By Fr. Victor Hoagland, C.P.

The yearly feast of Easter is a celebration, not of one day, but of fifty days, from Holy Saturday till the feast of Pentecost. Besides the yearly feast, we also celebrate Easter each Sunday of the year.

Why celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection so extensively? Because we’re so slow to realize what it means, and need reminding over and over.

Some things – like telling time or tying our shoes – we learn once, but the resurrection of Jesus is a mystery not learned at once. We never grasp it completely, but only day by day, as life unfolds, do we come to say “I believe.”

That’s why Thomas, the apostle, whom we remember on the 2nd Sunday of Easter, is such an important figure. Far from being a lonely skeptic, an isolated dissenter, he represents the slowness of heart and mind, the recurrent skepticism, that affects us all.

His story, rather than raising doubts, is a reminder that the Risen Jesus offers, even to the most unconvinced, the power to believe.

St. James has had a long history of  tithing.  Until this year, 5% of collections were distributed both locally and globally by the Human Development Committee.  Due to reduced giving and rising costs, these funds will no longer be available.

Although financially we are not able to continue giving in our traditional manner, we would like to take this time to share giving opportunities with our faith community.  To that end, we will periodically spotlight some of the organizations we have helped in the past, and share their current needs.  We hope you will support these deserving organizations who are seeing reduced giving across the board.

     The Mission Statement of St. James Human Development is to:  share in the church’s mission of witnessing the truth and of serving those in need.  Specifically this committee seeks to:

1. Educate its members in the parish through word and example as to existing needs in society.
2. Structure a gospel-based response to those needs.
3. Determine the distribution of the parish tithing fund. (no longer applicable)
4. Act as a catalyst providing opportunities for as many parishioners as possible to share their time and talents to meet the needs of the poor and the vulnerable.

During the month of January, we will be spotlighting CAP—Community Action Program of Madison County.  Our donations last year to CAP were: $3,000 to the Mary Rose Center, $3,000 to the food bank and $500 to the Sister Maureen Fund.

Read the full January Bulletin Insert here.

It is with sad hearts that we mourn the passing of a great man who graced this parish for over 40 years.  The following is information provided from his order about his services and other information they thought we might like to know.  Before that, I would like to add on behalf of all the past pastors and associates pastors of the parish, as well as our religious sisters past and present, that St. James has been so fortunate to have over 40 years of his wisdom, humility, encouragement and love for this parish.  We will miss his words, his presence and the wonderful way that he connected the   Gospel to the challenges of both everyday life and the life of the world.

In a memo to the Diocese of Syracuse, providing the factual notice of Father Phil Keane’s death and his long history of service to the Church, the Diocese, the Sulpician Order, St. Mary’s Seminary, and Catholic hospitals throughout the nation, it was  noted that “Father Keane loved the Diocese of Syracuse.  He routinely returned to St. James Parish during summers, Christmas and other times. He felt St. James was his home parish and his service there and the people kept him in touch with his priesthood and the larger Body of Christ.   His death is a loss to the Continue reading →

A catechist is faith, hope, and love attached to arms and legs, aches and pains, family duties and not enough time.

A catechist is an ordinary person who is   extraordinary because he or she teaches as Jesus did.

A catechist is faithful to the past, open to the future, but especially dedicated to deepening the faith of the present generation.

From the poem “A Catechist Is” by Msgr. John Francis Murphy

Just look at how engaged and interactive these 7^th graders are for their catechists!  And there are more 7^th graders on a waiting list due to a shortage of catechists.  Please consider sharing your faith with our young parishioners on Wednesday mornings, 8:30-9:30 a.m. until the end of March.  Only 18 more sessions remain for the 2012-13 school year.

Questions?  Please contact Kelli Johnson, Coordinator of Religious Education, at stjreled@stjamescaz.com or 655-4871 x 305.

Among the many ways parishioners contribute to the Release Time program…hall monitoring.  Our thanks to Pat Race, Joan Danehy, and Jill Ryan (pictured), Carol D’Andrea and Jane Mistur for giving of their time each week to make sure our halls/bathrooms are safe and orderly.  Rectifying attendance records with the high school and middle school offices is an additional duty tackled by the Wednesday morning crew.  Stay tuned in the weeks ahead to learn about each grade level team!

It’s the time of year to gear up for back-to-school season. With all the clothes, technology and supplies to buy, it pays to do your homework.   Stop by the St. James Scrip table after Mass to order the gift cards you will need to cover everything and make back-to-school shopping easier than ever. Consider these great back-to-school retailers:

Father Kevin hosted a Hydration Station in front of the Rectory prior to the start of the 40^th Annual Dan Sutton Memorial 4^th of July Races.  Runners and spectators alike were appreciative of the free Gatorade, water, and open bathrooms in the Church!

Hydration Station

4 Photos

Summer is in full swing at St. James…as many of you head off to “recharge”, I also will be spending some time with my family, and taking some “down time” to think, pray, and well…”recharge”.   My message for the summer is not only a reminder to enjoy the summer, but to spend some of your down time to celebrate the gift of God in your daily lives.

Thank God for the life you have and the people who bless your life.  Listen to God calling you to peace…or trust… or greater hope.  Seek to live more fully the call of Christ in the kindness, mercy, patience, love and friendship you show to others.  And if the busy months outside of summer have kept you from Church, take that hour on a Saturday or Sunday to pray with others and to receive the gift of Christ in the Scriptures and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

We would like to begin a prayer & support ministry to our Military service men and women and their families.  If you have a family member currently serving in the armed forces whether they live in Cazenovia or not, would you submit the form below, or complete the form in the bulletin, and drop it in the collection basket or at the office.  Thank you. Continue reading →