First Reading:
Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. (Jer. 20:8)
Psalm:
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. (Ps. 63)
Second Reading:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. (Rom. 12:1)
Gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16:24)
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:
Secular problems require savvy secular solutions. We are trained to solve problems, be successful and productive, and find our way through all that life presents to us. Corporations value those who can decipher the best avenue to take in order to resolve an issue. How do you train and renew your mind? Facts, figures, scientific tools, analytical processes, best practices, and models of varying kinds are at our disposal. If we don’t know the full and proper course of action, we can easily find it. But there is a knowledge that goes far beyond all these things that makes a direct claim on the essence of our being. It satisfies a deeper thirst and hunger that keeps us restless until it is satisfied. Our minds, hearts, and souls cannot only be nurtured purely by secular and temporal things. We must seek the enlightenment that comes from God. This allows us to see the value of suffering in order to achieve a greater good and the losing of our very self in the service of something greater. Faith only makes sense if it can bring us to this heightened awareness.
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 1) 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
- Family Faith Formation: Begins September 20
- Inspiring Women: Celebrating their Legacy: 6:00–8:00p.m., September 26, Club 86, Geneva, NY
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.
The Sacrament of Confirmation:
Nicolas Angulo-Stevensen and David Betancourt-Trompa will be confirmed in the faith by Bishop Salvatore Mantano this Wednesday, September 2, at St. Stephen’s Church, Geneva, NY. Because of COVID-19 and the social distancing directive, a select number of people will be attending, and the Rite of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated without the celebration of Mass. We rejoice with Nicolas and David.
Finance Council:
The Parish Finance Council will meet this Friday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m. The principle items on the agenda are to review the 2019-2020 Fiscal Financial Report and the 2020-2021 budget. The parish fiscal year is July 1–June 30. The annual financial report will be issued soon after the meeting.
Labor Day:
There will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass on Monday, September 7.
St. James the Apostle Rectory:
Sister Anne Alderman, SSJ and Ms. Jan Seeley (a lay SSJ Associate) have visited the rectory and have expressed an interested in it as a possible living quarters. Negotiations between the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Diocese, and the Parish are taking place. Sr. Anne and Jan would like to be moved in by September 1, 2020.
African Americans’ Patron Saint:
“Wednesday, September 9, 2020 is the Memorial of St. Peter Claver who, as you may know, ministered to enslaved Africans,” the Most Reverend Shelton J. Fabre, Bishop of HoumaThibodaux and Chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, writes in the attached informational letter. “Accordingly, he is the patron saint of African Americans and enslaved peoples. I would like to invite us all to celebrate the feast of St. Peter Claver in a special way this year through the sacrifice of the Mass in reparation for sins against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and especially in reparation for sins based upon race.”
Notre Dame Retreat House:
In the place of their normally scheduled fall retreat weekends, Notre Dame Retreat House will be offering single days in silence and reflection entitled “Desert Day.” All men, women, and couples are invited to join. There are twelve dates available from mid-September through the beginning of November. Please note that in order to address social distancing requirements and needs, at this time attendance on each “Desert Day” is limited to fifteen people. For specifics on dates, retreat format, cost, and how to register, please visit: www.notredameretreat.org. For other inquiries, please contact the Notre Dame Retreat House at 585–394–5700 or [email protected].
Inspiring Women: Celebrating Their Legacy:
Feminists Choosing Life of New York (FCLNY) is celebrating the Centennial of the Women’s Suffrage Movement on September 26 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Club 86 in Geneva, NY. The event is named “Inspiring Women: Celebrating Their Legacy.” The guest speaker will be Serrin Foster who is the president of Feminists for Life of America (FFL). FCLNY and FFL are sister coalitions. Both non-profits recognize “that abortion is a reflection that our society has failed to meet the needs of women,” and they see the need to “systematically eliminat[e]… the root causes that drive women to abortion — primarily [the] lack of practical resources and support.” Dinner choices are Baked Chicken/Seasoned, Roasted and Falls Off the Bone; Grilled Stuffed Portabella/Spinich and Farrow; or Grilled Salmon/Pan seared Faroe Island Salmon. Reservations are $75.00 with limited seating due to COVID-19. Reservations, program ads (no political ads), and sponsorship opportunities are available by emailing info@flcny.org; calling Michelle Sterlace-Accorsi, executive director of FCLNY, at 716–864–1454; or by contacting Kathy Peters at [email protected] or 315–539–8006.
The Right to Life:
“I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself.” ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
All Parish Households:
Households have become more aware of themselves as domestic churches. To help support the church at home, the Diocese of Rochester’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis provides families with weekly gospel reflections, catechesis, ideas for family time, parent support, and more. Each week the Diocese publishes a newsletter titled Family Zone. The newsletter is linked from our parish’s web page and Facebook page. The newsletter is proving to be a great resource, and it has something that appeals to people of all ages. Even if you are living alone, you will find it of great interest, both stimulating and inspirational. Simply check it out and see for yourself.
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.
Parish Mass:
During this time of social distancing the parish has provided ways for attending Mass in celebrating the memory of Jesus’s death and resurrection and the presence and union with Jesus in Holy Communion. The parish has four Masses on the weekend (two at St. James the Apostle, one at St. Francis Solanus, and one at Holy Cross); an 8:30 a.m. daily Mass at St. Francis (Monday–Friday); and a video taken each week of the Sunday Mass at St. James the Apostle which can be viewed through this link. The attendance at public Masses is limited to 33% of the total building occupancy which percentage has never been reached in the churches. It has been suggested that parishioners might consider attending a daily Mass where social distancing is more easily attained.
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].
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.
