National Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022–Pentecost 2025
Parish Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023–June 2024
First Reading:
“I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.” (Is. 22:22)
Psalm:
Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands. (Ps. 138)
Second Reading:
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:36)
Gospel:
“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 16:18-19)
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:
“Who do you say that I am?” Let our whole lives be the answer, given not in words, but in action. If the world looked at your life, your decisions, your words, and your deeds, would they conclude that you are a person who believes Christ is the son of the living God?
@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 (September 5), 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 (September 11) 3:30–6:30 p.m., Methodist church
- Family Hope Center: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Holy Cross
- Fr. Bernard is available: Fridays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., St. Francis Solanus
- Prayer for Healing and Harmony: Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Book Study: Wednesdays, 3:15 p.m., St. James the Apostle
- Taizé Prayer: September 7 & 21, 7:30 p.m., St. James
- Sweet Sunday: September 3, 10:00 a.m., St. James
- Parish Picnic: September 10, 1:00 p.m., St. Fidelis Friary Boathouse
- Parish Cemetery Collection: September 9 & 10
Family Faith Formation:
Each year, the Catholic Church in the United States designates the third Sunday in September as “Catechetical Sunday” – a day on which to celebrate and pray for the Church’s mission to teach the Gospel to all people. The theme for Catechetical Sunday 2023 is “Renewing the Church and Families of Faith.”
Our parish Family Faith Formation program will begin on September 17th. Families with children in grades K-7 are invited to join. The format of this program includes a workbook to be done weekly at home and a monthly gathering with food, activities, and a discussion with Fr. Bernard Maloney.
This program incorporates First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation preparation for children in first and second grade and those who have not yet received it. Please register by September 1st so books may be ordered. Contact Susan Guydosh at susan.guydosh@dor.org or phone the parish office at 607-294-0064 to register.
Rite of Reception into the Catholic Church:
Our parish happily welcomes Cheryl Sue Hine. She will celebrate the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church and the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday, August 27th, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
Sweet Sunday:
Next Sunday, and the first Sunday of every month, parishioners are invited to a social time following the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg.
Sweet Sunday Volunteers:
Volunteers are needed to assist at the monthly Sweet Sunday social at St. James the Apostle Church, Trumans-burg. Volunteers are paired into teams, and the teams rotate monthly. Responsibilities include set up and clean up. Phone the parish office at 607-294-0064 or see Gerry Todi for more details.
Parish Picnic: 
Mark your calendars. All are invited to the annual Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy Picnic to celebrate our parish feast day, Mary, Mother of Mercy. The picnic is Sunday, September 10, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Fidelis Friary, Boathouse, 7790 County Rd 153, Interlaken.
A dish to pass is welcome. The parish will provide beverages and pulled pork. The Fellowship Committee needs volunteers to assist with set up and clean up. If you would like to help in the set-up and clean-up, please record your name and phone number on the sign-up sheets in the foyers of the churches or contact the parish office at 607-294-0064. Thank you.
Super Event:
During the National Eucharistic Revival (June 22 – June 2025) there will be a NYS Eucharistic Congress, October 20 – 22, 2023 at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Auriesville, NY. (The Shrine marks the sacred spot where the North American Martyrs gave their lives for Christ and where St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born.) The event will include Mass with Cardinal Dolan and the NY Bishops, Confessions, Speakers Eucharistic Adoration and Procession. To find out more, visit nyseucharisticcongress.org.
COLLIS Institute Lecture:
On August 31, COLLIS Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture will be presenting the lecture, “Faith, Reason, and the Praxis of the Catholic Worker Movement,” with theologian Larry Chapp. The event is free and open to the public. The lecture begins at 5:15 p.m. in Anabel Taylor Hall 230, Cornell University, or via Zoom. Register for the Zoom link at https://collisinstitute.org/publicevents.
Notre Dame Retreat House:
On September 5 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Notre Dame Retreat house is offering a retreat entitled “Self Compassion” presented by Deacons George Welch and Lon Smith. There is a $35 fee. Register by calling 585-394-5700 or emailing ndretreat@rochester.rr.com. Visit notredameretreat.org for more details.
Branches Lakeside Retreat:
On September 9 from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Branches Christian Rest & Renewal Center, Lodi, is holding the retreat, Consecration to Jesus through Mary, presented by Nancy Potter and Donna Wieand. There will be an 11:30 a.m. Mass celebrated by Rev. Augustine Chumo. To register, visit branchescenter.org or phone 716–901–4313.
American Red Cross Blood Drive:
On September 2 from 7:30– 11:30 a.m., the Red Cross is holding a blood drive at the American Legion, 4431 Seneca Road, Trumansburg. To schedule an appointment to donate phone 1-800-733-2767.
A Reminder:
Our parish has three churches. When donating by check, do not to make the check out to a particular church. Please make the check out to The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy or simply Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish.
Consider Online Giving:
WeShare Online Giving is safe and secure, and there are benefits for both you and our parish.
Benefits to you:
- Gifts may be made by bank account, credit card, debit card, or Google Pay.
- Recurring donations allow you to support our parish if you are unable to attend Mass.
- Convenient way to donate to Holy Days, second collec-tions, and parish cemeteries.
- Benefits to our parish:
- Reduced volume of collections counted by volunteers from our parish
- Guaranteed stream of income helps Parish expense budgeting
- Reduced data entry for our part-time parish staff.
Visit marymotherofmercy.com/giving to sign up.
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 eileen.heptig@dor.org.
Taizé Prayer:
On the first and third Thursday of the month, Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ leads the Taizé Prayer in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg. Taizé Prayer was developed by an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. It consists of readings and prayers interspersed with quiet, repetitive songs—a good way to quiet your soul and psyche after a busy day. Contact Sister Anne at 607–209–4206 or a.alder1980@gmail.com for more information.
Prayer for Healing and Harmony:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ leads a time of silent prayer on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Pine Room at St. James the Apostle, Trumansburg. The extended time of shared silence provides an opportunity for personal reflection and healing. The session closes with a time to share any reflections that came to you. You do not need to attend every session. Questions? Call Sister Anne at 607–209–4206 or email a.alder1980@gmail.com.
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.
