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As members of the Body of Christ, the parish of St. James, Lake Placid, Florida proclaims our belief in the message and mission of Jesus Christ.
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matt 28:19-20)With God's Grace, the example of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we seek to live out that belief as a community of worship, of shared faith and of service where each member shares with others the gifts and talents received from God.
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View the Knights of Columbus video: https://youtu.be/yZupfDByVek
Pastor, Fr. Vincent Clemente
Father Vincent came to the United States from Italy at the age of 15, where his family settled in the Cleveland, OH area. He has one sister. Father was ordained to the priesthood on May 8, 1976 and has previously served at St. Martha’s in Sarasota, FL and as pastor of St. Michael in Wauchula and St. Paul in Arcadia.
WELCOME, FATHER! We look forward to continued spiritual growth with you here at St. James!
Parochial vicar Fr. Felix Gonzalez
Fr. Felix Gonzalez, our newest parochial vicar, was born in Venezuela on September 18, 1953. He studied philosophy in Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies and theology at the Seminary “Santa Rosa de Lima,” Caracas, Venezuela. He was ordained on July 18th, 1981 at the .Archdiocese of Barquisimeto. He came to the United States 20 years ago and studied monastic spirituality in Worcester, MA and worked in different parishes in the Archdiocese of New York— Manhattan and the Bronx. During those years he studied in IONA College and graduated with a Masters in Science, majoring in pastoral counseling. After serving St. Leo for almost two and a half years, he is happy to embark on this new part of his spiritual journey.
Our commitment to a Safe Environment
As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults. St. James adheres to the Diocese of Venice's Safe Environment program. To learn more, visit: https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/programs/safeenvironment/
Pope Francis' Letter to the People of God, regarding sexual abuse in light of the outcome of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains a very important parable, with special significance. Jesus wanted to relay the necessity of being vigilant and preparing oneself for the final judgment. Jesus in comparing a scene from a wedding banquet draws upon the image to the life of the Church and the souls aspiring for eternity.
During the time of the Hebrews, it was the custom, after the nuptial supper, for the cortege to escort the bride and lead her to the groom. With lamps lit, the cortege, formed of friends of the groom and bride, would lead the bride from the banquet hall to the bridegroom’s chamber. It was because of this custom Jesus formed one of the most beautiful of His parables.
The application of the story is multifaceted regarding the souls who are consecrated to God. The Church accompanies the Groom, divine Jesus Christ, (the Church the true nuptial house, which is in heaven) to the true nuptial banquet, which is eternity with God.
The church is not formed of only the elect. It includes pilgrims who are tested as they prepare for the final judgment. Like the wiser members of the bridal party who had not wasted their lamps’ oil, some souls, spiritual and wise, guard against the surprise of the long wait, (trial on earth). The wise one guards against falling into sin. The foolish one (who made no provision to reserve the lamp oil) falls asleep—thus, spiritually, they are lacking.
The lit lamps indicate the faith. The light, resplendent in the darkness of exile, is the oil that sustains the good deeds. Like the lamps without oil, causing them to burn out, so, faith without deeds is death.
The virgins that attend the groom represent all souls, because in reality on earth we are all awaiting the eternal banquet. We have to be free from any attacks and any attachment that can divide us from the heart of God.
During the night of the waiting all the souls fall asleep because all fall into sin and imperfection. Those who have taken precaution to take care of their own soul and nourish it spiritually, then, at a call of grace, rise and replenish the lamp of faith with charity. Those who do not have such foresight remain with the lamp half lit (also internally extinguished).
Prayer, the holy lectures and mortifications can, at times, seem an exaggeration and unnecessary. For those who meet the challenges of this life, the need to reserve spiritual strength is indispensable. .
Old age is the night of the temporal life, and awaiting this eternal life is the time of our own dwelling (home) on earth. The one who is wise accumulates the reserve of love in his youth. With the decline of years, one finds what he needs to sustain the heart. One makes preparation so that one should be able to sustain oneself during the period of trials and testing. Meanwhile the souls without provision, when they have temptation of sins, consume the little oil that fed the lamp, and falter in the light of the faith.
When the groom arrives, all are not ready to meet him. They have been asleep, and their lamps are going out. (Meaning, they have fallen into sin, and have not repented). They made no provisions for their souls, therefore they are not ready to meet the groom. They have no oil; they are not in the state of grace. When they arrive before the Groom, Jesus Christ, they are not disposed (not ready to meet him). They have no oil, that is (no faith). Because they have made no provision for their souls, when it is time for them to enter heaven, they are not ready, and the door is closed. [Passages taken from The Gospel of Matthew by Curtis Mitch and Edward Sri]
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Vincent Clemente
NOVEMBER 13th— Monday. Legion of Mary, 10:00AM, Social Hall. RCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 14th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Knights of Columbus, 7PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 15th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Confirmation class, 6PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 16th— Thursday. Bible Study, 7PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 17th— Friday. Kraft Korner, 10AM-12PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 19th— Sunday. NO FAITH FORMATION CLASSES. Women’s Emmaus, 2PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 20th— Monday. Legion of Mary, 10:00AM, Social Hall. RCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 21st— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 22nd— Wednesday. NO CONFIRMATION OR BIBLE STUDY CLASS
NOVEMBER 23rd— Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving! Office Closed. NO BIBLE STUDY CLASS.
NOVEMBER 24th— Friday. Office closed.
NOVEMBER 26th— Sunday. Faith Formation, 11AM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 27th— Monday. Legion of Mary, 10:00AM, Social Hall. RCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 28th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Knights of Columbus, 7PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 29th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Confirmation Class, 6PM, Social Hall.
NOVEMBER 30th— Thursday. Bible Study, 7PM, Social Hall.
DECEMBER 1st— Friday. Kraft Korner, 10AM-12PM, Social Hall.
DECEMBER 3rd— Sunday. Faith Formation, 11AM, Social Hall.
DECEMBER 4th— Monday. Legion of Mary, 10:00AM, Social Hall. St. Vincent de Paul, 3PM, Social Hall. RCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.
DECEMBER 5th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall.
