3rd Day of Advent

Posted by Christy .. on 11/30/25

My Dear People, 

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

This question seems odd because John recognized Jesus at the Baptism and, according to other Gospel accounts, acknowledged Him to be the Messiah, the one who was to come after him, and ... Read More »

2nd Day of Advent, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 11/30/25

My Dear People, 

John announces that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and asks the people to repent. The Greek for “it is at hand” is actually a verb meaning: “has drawn near!  This could be translated, “has arrived!”.   There appears to be great urgency in John’s message. 

Matthew identifies John with Isaiah 40:3, “A voice cries out in the desert” “prepare the way of the Lord. . .” Interestingly, this was the same verse that the pious Essene monks of Qumran, who left us the Dead Sea Scrolls, quoted in their works to explain their decision to dwell in the desert. The fact that both John and Qumran monks identify their mission with this verse is probably too similar simply be coincidental—not to mention the fact that both were also strongly focused on water washing for repentance associated with eschatological forgiveness of sins and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The connection was made, probably, when John, who taught at the monastery at Qumran, was expelled and then later began his ... Read More »

1st Sunday of Advent, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 11/30/25

My Dear People, 

Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone! This is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. This year we have read from the Gospel of Luke. Next year we will be reading from the gospel of Matthew. The last Sunday of the liturgical year is reserved for Christ ... Read More »

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 11/10/25

My Dear People, 

Thank you for all who donated to Choice. There was over three thousand dollars. That is a great program that supports mothers in the local community, so that they will have children.

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the readings have to do ... Read More »

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 11/05/25

My Dear People, 

            This Sunday, November 9th is a special Feast. It is the dedication of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral in Rome. Because of this event, we, too, recall the dedication of our own Church here at St. James. The Gospel Readings of John tell us of ... Read More »

All Souls Day, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 10/28/25

My Dear People, 

At this time, we remember and pray for the faithfully departed. It is true they cannot pray for themselves; however, our prayers can be efficacious and can make a difference for them. 

We will not know what difference our prayers and a Mass offered for them ... Read More »

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 10/20/25

My Dear People,

First of all, I would like to thank Dick Bipes who did an excellent job framing the portrait of Pope Leo XIV, which is now in the vestibule of the church.

Another parable about prayer immediately follows, directed at some who are confident in their own ... Read More »

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 10/13/25

My Dear People,

Having noted in the previous chapter the tribulation of the end times of the world, Jesus urges His followers to be persistent almost to the point of being bothersome in prayer to obtain the merciful justice of God against the injustices of one’s persecutors. In the ... Read More »

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 10/06/25

My Dear People,

Since the Paschal celebrations were approaching, Jesus took His final trip to Jerusalem intending to accomplish His divine mission. As He traveled through Samaria and Galilee, heading for Perea, He was approaching a village. Still in the countryside, ten lepers rushed to meet Him. They stopped ... Read More »

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025

Posted by Christy .. on 9/29/25

My Dear People,

Faith is an immensely valuable treasure for souls in everyday life because it is a beacon of light and an immense consolation at all times of distress. Therefore, it must be jealously guarded in one’s heart.   

The Apostles, who were asked to grow in faith, desired ... Read More »