November 2025 | With Thanksgiving

It’s good to be back with you. Last week I was on my canonically required annual retreat. Thank you to Fr. Jim for covering Mass and confessions. I stayed at a Franciscan retreat center and spent time praying, reflecting, and discerning, as well as going on walks through the picturesque Michigan countryside where the retreat center was located. Below is a picture I took on a trail I was walking, the morning after a snowy day. However, I’m happy to be back here in Jacksonville with you.

Plans for this Sunday, November 23, 2025Christ the King Sunday: Make public dedication to himFinance Update after MassBlessing of Advent Wreaths after Mass Greening of the Church: help get building ready for Advent

COMMITMENT SUNDAYNOVEMBER 23, 2025, PLEDGE OF TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE 

This is Commitment Sunday at the Mission, when we invite those of you who consider St. James your church family to return your completed stewardship pledge for the coming year. We ask you to pray about what you will give to God through St. James in the coming year, in service, prayers, and finances, and then to bring your completed card forward, if you are in person, or if not, make your commitment (at least the financial part) online here.

Our hope this year is that if you  consider St. James your church family, you will make a commitment, and that, if you are not in financial distress, you will take a step forward in your giving, towards tithing. If you don’t currently give, would you consider starting with a weekly gift of $10? If you are a regular giver, would you consider increasing your giving by at least $10 per week, more if possible, in a step towards tithing? The impact on the church is that, through your giving, we will have the resources needed to meet the needs of our expanding Mission.

CLASS ON THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
RELICS, MARY, APPARITIONS, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 7:00PM

Do Catholics practice idolatry? Do they pray to saints? Why is Mary so important in all of this? Why does the Bible and the historic Christian teaching have to say about these things? Reply to me via email or a text (904-999-1423) if you are curious to learn more and would like to RSVP for the class.

THANKSGIVING DAY MASSNOVEMBER 27, 2025, 9:00AM — BLESSING OF FOOD

This Thanksgiving, begin your day by giving thanks to the Lord, the giver of every good gift: Thursday, November 28 at 9:00 a.m. You are invited to bring a dish or item from your family meal to be blessed. We will also take up a special Thanksgiving Day offering as a way of expressing our gratitude for God’s many blessings and supporting the Mission of St. James. Thanksgiving offering envelopes are available at the welcome table if you would like to participate. You’re also invited to write down something you are thankful for and include it in your envelope with your gift. You may also make a Thanksgiving Offering online.

OUTDOOR PROCESSION TO BEGIN ADVENTIDEGREAT LITANY ON NOVEMBER 30, 10:30 AM

At our primary Mass, we will begin Advent by chanting the Great Litany in procession. This is a beautiful and somber way to enter into Adventide, this season of penance, preparation, and joyful anticipation leading up to Christmas. Why a Procession? This reminds us that we are a pilgrim people, moving prayerfully through life with the goal of arriving in the presence of our Lord, symbolized by entrance into the church. There will be no Great Litany at the earlier (8:15 AM) Mass.

Arrive early so that you can be part of the procession. When you arrive, place your things in your seat. The altar party will then lead you out of the church building and we will process around the grounds of the office complex offering prayers for them, for our community, and for ourselves. The procession ends back inside of the church building with the beginning of Mass. Those who are not able to go on our little ten minute procession are welcome to remain in the building until we return.

WILL YOU HELP OUR ORDINARIATE PRIESTS? RETIREMENT FUND COLLECTION, NOVEMBER 30

On the fist Sunday of Advent our community will have the chance to join all the Parishes and Parochial Communities across the Ordinariate in supporting the Retirement Fund for Priests: a second collection for the pension of  Ordinariate clergy. Donation information and pre-addressed envelopes will be provided. Checks should be made payable to “Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter.” Please note your parish on your check. You may place your gift with the second collection or you may mail your gift to the Chancery in the envelope provided. You may also give online at  www.ordinariate.net/give-to-rfp. Please prayerfully consider making a gift!

BUILDING WORKDAY  DECEMBER 6, 9:00 AM UNTIL COMPLETION 🙂

Join us for a fun day of working on a few projects at the buildingReplace insulation that got moved when AC vents went inSwap out a bad electrical socketRun water line for icemakerTouch up paint edgingWeeding the landscapeInstallation of thresholds for the bathroomsRepair a couple of duct connections in the atticPack a lunch and join us. Please let me know ahead of time which of these projects that you will be working on since they require preparation and the right equipment.

LEARN TO “ADVENT”: FOUR-WEEK CLASSNOVEMBER 30, DECEMBER 7, 14, 21, 9:30 – 10:15 AM

Join coordinator Doug Nesmith for a special four-week study on living the Season of Advent. Discover practical ways to make this Advent season more meaningful as you prepare your heart for Christmas. The class will be composed of a short video lesson followed by discussion.  Check out this video preview.  

