First reading:
“Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.” (Jos. 24:18b)
Psalm:
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (Ps. 34)
Second reading:
For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. (Eps. 5:29–30)
Gospel:
And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” (Jn. 6:65)
Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Jesus’s teaching is hard and challenging. In fact, many who originally believed in him left and returned to their former way of life. They were not able to accept what he had to say or to make the changes that are necessary to conform their lives to the Gospel. We often water down our faith and make it more about securing our place in heaven than leading a life in pursuit of the kingdom of God. Following Jesus and living the Gospel require action now. The Gospel demands that we change the way we conduct the business of our lives. Sadly, many are still afraid of taking risks and cannot accept change. Are we really ready to venture forth into the unknown, or would we prefer to simply return to our old ways of doing things?
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Upcoming Events:
- AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus church, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.
- Food Pantries: There is a food pantry at the Ovid Federated church on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (September 4). A 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 10). The food pantry in Trumansburg will not be open on Labor Day.
- Bernard is Available: Every Friday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, and no appointment is needed.
- Pro-life Novena: from August 3 to September 28
- Parish Finance Council: August 30 at the parish center at 1:00 p.m.
- Coffee Hour at St. James: September 2 after Mass
- Breakfast by the Rochester chapter of Magnificat: at the Diplomat on 1 Diplomat Way in Rochester on September 8, from at 8:30 a.m. until noon.
- Come and See Discernment Weekends: September 7–9 at the CYFM Retreat Center located in Garrison, N.Y., and November 16–18 at San Lorenzo Friary in Boston.
- Parish Picnic:September 9 at the St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Review: September 15 at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Francis Solanus church annex.
- Catholic Men’s Conference: October 13 at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Rochester, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Crop Hunger Walk: October 14 at the Trumansburg Methodist Church
Parish Picnic:
Sunday, September 9, is the parish picnic marking the celebration of our parish patronal feast: Mary, Mother of Mercy. The event will start at 1:00 p.m. with a prayer service (not Mass) at St. Fidelis Friary pine grove. Hope to see you there.
Prayer Request Book:
A prayer intention book is now located in the foyer of the parish churches. If you have a particular intention to pray for feel free to write the intention in the book. For privacy issues people are encouraged not to record other people’s last names. If the prayer request is for yourself then you can make the judgment as to whether or not to list your full name. Please try to keep the reasons for a prayer requests as general as possible. Our parishioners will keep these intentions in their prayers and also when we gather as a parish family.
Coffee Hours at St. James:
In order to share the good work of the Knights of Columbus and recruit new members, the local Knights Council is sponsoring coffee hours at St. James on the first Sunday of September, October, and November. The coffee hour will be held in the Pine Room after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. For more information or to contribute baked goods, please email Grand Knight Mike Barry at [email protected].
Donate Online:
Online giving is now available for parishioners with WeShare, an easy and convenient way to save time and support your parish. Donating is simple, safe, and completely secure. If you would like to enroll in Online Giving, please visit our website at https://marymotherofmercy.weshareonline.org/ and click on “Giving.” Follow the instructions you will see on that page. If you have any questions or concerns about the program or would like help setting up your account, please email our business manager, Eileen Heptig, at [email protected]
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
If you are an Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and missed the review of procedures meeting this past Thursday, please plan to attend the one on Saturday, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Francis Solanus church.
Bishops’ Call for a Pro-Life Novena:
The U.S. bishops are asking all people of good will to join with them each Friday in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life, from August 3 to September 28. To participate in the Novena and call to prayer sign up at www.usccb.org/pray. By any measure, the Roe decision has been a heartbreaking failure, taken millions of innocent lives and demonstrably divided the country for decades. The bishops urge all to join in the Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life at this critical time. Additional Novena prayer and education materials are accessible online.
Magnificat of Rochester:
The Rochester chapter of Magnificat invites all women to a breakfast on Saturday, September 8. Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at noon. The breakfast will take place at the Diplomat on 1 Diplomat Way off of Lyell Ave. Confessions will be heard at 8 a.m. and also at the end of the program. Reservations are initially $20.00, but after September 1 will be $22.00, and students are $12.00. Registration is required. To register, mail check to: Magnificat Rochester, PO Box 24787, Rochester NY, 14624. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and email address. You can also register via PayPal on our website at www.MagnificatRochester.org. For more information: call Kathy Murty at 585-436-1284, or send an email to: [email protected]. Magnificat provides ministry to Catholic women and is approved by the Diocese of Rochester.
Ending Hunger One Step at a Time:
This year marks the thirtieth year for the local CROP Hunger Walk and the thirtieth anniversary of the Trumansburg Food Pantry. The Crop Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday, October 14, and it will start and finish at the Trumansburg Methodist Church (site of the Food Pantry). Walker registration will be at 1:45 p.m. and the Walk will begin at 2:00 p.m. CROP is sponsored by the Ecumenical Church World Service—a way to give to our local pantry and share in viable hunger projects beyond our community. Plan to walk and begin now to ask people to sponsor you.
Maintenance Fund Envelopes:
In the boxes of offertory envelopes there is, at the beginning of each month, an envelope for the maintenance fund. There is no second collection for this fund. Parishioners are asked to please deposit your contribution in the weekend offertory collection. There are always maintenance expenses. Your generosity is appreciated greatly.
Catholic Men’s Conference:
For the past four years, this annual conference has been highly successful in serving men throughout our diocese. This year the conference will take place on Saturday, October 13, at St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 4100 Lyell Road, Rochester, N.Y. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register at www.exultrochester.org. Cost is $40 (early bird) until August 31. For more information, flyers have been placed in the churches.
Parish Finance Council:
The council will meet this Thursday, August 30, at the parish center in Interlaken beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Thank you:
On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, the fellowship committee of the Parish Council arranged for a social after each of the Masses. We “thank” all those who planned and worked on the socials. Parishioners enjoyed the events that enhanced the celebration of this Holy Day.
Sudden Loss / After Suicide:
Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition sponsors a support group that meets from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the Waterloo Library, Waterloo, and on the third Monday of the month at the Ovid Federated Church, Ovid. For more information: www.facebook.com/SenecaSuicideePrevention/ or phone 315 651 0043.
Discernment Weekends:
The Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary invite men to two “Come and See Discernment Weekends.” The first will be held on September 7–9 at the CYFM Retreat Center located in Garrison, N.Y., and a second will be held November 16–18 at San Lorenzo Friary in Boston. For further information go to www.capuchin.org/vocations, phone 603 836 4063, or email: [email protected].
Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2018 Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Such an act of love offers us the opportunity to keep Sr. Anne Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.
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.
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.
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.
Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle
August 26, 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle
September 2, 9:00 a.m. (first Sunday):
Lectors: Lynne Stager and Barbara Willers
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Joan Hogan, Patty Messmer, Mark Scibilia-Carver
Ministry schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church, Interlaken
Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m.
August 25, 2018 (Fourth Weekend):
Lectors: Gerry and Millie Messmer
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Patti Perry, Cathy DelSignore, Marie Roloson
September 1, 2018 (First Weekend):
Lectors: Marie Roloson, Scott Hamula
EMs: Kathleen Rourke, Millie Messmer, Barbara Willers
NOTES:
- Saturday Mass depends on the Sunday calendar date. If Sunday is the first day of the month then the Saturday Vigil Mass will be considered a “First weekend.”
- Everyone is asked to find a substitute if they cannot serve at an assigned Mass
- First named EM on the schedule distributes the host and also sets up for Communion and cleans up.
- The second and third EM on the schedule distributes the precious blood.