Joy found in Solitude 3/2/23

by | Mar 2, 2023 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Dear St. James Family,

We are now beginning the second week of this Lenten journey of renewal and getting back to the basics of practicing the faith in preparation for Easter. Do you struggle with the concept of being alone, of solitude, of feeling out of touch with the Lord? This Sunday, I am excited to be preaching on the benefits of escaping into retreat and solitude in order to experience an ever deepening and transformative faith. I’ll be sharing how to do this in a way that is achievable and inspirational. Come and bring a friend that you know might be helped by an encouraging message.

Soup and Stations of the Cross: Prayer and Good Times Together

 

Pray the Stations of the Cross, grow in holiness, and get to know your fellow parishioners. Bring a soup or side and join us at the Mansour home in Mandarin where we will all gather in the back yard to walk the Stations of the Cross, while praying beautiful prayers that assist in meditating upon our Lord’s passion. Afterward enjoy good company and conversation over a delicious meatless meal. Please RSVP cathymmessina@gmail.com or 415-205-9705

Laying a foundation – Thanks for your Bishop’s Appeal gift

 

God bless all of you who have so generously responded in support of the 2023 Bishop’s Appeal. Gifts to this campaign make it possible for more of God’s people to be touched by the Ordinariate’s lively faith, active devotion, and beauty in worship. If you have not yet responded, please do so today. Pick up a pledge card and envelope or visit Ordinariate.net to give.

Upcoming Dates at a Glance

 

Check out All Upcoming Events at the Website

The Secret to a Fruitful Lent – Most recent homily

 

Are you one of those who begin the Lenten season full of eagerness and then fail or perhaps one who has been through many Lents and so do not give much effort? Discover a better way, one that succeeds, one that will allow you to have a fruitful Lent and a fruitful life.

 

Listen to this and my other homilies at StJamesCC.org/Homilies or by searching “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts

Lenten Ember Days: Prayer, Penance and Blessing on for the Spring Season

 

The embertides are four miniature seasons of sorts, times of prayer and penance in which we ask God to bless the upcoming spring, summer, fall or winter. This is intentionally so, as Holy Mother Church provides her children these times to give thanks for the goods we have reaped, and to humbly seek the Divine assistance in the goods yet to be sown.

 

They have a rich history, being somewhat loosely tied to the four Old Testament fasts and the fasting and prayer practices of the apostles and early Christians. These times of prayer were set in place for the Church by the third century and continued to times of devotion for many Christians up until the liturgical reforms of 1969 when they begin to fall into disuse. However, they continue to be celebrated within the Ordinariate as an ongoing treasure of the Church.

 

The Lenten embertide consists of Wednesday, March 1, Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4. During these days I would especially encourage you to reflect in thanksgiving on the wonder of the spring season and how it relates to our creator, giving thanks to him especially for the gift of light as the days grow longer. Set as they are at the beginning of the Lenten season, they are also a time to pray for our own spiritual renewal as we embrace our penitential observances and, together with our Lord, set our faces like flint toward Jerusalem. This is also a special time to pray for vocations to the priesthood. During these days you might consider offering up the prayers especially assigned below.

 

EMBER WEDNESDAY IN LENT – MARCH 1

WE beseech thee, O Lord, that thou wouldest graciously hear our prayers: and stretch forth the right hand of thy majesty to be our defence against all adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

 

EMBER FRIDAY IN LENT – MARCH 3

WE beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to have compassion on thy people: that they, who by thee are enabled to serve thee in all godliness, may ever be comforted by thy gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

 

EMBER SATURDAY IN LENT – MARCH 4

WE beseech thee, O Lord: graciously to hear the prayers of thy people, and of thy great goodness turn aside from them the scourges of thine anger; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Walk and Meditate on the Passion at the Stations of the Cross Trail at Marywood

 

For Lent, all are invited to attend the outdoor Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent (March 3-31) beginning at 4 p.m. at the beautiful grounds of the Marywood Retreat and Conference Center of the Diocese of St. Augustine: 235 Marywood Drive, St. Johns For details and questions, contact Deacon Peter Can Dang: 904-214-4356.

The Catholic Mass Explained Lenten Series March 6-April 3

 

Don’t miss this five-part series on the Mass on Monday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. in the Wisdom Center at Marywood Retreat Center, 235 Marywood Dr., St. Johns. Talks will be an hour followed by a question-and-answer session. These talks will be taped and packaged in 15-minute segments with reflection questions and available to parishes in the near future. RSVP for a chair is a must. Email emcgeever@dosafl.com.

Host a Foreign Exchange Student

  • NOEMI from ITALY: 16 years old, her family describes her as friendly, generous, empathetic, calm and peaceful, she enjoys reading, working out at the gym, and listening to music. She speaks Italian, English and some Spanish, and will attend church.

  • DARIO from SPAIN: 14 years old, loves animals and has cats and a dog, enjoys swimming, taekwondo, will attend church, speaks multiple languages and says “thank you for your generosity in welcoming me into your home.”

  • LARA from ITALY: 16 years old, enjoys hiking & walking, enjoys cooking and will cook some dishes for you, likes swimming, horseback riding, outgoing personality and willing to attend church

  • CARLOTA from SPAIN: 15 years old, has a dog & cat, enjoys surfing, skateboarding, swimming, did figure skating for years but would like to try field or ice hockey, speaks some Portuguese, French and English, and thinking of doing interior design as a career

  • JAKUB from POLAND: 15 years old, will attend church, has a younger sister and likes younger kids, played soccer for 8 years but now plays basketball, speaks English, Spanish and some German, mild allergy to cat but fine with dogs, used to want to be soccer player but now maybe make it to the NBA, he enjoys talking to people to get to know them better, a down to earth and likeable student

  • LEO from SPAIN: 14 years old, will attend church, Top 3 sports: soccer, sailing, skiing, but Leo said he is willing to try new sports in US, he speaks English, French along with his native language, he is an excellent student, enjoys playing games with family, Leo says to the family who decides to host him, “Thank you very much for hosting me and giving me the opportunity to learn and experience your culture and make unforgettable memories.”

 

More information: Wanda 904-588-2338 HostWithGreenHeart.com.

 

Faithfully, your pastor,

Father Mayer

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