| Dear St. James Family, Greetings and happy Epiphanytide, the joyful Christmas like season that continues until Candlemas on February 2. We have been busily preparing for our Grand Opening Mass (details below) now that are to a place where the major parts of the buildout are complete and we are ready to invite the wider community to our new home! If you are free on Monday, evening, February 2, please join us. Bishop Pohlmeier of the local diocese here as well as Fr. Rick Kramer, the vicar general (right hand man to the bishop) of our diocese are planning to be here as will a number of local priests. There will be refreshments to follow! Please help us get the word out and don’t forget to RSVP so that we can properly prepare. Thanks.  UPCOMING EVENTS SUPPORT THOSE BECOMING CATHOLICSUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 10:25AM Just before the beginning of Mass, we will celebrate the Rite of Welcome for those individuals who are considering becoming Catholic and are now going public with their decision to begin seriously discerning their entrance into the Church: Aiden, Ashton, Axel, Ariana, Ford, Patrick, Daniel, Bobbie, Conner. Please arrive early in order to witness this important part of their journey. Your support, prayers, and welcome make a lasting difference! CHRISTIAN ESSENTIALS CLASS: WHAT ARE THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING?MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 7:00-9:00 PM This class offers a theological exploration of the Sacraments of Healing—Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick—as instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. Drawing from Scripture, Tradition, and the Catechism, we will examine their sacramental matter and form, their effects of grace, and their role in the economy of salvation. Learn how these sacraments restore communion with God and the Church, forgive sin, strengthen the faithful in suffering, and unite human weakness to the redemptive work of Christ. If you’d like to attend the class, RSVP to office@stjamescc.org so that we can prepare enough materials and refreshments. ST. JAMES FAMILY GAME AND MOVIE NIGHTFRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 6:00pm Join us for a fun night at St James. Bring a snack to share and your favorite game. We’ll also have a variety of games for the whole family, from card games to board games as well as a movie playing in the other room for those who would like a calmer experience. RSVP at least a few days before to office@stjamescc.org so we know how many tables to set up. Thanks. ST. JAMES GRAND OPENING MASS, CANDLEMASCOMPLETION OF BUILDOUT, FEBRUARY 2, 6:30 PM You are invited to celebrate with us. Reception to follow the Mass. Please RSVP by Jan. 26, as space is limited: office@StJamesCC.org or call 904-999-1423 (text or call). We have chosen to do this on Candlemas, which memorializes Christ’s entrance into the temple which took place forty days after Christmas, the day when he was proclaimed as a light to the Gentiles. This occasion is traditionally remembered by the blessing of candles brought from home to be used for devotional purposes. The Mass will begin with the blessing, distribution and lighting of candles followed by a candlelit procession. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and others to experience this beautiful form of the Mass in our new building. More information visit StJamesCC.org/event/grand-opening. BLESSING OF THROATS ON THE MEMORIAL OF ST. BLAISE FEBRUARY 3, 7:00AM 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. DATE OF BISHOP LOPES NEXT VISIT ST. JAMESTHIRD WEEK OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 12, 13, 2026 I recently received word from Bishop Lopes about his next visit to St. James! Mark your calendars for this special visit from one of the successors of the apostles. This is a special occasion for us as he comes to the mission only every two to three years. This will be a festive event! The plan is for Bishop Lopes to be here for a special confirmation Mass on Saturday, December 12 at 5 PM and then also to be with us on Sunday at both Masses. KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO BE CONFIRMED? THEIR INPUT NEEDED TO SCHEDULE CONFIRMATION CLASSES In preparation for Bishop Lopes’ visit in December, I’m working on gathering together those who are in need of the Confirmation, so that we can get them ready to be strengthened and firmed up in the faith through this sacrament. So, you know someone, please direct me to them, or them to me. Based on these conversations and their availability, I will be scheduling a series of preparation meetings to get them ready so that they can be confirmed by the Bishop. Thanks. OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS | VISIT STJAMESCC.ORG FOR ALL EVENTS Marriage Sunday: February 15. Renew your vows with your spouse after Mass. Receive a special blessing. Shrove Tuesday: February 17, 5:30 PM, Pancakes, Prayer and Confessions – need someone to coordinate the food for this. Ash Wednesday: February 18, 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM Mass with distribution of Ashes; 7:00 PM Shorter Liturgy with AshesSoup and Stations: Friday, February 27 at 6:15 AM – soup by Nancy Widener NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS TWELVE FAMILIES JOIN THE MISSION WELCOME TO THE TWENTY SIX PEOPLE WHO HAVE JOINED ST. JAMES SINCE MOVE Welcome to all those who have joined the St. James family since September: Erin McGuigan, Nancy & Dan Widener, Cameron & Logan Keeney, Melissa & Swasha Schweitzer, Conner Christy, Irving & Ryleigh Lopez, Luke Grayson, Caroline Buerkle & Corey Scuderi, Patrick Setzer, Ford Setzer, Daniel Naffziger, Tina and Oscar Calderone. Please take some time to get to know them as they integrate fully in the community. WE GATHERED WITH THE BAPTISTS RECENTLYWORKING TOWARD CHRISTIANITY UNITY Recently I approached the Christian Life Ministries near St. James to come together to meet and