WELCOME & ORIENTATION DINNERSUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 5:30 PM LEARN ABOUT THE MISSION

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 December 4th.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYHOLY DAY MASS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 6:00pm

Many people mistakenly believe that this solemnity celebrates Jesus’ conception, but what is actually being celebrated is the immaculate conception of Mary. Jesus perfectly honored his mother by assuring that she be created immaculately or as Scripture says “full of grace,” that is conceived without sin, one of only four human beings to come into existence in this way (the other three are Adam, Eve, and Jesus).The Church has proclaimed this occasion to be a Holy Day of Obligation meaning that all Catholics are obliged out of obedience to go to Mass on this day, unless a person has a serious reason why he cannot.

CLASS ON LIFE AFTER DEATHMONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

What really happens the moment you die? In this captivating class, delve into the Church’s teaching on the four “last things” that every soul will encounter. Discover what Scripture and Tradition reveal about standing before God in judgment, the transforming fire of His mercy in Purgatory, the unimaginable glory of Heaven, and the sobering reality of Hell. Far from being abstract ideas, these truths touch our daily lives—how we hope, how we love, and how we live our faith. If you’ve ever wondered what awaits us beyond this life or how to prepare your heart for eternity, this class offers clarity, meaning, and hope. Bring your questions and your curiosity as we explore God’s ultimate plan for the human soul. RSVP: Please contact us at office@stjamescc.org to let us know if you are coming as early as possible, but no later than December 3 so that we can prepare enough materials and refreshments.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT StJamesCC.org/events 

Baby Steps Camino: Walking Pilgrimage, December 12-14
Christmas Eve Carols:  December 24, 3:45pm-4:15pm
Christmas Eve Mass: December 24, 4:30pm
Christmas Day Mass:  December 25, 10:30am

News and Announcements

THE SEASON OF ADVENTA FEW WAYS TO USE THIS SACRED TIME

Adventide is the four week season leading up to the birth of Christ. Advent comes from the Latin word for “coming” or “arrival” and it is a season of preparation to rightly celebrate Christ’s first coming as a babe in Bethlehem, and a season of anticipating Christ’s promised return and preparing our hearts for the day when we meet him, either at our death or at his Second Coming. Each week we light another of the four Advent candles, we sing Advent and carols, and we look for ways to take His light into the world.

This is a season for growing in your faith. I would like to encourage you to deepen your faith during this season of preparation. Here are five ways to do just that: Worship: Plan to be at Mass each Sunday. Pray: Get out you Advent wreath and try out the Advent Family Prayers  found in our St. Gregory Prayer Book (p. 142) or give the night prayers known as Compline a try (p. 68).Obtain Forgiveness: Get to confession. Advent is a penitential season. Stop by on Sunday morning to experience the healing power of confession or participate in one of the penance services around the local diocese.  Study: Dig into the Scriptures. Read a holy book. Host a study with others. If you want to get something started, let me know and I will help you.  Serve: What are your gifts? How can you serve the body of Christ? Let’s chat and see how we can get you plugged in.Give: This holiday season, experience the joy of generosity by contributing, especially to the poor, following the example of St. Nicholas.Share: This time is filled with opportunities to invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers to celebrate the season with you at St. James. Who is the Lord calling you to invite this year to Christmas Mass?

SATURDAY DAILY MASS TIME CHANGEFIRST SATURDAY ONLY – HELP PICK THE BEST TIME

Beginning on December 6, I will only be providing Saturday morning Mass on the first Saturday of the month only. I have found it difficult to be here every Saturday due to sometimes conflicting schedules with other obligations on Saturday morning. However, as I make this change, I would like to get your input as to the best time for this Saturday Mass. Would you be a regular attender of the first Saturday Mass if it were at a time that was convenient to you? If so, what time? Please let me know. Thanks.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE A HANDYOUR HELP NEEDED TO PREP FOR CHRISTMAS

Hang TVs: there are three that need to be mounted to the wallScrape Windows: paint needs to be carefully removed from classroom windowsPaint Edging: a number of doors mostly, need to be touched up by someone who an eye for detail and a steady handWeed Landscaping: to make the building look as welcoming as possibleRepair tile: in bathroom floor and some spot on the wallBathroom Drywall: needs smoothing and paintingShare your interest or obtain more information: office@StJamesCC.org or text 904-999-1423

October Expenses: $11,023.43  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 YTD (since July 1, 2025: $42,089.00 income / Expenses $41,002.00

Financial Goals: Increase priest support from quarter time to half time. Hire onsite secretary (P/T). Save to purchase/build land and building. 

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 FAITHLISTEN 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.

11/16/2025 – Caring for the Poor is More Important Than You Think
10/26/2025 – Judgmental? How to Become Free from this Vice
10/19/2025 – The Type of Prayer that is Required to Get to Heaven
10/12/2025 – The Power of Gratitude and How to Grow in this Virtue