Dear St. James Family, |
I am looking forward to being back with you this Sunday. For the many who have asked, I had a great time last weekend connecting with the family while kayaking down Rainbow Springs and visiting the mermaids over at Weeki Wachee State Park. However, it is good to be back.
Our beloved Father Jim will also be back with us this Sunday, after being away for half the year up in Canada. Though I will be preaching at both Masses, he is planning to celebrate the 8:00 AM Mass and I the 10:15 AM. Next week, March 26, he is going to give me a break and take care of the preaching on that Sunday, although I will still be present at both Masses and will serve as the main celebrant at the 10:15 AM Mass. |
Mothering Sunday: Come and Taste a Mothering Bun at St. James this Sunday!
The Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Mothering Sunday, obtained its nickname from the introit which is sung when the altar is incensed at the beginning of Mass. If you listen closely you will hear the words from the prophet Isaiah encouraging us to be glad in mother Church and to be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations. On this day it is traditional to visit your mother parish, the place where you were baptized or where you first came into the Catholic Church. It is also a good day to write, call or visit the mothers in your life (Mothering Sunday was celebrated for centuries prior to the commercialized American Mother’s Day). Remember and be grateful today for the joy experienced in Mother Church and your own mother by eating a lightly sweetened Mothering Bun following Mass.
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Soup and Stations of the Cross at the Mansour Home: Friday, March 24, 6-8 PM
RSVP Deadline Sunday, March 19. Meditate on our Lord’s passion by praying the Stations of the Cross together with the people of St. James and then enjoy the companionship of your fellow parishioners while sharing the delicious soup, sides, drinks, and deserts of a meatless Lenten potluck. The evening will begin in the backyard of the beautiful Mansour home (2657 Riverport Dr S, Jacksonville, FL) where the fourteen Stations of the Cross will be arranged (or inside if the weather is bad) and then everyone will gather for a meal afterwards. Please sign up today online or no later than March 19, 2023 to bring a dish.
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Peek into the Inner Workings of the Community of St. James and look into Future Plans!
This past Tuesday I met with the Council for a fun time of reviewing how things are going at the community of St. James and developments for future plans. We talked about the evangelization that has been taking place through St. James and the people that the Lord has been sending our way, about possible building ideas as we get close to being able to afford one, and a number of other items. I would encourage you to read the full report and ask me or any of the other council members about questions that you may have.
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Check out All Upcoming Events at the Website
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The Bishop is Coming! Mark your Calendar: December 9, 10, 2023
I recently received news that Bishop Lopes is planning to be with us during the second weekend of Advent. Our Bishops are the successors of the twelve Apostles and can trace their lineage all of the way back to them, so you will want to be present with us to celebrate this special occasion! There will be confirmations and food and the bishop will be sharing about the many good things taking place throughout the Ordinariate as well as being available for any questions that you may have about our Diocese or the wider Church. Bishop Lopes served in the Vatican for over ten years and has a great depth of understanding about the Church.
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Have fun and meet great people by volunteering on the April schedule
I am working on completing the Sunday serving schedule for April. If you would like to try your hand at setting up chairs or money counting or putting away some hymnals and the like, please let me know by this Sunday, March 19. If you find that volunteering in this way suits you, I can make you part of the regular monthly rotation. If not, no worries. We are here to help you discern where and how God is calling you to serve in his Church and we do not want to get in the way if the monthly schedule is not the right place :-).
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Confraternity of Our Lady of La Leche Information Evening, March 20
All interested Catholics are invited to learn about the Confraternity at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Mass starts at 7 p.m. followed by a presentation from Father Erlin Garcia, IIC and members of the confraternity at 7:45 p.m. Members learn to grow in personal holiness with an emphasis on a strong prayer life and participation in the diocese while serving to evangelize through their home parish. For more info, email fr.erlin@missionandshrine.org or rebeccajarboe7@gmail.com.
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Lenten Mass of Remembrance March 25
The Office of Human Life & Dignity is coordinating a Mass at 10 a.m. at the Rustic Altar at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Ave. St. Augustine. This is an opportunity for family members to memorialize and honor the dignity of the precious lives of pre-born children. Light refreshments will be served following the Mass. To RSVP, contact Ana Garcia at hld@dosafl.com. |
Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer |
Parochial Administrator St. James Catholic Church A Community of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter 904-999-1423 office@StJamesCC.org Worship Location: 12447 Mandarin Rd, Jacksonville, FL |