The purpose of the “Appeal” is simple:  Giving to others the resources necessary to serve those in need.  Since we ourselves can’t always be there to visit the sick, care for the poor or direct programs that help children and families in need,  through the Hope Appeal, we give   others the funding they need to make that happen.  And beyond those ministries, the Hope Appeal supports the offices that serve our parish community.

 For example, when the Religious Education Office of the Diocese trains, updates and assists our catechists or director, Hope Appeal makes that possible.  When our parish offices and the facilities of the parish are assisted by offices dedicated to insurance and finance, it is all made possible from the Appeal.

 Help us help these and many more ministries and offices that are a part of our service to the Gospel by participating in this year’s Hope Appeal.  Our goal assessment for this year is $44,659.  Help us reach that goal assessment with you contribution. Pledge cards are  available in church or have arrived at your home.   

Regarding the latest project, air conditioning the Church, some have asked about the decision process as well as the necessity and advantages of the project.  Some history is helpful to begin with.

 When the Church and Parish Hall were constructed air conditioning was built into the design.  In fact, the air conditioning coil, a necessary element of the system, was       installed when the building was constructed.   The decision to complete the system was set aside during final construction.  Years later, in the Capital Campaign of 2008, air conditioning was listed as one of the top  proposed projects.  The estimated cost of the project was  $200,000 with roof top units.

In 2011, as capital projects continued to be evaluated, a second look was given to air  conditioning and alternatives to the first  design. A different approach resulted in   savings. The result was a high efficiency ground based unit with sufficient tonnage to cool the Church and Parish Hall. A total cost of $39,000 for the Unit and Labor and   roughly $11,000 to pour a concrete pad and expand the area of the units’ location was quoted.  This would give us greater outdoor room for Mustard Seed collections, storage and garbage, this included new fencing for the area.

The proposal was put before the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Finance      Committee and the Pastoral Council.  There were some reservations about the necessity of air conditioning, but the majority concurred that it was necessary for some of the reasons listed below.

Comfort & Safety  

As was the experience last summer, extreme heat and humidity created a high level of discomfort for those outside the reach of breezes from open doors and fans.  Two people passed out   during that season and several people had to leave church.  Although the heat and humidity are not an issue for all of us, those with   respiratory issues or a low tolerance to heat or humidity, particularly the elderly, come to church at some risk.

A reduction in heat and humidity would be of great help to that part of our parish community, as well as, create a more pleasant     experience of worship for the rest.  It would also make things more pleasant for grieving families at funerals, as well as, families      celebraing   weddings and baptisms.  Historically, summer attendance has suffered due to the heat and humidity.

Fans

Although it is anticipated that small fans will still be necessary in the sanctuary because of the added heat from lighting, air conditioning will eliminate the need for high velocity and high volume fans.  They may still serve a purpose in drawing in cooler outside air prior to the weekend, but the need to use them during services will be eliminated.  Not only have they created an issue with hearing the celebrant, lectors, cantors and other members of the music ministry, but the fans have been a big energy consumer.   A fact many may not be aware of is that the fans have been running 24/7 during the summer months to create continuous movement of air for whatever might be taking place in church.

Future Assessment of the Paris

We are the last parish in our parish cluster to have air conditioning.  As the availability of priests become a serious issue, and that issue is close at hand, parishes will be assessed not only on financial stability but the versatility, condition and comfort their facilities provide.

These advantages along with the cost factors and the fact that the air conditioning system will not be running continuously but only when needed, have made this a good decision. Please know that all reasons pro and con were brought to the table and discussed before making a final decision.

Like Thomas caught up in the grief, loss, disappointment and brutality of Good Friday, those who knew Jesus and followed him the closest had a hard time believing it was possible.

As two doubting disciples will discover in this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus had indeed risen as he stands in their midst and reminds them of the promises of the Scriptures that Christ, the Savior, would suffer, die and rise to save the world. To save us from all things that represent death, darkness, sin and evil, as well as those things in life that can rob us of faith and hope when life is disappointing, difficult or lonely.

May we always remember the facts behind the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and allow them to help us when we are suffering through a dark day or a dark time in our life.

And, as we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made and find our faith, may we, as Jesus tells the disciples this weekend, share that faith with others when they have their tough times.

The best example of this in scripture is the apostle Thomas.  Thomas, without question, has faith. But grieving over the death of     Jesus, and broken in spirit over the cruelty of Good Friday, he has reached his limit of     believing.  He believes again, of course, when he sees Jesus.

How does this relate to us?   First, understand that doubt will always be a part of faith.  By its nature, as Jesus would tell Thomas, faith is believing in what you cannot see; it means trusting that something is true when all the evidence seems to be telling us that God is not there for us. In other words, you can have faith and doubt at the same time. Second, keep alert to where Jesus is “appearing” to you through others; see Jesus, when your family, friends  or others reach out to help you in your doubt or struggles.

The fact of the matter is, that Jesus is with us always as he promised at the end of the   Gospel of Matthew.   This week’s message is to hold tight to that belief, especially when you have doubt.

