A Note from our Pastor 5-29-22

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the past two weekends I have shared with you opportunities of service, which included our liturgical ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Lectors, our Adult and Children’s Choirs and Altar Servers) and Family Ministry, the Ministry of Consolation, and our Faith Formation Program. It is my hope that as I make these opportunities known to you that you might see an area where you can be of service, reflecting your ongoing commitment to your baptism, which we all renewed at Easter. I’d like to share with you several other opportunities of service in my letter today.

There are two opportunities of service that are geared for those who have the desire to be of firsthand assistance to parishioners and our neighbors in special need. These two services put one in direct contact with people. You become a positive sign of our desire and commitment to be of help during a time of struggle.

PARISH OUTREACH PROGRAM/PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY: Through the generosity of our parishioners, our food pantry is well-stocked. Stocking the shelves and being available to those who come to us for assistance with groceries is a very rewarding position. Many times, during their visits conversations that our Parish Outreach Team have with these neighbors can uncover additional assistance that is needed and can direct them to an appropriate area of social services.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: This ministry is comprised of men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. They are part of an international society of friends united by a spirit of poverty, humility, and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection at the beginning of each of their meetings.

​When a member of our community requires assistance members of the St. James Parish St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference conduct what is referred to as a home visit in pairs of two. Conference members visit people and help to find the most appropriate response to the person’s or family’s needs. This involves being a supportive listener and may also include providing food or food vouchers, clothing, furniture, budget support, assistance with utility bills or back to school costs, information, and advocacy.

SEWING MINISTRY: For those who like to work at home and behind the scenes, being part of the sewing ministry might be for you. This group prepares the baptismal garments given to the babies/young children who are being baptized. Opportunities in this ministry include purchasing the fabric, cutting using a pattern, sewing, and embroidering.

SOME CLOSING QUESTIONS: What area of service do you think you might be able to provide for our parish community and neighbors from the lists that I wrote about over the past three weekends? Do you see the direct connection between service and your on-going commitment to live out your baptismal promises in concrete ways? Please think about this and consider what I have shared with you.

A Note from the Pastor 11-20-21

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend we celebrate the great Feast of Christmas followed by the Feast of the Holy Family. What joy we feel as we now enter the Christmas Season which continues until January 9, 2022, when we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!

With this Feast we are reminded of God’s great love for all of us as He brings to fulfillment the promise that He made to our ancestors in telling them that he would send them a “savior.” In the fullness of time, Jesus was born of Mary in the town of Bethlehem to fulfill what the prophet had foretold, “And you Bethlehem are by no means least among the tribes of Israel for from you shall come a savior.”

Let’s ponder this inspirational poem on the ultimate meaning of Christmas by Howard

Thurman who wrote:

“When the song of the angels is silent, When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are again tending their sheep, When the manger is darkened and still. . .
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To rebuild nations,
To bring peace among people,
To befriend the lonely,
To release the prisoner,
To make music in the heart. . ..”

Howard Thurman points to the great challenge of Christmas; that is, to let the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ become real in and through each one of us. After all, isn’t that what it means to be Jesus’ disciples in the world today? The best way we can live out our baptismal call is to become more like Jesus and to bring him to others. May our celebration of his birth this year stir us to this deeper commitment! Let the work of Christmas begin!

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we are also reminded that we make the Holy Family present in the love, compassion and support we give to each other. I remember a lesson that I was taught as a young student many years ago. What makes the Holy Family holy is the presence of Jesus in it. That is true to this very day! Merry Christmas, everyone! Let us celebrate the presence of Jesus among us, in our church and in our families.

Summer

I welcome our parishioners who are regularly with us and extend warm greetings to those visiting with us for the first time or here with a relative or friend.