December 2025 | Getting Ready For Christmas

Happy Advent by the way. Come and see us priests wearing pink, I mean rose, this coming Sunday for Rejoice Sunday :-), a tradition that was started by special privilege of the pope back in the eleventh century, but soon spread to the entire Church. This is the point of Advent when the mood begins to change from getting ready for Christ’s second coming as  judge to the joyful anticipation of celebrating his first advent at Christmas. Come and rejoice with us.  

ASSEMBLE YOUR CHRISTMAS PLANSDECEMBER 24 AND 25, CAROLS, CROWDS, CELEBRATIONS

Christmas Carol Sing-Along, December 24, 3:45 – 4:15 PM: Arrive early so that you can join in singing your favorite Christmas hymns led by the St. James Schola prior to Christmas Eve Mass! Christmas Carols have a rich tradition within the Church. Though carols were in place during the first few centuries, they fell out of popularity until St. Francis of Assisi revived them in the thirteenth century when he started his nativity plays. In the seventeenth century in England, powerful Protestants stopped all Christmas singing, however such joy and festivity could not be kept under wraps for long and carols once again became popular in churches and concert halls, reaching their zenith in what is known as a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 4:30 PM: Experience hope, joy, and wonder. Beautiful traditional music including choir, organist, and violinist, a message of hope, the Last Gospel, and the cherished tradition of singing Silent Night together at the end of the Mass. This Mass will not have incense.

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 10:30 AM: Celebrate the Lord on the day of his birth, and avoid the crowds. Beautiful reflective Mass, Christmas hymns led by song leader and organist, a message of hope, service concludes with the Last Gospel, and singing Joy to the World. There may be incense at this Mass.

2025 LITURGICAL CALENDAR AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14

Our calendars have arrived! Thank you to those of you who pre-ordered this special calendar which lists the saint days and solemnities of the upcoming year, some of which are unique to our diocese. If you did not pre-order but would still like a calendar, you may be in luck as we normally have few extras, however, priority goes to those who pre-ordered. Cost is $5 per calendar. Please see the greeter after Mass to pick up yours.

CHRISTMAS TREE BLESSINGSBLESSING BOOKLETS AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 14

Last year, our Cathedral assembled a little booklet that you can use to bless your family Christmas tree. On December 14 you can pick up your own copy of this booklet to use on Christmas Eve, the traditional time to bless the Christmas tree (or at another time near Christmas that works for your family).
A great way to make this Christmas tree blessing special is to delay adding Christmas ornaments to your tree until Christmas eve. During Adventide, keep it simple in order to convey the anticipation of the season – use only white lights or perhaps decorate the tree with purple ornaments. Then on Christmas eve, add the colored lights and Christmas decorations, use the family blessing and ceremonially light the tree as a way of officially entering into Christmastide.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS PICTURES?AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 18, IF ENOUGH INTEREST

Armando Lugo has generously volunteered to provide photographs against a Christmas backdrop on Thursday, December 18, from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM if enough families  and individuals show interest (need at least three to sign up). These portraits will be done at no charge, but simply as a gift from Armando. He has offered to provide digital and or prints of these pictures. Please let me know if you would like to participate by this Sunday, December 14 so that we can gauge interest. Thanks. 

LEARN HOW TO ADVENT! DECEMBER 14, 21, 9:30 – 10:15 AM

Join Doug Nesmith for a study on living the Season of Advent. Discover practical ways to make this Advent season more meaningful as you prepare your heart for Christmas. The class will be composed of a short video lesson followed by discussion.  Check out this video preview.  

POTLUCK! BUILD A WELCOMING COMMUNITY JANUARY 4, 2025, EPIPHANY, 11:45 AM
Join us for a fun meal and strengthen connections with your St. James family. Visit the Hospitality Table after Mass to sign up. 

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTSVISIT STJAMESCC.ORG FOR ALL EVENTS
Holy Day of Obligation: Thursday, January 1, 10:30 AM, Mary, Mother of God
Blessed Salt and Water: January 4 after Mass. Bring salt and water to be blessed
Grand Opening Mass with blessing of candles: February 2, 6:30 PM. Refreshments to follow.
Shrove Tuesday: February 17, 5:30 PM, Pancakes, Prayer and Confessions
Ash Wednesday: February 18, 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM Mass with distribution of Ashes | Shorter Ashes Liturgy 7:00 PM
 

News and Announcements

The St. James Council and I are working on developing a system that will allow us to regularly check in everyone. We are family and that is what families do. Our goal is to stay connected, offer support when needed, and make sure no one in the family feels overlooked or forgotten. I need your help and assistance in making these phone calls. Please let me know if you would be willing to help out in this way.  

