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Dear St. James Family, |
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This Sunday is our big day! We will be celebrating our patron of title, St. James the Greater. I’ll be explaining in my homily why Catholic Churches are often named after saints and why this points to Christ’s death and resurrection. You will learn about the life of St. James and be inspired by our unique identity and purpose as a community named after this great apostle and what this means for our mission. This is a day of great celebration for us! At the end of the Mass we will be singing a solemn Te deum, the official, age old song of celebration in the Church. At 12:00 PM we will be serving lunch (hopefully you have RSVPed 🙂 and I will be making a presentation. During lunch I’ll be sharing the annual state of the parish address, including some exciting news about big figure plans for the community that the St. James Council has been working on. You do not want to miss this. Come and be part of this most festive day! More Seating at the 8:00 AM Mass this Sunday: I have an inkling that it will be a bit tight at the 10:15 AM Mass this Sunday so come early to be assured a seat or join us at the 8:00 AM Mass where seating will not be an issue. |
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Above is a 2022 picture of myself along with a statue of St. James the Pilgrim, which was gifted to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine from Spain.
Why the Catholic Church Gives Special Encouragement to be at Mass at St. James this Sunday The Catholic Church especially encourages attendance at a parish on its name day. How So? By providing a plenary indulgence. The Church has stated that a plenary indulgence (removal of all temporary consequences of sin, i.e. time in purgatory) is granted to the faithful who make a visit to a parish church on the Solemnity of its Title, and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed. Standard conditions apply: a firm commitment to stop sinning, sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope. This is your opportunity to push the reset button on your purgatory time! So, even if St. James is not your regular parish this is a great day to make a visit.
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly also this Sunday – Come and be Recognized this Sunday, July 23, 2023 A few years ago Pope Francis declared that the fourth Sunday in July would be a day to honor grandparents and the elderly. This Sunday at St. James I will be asking all grandparents and those of grandparent age or beyond to stand and be recognized during the announcement time. Read Pope Francis’ latest letter on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
Why We are working on Learning the Creed in Latin During the Summer Learning at least some of the parts of the Mass in Latin is something that is asked of us by the Church. This is so that when the faithful come together from different countries, they can sing together at least some of the parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, at the minimum, the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed. You can read more about this in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (see number 41), which is found in the beginning of every Roman Catholic altar missal and contains instructions for the Mass. Practice ahead of time using this video recommended by our schola director Al Lamoureux.
Have a Mass or two Celebrated for a Special Intention The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated for someone’s special intention is one of the greatest gifts that can be given on behalf of someone in need, a family member, a friend, or a deceased loved one. Please complete a Mass Intention envelope on Sunday or give online to set up a Mass to be offered for your intention (please specify in the note). A Mass offering is usually at least $10, though this can be waved based on financial need. St. John Paul II emphasized the graces that come when a Mass is offered. “The Church believes that she will be heard, for she prays in union with Christ her Head and Spouse, who takes up this plea of His Bride and joins it to His own redemptive sacrifice.”
Why Listening to Preaching is Risky – Most Recent Homily Jesus described how the gospel being read and preached, if well received, is a great blessing, but to the one who receives it badly, this can actually be dangerous and put the person in an even worse predicament. Learn to identify the way that you receive preaching, and whether this increases culpability or fosters ever growing abundance and blessing. Listen to this and my other homilies at StJamesCC.org/Homilies or by searching “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts
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Check out More Upcoming Events at the Website
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Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer |
Solemnity of St. James 7/20/23
