National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
First Reading:
“Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.” (Ex. 17:6)
Psalm:
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Ps. 95)
Second Reading:
And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Rom. 5:5)
Gospel:
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jn. 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:
Sometimes, like the Samaritan woman, we can scarcely believe that God would meet us here in this fallen world. The truth of what he speaks and the beauty of what he proclaims is like a well of spring water in a dry desert. Do we dare accept the gift?
If we do, as Christians, we are called to follow the example of this Samaritan woman—to rush out, and proclaim what we have seen, that by our testimony and our belief, others may know 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 (April 2), 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 (March 13) 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 for Reconciliation:
- Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- March 27, 6:30 p.m., St. James
- March 28, 6:30 p.m., Holy Cross
- Confirmation Class: Saturdays, 5:00 p.m., St. Francis
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: St. James
- Every Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.
- Taizé Prayer: March 23, 4:00 p.m., St. James
- Spiritual Book Reading & Discussion: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James
- Stations of the Cross & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays in Lent, 7:00 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Stations of the Cross & Soup Supper: Thursdays in March, 6:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- CRS Second Collection: March 11 & 12
- Eucharistic Ministers Meetings:
- March 18, 11:00 a.m., St. James the Apostle
- March 25, 11:00 a.m., Holy Cross
St. Patrick’s Day:
The year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday – a Friday of Lent, which are days of abstinence, that is, meatless days. This year Bishop Matano has dispensed from not eating meat on St. Patrick’s Day.
Lenten Opportunities at Our Parish:
- Stations of the Cross & Soup Supper: Thursdays in March; 6:00 p.m.; Holy Cross Church, Ovid. If you wish to volunteer to bring soup, there is a sign-up sheet in the back of Holy Cross Church, or you may contact the parish office.
- Stations of the Cross & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays in Lent; 7:00 p.m.; St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
Annual Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Collection:
Next weekend our parish will take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support displaced refugees, and bring Christ’s love and mercy to vulnerable people here and abroad. Next week, please give generously to the collection and reveal Christ’s love to those most in need. Learn more about the collection at usccb.org/catholic-relief.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
Please plan to attend one of two scheduled meetings to review the procedures for the distribution of Holy Communion.:
- This coming Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James the Apostle, or
- Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession):
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available for celebration every Friday at St. Francis Solanus Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. During the Season of Lent two other opportunities have been scheduled:
- Monday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. at St. James the Apostle
- Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. at Holy Cross.
Reception of the Blood of Christ:
In our parish, beginning on Holy Thursday, April 6, 2023, for those who wish, the distribution of the Blood of Christ at Mass will resume.
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.
March Lectures at COLLIS Institute:
COLLIS Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at Cornell University will be hosting two public lectures in 230 Anabel Taylor Hall:
- March 13, 5:15 p.m., “The Sacred and Sonorous Desert: Acoustic Ecology and the Monastic Tradition”, and
- March 22, 6:15 p.m., dinner and “The Eucharist, Physics, and Metaphysics: (Mis)understanding the Real Presence.”
For more information and to RSVP for the dinner on March 22, visit collisinstitute.org/publicevents.
National Eucharistic Revival:
Sign-up for the weekly newsletter, “Heart of the Revival.” at eucharisticrevival.org. This newsletter contains weekly reflections, videos, and resources from trusted voices in every corner of the Church designed to help you deepen a living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
The Catholic Catechism in a Year:
Ascension Press launched The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) on January 1! With this podcast, Catholics will read the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 days and transform their relationship with the Church that Christ founded. For more information go to: ascensionpress.com.
2022-2023 Catholic Ministries Appeal:
The CMA report of March 1, 2023 reported that 95 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 $26,505 which represents 85.5% of our parish goal. Let us continue to pray for the success of our efforts.
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 (March 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 (March 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].
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:
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. 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.
Don’t be late to Sunday Mass!