THANKS TO THOSE WHO PLEDGED SO FARSHARING YOUR 2026 GIVING ESTIMATE IS A HUGE HELP

Thanks to those who so graciously shared their giving estimates for this upcoming year: Daniel Lahey, Jim Partlow, Lee Setzer, Isabella Myers, Melissa & Philip Mayer, Erin McGuigan, Nancy & Rex Setzer, Albert Lamoureux, Mahlon & Iciar Wood, Doug & Michelle Nesmith, Susan & Bart Miller Family, David Knapp, Cathy & Robert Messina, Stacy & Davis Drury, Danial Lucas, Linda M. Salvatore, Michelle Geraci, Robin Cooper, Daniel Naffziger, Caroline Buerkle & Corey Scuderi.

If you have not yet turned in your pledge for 2026, please email it to me.Download the Commitment Brochure HERE. 

GIFT IDEAS FOR ST. JAMESPURCHASE CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR THE MISSION

Below are a few needs to put your money to work for the gospel, should you have a desire to gift the mission in this way. Click on each link to see the item.

Priest chasubles: We are working on replacing our more modern style, fiddleback chasubles, with those that are more traditional and better fit the look of our patrimony:

White (choose the unlined since it gets hot in Florida)Purple (choose the unlined since it gets hot in Florida)Red (choose the unlined since it gets hot in Florida)

Thurible: Lightweight. The one we currently have is very heavy which makes it difficult to use.

Server Cottas: please chose one size CJ, one DK, and one EK

Votive Candle Stand: will be placed in front of the St. James portrait that is currently being completed.

Gothic Lectern: this would provide a more fitting nobility to the reading of the Word of God at Mass

Altar Rail Cushion: working on obtaining a custom made set of kneeling cushions to fit the communion rail. Price not yet obtained.

Altar Curtain: used to cordon off altar area so that nave space can be used for non sacred gatherings such as potlucks.

FIRST SATURDAY MASS, 7:00 AMSAVE SOULS, BRING PEACE – YOUR HELP NEEDED

The Blessed Mother promised that by participating in the first Saturday devotion many souls being saved and peace would be ushered into the world. Join us on the first Saturday of each month for Mass. Next one is January 3, 2026. Learn more about the First Saturday Devotion.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE A HANDYOUR HELP NEEDED TO PREP FOR CHRISTMAS

Attic Prep: Help run camera wires through attic on Friday, December 12 and possibly also Saturday. Help us get some insulation up there on Saturday, December 20, 2026. Contact me if you are planning to join us.Hang TVs: there is one need to be mounted to the wallScrape Windows: paint needs to be carefully removed from classroom windowsPaint Edging: a number of doors mostly, need to be touched up by someone who an eye for detail and a steady handWeed Landscaping: to make the building look as welcoming as possibleRepair tile: in bathroom floor and some spot on the wallBathroom Drywall: needs smoothing and paintingShare your interest or obtain more information: office@StJamesCC.org or text 904-999-1423

The Parish Council met on November 18, 2025, to discuss a variety of topics focused on strengthening our parish and better serving all of you, our parishioners and friends. Click HERE to see the Council Meeting Minutes.

FINANCE UPDATE – MONTHLY GIVING IS A BIT LOW, BUT YTD IS GOOD

November Giving: $10,067.02 ($9,094.39 General, $972.63 Capital)
This does not include smaller funds.

November Expenses: $11,023.43  Covers quarter of priest’s support, half of pension, travel, liturgical supplies, music, building rent and liability insurance, advertising, bishop’s tax, almsgiving, hospitality.

YTD Budget: (since July 1, 2025) $91,968.39 outflow, $100,400.10 inflow (includes $45,000 landlord reimbursement for buildout expenses).

Financial Goals: Increase priest support from quarter time to half time. Hire onsite secretary (P/T), save to purchase our own building

Thank you for your faithfulness in building up the kingdom of God through your financial support of the mission of St. James.

GROW AND BE CHALLENGED IN YOUR FAITHLISTEN 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.

November 23, 2025 – How to be Free from Election Angst
November 30, 2025 – The Alarming Surprise that Most Will Encounter After Death (It’s Not Hell), and How to be Read, Part 1,
December 7, 2025 – The Alarming Surprise that Most Will Encounter After Death (It’s Not Hell), and How to be Read, Part 2,