National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. (Is. 9:1)
Psalm:
The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Ps. 27)
Second Reading:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. (1 Cor. 1:10)
Gospel:
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled. (Mt. 4:13-14)
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 Jesus called Simon and Andrew, they left “at once” to follow him; when he called James and John, they did likewise. St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. James and St. John, pray for us, that God will grant us similar courage and clarity when called by Christ.
©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 (February 7), 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 (January 30) 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: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus Will resume March 3
- Confirmation program: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Religious Education: January 14, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: January 26, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Public screening and discussion of The Letter: A Message for Our Earth: January 26, at 7:00 p.m. in room 230 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
- Sweet Sundays at St. James: February 5, 10:00 a.m.
- Fr. Bernard is away: January 27–February 25
Pastor Will be Away:
Fr. Bernard will be away Saturday, January 21, through Saturday, February 25, 2023, the weekend of the First Sunday of Lent. The Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or personal dialogue held on Fridays from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church are cancelled while Fr. Bernard is away.
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.
Public Screening and Discussion of The Letter: A Message For Our Earth:
The COLLIS Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture will be hosting a public screening and discussion of The Letter: A Message for Our Earth on Thursday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. in room 230 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University. In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’, a letter to every single person in the world, confronting the looming calamity of human impact on Earth and ourselves. The film traces the journeys of five frontline workers to the Vatican for a dialogue with Pope Francis. For more information, go to: collisinstitute.org/events/the-letter
Word of God Sunday—Today:
In an Apostolic letter, Pope Francis declared that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God,” and invites us to approach it with solemnity. He also states that the celebration has “ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity.”
Pope Francis concludes his letter saying God’s Word “has the power to open our eyes and to enable us to renounce a stifling and barren individualism and instead to embark on a new path of sharing and solidarity.”
You can find Word of God Sunday resources at usccb.org/committees/divine-worship/sunday-word-god.
“SouperBowl” Sunday—February 12:
SouperBowl Sunday is a national ecclesiastical event. It draws attention to those experiencing the need for food in our communities. All food items gathered and funds raised in our parish go to the local food pantries located in Interlaken, Ovid, and Trumansburg.
Non-perishable food items or personal care items can be brought to our churches any time that you are able to do so. On February 12, a basket will be in the back of the churches for any monetary donations that you might wish to make; any checks written should be made out to the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy with the notation “Food Pantry” in the memo line. Thank you.
Thank You from Birthright:
Our parish has received a note of thanks for the donations to Birthright left at St. James the Apostle during Advent: “Birthright of Ithaca would like to thank you all for the many wonderful donations to our organization through the Giving Tree. There were many, many items that many families are already using to keep their little ones warm and safe. Many children have what they need because a group of people joined together to show how much they care. Sometimes it DOES ‘take a village to raise a child’. Thank you all for being a part of the village of Birthright. May God bless you all as you have blessed us.”
Thank You from our Local Food Pantries:
Our parish has received notes of gratitude from both the Interlaken Food Pantry and the Trumansburg Food Pantry.
The Interlaken Food Pantry writes, “Thank you for your donation to the Interlaken Food Pantry. This is much appreciated and will help many.”
The Trumansburg Food Pantry expressed their gratitude for the $88.00 donation by saying, “We are grateful for the support from such a caring community. Your Kindness enables us to purchase food and personal care items for the families who benefit from our bi-monthly distributions.”
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA):
The CMA report of January 10, 2023 reported that 94 parish households have contributed to the CMA. We thank those who have given generously and ask all who have not yet given to prayerfully consider doing so. The CMA helps our Church and our parish in so many ways. Please consider all the ways that God has blessed you and your family and think how the Church has brought goodness into your lives. Join our appeal and give back what you can so that we remain strong and able to do God’s great work. Thank you to everyone who has responded with a gift or pledge. The given parish goal is $31,000, and our parish households have pledged $27,355 which represents 88.24% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
National Eucharistic Revival:
Sign-up for the weekly newsletter “Heart of the Revival.” The newsletter contains weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you enkindle, rekindle, and deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
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]
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 (January 26), 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 (January 26), 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Any questions? Phone Sr. Anne at 607-209-4206 or email [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.
