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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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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 People,
When Peter asked Jesus how often one should forgive, Peter thought it would be generous enough to forgive someone seven times seven. After all, 7 times 7 years is the year of jubilee, when all debts are forgiven. When Jesus said 70 times seven times, it amounts to about 10 Jubilees (490 years). This, of course, has more to do with sin than monetary debts. Jesus was telling Peter something different. He told him that we must always forgive—not seven times but 70 times seven.
Jesus explained this in the following parable. He compared the kingdom of Heaven to a servant who appeared before the king to whom he owed 10,000 talents. A talent is the equivalent of 6000 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a worker's daily wage. What he owed was so huge there was no way for him to possibly pay it back. So, he was told, he and his whole family would be sold in order to satisfy the debt. Of course, the individual pleaded for mercy. The king took pity on him and forgave his debt. When the servant was leaving, he met a fellow servant who owed him 100 denarii (that is 100-day wages) and demanded payment. When the fellow servant likewise pleaded for mercy, he became very angry and ruthless. He refused to show mercy to his fellow servant and had him put in prison. So, the king who had forgiven this individual was very angry that this individual was not willing to forgive a small amount when he was forgiven a huge amount. For acting this way, the king had him put in prison.
This is a beautiful symbol of sin against God. If our Lord is so merciful that He is willing to forgive us if we beg for mercy, likewise, we also should be merciful toward our debtors, those guilty of offending society, the Church, and us. We are the ones whose huge amount has been forgiven, therefore we should forgive the small amount that our neighbor owes us.
We, however, should be horrified of sin; we should reprimand the sinner; we should condemn him, but we should also have mercy for him. Ruthless zeal is not liked by God. It benefits no one since it hardens, sours, and grangerizes the wounds. Instead of being ruthless, pray for the poor who have been led astray. How many fruits of penitence could be brought to the church. (Meaning: if we show mercy instead of ruthlessness, many will return to the Church).
Jesus condemns ruthlessness toward poor sinners even though this ruthlessness appears to be justified sometimes to keep order. Ruthlessness does not produce any good. It chokes, oppresses, and robs one's liberty. It is important to have pity and forgive.This is the example God gives us, and this is the heritage that Jesus Christ has left for His Church. Christ forgave from the cross the ones who crucified him.
[Parts taken from commentary by Don Dolindo Ruotolo]
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Vincent Clemente
SEPTEMBER 12th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Knights of Columbus, 7PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 13th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Confirmation class, 6PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 14th— Thursday. CCW Meeting, 10AM, Social Hall. Divine Mercy, 10:30AM, Social Hall. Legion of Mary, 1PM, Social Hall. Grief Support, 2PM, Social Hall. Bible Study, 7PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 15th— Friday. Kraft Korner, 10AM-12PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 17th— Sunday. Faith Formation, 10AM, Social Hall. Men’s Emmaus, 2PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 19th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 20th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Confirmation class, 6PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 21st— Thursday. Legion of Mary, 1PM, Social Hall. Bible Study, 7PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 24th— Sunday. Faith Formation, 10AM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 26th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Knights of Columbus, 7PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 27th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Confirmation class, 6PM, Social Hall.
SEPTEMBER 28th— Thursday. Legion of Mary, 1PM, Social Hall. Bible Study, 7PM, Social Hall.
