St. James Catholic Church

Burning Palms for Ash Wednesday

Donna — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:35:30 +0000

Parish Raffle

Donna — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:27:30 +0000

Several people have asked me if we are having a parish raffle this year. The answer to that question is yes, we are.

This year instead of doing a calendar raffle I decided to try something different, and it will be held in conjunction with our annual Parish Picnic, July 22^nd. It will be a cash raffle with prizes totaling $ 2,000.00.

The first 3 tickets drawn will receive $ 500.00 each, the next 3 tickets drawn will receive $ 100.00 each and the last 4 tickets drawn will receive $ 50.00 each.

Tickets will be ready on the weekend of May 26^th and 27^th. They will be included in the monthly newsletter. Tickets can be sold/purchased for $ 1.00 each or 6 tickets for $ 5.00. Everyone will have the opportunity to sell $ 40.00 worth of tickets to their friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, or purchase them themselves.

Please make sure the name, address, and phone number of the purchaser is written legibly on the ticket stub. RETURN THE MONEY AND THE TICKET STUBS in the green envelope that will be included with your newsletter to the collection basket, or Parish Office.

If you are not able to sell your tickets, I ask that you return them to the basket that will be in the Church Lobby.

If you are a “Super Seller” and need more tickets you can take them from the same basket.

I’m sure you have noticed that the Operating P&L Year to Date has not quite hit the mark we set. The proceeds from this raffle will be used to help us end our fiscal year on a positive note.

Thanks for your support, and watch for more information on the Raffle as well as the Picnic.

-Donna

He Is Risen

keith — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:38:05 +0000

1st Eucharist

Donna — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:05:01 +0000

This weekend we will be celebrating First Eucharist with 17 of our children. It is an important step in their spiritual maturity. I remember making my First Communion at Holy Family Church in Rochester, NY back in 1963. I was in Sister Georgina’s 2nd grade. There were probably 100 children making their first communion on that day. It was different back then because Mass was in Latin and the priest had his back to the congregation as he spoke the Holy words of Consecration. We lined up and knelt at the Communion rail, our hands together in a prayerful pose. Down the row the Priest moved saying “Corpus Christi” and we responded “Amen” and stuck out our tongues so that the priest could deposit the host on it. Sister had warned us not to chew and so I contemplated the fact that I was now one with Christ as the host (now stuck to the roof of my mouth) slowly dissolved.

Although much has changed, some things remain. We no longer use communion rails or speak our prayers in Latin, but we are still joining ourselves to Christ in a Holy and mystical way. Jesus told his disciples how to remember him. Not as a great philosopher or miracle worker, we were not to build buildings or empires in his honor or even carve his likeness into mountainsides. He told us how to remember him when he said “Do this, in memory of me”. We remember the Lord every time we eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ. This weekend, our children will begin remembering him as well.

Blessings,

Dan

Welcome to the Community

Donna — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:42:08 +0000

Easter 2012

Donna — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:40:32 +0000

Recycling Day April 14, 2012

keith — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:16:19 +0000

Recycle!!!

keith — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:14:04 +0000

Fifty Days of Easter

Donna — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:03:40 +0000

For the Church the celebration of Easter doesn’t end with evening prayer or the last Mass on Easter Sunday, rather the church celebrates the Easter Season for fifty days and it comes to a close on the Feast of Pentecost (which in Greek means “the Fiftieth day”)

During the Easter Season you will notice that the Paschal Candle is lit at every Mass and that we begin most Sundays with a sprinkling rite. Another important change happens with the readings we hear. Normally the first scripture reading on Sunday comes from the Old Testament, during the Easter Season the first reading is drawn from the Acts of the Apostles.

The Church also emphasizes the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiations (Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist) almost all First Communions and many Confirmation services are held within these fifty days.

If you’ve noticed the wonderful three dimensional banner hanging over the baptismal font please take some time to read all the names that are spelled out on the ribbons and take a moment to pray for them. At the top are the names of those who came into the church at the Easter Vigil, on the red and orange ribbons are the names of our candidates for Confirmation and the names on the white ribbons are all the children who will be making their First Communions.

Each name is a sign that our Catholic faith is growing and being handed on to the next generation.

Blessings,

Dan

RECYCLE SATURDAY WAS A SUCCESS!

Donna — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:41:00 +0000

Last Saturday was our first attempt with this type of fundraiser. We heard a lot of positive comments from people dropping off their recyclable donations. People were happy to have a way they could get rid of their old computers, washers, dryers, aluminum cans, etc. plus knowing they were helping our environment.

THANKS to all the volunteers that helped haul items from the building and garage area, unloaded the many vehicles that came through our parking lot, and the volunteers that made home visits to pick up items that people were unable to bring themselves.

We realize that without parishioners volunteering their time we would not be able to host fundraising events. As a Fundraising Committee we are making an effort to not only organize events that can raise money for our parish but to also create “FUN” experiences and community building events for our parishioners.

We will post the proceeds from our recycling drive when we receive them.

Next year’s “Recycle Saturday” will be Saturday, April 13.

Start saving your aluminum cans and other recyclable items. Aluminum cans can be dropped off at the Parish Office at your convenience starting in May. Look for the blue bins near the dumpsters.

—Fundraising Committee