National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” (Lv. 19:18)
Psalm:
The Lord is kind and merciful. (Ps. 103)
Second Reading:
All belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God. (1 Cor. 3:22-23)
Gospel:
“You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt 5:43-44)
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.
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Want to be a real revolutionary? Defy the fallen impulses of human nature. Love your enemy. Pray for your persecutor. Give to those who would take. We can do hard things, Christians. We aren’t perfect, but our God is.
©LPi
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
©LPi
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated Church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.
- Food Truck: First Tuesday of the month (March 6), 4:00–6:00 p.m., South Seneca High School
- Interlaken Reformed church: Fridays, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Every other Monday (Feb. 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.–12:00 p.m., and Thursdays 4:00–6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Fr. Bernard is available: Will resume March 3
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, February 23, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: February 23, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
- Black, Native American, & Hispanic Mission Collection: February 25 & 26
- Fr. Bernard is away: January 27–February 25
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
To support important Diocesan programs, services, and ministries that strengthen our Church in the Diocese of Rochester, our parish has been given an appeal goal of $31,000. To meet this goal, we need your help. Please do what you are able. CMA pledge envelopes are available in the foyers of the Church. A “thank you” to all who have already participated in the Appeal.
Reception of Ashes on Ash Wednesday:
On Ash Wednesday, February 22, ashes will be distributed:
- 8:30 a.m. Mass, St. Francis Solanus, Interlaken
- 12:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service, Holy Cross, Ovid
- 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service, St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg
Who May Receive Ashes:
Baptized individuals who have reached the age of reason may receive ashes. Babies and young children who have not yet received the Sacrament of Penance should not be presented to receive ashes. Ashes are intended for those who are capable of personal sin. The keeping of Ash Wednesday is for leading the baptized members of the Church to repentance and renewal of baptismal promises at Easter.
Ashes and the Word of God:
As with all material things that are used as religious symbols, the symbolism of ashes is complex. In themselves, ashes have little meaning. But received in light of God’s revealing Word, ashes can become for Christians the biblical symbol they are intended to be – a sign of our desire to turn back to God. It is for this reason that the Church has placed the reception of ashes within the framework of the reading of Scripture. Ashes are reminders of mortality and the fleetingness of life. God’s Word reminds us that it is not the death of the body, but rather the death of the soul that is to be feared. Through the Scripture readings, God calls us to turn to Him with our whole heart and be faithful to the gospel again. In the light of these readings the reception of ashes becomes for us the symbol of hearts that desire to turn to God, a God who is “gracious and merciful, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment.”
Second Collection – Next Weekend:
The Black, Native American, and Hispanic Mission collection is to be taken up next week. It exists to help local African American, Native American, and Hispanic diocesan communities throughout the United States spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and respond to real and pressing needs on the ground. Your help is appreciated.
Lent – Daily Meditations:
Booklets, The Word Among Us, are available in the foyers of the Church. The booklets contain a meditation for each day of lent. They are most useful for private and family gathering use. Please be sure to take a booklet to anyone who might be interested in using this resource.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl:
CRS rice bowls are available in the foyers of the Church. The sacrifices we make to support the CRS Rice Bowl during Lent have the power to change lives by deepening our connection to our one human family. 75% of donations are used globally, and 25% stay local.
Fasting and Abstinence:
- Day of fasting affects Catholics between the ages of 18 & 59. That is, no food may be eaten between meals. Only one full meal a day is allowed. Two other small meals are allowed with the total amount of food not exceeding the full meal.
- Abstinence: Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat.
- Ash Wednesday is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence.
- Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence, i.e. meatless days.
Lenten Reminders:
- The season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (February 22) until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (April 6).
- “Alleluia” is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil.
- During Lent the altar is not to be decorated with flowers.
- Musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.
- The readings for the Lenten Masses have been chosen in relation to the themes of baptismal renewal and conversion.
- The Easter celebration is: Holy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday – the Easter Triduum (Three Days of Easter).
- During the Season of Lent, the Church urges all the faithful to reflect a spirit of prayer, penance (conversion), and charity.
Easter Duty:
(Church Law #920) All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year. The precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time during the year. In reference to this law the Easter season is considered from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (this year June 4).
Community Dinner:
The Ovid Federated Church, 7137 N. Main St. Ovid, is holding a community dinner on February 24 from 4:00–6:00 p.m. This free dinner includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, and fruit.
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 problem, please e-mail Eileen at [email protected]
Coverage During the Absence of the Pastor:
Fr. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. will be covering for Fr. Bernard for the weekend Masses and the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Francis Solanus Church. Kathleen Rourke will lead a communion service at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at St. James the Apostle Church.
Confession Offerings while Pastor is Away:
Immaculate Conception, Ithaca:
- Saturdays, 2:00–3:30 p.m., at the Parish Office (the house next to the church)
Our Lady of Peace Parish, Geneva:
- Our Lady of Peace Chapel: Monday–Friday, 11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m
- Francis deSales Church: Saturdays, 3:15–4:15 p.m.
Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:
- Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday, 2:00–3:00 p.m., and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays (February 23), 7:30–8:30 p.m.
- Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (Hope Against Darkness by Richard Rohr)
- Taizé prayer: 2nd and 4th Thursdays (February 23), 4:00–5:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email her 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 and for world peace, especially in Ukraine.
Prayers for Our Parish:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. Sister Anne Marie Burns and Sister Dolores Bachman will be praying for our parish and parishioners throughout 2023. We thank the Sisters for their thoughtfulness and kindness toward us. In our appreciation, please keep the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sisters Anne Marie and Dolores, in your thoughts and prayers.
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.
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.
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.
Prayer Intentions:
Please feel free to add your prayer requests in the books available for that purpose in each church. The prayer requests of fellow parishioners are listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). You may also add a request by emailing the parish at [email protected] or phoning the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
Let Us Pray:
Please remember in your prayers those members of our parish who are in the hospital, sick at home, in a nursing home, or who have requested our prayers (see the list on the parish’s PRAYERS page). We also ask you to pray for those who have died. May the Lord bring comfort to their family and friends during this difficult time and may they find hope in the Resurrection.
