| Dear St. James Family, |
| Greetings during this Octave of Christian Unity. From January 18 until January 25 the Church is especially praying for reunion with our non Catholic, Christian brothers and sisters. As a convert from Protestantism (read my story below), I am now a joyful Catholic as a result of the prayers and efforts of those working for Christian unity. Together at St. James we continue this noble goal of working for unity especially with our Protestant brothers and sisters. We are looking ahead to to a great year and we have some excellent folks leading the charge. A few weeks ago I publicly blessed the St. James Council, those people who are appointed to assist me in fostering pastoral activity and managing the goods of the mission. I shared my gratefulness to John Brown for his years of service as his council term came to an end and we welcomed new members. Here are those currently serving through January of2026: Brian Burch, Cathy Messina, Susan Miller, Mahlon Wood2027: Lori and Paul Adelfio, Michelle and Doug Nesmith2028: Nancy and Rex Setzer, Haitham HabibBe sure to thank them for their dedication, much of which takes place faithfully behind the scenes. Below is a picture of me holding the newest member of St. James, Jaden, the son of Mike and Rebecca. I had the privilege of baptizing Jaden a little over a week ago. |
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| Upcoming Events EXPERIENCE BEAUTIFUL CANDLEMASBLESSING OF CANDLES ON FEBRUARY 2, 2025This year, one of my favorite Masses, lands on a Sunday! Candlemas is a last taste of Christmas and is filled with joy. The occasion celebrates the entrance into the temple of the baby Jesus, which took place forty days after his birth. It was on this day that he was proclaimed as a light to the Gentiles, to outsiders. This occasion is traditionally remembered by the blessing of candles brought from home to be used for devotional purposes (advent candles, family prayer candles, votive candles). There will be a blessing of candles and a procession at both the 8:00am and 10:15am Masses. HAVE YOUR THROAT BLESSEDSPECIAL PRAYERS AGAINST AILMENTS, FEBRUARY 2, 2025 Participate in the annual blessing of the throats, calling on the intercession of St. Blaise against diseases and ailments. It is a longstanding tradition to use blessed candles from Candlemas placed on each side of the neck while a short blessing is given. This custom is in remembrance of St. Blaise, a fourth century Christian physician, who became known for miraculously clearing the throat of a choking boy. By the sixth century St. Blaise’s intercession was being invoked in the east for illnesses related to the throat. By the ninth century, the saint was revered in Europe and went on to become one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. The St. Blaise throat blessings traditionally take place on February 3, the Memorial of St. Blaise. However, because we are not yet hosting daily Masses, I will be providing throat blessings following both Sunday morning Masses on February 2. 2024 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTSAVAILABLE THIS SUNDAY AFTER MASSThanks to the diligence of Linda Salvatore (who faithfully enters offertory contribution throughout the year) and also Lori Adelfio, our faithful secretary, giving statements will be available on January 26, 2025. Please pick up your statement if you are at Mass. If you are unable to pick up your statement, please contact the parish office at secretary@stjamescc.org. If you are an online contributor, you can log into your online account to retrieve your statement. Thank you for your open-hearted generosity over this past year. OTHER UPCOMING DATESMarriage Sunday: February 9. Renew your vows with your spouse and receive a special blessing.St. Therese Women’s Guild Prayer & Breakfast: February 22, 9:30am Beach Diner, MandarinMen’s Conference: March 1, in Tampa, FL. Carpooling pilgrimageShrove Tuesday: March 4, 5:30pm — 7:00pm, Evening Prayer and Confessions, Pancakes and FunAsh Wednesday Mass: March 5 at 6:00pmAshes, Short Service: 7:30 PM ashes outside of MassLose an Hour of Sleep: March 9, time change Sunday. Check out More Upcoming or Past Events at the Website News and Announcements GET TO KNOW BISHOP LOPESCELEBRATING NINE YEARS AS OUR BISHOP ON FEBRUARY 2 Steven Lopes was raised in a Catholic family and went to all Catholic schools growing up. He was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, served in two parishes, taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and worked for ten years in the Vatican at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. It was there that he played a key role in bringing Pope Benedict XVI’s vision for the Ordinariate to fruition helping especially with the approval of the liturgy and the vetting of clergy to serve in this new diocese. Due to the growth of the Ordinariate in North America, a bishop was needed (prior to this time our diocese was governed by a priest: Msgr. Jeffrey N. Steenson). So because of Msgr. Lopes experience and background working with the Ordinariates, Pope Francis appointed him as our first bishop. On February 2, 2016 Steven Lopes was ordained as the first bishop of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Since that time he has played a foundational role in expanding our diocese and ordaining many priests, including myself. He serves not only our diocese, but also the wider Church. In 2021 he was elected to serve as the head of the Committee for Divine Worship by the United States Catholic Council of Bishops (USCCB). He is currently serving on the Doctrine Committee. In June 2024, he was a principal co-consecrator of David Waller, the first bishop-ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, which covers, England, Wales, and Scotland. At Mass on February 2, we will be singing a solemn Te Deum of Thanksgiving, the Church’s ancient song of celebration, in joyful acclimation of Bishop Lopes Ordination on this day nine years ago. Click here to get to know Bishop Lopes by listening to his talk about the identity and mission of the Ordinariate. BUILDOUT PROGRESS UPDATESOME INCREASED EXPENSES, BUT FORWARD MOVEMENTAs they