Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ September 24, 2017

Year of the Eucharist June 18, 2017– June 3, 2018

First Reading:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. (Is. 55:8–9)

Psalm:
The Lord is near to all who call upon him. (Ps. 145)

Second Reading:
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. (Phil. 1:22–23)

Gospel:
“‘Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Mt. 20:13c–16)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
True love does not measure itself against the love of others. If I am truly in love with God there is no need to compare myself with others or succumb to jealousy if others appear closer than I or because I have loved longer. Authentic love does not consider benefits or privileges. It simply desires to be in the presence of the One who is loved. God invites all of his children into a relationship with him. It does not matter when along our life’s journey we accept that invitation. It is only important that we do. In our Gospel today, the owner of the vineyard promised the usual daily wage to everyone, regardless of what time each started working. God promises love and eternal life to all who enter into relationship with him. It does not matter when. This is God’s pure merciful gift. It is God’s to give as God desires.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
“Let us love God, my brothers, let us love God. But let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brow.” ~St. Vincent de Paul

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Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Church, on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: Ovid Federated Church on Mondays, 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. PM (October 3 and October 17). The food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed Church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist Church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (September 25 and October 9).
• The annual collection of winter coats for both St. Francis Solanus and Holy Cross Churches begins this weekend, September 17 and ends the weekend of October 1
• A parish mission preached by Fr. Francis Pompei, OFM: September 24 to September 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Carges Hall, Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca
• Polar Explorer Will Steger to speak: September 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society, Ithaca
• Rehearsals for the St. James Guitar Choir: Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the choir loft.
• Following Rubrics: Parishioners will kneel after the Lamb of God during Mass beginning October 1.
• Respect Life Sunday Mass with Bishop Matano: Sunday, October 1, at 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory/St. Joseph Church on 210 Pleasant St. in Downtown Rochester.
• Coat Distribution: on October 7, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Ovid VFW.
• Tom Lange Memorial CROP Hunger Walk: October 8, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (all walkers register at 1:45 p.m.). Host and starting place will be St. James the Apostle Church, Whig St., Trumansburg.
• A dedication blessing of the Willard Memorial: October 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, Ovid
• Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., Beatification: November 18 in Detroit, MI.

Liturgical Posture:
One of the items in the pastoral letter from Bishop Matano announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” states the liturgical norm of the Roman Catholic Church that at Mass, after the Lamb of God, the assembly is to kneel. He expresses that in our churches we are to follow the rubric thereby keeping in union with the universal church. Our parish will begin to follow this norm next Sunday, October 1.

Year of the Eucharist:
“If the Apostle Paul tells us ‘that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth’ (Philippians 2:10), how much more so must we bend the knee in His very presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament. In the earliest biblical times, kneeling was a profound act of worship … flowing from the person’s attentiveness and humility before the Lord. This practice is even more evident throughout the New Testament; the rich young man approached Jesus and knelt, seeking eternal Life (Mark 10:17); Saint Stephen prayed on his knees for his persecutors to be forgiven (Acts 7:60); Saint Peter knelt and prayed when he acknowledged his sinfulness (Luke 5:8), and when he prayed at Tabitha’s deathbed (Acts 9:40); St. Paul knelt and prayed with the Church in Ephesus (Acts 20:36 and the entire Pauline community in Tyre knelt together in prayers (Acts 21:5). Yet, more poignant than all these examples is Jesus Christ, who prayed on bended knee to His Father, His body united to his mind and soul, seeking to know and fulfill the Father’s will. (Luke 22:41).” The above is taken from Bishop Salvatore R. Matano’s pastoral letter announcing a “Year of the Eucharist” in celebration of the 150 (Sesquicentennial) anniversary of the diocese. The full pastoral letter is available on the diocesan website. 

Hurricane Harvey Collection:
The collection was taken up on the weekend of September 10. Our Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, donated $3,314.44. This is exceptional. On behalf of all who will benefit from your loving financial help, “thank you.”

Parish Mission:
All are invited to Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca, for a parish mission preached by Fr. Francis Pompei, OFM, from this Sunday, September 24, to Tuesday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m. in Carges Hall. It is open to kids, teens, singles, seniors, and families. “Your lives will change if you come all three nights.” Consult the church, 607-273-6121 or http://www.immconch.org/, for more details.

Willard Memorial:
A monument has been erected in Holy Cross Cemetery, Ovid, listing the names of Willard State Hospital patients buried in the cemetery in unmarked graves. A dedication blessing of the monument will take place on Friday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. Present will be Ann Marie T. Sullivan, M.D., Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health, and John B. Allen Jr., Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Both played a key role in the establishment of the monument with invaluable help from the Willard Committee, chaired by Colleen Kelly Spellecy. All are welcome to celebrate the event.

St. James Guitar Choir:
Rehearsal time has been set for Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the choir loft. If interested in singing and learning new hymns, please come to the rehearsals and join the guitar choir. All are welcome to visit the choir after the 11:00 a.m. Mass for more information.

