| Dear St. James Family, |
| I had a great time last week attending the Jumbo Shrimp game with the large St. James group that enjoyed pregame food, baseball and fireworks. Thanks to the diligence of Brian Burch, our newly minted Special Projects Coordinator, forty-four people got together to support our local pro baseball team and to build community. In the picture from this newsletter, Brian is presenting me with a check that matches the St. James community ticket sales, which will be used to fund a handcrafted a baptismal used in the building we are preparing to move into. Thank you to all who joined in this fun night and thank you to the Burch family for the matching gift! News and Announcements Update on Buildout Project: Permit Submission Finally Taking Place! Last week the engineering firm got us the load calculations along with the the MEPs (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) which means that we are all set to submit for permits from the city! According to the contractor, submission is being completed this week. It’s been a big project getting to this point: numerous meetings, phone calls, estimates, and tens of thousands of dollars spent. This means that we are well into the process of leaping hurtle number two of the big three: Hurtle One: Locating a Building and Negotiating the Terms Hurtle Two: Obtaining Permits Hurtle Three: Completing the Physical Buildout and Receiving the Certificate of Occupancy Once all of the documents are submitted for the permits, the city has up to six weeks to return them to us with any necessary plan changes that they require at which point we will submit again, though the second submission is much quicker with a two week turnaround. Once this is complete, building and inspections can begin in earnest. We are already purchasing and gathering materials so that we can move as quickly as possible when the time comes. Latest Financing Estimates for Buildout: $9,421 to go – Almost There! Phase 2 Beautification and Welcome: $19,259 of $28,680 needed for Sacristy Cabinets, Tables, Ambo, Baptismal, Kitchen/Break Rm, Arched Window Frames, Grand opening Advertising and Food Big Picture Accomplishment: We have brought together $129,524 of the $138,945.64 needed for this exciting project to expand St. James! This means that the estimate is that we need only $9,421 more. Every gift helps. Thanks for your generosity. Give or Learn More about the Project Finance Update through the end of August for the St. James Community Thank you for your generous and faithful support of my priesthood and the important work of evangelization that we are doing together. August Giving: $9,704.84 (general $6,392.05, capital $3,312.79). This does not include smaller funds. August Expenses: $6,189.21 (one quarter of priest’s support, half of pension, travel, liturgical supplies, music, building rent and liability insurance, advertising, bishop’s tax, almsgiving, hospitality) Four Ways to Give at St. James: General Fund: takes care of my support and other expenses Building Fund: making room for more growth Mass Intentions: provides for priest’s support when he offers the Mass for your special intention Special Blessings: house, car, birthdays, baptisms, etc. Congratulations to Our St Joseph of Cupertino Children and Family Ministry Guild as We Celebrate his Feast Day: September 18 At St. James, one of the ways that we serve God’s people is by specializing in ministry to those with Autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia/dysgraphia, Tourette’s Down Syndrome, and other neurodiverse ways of thinking and interacting. This is why we chose St Joseph of Cupertino as the patron for this ministry. St. Joseph was considered inattentive, clumsy, and had problems with learning in his youth – things you might recognize today in ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. While he was initially rejected from joining a Franciscan monastery, eventually, with the help of his mother, he was admitted to the Franciscan order and allowed to study for the priesthood. His problem with learning showed here, too, but he was ordained after the examiner asked him about a passage he was passionate about. He was known for his humility, miracles, levitating, and great love of God. In fact, he saw God in everyone and everything and found everything only drew him closer and closer to God and spent much time in ecstasies. He died September 18, 1663. If you are one of those who the Lord is calling to this ministry, I would like to invite you to learn more. From the Preacher: Find Inspiration and Motivation for Growth in Holiness! Listen to one of the latest homilies that I delivered at St. James and share them with a friend. Search “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe. Motivation for Cultivating the Interior Life, delivered on September 1, 2024 Find yourself too busy for prayer, running on empty, feeling scattered and divided? Discover how to cultivate a reservoir that will transform you from the core of your being and overflow into all that you do. Discover the importance of the interior life. Struggling with the Long Prayer at Mass? delivered on August 18, 2024 Learn about the Roman Canon, the most revered of the Eucharistic prayers that is used during the second part of the Mass. Learn about the stories behind the names, and the beautiful poetry and how it can move your heart to the heavens. Deepen your understanding so that you can pray the Mass well. Upcoming Events Have Issues Comparing Yourself With Others? Discouraged due to Others Doing Better? If you are one of the folks that find yourself with increased anxiety, depression, or loneliness because of unhelpful comparisons, come this Sunday and listen to the heartwarming and encouraging homily that I have prepared just for you. Come and allow the Lord to touch your heart through the gospel. I am looking forward to seeing you :-). Celebrate Grandparents and the Elderly this Sunday! This Sunday, September 8, 2024, we are celebrating grandparents and the elderly. I will be making mention of this during the announcements at Mass and giving to these honored ones a special blessing. Here are a few ways that you can celebrate this day: Visit older individuals and those who are sick, lonely, and disabled. In fact, you can even obtain a plenary indulgence for this this! Bring an elderly person to Mass with you. Make a phone call and reach out with an invitation. Print and provide Pope Francis reflection on this fourth annual day to an elderly person Organize a trip to a retirement community or nursing home. This is something that we are currently working on at St. James – more details coming in the next few months. Side note on September date: Outside the U.S. Catholics celebrate the day for the elderly in July, but it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day in the United States to more closely align with National Grandparents Day. More information on this. Connect With The Women of Your Parish | Saturday, September 14, 10:00am The monthly Women’s Prayer and Breakfast meeting is starting up again after our summer break. Please join us Saturday, September 14th, 10:00am-11:30am Beach Diner Mandarin, 11362 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223. Please text or call Cathy, 415-205-9705, if you can attend so we know what size table we need. Celebrating those who Teach and Pass on the Faith on September 15, 2024 I am grateful to those who have dedicated themselves to, sharing, especially with our children, this wonderful faith that we have been given (This Sunday, we are kicking off the 2024-2025 children’s formation program). Because of this, I plan to publicly commission them on Catechetical Sunday, September 15, 2024. Please keep our children and those who teach them in your prayers. Learn more about our children’s program. We are still in need of a few more adults who can help out on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 9:15-10:00 AM. Please let me know if the Lord is tugging on your heart. