St James Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,

St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome is the only church building whose dedication is celebrated as a feast. It is an enduring symbol of the universal church. Inscribed  on its façade is “mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world.” Originally completed in 324C.E., soon after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, the Lateran Basilica became a sign of the triumph of the faithful who survived underground for generations when Christians were persecuted. Although we are gathered in a much humbler setting in our church today, we are nonetheless linked to this historic church, our mother church.

At this time in our country, shifting demographics, shrinking Mass attendance, and other factors, have led to many church buildings closing for many of the faithful. Today’s feast can remind us of two things. First, no matter what building we gather in, we are still part of the universal church, a church that began with no buildings at all and lasted centuries before members could worship publicly. Secondly, as St. Paul reminds us, we are God’s building. We are each a temple of God, with a foundation in Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God dwelling in us. Since the Spirit of God dwells in us, we are able to bring the presence of God from this gathering to whomever we encounter throughout the week. Therefore, we rededicate ourselves to building up the Kingdom of God here in the shadow of our own parish church of St. James, aware that both celebrate their foundation in Christ Jesus.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

On Veteran’s Day this Tuesday, November 11th, we pray for all those men and women who died and served our country in the armed forces. And we continue to pray for peace here and throughout the world. Coincidentally, today is also the feast of St. Martin of Tours, the patron of soldiers.