|
Dear St. James Family, |
|
Know Someone With a Big Bad, Enjoyable Sin? Do you have a sin that you really like and do not want to give up? Maybe you don’t even see it as a sin. Or maybe it’s someone else’s sin that you are concerned with. How do you respond to this? Either way, this this Sunday is for you. I’m going to be preaching about what Jesus says you should do with that sinner that refuses correction or change. Maybe that sinner is you (wink). I think that you’ll be surprised by what I have to say, maybe even scandalized :-). The good news of our Lord has a way of doing that.
|
News and Happenings
Did we Win an Award? Best Catholic Church in Jacksonville? This is likely not much more than a sales ploy, but I though it was fun and would pass it your way. I received notice from a company that provides “best of” awards around the Jacksonville area as well as other cities, to those organizations that have demonstrated solid growth during challenging times. They seek to recognize dedication and efforts to go above and beyond serving the local community. I think that mostly they want you to purchase their $149.99+ award plaque (chuckle emoji here). Either way I thought it was entertaining and that I would pass it on that we are now part of an exclusive group that claims to include American Red Cross (2018 Best of Santa Monica), Dollar Rent A Car (2018 Best of Spokane), Merrill Lynch (2016 Best of San Mateo) and others. Don’t worry. I did not purchase the plaque :-). I’m cheap. I just copied the picture above from their website which didn’t cost anything.
Don’t leave me Scrambling – Zero People Have Contacted Me so Far, to Help Put out Chairs This Sunday Perhaps you are reading because something is pricking your heart :-). Last week I wrote about our setup crew being a bit short this Sunday September 10 and also on September 24 due to our normal setup folks being out of town. So far, no one has responded. However, if you are reading this perhaps the Lord is speaking to you. If you have thirty minutes to spare this coming Sunday from 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM or on September 24 I need you :-). Please let me know if you can help me. Thanks.
We have Already Met the Bishop’s Appeal Goal! Thanks for Your Generosity I recently received a letter from the Chancellery (Bishop’s office) that we met our $3,000 goal for this year’s Bishop’s Appeal. These gifts helps invigorate services and programs that connect the Ordinariate’s faithful to their bishop and to their brothers and sisters across the diocese, as well as inviting new members into full communion, and cultivating vocations to the priesthood and religious life in order to further spread our Eucharistic faith.
2024 Giving Estimates Update: $9,441 of $10,000 Raised So Far Thanks so much to those of you who shared with me your 2024 giving estimates in support of the mission of St. James. This is helpful as we discern the possibility of moving St. James to a building or secured lease. The estimate we have so far is based on those who have provided personal giving estimates ($6,856.93) plus my prediction from consistent givers who have not given estimates ($1,521.58), plus the monthly average cash giving in the plate ($1,062). Thank you to the following families who have shared their giving estimates: Anna and John Brown, Brian Burch, Ruby Burch, Robin Cooper, Sierra and Caleb Gibson, Mike and Colleen Kelley, Dan Lahey, Al and Diane Lamoureux, Dan Lucas, Melissa and Philip Mayer, Catherine and Robert Messina, Susan and Bart Miller, Charles Morgan, Michelle and Douglas Nesmith, Tina Newman, Rachel and Jeremy Dobbs, Carol and Jim Patton, Missy and Dan Rindge, Andrew Salvatore, Linda and Joseph Salvatore, Nancy and Rex Setzer (if I missed your name some how, please let me know. Thanks).
Encouragement for Suffering Souls – Most Recent Homily The governing ethos of modern life is the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of pain, yet Christ talks about coming alive by embracing your cross. He was the master at teaching people how to transform suffering into joy. If you sometimes find yourself having a bad day and getting grumpy and irritable, learn from our Lord about how a person might consider embracing suffering and experience transformation and joy.
Listen to this and my other homilies at StJamesCC.org/Homilies or by searching “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts
Upcoming Events
Prayer and Potluck at the Setzer Home, Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM Experience one of the treasures of the Ordinariate: Praying the Daily Office Evening Prayer while having fun and eating food with your favorite people at the home of Nancy and Rex Setzer: 11668 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville. Please let Brian (found at the hospitality table) know after Mass that you are coming so that he can get you signed up to bring a dish. For questions or more information please contact Doug Nesmith: dnesmith01@yahoo.com 904-708-0675. Please RSVP by today, September 7, 2023. Thanks.
Christian Essentials Class: Spots are Filling Up. RSVP Soon If you are looking for the class that boils Christian teaching down the basics from beginning to end, this is it. You will learn about beliefs, worship, morals, and prayer in a captivating series of presentations that will put you on a rock solid foundation no matter what life may bring your way. Try out the first class to see if this is for you and if so, get the essentials covered in thirteen sessions. Every other Monday evening beginning, September 25, 2023. Learn more.
