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Dear St. James Family, |
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We had a great time celebrating Pentecost this past Sunday! The building was packed with people with some standing in the back and another person I saw sitting on the floor in the front! No worries, this does not happen every Sunday :-). We had a good number of people who had come to receive or to support those who were receiving sacraments. Three people who have been in classes with me, came into the Catholic Church (adults in the back row), two children were confirmed (the kids on the left side of the picture) and two people received first communion (the two young girls). Afterward we had what I believe was our largest attended potluck to date. It was a day fittingly celebrated, since Pentecost is one of the three great solemnities of the Church alongside Christmas and Easter. This coming Sunday we will be celebrating one of the great culminating doctrines of the Church, the Blessed Trinity and, God willing, I will be bringing the Caleb and Sierra Gibson and their four children into the Catholic Church. They also have been taking my classes and come from a nondenominational background.
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The Homily that Moved People’s Hearts I received more positive feedback on the homily that I gave this past Sunday than I have probably every received on any other homily that I can think of. I told one parishioner that for once, I was able to at least somewhat, allow the Holy Spirit to bring the preaching to life in a way that I am not able to do on my own. The result? The Lord stirred his people’s hearts. Curious? The homily was on giving the Lord full permission in your life and tackles what is the primary fear that stops a person from giving this permission. Listen to “Scared of What God Might Ask?” and allow your heart to be warmed and then share it with a friend.
Great Podcast: The Exorcism Files I have been listening to a riveting podcast that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in the unseen world that is all around us. The series dramatizes exorcisms taken from the case files of Fr. Carlo Martins who provides commentary to help you understand what is going on. Watch this YouTube preview or checkout the podcast.
Best Explanation of the Trinity: The Athanasian Creed Being that Trinity Sunday is almost upon us, this creed which has roots going back to the sixth century and earlier, is a great refresher on this important doctrine. The Athanasian Creed was traditionally said at certain times during the Liturgy of the Hours in times past and is one of these best, most concise explanations of the Holy Trinity that I have found: “The catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.”
Corpus Christi Procession: Publicly Proclaim your Faith! June 11, 2023 We will be celebrating Corpus Christi, the doctrine of Christ’s real presence within the Eucharist on June 11, 2023. We will be concluding the 8:00 AM Mass with exposition and the 10:15 AM Mass with a Corpus Christi procession and exposition. The Church highly encourages attendance at this event, so much so that those who devoutly participate in a Eucharistic procession on Corpus Christi will receive a plenary indulgence (standard conditions apply). Come and give public witness to your faith and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
You can Eat Meat This Friday! Normally Friday is a day of penance, joining with and in imitation of Christ who died for us on Friday (like Jesus we are to be sacrifices according to Romans 12:1). The standard penance is giving up meat, although if this is not very penitential for you, then you can substitute something else to give up or do a good work instead. However, this Friday, June 2, is different for Ordinariate members. We are celebrating this entire week as the Octave of Pentecost which basically means that the day of Pentecost is celebrated for a full eight days! In other words, no Friday Penance!
Special Edition of Theology on Tap, June 10 Join other young adults for lively faith-filled discussion, food and fellowship at 7 p.m. at the Cody Family Enrichment Center, 4152 Loretto Rd. in Jacksonville following the Florida Eucharistic Congress. The guest speaker is Father Rafael Capó, vice president for Mission Ministry and dean of theology at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. For more information, contact Robin Shipley at (904) 262-3200 or email rshipley@dosafl.com.
June 19-23 Summer School of Theology Preparing the Lord’s Day Eucharist: A Pastoral Approach to Sunday Mass. The classes will run Monday through Friday at Marywood Retreat & Conference Center, 235 Marywood Dr. in St. Johns. The presenter is Father Tom Willis, M.A., pastor at St. Mark Mission and diocesan director of Liturgy. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3zccepee or contact Erin McGeever at emcgeever@dosafl.com.
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Check out More Upcoming Events at the Website
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Faithfully, your pastor, Father Mayer |
Trinity 6/1/23
