NEWS AND MESSAGES

Sirach calls us to honor our parents, even when that’s hard because of past wounds. Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s essential for our own healing and for our relationship with God.

This holy season reminds us of the greatest gift ever given: that the Word became flesh and made His home among us. In the child born in Bethlehem, God chose to enter our human story, to walk with us, to redeem us, and to fill even our ordinary days with divine love.

Advent is often called a season of waiting—and let’s be honest, waiting isn’t easy. We live in a world that prizes speed and convenience.

“The truth,” said the Greek Philosopher Diogenes, “is like the light to sore eyes. He who never offended anyone, never did anyone any good.”

As we move into the final months of 2025, I continue to be filled with gratitude for the vibrant spirit and steadfast faith that define our parish community. Your prayers, generosity, and active participation are the heartbeat of St. James, and I’m pleased to share this encouraging update on our journey together.

In our first reading we heard from the prophet Habakkuk. The prophet stresses the power of faith while also giving us a clearer idea of what faith is.

Earlier this year, parishioners throughout the Archdiocese of Newark took part in the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey, as part of the We Are His Witnesses’ initiative. Thank you to everyone at St. James Church who completed the survey.

Friends, it’s important to understand what humility means; and it means seeing ourselves through God’s eyes.

How different, then, is the experience of the stranger who wanders into the neighborhood. Enthusiastic hellos are few and far between when you’re the stranger. You may be regarded with suspicion, and if you have a foreign look about you, with contempt.