First Reading:
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. (Sir. 28:2)
Psalm:
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion. (Ps. 103)
Second Reading:
For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (Rom. 14:8)
Gospel:
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Mt. 18:21-22)
Excerpts are 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:
Deciding to travel the challenging road of forgiveness is choosing a journey toward greater freedom. Resentment, anger, and clinging to past hurts not only keep open wounds that long for healing but bring us down paths that are eventually self-destructive. Harboring grudges and withholding forgiveness not only shut down relationships with others, but with God and myself as well. To choose to forgive another person, regardless of how grave the wrong, is a choice to be released from bondage to past wounds and scars and to pursue the gift of life and love again. Who among us has not wrong or sinned against another? We certainly would want God to understand, forgive, and show mercy upon us. It is hypocritical of us to not extend that same grace to our neighbor.
Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:
© Liturgical Publications Inc.
Events:
- Food Pantries:
- Ovid Federated church: Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Food truck is every other Tuesday (September 15) at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot at South Seneca high school
- Interlaken Reformed church: 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Fridays
- Trumansburg Food Pantry: Methodist church 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5:15–6:00 p.m., every other Monday (September 14)
- Fr. Bernard is Available: 6:30 p.m., Fridays, St. Francis Solanus
- Parish Churches: Opened daily for private visiting and prayer
- Holy Cross Patronal Feast Day: 8:30 a.m., September 14, daily Mass will take place at Holy Cross, Ovid
- Second Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development: September 19 and 20
- Family Faith Formation: Begins September 20
The Bishop’s Reminder:
Due to the prevalence of the Coronavirus, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice. Those who are at a higher risk of COVID-19 and those concerned for their health are urged not to come to church for Mass. Those who feel in any way sick should not enter any parish building or church.
Feast Day for Holy Cross Church:
Monday, September 14 is the feast of “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.” It is the patronal feast day of one of our parish churches — Holy Cross Church. On this day, the daily 8:30 a.m. Mass will not be at St. Francis Solanus Church, but on this Monday, the 8:30 a.m. Mass will be at Holy Cross Church in Ovid.
Parish Feast Day:
The second Sunday of September (this year September 13) is the day our parish celebrates Mary, Mother of Mercy. This day is among other days in September dedicated to Mary (September 8, The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; September 12, The Most Holy Name of Mary; and September 15, Our Lady of Sorrows). The celebration included a parish picnic. Due to the pandemic and the social distancing directive, our gathering on this day for a picnic has been cancelled. We rejoice in Mary being our patron. We honor her as the mother of Jesus, rejoicing in her title as the “Mother of God.” We ask for her intercession on behalf of the good for our parishioners. We pray to be like her in her love for Jesus and in serving Jesus. We pray to be disciples of Jesus as she was.
Break the Cycle of Poverty:
Next weekend, September 19 and 20, we’ll be taking up a collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). CCHD addresses the root causes of poverty in America by supporting community-controlled, self-help organizations of low-income people. Here in our Diocese, four life-changing community organizations have been approved for major CCHD national grants. They include a farmworker organization, a workers’ center, a land trust of low-income people becoming homeowners in inner city Rochester, and a refugee organization empowering their members to know their rights as tenants. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect will remain in our diocese to fund smaller, local antipoverty projects. By supporting this collection, you are giving people on the margins a hand up, not a handout.
Stress in Your Marriage?
Retrouvaille (pronounced Retro-vi, meaning rediscovery) is a program for married couples who feel disillusioned, hurt, frustrated, or angry in their marriage. Sometimes life-changing events occur (pandemic, loss of a job, death of a loved one) and most don’t know how to communicate with their spouses about it. This world-wide Catholic program has helped tens of thousands of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. For confidential information about the next program beginning with a weekend away in Buffalo on October 2, please call 585–293–1552 or visit the web site at www.HelpOurMarriage.org. All CDC guidelines will be followed for your safety. Space is limited.
Your Home–A Domestic Church:
Beginning the first week in September The Family Zone newsletter will be adapted to be used by parishes as a lectionary-based learning playlist. A learning playlist is a format used widely today in formation and education. It allows the learner to choose from a variety of tasks that will engage their understanding of a topic. The Family Zone will offer a listing of activities and opportunities for further learning on the faith themes that best connect to each Sunday’s readings. This newsletter can easily be shared with families to encourage the promotion of parents as primary catechist. It is not suggested that this be the only method of catechesis, however, it will provide a strong foundation for your planning this year. The newsletter is linked from our parish’s web page and Facebook page. It may also be found by searching the web for “The Family Zone Newsletter.” People have found the newsletter to be of great interest, stimulating, and inspirational.
Racism:
In the 2018 pastoral statement, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, the Catholic Bishops of the United States teach that, “The injustice and harm racism causes are an attack on human life. The Church in the United States has spoken out consistently and forcefully against abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, the death penalty, and other forms of violence that threaten human life. It is not a secret that these attacks on human life have severely affected people of color, who are disproportionately affected by poverty, targeted for abortion, have less access to healthcare, have the greatest number on death row, are most likely to feel pressure to end their lives when facing serious illness. As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue. Accordingly, we will not cease to speak forcefully against and work toward ending racism. Racism directly places brother and sister against each other, violating the dignity inherent in each person.” (Open Wide Our Hearts: the Enduring Call to Love, page 30).
The Reception of Holy Communion Guidelines:
The guidelines can be found in the hymnal on page 231. Please note that our Catholic Church has a discipline, namely, that Catholics cannot receive Communion in non-Catholic Churches and Non-Catholics cannot receive Communion in Catholic Churches. A summarized rationale is that there is no uniformity among the churches regarding the understanding of the Eucharist and that even though we may be one in our belief in Jesus, in reality we are divided as believers in Jesus. The Catholic Church’s discipline highlights the reminder and the need to continually work for oneness among Christians that is, that we all may be one in faith, life, and worship. Please communicate to Catholics and to non-Catholics requesting that they respect and follow the Catholic discipline.
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: https://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 problems, please email Eileen at [email protected].
Need for Election Inspectors:
New York State Senator Pamela Helming (54th Senate District – R) writes: “With elections approaching in November, there is an urgent need for Election Inspectors. Inspectors help make our elections run safely and smoothly. It is important that our polling locations are properly staffed. This is an important opportunity to give back and get involved in the civic process. Election inspectors receive a stipend for working on election day and for taking the required training classes.” Visit the Board of Election websites or call to learn more. See link for Seneca County or call 315–539–1760, and link for Tompkins County or call 607–274–5522.
Fill Out your 2020 US Census:
The every-10-year-census count is extremely important. It determines how many state and federal representatives our region will get and informs the distribution of billions of dollars of federal and state funding. You can answer the quick census questionnaire at www.my2020census.gov/ or by phoning 844–330– 2020 or by filing out the questionnaire you received in the mail. And tell others, “Fill out your 2020 US Census.”
Prayer Intentions:
Since we presently cannot have the prayer request books in our churches, do know that the prayer requests of fellow parishioners are still being listed on the parish website (see PRAYERS in top bar). If you would like to add a request, please email the parish at [email protected] or phone the parish office at 607–294–0064 and it will be added to the list.
Prayers from the Sisters of St. Joseph:
The Sisters of St. Joseph have a prayer ministry for the Diocese of Rochester. They have informed our parish that Sr. Anne Marie Burns will be praying for the parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy, during 2020. In gratitude, let us pray for Sr. Anne Burns and all the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
The Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes is located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself.” 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.