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” (Mark 9:37). Please let me know soon, so that you can be part of the public commissioning. How the Bible Came Together, Ancient Solution for Today’s Disagreements – A Workshop Especially for Curious Christians | Monday, September 16, 7:00pm When Christ founded his Church, he placed within the foundation a unique way of solving disagreements, something that many do not understand, but can provide a way forward for the division that is being currently experienced among Christians. A great example of this is how the Bible came together. Many do not realize that in the first few centuries of Christianity, there were fierce disagreements on whether certain books ought to be in the Bible. However, late in the fourth century, the Church used a little understood tool to solve this important conundrum. Are you curious to dig into the roots of belief? Learn how the Bible, the most influential book in our culture, was assembled amidst disagreement and how this points to the solution for a united family of God. Dig deeply into history and consider important events and questions often overlooked. Find hope and insight and a new way of seeing the world and the Church. Workshop Host: This evening will be led by me, Father Mayer, who grew up as a devout evangelical before joyfully becoming a joyous Catholic Christian. This is a great opportunity to experience a highly praised, engaging presentation designed to bring us together around this holy book that is so loved yet understood differently by so many. These workshops tend to be full, so RSVP as soon as possible to assure your spot. Food & RSVP Deadline: Turkey and roast beef sub sliders from Publix catering, chips, water, soda (need special accommodations? Please ask :-). Space is limited so please let us know to reserve your spot. This also helps us know how much food to order. Please confirm as soon as possible, but no later than September 11, 2024 if you are planning to attend: office@stjamescc.org or 904-999-1423 Evensong and Refreshments in Honor of Our Lady of Walsingham September 24, 7 PM Experience a simple evensong (sung evening prayer) and hear the fascinating story of our patroness, Our Lady of Walsingham. Melodic Evening Prayer is a beautiful service that puts to rest the day’s worries and prepares for the night ahead. It intertwines melodies with passages from scripture, prayers, and a short reflection. Following Evensong, there will be drinks and horderves. Formal attire is encouraged so that we can make this a special evening. Sign up at the Hospitality Table after Mass to bring wine, cheese, or charcuterie. Or email office@stjamescc.org Other Upcoming Dates Serve Sunday: Volunteer, September 29, 2024 (after both Masses) Introduction to Catholic Christianity: A Workshop for Searchers: My workshop for your secular (spiritual, but not religious) friend. Wednesday, October 2, 7:00pm All Saints: November 1, 2024, 5:30pm (Holy Day of Obligation) All Souls: November 2, 2024 Baby Steps Camino: December 13-15, 2024 Carol Sing Along: December 24, 2024, 3:45 pm – 4:15 pm Christmas Masses: December 24, 2024 4:30 pm December 25, 2024 10:15 am Check out More Upcoming Events at the Website Around The Wider Church 2024 Anniversary Celebration | November 2, 2024 12PM Registration is now open for the 2024 Anniversary Celebration. Couples celebrating their 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, or 50th (or more) wedding anniversary between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, are invited to join Bishop Erik Pohlmeier for Mass and a light reception on Saturday, Nov. 2, at noon at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, St. Augustine. Register at family.dosafl.com or call (904) 208-6963 by Oct. 25. Click here for a flyer. Jail and Prison Ministry Holy Spirit Retreat | September 21 Join us for a day of spiritual reflection and fellowship at the Jail and Prison Ministry Holy Spirit Retreat on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1649 Kingsley Avenue, in Orange Park. This retreat is designed for those currently serving, as well as those interested in learning more about this ministry. For more information, please contact John Chick at jchick@dosafl.com. Mass and Blessing of Homeschool Families | September 23 The Mass and blessing is Monday, Sept. 23, at San Jose Parish, Jacksonville. Bishop Pohlmeier will celebrate the 5:30 p.m. Mass of the parish with the homeschooled families of the diocese. This will be followed by a reception and activities for children in the parish hall and the outside areas. Registration is now open: https://form.jotform.com/241794570722158 Called to Communion: The Gift of Friendship Series | September 27, October 18 Join the offices of Youth and Young Adult, Family Life and Evangelization for a three-part series on discovering the importance of cultivating authentic friendships and sustaining communal relationships. This series is for young adults 21+ and will include activities, speakers and practical tools to take along with you. On Sept. 27, at St. Paul, 2609 Park St., Jacksonville, part two of the series will discuss “The Gift of Other.” The final topic, “The Gift of Communion,” will be held on Oct. 18 at San Jose, 3619 Toledo Rd., Jacksonville. All sessions are from 7 to 9 p.m. Click here for the event flyer. How and Why We Need to Defeat Amendment 4 You are invited and highly encouraged to attend the upcoming training sessions on defeating Amendment 4. The goal of these sessions is to ensure the faithful understands the same unified message approved by the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and reach as many people as possible. Our message must reach beyond the Catholic Church. Below is the current training and information schedule: October 7 – San Juan Del Rio Parish, St. Johns at 6 p.m. Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer Parochial 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 Worship Location: 12447 Mandarin Rd, Jacksonville, FL |
Grandparent Sunday, Message for the Discouraged, Finance Update