Check out More Upcoming Events at the Website
Other Local Catholic Events
Founders Day Historic St. Augustine Celebration 458th Anniversary of Founder’s Day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Ave., in St. Augustine for Mass celebrated by Bishop Pohlmeier at the Rustic Altar, a reenactment of the landing of Pedro Menendez and the dedication of the Dr. Michael Gannon bridge. For more details call (904) 824-2809.
Child Loss Grief Support, Sept. 12 (10-week Group Meetings) Red Bird Ministries is offering a grief support group each Tuesday through Nov. 14 for those who have experienced child loss (from miscarriage to adulthood) at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Ave., Gainesville, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more details, send an email to hld@dosafl.com or to Regina Quiñones at reginabquinones@gmail.com or call (904) 910-7221. For more details about Red Bird Ministries, visit https://www.redbird.love/.
Day of Reflection with the Sisters of St. Joseph September 16, Sister of St. Joseph Jane Stoecker, will give a presentation at St. Joseph Renewal Center, 234 St. George St., in St. Augustine from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., about St. Teresa Benedict of the Cross, also known as Sister Edith Stein (1891-1942). She was a brilliant educator and suffragette, a well-known and admired Christian philosopher, a contemplative Carmelite Nun and a martyr at Auschwitz. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. To register, contact Sister Jane at (904) 824-5894 or send an email to stjosephrenewal@ssjfl.org. Please include your name and contact information.
Attention Men: Secular Franciscans of St. Bonaventure Fraternity (OFS) event, Sept. 16 The lay order is hosting a “Come and See” event from 10 a.m. to noon in the activity center at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7190 U.S. Highway 17 S., in Fleming Island. An official order of the Roman Catholic Church, the OFS was founded by St. Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago. Made up of single and married men, their purpose is to bring the Gospel to life throughout the diocese. For more information, visit stbonaventureofs.org or send an email to saintbonaventureofs@gmail.com.
458th Anniversary of Founder’s Day Reenactment, St. Augustine September 9, The National Shrine at Mission Nombre de Dios is hosting the 458th Anniversary of the Founding of St. Augustine and the establishment of the Catholic faith on the shores of the First Coast in 1565. Bring your family and friends and enjoy the historical reenactment of the landing at 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Pohlmeier as the celebrant. The afternoon activities will be at the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. For more details, checkout this flyer or watch this video.
5th Annual Homeschool Family Mass, Blessing & Dinner September 18 Holy Family Catholic Church, 9800 Baymeadows Rd. in Jacksonville, is inviting all families with homeschooled children for Mass at 5:30 p.m. celebrated by Bishop Pohlmeier. Mass will be followed by a reception in the parish hall and a special blessing. RSVP is required. For more details or questions, contact Erin McGeever at emcgeever@dosafl.com.
Adventures in Marriage Workshop, Sept. 23 and Oct. 21 This FREE, two-day workshop will be held on both days at Resurrection Catholic Church, 3383 University Blvd. N., in Jacksonville, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 and from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 21. The workshop is designed to help couples turn a good marriage into a great marriage, find hope in a struggling marriage or take a great marriage to a deeper, more passionate level. Come learn how to create the marriage you have always wanted with the spouse you already have! For more information, contact Raquel Tripp at raquel@missionariesofmarriage.org. Register here or check out this flyer.
Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends Is Back! Rebuilding is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a love relationship – through a divorce, death/widow or from a breakup of a long-term relationship. Individuals who participate in this class develop a better, more comprehensive understanding of how their relationship with God and the community can help them through this very difficult journey. More than 1,000 people in the diocese have benefitted from this course over the years. Rebuilding classes will be held in the Community Room at San José Catholic Church,3619 Toledo Road, Jacksonville, on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. The class lasts for 10 weeks and starts on Sept. 14. The cost is $50 per person and includes the textbook (Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends) and all handouts, which will be provided at each class. There will be light refreshments as well. To sign up, contact the Family Life Office at (904) 262-3200 or email Mike Day at mday@dosafl.com. They can take your reservation and process your payment. For questions, call Father Tony Palazzolo at (904) 280-5422.
Celebrating a Big Wedding Anniversary? 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th (or more) Registration is now open for the 2023 Anniversary Celebration. Couples observing a 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th (or more) wedding anniversary between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, are invited to participate in the 2023 Anniversary Celebration with Bishop Erik Pohlmeier on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 1:00 p.m. with Mass and a light reception. The celebration will be at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Couples may register by visiting family.dosafl.com or by calling (904) 262-3200. The Office of Family Life has mailed packets including a bilingual (English and Spanish translations) flyer to all parishes. If you have not received your packet by Sept. 8 or would like to request more flyers, please contact our office.
|
|
Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer |
Best Catholic Church in Jax? Sent September 7, 2023