say, the only sure thing with a building project is delays and unexpected expenses, which is true in our case. However, by God’s providential hand, in spite of many obstacles, we continue to move steadily forward. As best I can tell, it is my hope that we will be in our new space in time for Easter, which is April 20 of this year (though at this point I would not be surprised if I were wrong). I am expecting our plans to be resubmitted to the city in the beginning of February and, best case scenario, to be approved before March. That will then give us March and April to complete the project. Thank you for your continued prayers. Increased Electrical Cost: In conferring back and forth with the engineering firm, it has been determined that the current amperage in the building is not sufficient for our needs and so another 200 amp service will need to be installed. I am currently waiting on the electrician for a quote on this (he says he is waiting on his supplier so he can get me the quote). Hot Water Cost: Currently, only one of the bathrooms has hot water (the main one near the entrance). Originally, the city told me that this would be sufficient, but that has been retracted by the city and so I am waiting on a quote from the plumber to find out about getting hot water to all of the faucets. Flooring has arrived: Thank you to Dan Lahey, David Knapp, and Rick Hartley for moving our curbside flooring materials drop-off, safely into the building. Permit Submission Timeline: The engineering firm told me that they would have the reformed plans back to us between January 22 and 29. If that is true (we shall see), we will be able to resubmit to the city for permits soon. REPORT DECEMBER FINANCESGENEROSITY CONTINUES IN SUPPORT OF ST. JAMES General Fund: December Giving $10,275.72Capital Fund: December Giving $5,468.27 December Expenses: $6,189.21| Covers quarter of priest’s support, half of pension, travel, liturgical supplies, music, building rent and liability insurance, advertising, bishop’s tax, almsgiving, hospitality Building Faith | Finance Update for New Location: $5,299.42 to go! (this number may change based on awaited quotes on the additional electrical requirement and also the hot water installation). YOUR GIFTS MATTERHAS GOD BLESSED YOU? INCREASE YOUR GIVING FOR 2025 If your income grew in the last year, don’t forget to pass on the blessing. As you are getting your finances in order for tax purposes, thank you for also adjusting your giving in support of the work of our Lord through his Church. Online Giving: StJamesCC.org/Giving and make a one-time giftBy Mail: address check to St. James Catholic Church and mail to St. James Catholic Church, Parsonage, 3725 Lilly Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32207Thank you for your generosity! I’M NOW SIX YEARS YOUR PRIESTHERE IS MY STORY I grew up Pentecostal and learned from a young age to love the Lord and the Bible. Around the age six or seven I heard the Lord calling me to be a pastor. During college my search for answers began when I learned that my denomination was less than a hundred years old. My girlfriend (now wife) took me to my first Episcopal Church service and I found myself drawn to the rich liturgical traditions, history, and warmth and went on to be ordained to serve as a parish priest within the Protestant Episcopal Church. Though Protestant, I had positive experiences with Catholics as a child and young adult. During seminary, I was influenced by the writings of Catholic converts John Henry Newman and Peter Kreeft. During my time in the Episcopal Church I watched as the ecclesial community was fracturing, yet the Catholic Church remained solid in spite of scandals caused by some of her members. My wife and I entered the Catholic Church in 2012. After a period of discernment and formation I was given a dispensation by Pope Francis and ordained as a Catholic priest on January 25, 2019. These last six years have been full of learning, joys, and challenges. I am grateful especially to the people of St. James for all of the patience that you have shown to me and the many lessons that you have taught me. Thank you for your prayers that I might serve as a holy priest and a fruitful pastor. Grow and Be Challenged in your Faith: Listen to a Homily If you have been away from St. James for a while or have yet to join us, get a little taste of the experience and receive some spiritual nourishment by listening to one of the homilies given during Mass. You can listen here or by searching for “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts. How Baptism Changed Everything – Why Everyone Went to Hell Prior to Jesus | January 12, 2025 Why Christians Initiate – Learn about the Divine Foundation of Hospitality | January 05,2025 The Scandals of Jesus’ Grandmothers – Good News for Crazy Families | December 24, 2025 Around The Wider Church POPE FRANCIS’ JUBILEE DECREEYEAR 2025 PILGRIMS OF HOPE A Jubilee Year is a significant moment in the life of the Church in which she celebrates the year of messianic favor inaugurated by Christ through his Incarnation and Paschal Mystery (cf. Lk 4:19; John Paul II, Tertio millennio adveniente, nos. 11- 16). Proclaimed every twenty-five years since the thirteenth century, the celebration of jubilee years typically includes pilgrimages, processions, celebrations of Mass, and an invitation to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These liturgical celebrations are opportunities to receive the Lord’s mercy, especially through the practice of the Jubilee indulgence, and lead to the performance of works of mercy. The theme for this Jubilee is Pilgrims of Hope, and the Bull of Indiction suggests several ways to bring Christ and his message of hope to the world, for example, by working for peace and an end to conflicts, promoting human life, showing amnesty to prisoners, upholding the dignity of migrants, healing the sick, and accompanying the elderly – or even through the forgiveness of debts, a custom of jubilee years in the Old Testament. Read the entire Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee Year of the year 2025. |
| Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer |
January 2025 | Candlemas