engage with us in commemoration of the week for Christian unity (January 18-25). In between Masses this past Sunday (January 18, 2026), we met with them in their space at for a time and get to know Pastor Darriel and his people. We then walked over to ST. James together and they joined us in our building and I shared about myself and the St. James story. It was a delightful time. Thank you to the many of you who who participated in this gathering. ST. JAMES COUNCIL BLESSED AT MASSNEW MEMBERS WELCOMED We are looking ahead to to a great year and we have some excellent folks leading the charge. This past Sunday 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 am gratefulness to Brian Burch for completing his term on the Council and also Lori & Paul Adelfio for their service on the Council. On Sunday we welcomed one new members to the council, Nancy Widener and three others who reupped for another term: Cathy Messina, Dan Lahey and Mahlon Wood. Here are those currently serving through January of2027 Nancy Widener, Susan Miller, Michelle and Doug Nesmith2028 Nancy and Rex Setzer, Haitham Habib2029 Cathy Messina, Dan Lahey, Mahlon Wood Please thank them for their dedication, much of which takes place faithfully behind the scenes. 2025 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTSCOMING OUT SOON Thanks to the diligence of Linda Salvatore (who faithfully enters offertory contribution throughout the year) and also Lori Adelfio, our faithful secretary, giving statements are currently being made available. We are hoping to have them this Sunday for you to pick up 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. CELEBRATING BISHOP LOPES ORDINATION ANNIVERSARYCONSECRATED AS A BISHOP ON FEBRUARY 2, 2016. GET TO KNOW HIM. 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 and the Committee on Divine Worship. 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. I’M NOW SEVEN YEARS YOUR PRIESTORDAINED JANUARY 25, 2019. HERE 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 St. 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 seven 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. JOIN THE ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE HOSPITALITY GUILDPOTLUCK SETUP AND OTHER EVENTS If you have a gift for making people feel welcome and or preparing food, this is a great opportunity to serve the Lord. Our next food event is Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday, February 17. Your help is needed to make pancakes and serve the other food items that people will be bringing in as they come together for this fun event to get ready for Lent. St. Brigid of Kildare (c. 451 – 525) was known especially for her hospitality. Brigid would devote herself to giving and loving those all around her. At the monastery she founded in Kildare the sick were tended to, travelers were fed and poets, craftsmen and farmers were welcomed and their trades nurtured. She is buried in Ireland near St. Patrick. Thank you to Haitham Habib who is currently leading the guild. I’m happy to connect you to him if you would like more information. Thanks. FINANCE UPDATE: STRONG DECEMBER GIVING December Giving: $12,404.03 ($11,345.31 General, $1,058.72 Capital) This does not include smaller funds. December 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) $106,538.99 outflow, $114,870.15 inflow.Financial Goals: Increase priest support from quarter time to half time. Hire onsite secretary (P/T), save to purchase/build 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. January 4, 2026: Lessons on Hospitality, Wrong Way, Right Way. Learn from Herod and the Holy Family. This homily contrasts two very different responses to Christ’s coming: the cold, self-protective welcome of Herod and the humble, generous hospitality of the Holy Family. By learning from both the wrong way and the right way, we discover how to open our hearts and homes to Jesus and to one another. January 1, 2026: A Better Way to See Your Body: How Jesus Two Natures can Bring You to Health This homily invites us to rediscover the dignity of the human body through the mystery of Christ’s two natures—fully God and fully man. By seeing our bodies through the light of the Incarnation, we learn how faith in Jesus can lead us toward true healing, balance, and wholeness in body and soul. December 28, 2025: The Way to a Successful Family Life: Lessons from the Holy Family. This homily looks to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the model for a strong and faithful home. Through their trust in God, sacrificial love, and perseverance in trials, we discover the true path to a successful and grace-filled family life. December 25, 2025: Why Confession to a Priest is Superior: What Christmas is Really About.This homily reveals how the Sacrament of Confession flows directly from the mystery of Christmas: God coming to meet us in our need for mercy. It explains why confessing to a priest is not only biblical and powerful, but a privileged encounter with Christ Himself, who came to forgive and restore us. December 21, 2025: How to Habitualize Good Thoughts. Learn from St. Joseph. In a noisy and distracted world, St. Joseph teaches us the power of quiet, faithful thinking. This homily reflects on how to form the habit of good and holy thoughts by following his example of obedience, trust, and interior strength. December 8, 2025: Why the World Despises Mary, and What to Do About It. In a world that often dismisses purity, humility, and obedience, Mary stands as a quiet contradiction. This homily explores why the world resists her witness—and how we are called to respond by honoring her example and drawing closer to Christ through her. Faithfully, your pastor, Father MayerParochial Administrator St. James Catholic Church A Community of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter www.StJamesCC.org 904-999-1423 office@StJamesCC.org 4427 Emerson St. Bldg 2-2, Jacksonville, FL |
January 2026 | Grand Opening, Candlemas, and Bishop Lopes Visit
