Dear St. James Family,
I had a great time last Sunday with all of the people that came to the Welcome Dinner. I shared with them about the history of St. James and the exciting things that are coming. Below is a picture of the gathering. Thank you to Wendy Cruff and her amazing gift of hospitality for making this happen. Our next dinner is currently scheduled for the evening of May 21. If you have not attended one of these and would like to be on the invitation list, please let me know.
This Sunday I will be preaching on the most holy cause of Christian unity and why it is an essential, not secondary, but a core part of the gospel message, the reason for which Jesus came. January 18-25, 2023 is the Octave of Unity for Christians and bringing about Oneness within the body of Christ is an important part of our story and mission as members of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.
Candlemas, Throat Blessings, and Catered Meal – bring a friend!
Mark your calendar for the evening of February 2 which marks forty days after Christmas. This most festive celebration begins with a beautiful Mass that includes a procession and blessing of candles. After Mass, you will have the opportunity to have two of these blessed candles held up against your neck for the traditional blessing of throats through the intercession of St. Blaise that God may deliver you from every disease of the throat and every other illness. Then we are going to feed you! Yes, a catered meal of chicken and ribs along with various sides.
You need to RSVP so that we know how many people are coming and how much food to purchase. Last year the church was nearly full so get your name in soon as space is limited. RSVP by January 29 and bring a friend so that they too can experience our beautiful liturgy and traditions. For more information on the food end of things contact cathymmessina@gmail.com
- Catholic Beliefs Class: Mon, 7-9 PM, Jan 23, 30, Feb 13, 20, 2023.
- Candlemas: Thursday, February 2, 5:30 PM. Catered Meal. RSVP by 1/29
- Shrove Tuesday: February 21, 5:30 PM. Pancakes, Fun, Confessions.
- Ash Wednesday Mass: February 22, 5:30 PM Mass, 7 PM
- 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
Discerning Legit vs. Unauthorized Preaching: A Method Traced back to Christ
Who can you trust when it comes to preaching the gospel? There are many who preach Jesus, people who are attracting many thousands of followers, yet many of them contradict one another. So, how do you know who to follow? Learn the answer to this question by examining an overlooked, but core foundation of the life of Christ and how he set up his kingdom. Learn about the faculties or authorizations to minister that are given from above and how to verify who has them and whether or not you have them.
Listen to this and my other homilies at StJamesCC.org/Homilies or by searching “Fr. Mayer’s Preaching & Teaching” wherever you get your podcasts
Divine Worship (Ordinariate Form) Mass in Fernandina this Sunday afternoon!
On Sunday, January 22 at 4:00 PM at St. Michael Catholic Church, Fernandina, Fr. Ernie Davis will be celebrating a Mass for Christian unity in honor of his twentieth anniversary as a Catholic priest and of forty years since being ordained as an Episcopal priest. Fr. Ernie has celebrated Mass for St. James on a couple of occasions so some of you know him. He retired recently after serving as a priest of the Diocese of Kansas City. He and his wife live in Fernandina.
I have been invited to preach at the Mass on January 22 and there will also be a good number of our protestant brothers and sisters who will be joining us for this occasion. You are invited to join us. After the Mass there will be an Anglican style coffee hour meaning drinks, refreshments, and good conversations. All of this will be taking place at St. Michael Catholic Church, 201 N. 4th St. Fernandina Beach beginning at 4:00 PM. If you are free, come and join us.
Received your Giving Statement?
Almost all of our 2022 donor giving statements have now been emailed out to you thanks to the hard work of parishioner Jim Patton. If you have given $250 or more and have not received a statement and would like one, please let me know. Thank you to all of you who have given toward the mission of St. James. Giving went up by 68% this year which has allowed the mission to flourish in new and beautiful ways and to bring us closer to the next stage in our growth.
So long for Now
Happy almost Third Sunday after Epiphany. Some folks call this ordinary time, but in the Ordinariate, we orient time around the great feasts of Christ. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Faithfully, your pastor,
Father Mayer