Seventh Sunday of Easter Sunday ~ May 21, 2023

National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025

First Reading:
All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:14)

Psalm:
I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. (Ps .51)
Or
Alleluia.

Second Reading:
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Pt. 4:14)

Gospel:
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you.” (Jn. 17:1)

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:

When the world sees us, do they see to whom we belong? In what ways are we most manifestly Christian? In prayer, in service, in sacrifice? Whatever it is, let us devote ourselves to it with one accord, so that Jesus Christ may be glorified in all that we do.
©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 (June 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 (May 22) 3:30–6:30 p.m., Methodist church [Note: New time with no morning distribution]
• 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: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
• Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
  • Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
  • Every second and fourth Thursday (May 25), 7:30 p.m.
• Taizé Prayer: Every first and third Thursday (May 18), 7:30 p.m., St. James
• Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
• Diocesan Mission Sunday: May 20/21
• No Morning Mass: May 22–25
• Communion Service: May 22-25, 9:00 a.m., St. James
• Pentecost Brunch: May 28, 11:30 a.m., Holy Cross
• Widow’s Brunch: June 2, 10:30 a.m., St. Francis Solanus
• Adult Education Gathering: June 3, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
• Game Night: June 7, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Holy Cross

National Eucharistic Revival:
Christ Present in Ministry. Among the many ways Christ is present at Mass is in the ministry of the ordained priest who leads the assembly in the celebration. Praying with and in the name of the assembly gathered, the priest acts in the person of Christ who is the Head of the Church in the celebration of the Eucharist. Throughout the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest prays on behalf of and as part of the community, in the plural person: “Let us give thanks…We come to you with praise and thanksgiving…” Through the deacon and other ministers, we also encounter Jesus.

Parish Council Nominations:
Parishioners interested in being on the Parish Council can now nominate themselves or be nominated by other parishioners. The selection of new Parish Council members for a three -year term and the selection of three alternates for a one-year term will take place on Sunday, May 28. Newly selected members will attend the June 8 Parish Council meeting. The term of membership begins July 1. Paper ballots are available in the back of the churches or the ballot may be completed online from this link. Parishioners, please consider being a Council member or nominating a parishioner. 

Diocesan Missions Sunday:
Today is Diocesan Missions Sunday, a day to honor the missionary efforts of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of Mercy working and serving the needs of our brothers and sisters in Brazil and Chile. We are called to take part in the missionary work of the church. We may not all have to move to another town or city to do so, but impelled by the Holy Spirit, each one of us is to move beyond our daily concerns, important as they are, to help others live in the faith that sustains us. May we share the gift of faith today by helping our missionary friends with our prayers and a generous gift.

Pentecost Sunday:
Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the end of the Easter Season and the celebration of the followers of Jesus being gifted with the Holy Spirit. In keeping with the liturgical color of the day, everyone is invited to wear red articles of clothing when coming to Mass.

Pentecost Brunch at Holy Cross—Next Sunday:
The dish-to-pass Pentecost brunch will take place next Sunday, May 28, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass in the Holy Cross Rectory. There will be a sign-up sheet in the back of Holy Cross Church. Everyone is welcome to this grand parish event.

Supper and Spirituality:
The young and elderly, Catholic or not, are welcome to gather for Christian/Catholic presentations and discussions. The event will take place on Saturdays beginning June 3rd after the 4:00 p.m. Mass in the St. Francis Solanus Church Annex. Food will be served. The topics and presentations will vary week by week and will be announced in advance. The presentation and topic for the June 3rd gathering will be a video on the Eucharist; open discussion on the Sunday Holy Trinity liturgy Sacred Scripture readings; and whatever topics or questions may arise from those who gather.

Widow’s Brunch:
On Friday, June 2, women who have lost their spouses are invited to a brunch at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken. This is a social function to allow women who have experienced this loss to connect with one another. An RSVP is helpful for planning purposes. Phone or email the church office by this Friday, May 26, to do so.

Capuchin Franciscan Provincial Chapter:
The Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Franciscans, New York-New England, will hold its triennial Provincial Chapter beginning May 21-25 on Long Island. Fathers Bernard and Richard are required to attend and therefore will not be present in the parish at that time. Please pray for the success of their Chapter.

Holy Communion Service – May 22-26:
During the time that Fathers Bernard and Richard will be attending their Provincial Chapter, there will be a Holy Communion Service, Monday–Friday at 9:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church. We thank Kathleen Rourke, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, for accepting the invitation to lead the service.

New Adult Education Programs Survey:
The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy is working to create new adult educational opportunities. To know what times and days work best for all, a short, four question survey regarding availability has been created. The link for this survey can be found here. Thank you.

Game Night:
The next parish Game Night is on June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, Ovid. Invite a friend! All are welcome!

Hygiene June:
During the month of June, parishioners are asked to donate personal care items for the clients of our local food pantries. These items are a not covered by SNAP / Food Stamps. Personal care products needed include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body soap or washes, shaving soap, razors, deodorants, etc. This special collection will end Sunday, June 25. All items collected will go to the local food pantries.

Statewide Eucharistic Congress:
A statewide Eucharistic Congress will take place on October 20–22, 2023 at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, NY. The Eucharistic Congress is part of a national effort to reinvigorate devotion to the Eucharist.

The bishops of NYS have launched an easy-to-use website, nyseucharisticcongress.org, to provide comprehensive information and updates for the historic three-day event looking forward to welcoming upwards to 10,000 people. Posters regarding the event are in the foyer of the Church.

Community Dinner:
The Ovid Federated Church is sponsoring a free community dinner on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Donating to Your Parish:
Online giving by WeShare is safe, simple and convenient. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

• • 1. Visit the parish website’s giving page: marymotherofmercy.com/giving
    2. Follow the directions under the “Donate Online” section.
    3. 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 eileen.heptig@dor.org.

Alzheimer’s Association Education Program:
The Program is sponsoring a topic “Understanding Dementia, Related Behaviors” on June 7 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Edith B. Ford Memorial Library, Ovid. To register please phone 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/CRF.

Opportunities for Prayer and Sharing – St. James Pine Room:

• • • Prayer for Healing & Harmony: every Wednesday at 2:00–3:00 p.m. and the 2nd & 4th Thursdays (May 25) at 7:30–8:30 p.m.
    • Read and Reflect: every Wednesday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. (A new book Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittister, will be starting on May 17.)
    • Taizé prayer: first and third Thursdays (May 18, ), 7:30–8:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, please phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email her at a.alder1980@gmail.com.

Easter Duty:
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). (Church Law #920)

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. 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.” To learn more visit familyhopecentergeneva.org, call 315–789–0708, text: 315-945-1019, or email familyhopecenter@outlook.com.

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:
Those wishing to have someone remembered at a Mass may fill out a Mass Intentions Request form which is automatically submitted to the church office. You may also phone the parish office (607-294-0064) with your request or fill out one of the paper forms available in the foyer of each church and either mail it to the parish office or put it in the collection. There are several reasons why a person may ask a priest to offer a Mass for another individual: in thanksgiving; for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday); or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul and in memory of someone who has died.

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.

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 immmercy@dor.org 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.