Thank You:
The parish received letters of appreciation from both Mr. Tim Houseknecht (secondary principal) and Mr. Adam Rundell (elementary principal) of the South Seneca Central School District, for the donation of school supplies for the students. “With your generous donation, we are able to help those families get their children off on the right foot to start the school year. This truly makes a huge difference in our students’  lives and I am very grateful for your donation.”

When Writing Checks to the Parish:
This is a reminder to please not make checks out to the church name but to the parish name, “Mary, Mother of Mercy.”

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA):
If you know of someone who is interested in learning about the Catholic Faith, make them aware of the parish RCIA program and invite them to participate. Adult Catholics who have not yet celebrated the sacraments of Confirmation and or Holy Communion are most welcome. The program is also helpful for Catholics interested in furthering they knowledge of Gospel Faith. The program will begin in the Fall, the exact date is not yet set. The program usually takes place on Sunday mornings. Application forms for the program are located in the vestibule of the church.

Tom Lange Memorial CROP Hunger Walk:
The twenty-ninth annual Trumansburg CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, October 8, at 2:00 p.m. (all walkers register at 1:45 p.m.). Host and starting place will be St. James The Apostle Catholic Church, Whig St., Trumansburg. The Trumansburg Area Churches (TAC) sponsors this annual walk to support this national effort of Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP). TAC sponsored the start of the Food Pantry and the Hunger Walk in the same year. Last year T’Burg raised over $9,100; with 25% of that going to the T’Burg Food Pantry and the rest to national and international programs. Community members of all ages and faiths come together to step out for neighbors close to home and throughout the world in need of food programs and clean water! Visit www.crophungerwalk.org/trumansburgny. Note that folks may donate or sign up on-line. Thanks to all! Questions: Carolyn Lange: 607 387 5220 home or 607 275 7083 cell/text or email [email protected]

Extra Vegetables and Fruit:
Don’t let your veggies grow up to be compost! Donate extra produce (vegetables, fruit, and eggs) from your garden or CSA share at 94 West Main Street Trumansburg every Monday 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. until October 1. It will be distributed to a local family the next day. No donation is too small. For more information visit http://friendshipdonations.org/hubs

Winter Coat Collection:
The annual collection of winter coats for both St. Francis Solanus and Holy Cross Churches begins this weekend, September 17 and ends the weekend of October 1. This is a great opportunity to live our faith by our works to help those in need. Warm winter coats from infant through adults are needed. The coats can be new or gently used clean coats. The collection bins are located at Holy Cross at the ramp entrance and at St. Francis Solanus in the vestibule. The coats you donate are shared locally. Coat Distribution is scheduled on October 7 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Ovid VFW. We are in need of volunteers to help children find their “perfect coat.” If you want to volunteer or need further information, please contact Gerald Frank at 607-869-5009 or Charlotte Huyler 607-532-8506.

Diocesan Respect Life Mass:
Celebrate Respect Life Sunday with Bishop Matano on Sunday October 1 at 4:30 p.m. Bishop Matano will celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Victory/St. Joseph Church on 210 Pleasant St. in Downtown Rochester. This year’s USCCB Respect Life Program theme is “Be Not Afraid: Behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Our Lord’s assurance gives us courage to be a witness life, from the moment of conception to natural death. Kick-off your witness during Respect Life Month at this Mass. Contact Suzanne Stack, Life Issues Coordinator with any questions at 585-328-3210 x1304 or [email protected].

Polar Explorer in Ithaca:
The Interfaith Climate Action Network invites you hear the amazing adventurer Will Steger on Wednesday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society, 305 North Aurora Street, corner of Aurora and Buffalo Streets in downtown Ithaca. Having explored the North Pole, Greenland, and Antarctica by dogsled for decades, Will shares images and data which illustrate the stark reality of the melting ice caps and the shocking speed at which global warming is happening. It’s a warning bell that we as Catholic are called to heed to protect God’s creation.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2017, Sister Dolores Bachman and Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Let us keep the sisters in our prayers as an expression of gratitude. Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.ssjrochester.org.

Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.

Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.

Cancer Services Program (Cortland and Tompkins Counties):
This a program that provides free cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and colorectal) to women from ages 40–64 and men ages 50–64, who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings and who meet income eligibility requirements. These services are provided in local health centers, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. For more information call 1-866 442 2262.

Ministry Schedules for St. James the Apostle

Schedule for September 23 and 24, 2017 (Fourth Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Paul Povinelli and Carol Kuklo
EM: Cathy DelSignore, Joan Hogan, Robin Hamula

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Tim Davis and Lynne Stager
EM: Mary Szymanski, Glenn Stamps, Tim O’Boyle

Schedule for September 30 and October 1, 2017 (First Sunday):

5:00 p.m. Mass
Lectors: Scott Hamula and Amy Panek
EM: Barbara Willers, Robin Hamula, Kathleen Rourke

11:00 a.m. Mass
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Maria Connell
EM: Mark Scibilia-Carver, Glenn Stamps, Mary Szymanski

September 2017:

October 2017:

Lector Schedule

September 2017

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion 

September   2017

REMEMBER: to take Communion to Richard Suchocki and Maryann Dendis before giving to congregation.

Altar Server Schedule:

September 2017

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