October 2025 | Game night, Volunteer Opportunities, Learning

Dear St. James Family,

I’m writing to you from San Antonio where I have gathered together with Bishop Lopes and my brother priests for our annual convocation, a time of prayer, fraternity, and formation. Below is a picture of us celebrating Mass at the San Jose mission. I’ll be back in Jacksonville late on Thursday.

Thank you for your prayers that I will return as a better priest and pastor (early morning confessions and daily Mass will resume on Friday).

Upcoming Events  

ST. JAMES GAME NIGHT! FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025  |  6:30pm

Bring a snack for your family and St James will provide the games. We’ll have a variety of games, from card games to board games and even a one-shot D&D adventure! (Character sheets and dice will be provided for the D&D game, though you’re welcome to bring a level 1 character of your own). Please RSVP ahead of time so that we can be properly prepared: office@StJamesCC.org or 904-999-1423. Thanks.

WELCOME DINNER:  LEARN ABOUT ST. JAMES, BECOME A MEMBER SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 5:30pm

This dinner is a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about the history, vision, and people of St. James and would like to possibly become members of the community or have recently joined and would like to move through this helpful orientation. It will begin with a simple meal, during which people can make introductions and begin getting to know one another and Father Mayer will share his story. There will then be a presentation on the history and vision of St. James and opportunities to learn how to become more involved as registered members of the mission. Food is still being finalized, but in the past we have gotten Publix Boar’s Head Sub Selections, Chips, Dessert and soft drinks. Please let us know of any food allergies or special needs you may have. This event normally fills quickly, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible.   RSVP to office@stjamescc.org or 904-999-1423 to let us know if you are coming as early as possible, but no later than October 13th.

SERVE SUNDAY EXPLORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT ST. JAMES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26

Our parish is blessed with wonderful ministries that serve our parish. Each ministry offers a unique way to live out your faith, grow in fellowship, and make a difference. We invite you to prayerfully consider where God may be calling you to serve. Whether you enjoy greeting people, teaching, praying, singing, helping behind the scenes, or lending a listening ear — there is a place for your gifts. Stop by one of the ministry tables or talk to Father Mayer about starting a new ministry: home Bible study, play date, ministry to the poor, park cleanups, men’s outings, nursing home ministry. We are here to assist you in saying yes to God and using the gifts that he has given to you for the building up of the kingdom.

CHRISTIAN ESSENTIALS CLASS NEXT OPPORTUNITY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 7:00pm  
If you are looking for the class that boils Christian teaching down the basics from beginning to end, this is it. You will learn about beliefs, worship, morals, and prayer in a captivating series of presentations that will put you on a rock solid foundation no matter what life may bring your way. Get the essentials covered in thirteen sessions.   This class is great for those interested in one or more of the following: Historic Christianity: Protestant Christians have found this to be a great opportunity to gain a historic look at the faith and its development over the centuries Advanced Religious Ed: Those who have taken this course have experienced a deepening faith that went far beyond the childhood religious education that they were stuck at for so many years Completing Sacraments: Adult Catholics who are still in need of First Communion or Confirmation have taken this class to fulfill the educational requirements for these sacraments. Becoming Catholic: This class meets the educational requirements for someone who wants to officially become part of the Catholic Church   Here are the details: Your Opinion Wanted: If we all agreed on and believed the same thing, these classes would be boring. Your voice, questions and perspectives are an important part of the class experience. Welcoming Hospitality: Classes begin with introductions by those attending to encourage connections. Each class also has simple refreshments. RSVP: Space is limited. Once the spots are filled this posting will be updated with a waiting list notification. RSVP office@stjamescc.org or phone/text 904-999-1423

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT StJamesCC.org/events 

-Essentials Class: Story of God’s people from Adam to Jesus, October 13, 7-9pm
–Potluck: October 26, 12:00pm, great opportunity to connect
-All Souls: Sunday, November 2. Mass offered on behalf of the faithful departed.
-Pledge Sunday: November 23, Christ the King Sunday: Renew Your Financial Commitment to St. James
-Thanksgiving Day Mass: November 27, 9am, get food dishes blessed Advent Begins: November 30, Great Litany Procession begins at 10:30am

Thank you Brian Burch for organizing the 70+ turnout to St. James night at the ballpark to support our local Jumbo Shrimp!

Altar rail continues to progress. The smaller arches below the altar rail are now in place. Thank you Dan Lahey and the guys who assisted him.

Fun times celebrating the birthday of Pope Leo. Thank you to the generous parishioner who purchased the pizza for everyone.

CAMPAIGN FOR PRIESTLY FORMATION ENSURE A STABLE FUTURE. COMMIT THIS SUNDAY

Unlike many diocese we have have been blessed with an abundance of vocations. This is a good problem to have as it assures us a bright and thriving future, but an expensive one. Seminarian formation is the biggest expense in our budget. This three year Capital Campaign for Seminarians supports the men answering God’s call to the priesthood. Can you give to those who have given their lives to Christ? Your generosity today helps ensure a faithful tomorrow.   For your convenience you can donate online: SEMINARIANS

HAVE ANY OF THESE ITEMS? HELP GET THE NEW BUILDING APPOINTED AND SITUATED

Small dining table. Roomba vacuum. Two drawer side pull filing cabinet. Floor lamps. Desk Lamps. Large screen TVs. Any item that you have, please send a picture and any other details to Office@StJamesCC.org so that we can determine if the item you have will fit the needs for the building. Thanks.

BUSINESS MANAGER WANTED VOLUNTEER YOUR SKILLS FOR MISSION

I am looking for someone with organizational, financial, and computer skills to assist the community of St. James at our new building. This person will be in charge of keeping our finances up to date and balanced, as well as a variety of other tasks such as file organization, sacramental records, assisting in creating the bulletin, answering phones, and getting out the newsletter. Flexible hours, though mornings or late afternoons would be needed initially for training purposes. As the community grows, this will become a paid position. Until then, you will have eternal benefits. 🙂

FINANCE UPDATE THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPEN HEARTED GENEROSITY!

September Giving: $15,257.45 ($9,180.08 general, $6,077.37 capital). This does not include smaller funds.

September Expenses: $8,697.86 Covers quarter of priest’s support, half of pension, travel, liturgical supplies, music, building rent and liability insurance, advertising, bishop’s tax, almsgiving, hospitality.

Expenses Increasing: October and beyond $11,203.43 needed per month to cover increased expenses of building lease and utilities.   Financial Goals: Increase priest support from quarter time to half time. Hire onsite business manager (part time)   Thank you for your faithfulness in building up the kingdom of God through your financial support of the mission of St. James.

GROW AND BE CHALLENGED IN YOUR FAITH LISTEN TO A HOMILY

If you have been away from St. James for a while or have yet to join us, get a little taste of the experience and receive some spiritual nourishment by listening to one of the homilies given during Mass. You can listen here or by searching for “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts.

Jesus On Smart Investing September 21, 2025 – How do chatgpt you use your God given possessions?

Be Transformed By Jesus September 14, 2025 –  We believe that the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and the work of our Lord on the Cross, transforms us. The thing we are most afraid of are the things the Lord wants us to confront.  To look at what we fear most will be a means to our healing.

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: 4427 Emerson St. Bldg 2-2, Jacksonville, FL