And so we begin…a new chapter in my life and in the life of this great community of Saint James the Apostle! As I eagerly and joyfully begin my service here at Saint James, please know how delighted I am to be with you. Several years ago, a priest whom I know was sharing a…
There is a saying that goes: “All good things must come to an end.” As my tenure as your pastor comes to an end this week, this is the last column I will write for you. When a priest, especially a pastor, comes to a parish, he is expected to teach the congregation about Jesus…
Many of us have difficulties in our lives which cause anxiety, frustration and other issues. Somehow or in some way we seem to cope with them. They don’t make life easier; in fact, they make life difficult. Determination, and sometimes the help of others, including professionals, can help us deal with our difficulties. Our faith…
Today we begin Ordinary Time, which will last until theFirst Sunday in Advent. This doesn’t mean that life is ordinary; for most of us,our lives have enough activity to keep us busy. Ordinary Time is a season ofits own; it’s an in-between season, from Easter to Advent. As New Jersey starts to open up with…
Today we celebrate the Feast of THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)!! It is the celebration of the Eucharist, the gift that Jesus gave us at the Last Supper. The Eucharist is what nurtures and sustains us as the Body of Christ, for that is what we are. However, too many of us…
Today we celebrate the FEAST OF THE HOLY TRINITY. While we have moved into Ordinary Time until Advent, we continue to celebrate the gift of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every time we sign ourselves with the cross, we celebrate the Trinity. Every time we begin liturgy, it is always with the sign of the…
“HOLY SPIRIT, LORD DIVINE, COME, FROM HEIGHTS OF HEAV’N AND SHINE, COME WITH BLESSED RADIANCE BRIGHT!COME, O FATHER OF THE POOR, COME WHOSE TREASURED GIFTS ENDURE, COME, OUR HEARTS UNFAILING LIGHT!” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 155). Today is the FEAST OF PENTECOST! It is the birthday of the church because this is when the missionary life…
“WHEN EVERYONE HAS ANSWERED “AMEN,” THE DEACON SAYS: “ATTEND!” THE BISHOP THEN ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE WITH THESE WORDS: “HOLY THINGS TO THE HOLY!” THE PEOPLE ANSWER: ONE ONLY HOLY ONE, ONE ONLY LORD, JESUS CHRIST, WHO IS BLESSED FOREVER, TO THE GLORY OF THE FATHER. AMEN.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 135). Today is THE FEAST…
“YOU SHALL BE CALLED BY A NEW NAMEPRONOUNCED BY THE MOUTH OF THE LORD.YOU SHALL BE A GLORIOUS CROWN IN THE HAND OF THE LORD,A ROYAL DIADEM HELD BY YOUR GOD.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 124). Today is MOTHER’S DAY! It is the one day we recognize the gift of our mother. But we should do…
“THOSE WHO GAIN THE VICTORY,I WILL FEED FROM THE TREE OF LIFEWHICH GROWS IN THE GARDEN OF GOD.” (An Easter Sourcebook, p. 98). If you have a grapevine in your yard, or you know someone who does, then you know that it has to be trimmed every year before the grapes appear. If this is not…