preferred. There is a handy form now available from our web page that has all of these questions listed. Just print out the Mass intention form, fill it out, and send it into the parish office.
Lakeside Day Retreats:
Branches Christian Rest and Renewal Centers, Inc., invites you for a day of rest and renewal at their Seneca Lake property. Their 2020 summer schedule includes:
- “Saint Pope John Paul II The Great,” facilitated by Ann Kern on Saturday, August 8; and
- “In HIS Steps Retreat and Healing Mass,” facilitated by Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap., on Friday, August 14.
For more information visit www.branchescenter.org or contact Donna Wieand by phone: 716 901–4313, or email: [email protected]
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: https://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].
Ithaca Loves Life Vigils:
Monthly prayer vigils are held in Ithaca every fourth Saturday of the month, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. These vigils are a peaceful, prayerful public witness to end abortion and to offer information to the abortion minded. Let’s unite and boldly come together in love for 90 minutes each month. For more information contact MaryAnne Tissot (315-246-4749) or Carolann Darling (607-351-6668).
Magnificat Booklets:
Copies of the Magnificat booklets for July are now available in the vestibule of all three churches. They are free to all parishioners.
Prayer Intentions:
Since we presently cannot have the prayer request books in our churches, do know that the prayer requests of fellow parishioners are still being listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). If you would like to add a request, please email the parish at [email protected] or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
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 Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, during 2020. In gratitude, let us pray for Sr. Anne Burns and all the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
The Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes is located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.
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.