Peace,

Fr. Kevin

Why we can say this is that Easter is not just about the resurrection and the certainty of eternal life, but the certainty that over and over again the Risen Jesus is helping us find new life when our experience of life seems bleak.

Whether you join with us at the 8:00pm Vigil on Saturday, or on Sunday morning at 9:00 or 11:00 to celebrate Easter, remember it’s meaning and power are about what is going on in your life right now.

A happy and blessed Easter to all as we celebrate the greatest Holy Day of the Church year.

Peace,

Fr.  Kevin

Holy Week and Easter are times to remember the most significant events of our faith.   Whether it’s the joyful gift of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, the grief filled loss of Jesus on Good Friday, or the wonder and happiness of his resurrection on Easter, all these events  define what our faith is all about and what we believe.

Wherever you are this Holy Week, join in the events of these three sacred days by sharing in the church liturgies of each day.  They will remind you of why you believe and how faith shapes your life, your service to God, your family, and the Gospel.

St. James Catholic Church
Holy Week & Easter Schedule 2012

Palm Sunday Masses, March 31-April 1
Saturday Vigil Mass – 5:00pm
Sunday Masses– 9:00am & 11:00am


Holy Week Daily Masses, April 2-4
Monday & Tuesday: 6:45am
Monday & Tuesday: 9:00am
Wednesday: 10:00am


Holy Thursday, April 5
7:00pm – Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper
 8:00pm – All Night Adoration in “The Garden”

Good Friday, April 6
  8:00am – Conclusion of Adoration
  12:00pm – Solemn Commemoration
 7:00pm – Stations of the Cross


 Holy Saturday, April 7
12:00pm Blessing of Easter Food
8:00pm Easter Vigil
No Confessions

Easter Sunday, April 8
Masses: 9:00am, 11:00am

Please note that there is no 7:30 AM Mass as previously announced.

View or print a schedule here

Considering the brief time remaining make the most of what remains in your Lent.  If there is something that you resolved to change or improve but have not done so or have had little success, work on it in the days to come.  If there was something different you wanted to do with your time such as more time for family, more time for prayer or increasing your acts of kindness or charity, you still have time.   The result of making changes or doing something positive will be the same kind of joy that you experienced when the glorious days of this past week brought us deep feelings of new life that renewed our spirits.

Peace,

Fr. Kevin

There were probably a lot of ways to answer those questions but my best explanation was this:  The crucifixion of Jesus is always      connected to the resurrection.  We know in looking at the Cross of Jesus that it was not the end.   What it calls us to remember, however, is the price Jesus paid for allowing Himself to be raised up on the Cross to save us.  He gave his life, therefore the crucified depiction of Jesus is an emotional remembrance of how much He gave for each of us.  It is also a reminder that when we suffer, or bring suffering because of our sins, that Jesus   understands the suffering that happens in life and can forgive and heal us when we cause suffering by our sins.

The Gospel of this weekend tells us that “God loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might have life and light.”  The price of that for God and Jesus was that Jesus had to be “lifted up” on the Cross, the most feared symbol of death.  Only by being raised up on the Cross could we be saved from the darkness, death and sin that is a part of life. What this  teaches us is that the Cross is not sad,   depressing, or a sign of defeat, but it is a sign of love, life and light.  The Cross saved us and that is a wonderful thing!

Peace,

Fr. Kevin

Seeing the picture of St. Joseph’s made me think, as I looked at its untouched front doors of the church now leading to the empty space that was once a church, how much meaning lies beyond our own church doors in the space where many of you have been for years.

As we keep St. Joseph’s parish and other churches lost in our prayers, and pray for the many families who have lost loved ones and homes, let us be grateful and appreciate even more the sacred place we call St. James.  A place to pray, celebrate and support each other, it is the spiritual center of so much of life.  Certainly there have been other churches in our lives and there may be new ones in our future.  So whether it’s St. James, or somewhere else, thank God for your church, and remember that they are always there for the times we need to leave the world behind and spend some time with God.

Peace,

Fr. Kevin

In the Gospel this weekend, this is what happened on the mountain top when Jesus is “transfigured” or changed into the image of what he would be at the resurrection.  In that moment, Peter, James, and John experienced something so perfect, so good and peaceful, that they  wanted it to last forever. Peter’s response was, in essence, “Jesus, forget about the suffering that you told us lies down the road in Jerusalem.  Let’s stay on the mountain top forever.”

The response of Jesus, however, was a compassionate “no”, as Jesus knew that taking on difficult things was a  necessary part of building the character and strength that leads us to succeed in fulfilling the responsibilities and mission that God has given to each of us.

The purpose of perfect moments, however, as would be the case for the apostles in the months and years that followed the resurrection, are to remind us that the end result of all the work and sacrifice given for family, friends, work, school, and church create the perfect moments that sustain us and remind us how good life is, and how much God is there for us.

So value all the perfect moments you can    remember. I know I do!  And use those perfect moments to remind you when things are difficult that there is new life at the end of every worthy thing we do, as was the case in a big way when Jesus gave his life on the Cross.