Dear St. James Family,
Do you find yourself having a difficulty with a particular teaching of the Church, doubts or perhaps disagreements about a doctrine? My homily this Sunday is for you! Come and learn about a unique gift bestowed by Christ and found only in the Catholic Church that was given by him to help you with doubts and struggles. If you understand this special charism of the Church you will find great assurance and trust in our Lord because of this gift.
Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter Celebrates Eleven Years! Champagne this Sunday!
This Sunday we are celebrating our patronal feast of title as a diocese: The Chair of St. Peter. Back on 2012 Pope Benedict courageously erected the Ordinariate (fancy name for a non-territorial diocese) and named it after the Chair of St. Peter in order to emphasize the unity for which it was founded. The Chair of St. Peter symbolizes the papal authority that Jesus put into place in his Church in order to maintain unity.
This Sunday we take a break from pre-Lent to celebrate the Solemnity of the Chair of St. Peter. In celebration of this occasion we will be singing the Gloria at the beginning and a solemn Te deum at the end of Mass, which is the Church’s historic hymn of celebration. After Mass it will be time to pop open a bottle of champagne to further the celebration. Feel free to bring a desert to share for the occasion.
Prayer, Pancakes, Confessions – Shrove Tuesday, February 21 5:30-7 PM
Come and get shriven of your sins by participating in the Sacrament of Confession this Tuesday evening. Sign up for confession when you arrive and you will be called or texted when you are the next one up so that you can enjoy the food and good company while you wait.
The evening will begin with Evening Prayers, then a breakfast potluck. The Church will be supplying the main course, pancakes, and you are asked to sign up to bring a side (sausage, bacon, eggs, drinks, pancake toppings). Learn more about Shrove Tuesday or signup to bring a side dish. For questions contact cathymmessina@gmail.com.
2023 Bishop’s Appeal commitment will be held This Sunday, February 19
This is our opportunity as a Parochial Community to unite with the larger Ordinariate family to support our shared mission of evangelization. Our Parish goal is $3000. In the next few days, please take the time to prayerfully reflect on the gifts that you have been given by God and respond to Bishop Lopes’ appeal as generously as possible. Your participation is essential to the success of the Ordinariate. Please join other Catholics from throughout the Ordinariate in supporting this very important appeal this Sunday or pledge online now before you forget :-). Thank you for your support
Give Smarter: Decrease Taxes through IRA, Stock, or Real Estate Giving
Use your IRA, stock, or real estate to give up to $100,000 to your parish while avoiding taxes. Notify your IRA administrator that you wish to make a “qualified charitable distribution.” This information is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Contact your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.
Ash Wednesday Mass at 5:30 PM or Simplified Ash Liturgy at 7:00 PM
Ashes are an outward simple of repentance and turning back to the Lord. Anyone can receive ashes. You don’t even need to be Catholic, so come and join us.
On Wednesday, February 22 you have two options at St. James to receive Ashes as you begin Lent. At 5:30 PM we will celebrate the customary Ash Wednesday Mass, however if your time is short, you may prefer to attend the Penitential Office for the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes at 7 PM which starts with a simple song followed by an invitation to repentance given by the priest. Everyone then kneels and prays together a psalm of repentance (Psalm 51), then stands for the Our Father and the blessing of the ashes. The people then come forward to receive ashes on their foreheads. The liturgy then closes with a prayer, blessing, and recessional hymn.
- Chair of St. Peter: Sunday, February 19, 2023, diocesan feast day, champagne and drinks after Mass
- Children’s Religious Ed: Sunday, February 19, 2023, 11:45 AM, ages 4-13. Meets third Sunday of the month through May 2023.
- Shrove Tuesday: February 21, 5:30 PM. Prayer, Pancakes, Confessions. 2/19 RSVP deadline.
- Ash Wednesday Mass: February 22, 5:30 PM Mass
- Ashes outside of Mass: February 22, 7:00 PM, shorter liturgy with ashes
- Penitential Procession: February 26, 10:15 AM 1st Sun. of Lent begins with Great Litany prayers
Check out All Upcoming Events at the Website
This Sunday Please bring old Blessed Palms for Burning this Year’s Ashes
The normal custom is to bring in your old palms from last year’s Palm Sunday liturgy to be burnt and used for Ash Wednesday. Thank you for bringing them in this Sunday.
Requirements for Lenten Fasting and Abstinence from Meat
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
- FASTING: For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
- ABSTINENCE: The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
Get Ready for Lent with Eucharistic Adoration
Join the parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church to participate in the traditional 40 hours devotion of Eucharistic Adoration. February 19 – 21 in the Cody Center Chapel. This 40 hour Adoration devotion before Lent is a great way to prepare your heart and the heart of our parish community for the 40 days of Lent. Sign up online by clicking on weekly commitment or contact David Britt with questions: Adoration@stjosephsjax.org or 904-268-9978
St. James Parishioner in the Local News
I was excited to learn that one of our beloved parishioners, Wendy Cruff, was recently in the news for her generosity in hosting foreign exchange students! As you know, I often like to preach on the importance of hospitality and being welcoming but this is even better. You can read about her inspirational account over at the Mandarin Newsline.
Learn about Catholic Worship: Liturgy, Robes, Mass, Sacraments
Obtain an in-depth understanding of the Catholic worship. Learn about what liturgy is and the liturgical calendar. Why priests wear robes, the parts and meaning of the Mass, how Christ works through sacraments (baptism, confession, etc.) and why Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in communion. I will be teaching this class every other Monday: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 2/27/23, 3/13/23, 3/27/23. Learn more information and how to RSVP.
The Little Way to Successfully Turn Around Your Marriage – Most recent homily
Many people in difficult marital situations believe that tackling the biggest problems is the way to fix a relationship. However, this often fails. Instead, learn about the little way of marital success, gleaned from our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, taken in conjunction with Fr. Mayer’s reflections on his own marriage.
Listen to this and my other homilies at StJamesCC.org/Homilies or by searching “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts
Blessings on your preparation for a Good and Holy Lent!
Faithfully, your pastor,
Father Mayer