Dear Saint James Family,

This past Sunday we had a special visit from Father Patrick McCain who was ordained last year for the Ordinariate. Father McCain spent his younger years in the Episcopal Church and then converted to the Catholic Church as a college student. As a young adult he had a calling to be ordained as a priest so he was sent to seminary by the Diocese of St. Augustine. However, as soon as he found out that the Ordinariate was accepting seminarians, he jumped at the chance to be ordained for the Ordinariate. Why? He shares that he was drawn to  the Anglican Patrimony, that rich inheritance of music, poetic liturgy, and community life that has now been brought back into the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate. We were blessed to have him preach and celebrate Mass this past Sunday. You can watch me interview him here on Facebook.

CURIOUS ABOUT THE BOOK OF REVELATION?

HOMILIES ON THE LAST BOOK OF THE BIBLE DURING MAY, 2022

The word Revelation means unveiling. This book was written in order to pull back the curtain on the inner spiritual workings of the world and the Church. It is from this book that you read about candles, incense, saints, people in white robes, and priests, all elements that remind one of the Catholic Mass. Why? Because according to Scripture, the Mass is where heaven meets earth. Digging into this fascinating book is a great opportunity to see the spiritual world beyond the veil. 

This Sunday I will be reflecting on the many who avoid organized religion, because they do not understand Christ's bride, the Church. Yet, through the mystical book of Revelation, as I am explaining in these homilies, you have an exciting opportunity to learn about the Church as never before! Join us this Sunday and the next or listen online and reconsider what you have always thought about the Church.  

ROGATION SUNDAY

JOYFUL PROCESSION AFTER 10:15 MASS, MAY 22, 2022

This Sunday we will be concluding Mass with a joyful outdoor procession, chanting the litany of the saints and thanking God for the beauty of his creation and asking for his protection as we enter into what is forecasted to be an intense hurricane season. Rogation, from the Latin rogare, means to ask for God's blessing and mercy, is a practice that reaches back to the fifth century Church practice in Vienna in which days were set aside for processions and prayers. The practice spread, especially amongst the Celtic tribes in Gaul (central Europe), and was officially adopted by Pope Leo III for the entire Church in the late eight century. English speaking Catholics hosted especially devout rogation day festivals involving costumes and banners, food and drink, leading up to the feast of the Ascension. Rogation gatherings were greatly muted during the time of the Catholic persecutions in England, but are being revived within the Ordinariate. Experience this joyous tradition this Sunday at Saint James.  

ASCENSION THURSDAY MASS & POTLUCK 

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION & BEGINNING OF LIFE CHANGING NOVENA, MAY 13, 2021, 5:30 PM 

In celebration of our Lord’s ascension into heaven to the right hand of the Father forty days after his Resurrection, we will be celebrating Mass for this solemnity, a day of obligation for all members of the Ordinariate. Unlike some dioceses this day is not moved to Sunday in the Ordinariate, but remains on its biblical fortieth day after Easter (Acts 1: 3, 9). 

For the next nine days leading to Pentecost, you invited to participate in the Novena for the coming of the Holy Ghost, a powerful experience of prayer, inflaming your heart and being filled with the power Holy Spirit, strengthening your will, and growing in virtue. We will be using the Novena found in the St. Gregory’s Prayer Book, which contains many beautiful devotion gathered together from the rich treasury of Anglican patrimony now brought back into the Catholic Church. However, if you do  

POTLUCK

Saint James will be providing the main dish (turkey) and everyone else is asked to bring a side. Please RSVP and sign up for a dish by May 23, so that we know how much turkey to prepare. Contact Cathy Messina, event coordinator, for more information or perhaps ow you can assist (table décor, setup, cleanup, pictures, games, invitations): cathymmessina@gmail.com or 415-205-9705.

IS THE BREAD & WINE REALLY TRANSFORMED INTO CHRIST'S BODY AND BLOOD?

CORPUS CHRISTI, SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2022 

AGE OLD BELIEF

Did you know that all Christians believed for the first 1,500 years that the bread and the wine changed into the body and blood of Christ? During the reformation when some groups began protesting and breaking away from the Catholic Church, some of the new denominations then forming discontinued this teaching. However even today, a majority of Christians, especially among Catholics, Orthodox, and Anglicans, continue to hold to this teaching, based upon Scripture and the numerous writings of Christians during the first few centuries and beyond. 

LEARN MORE

I gave a homily to explaining this teaching and shared about a doubting priest who experienced a Eucharistic miracle that would forever change the way he understood Communion, an event that would also change the Catholic liturgical calendar with the addition of Corpus Christi Sunday. You can hear this homily here to discover the historic roots of the celebration of Christ's body and blood. 

CELEBRATE CHRIST'S PRESENCE IN THE EUCHARIST

We will be celebrating this great doctrine of the Church on June 19, 2022 which will give you opportunity to give public witness to your faith and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Exposition and benediction to follow both Masses and procession to follow the principal (10:15 AM) Mass.

UPCOMING DATES AT A GLANCE

EVENTS TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR

• ROGATION SUNDAY PROCESSION: May 22, 2022, following the 10:15 Mass will be a joyful outdoor procession thanking God for the beauty of his creation and asking for his protection during the upcoming hurricane season.
• ASCENSION MASS AND POTLUCK: Thursday, May 26, 2022, 5:30 PM. Holy Day of Obligation. Celebrate Christ’s rise into heaven exactly 40 days after Easter. St. James to provide smoked chicken and everyone else, sides.
• PRAY THE ORIGINAL NOVENA: May 27-June 4, 2022. Follow the example of the disciples who were asked to gather to pray for power from on high which they did for nine days.
• PENTECOST & CONFIRMATIONS: June 5, 2022 a small number of individuals will be confirmed at each of the morning Masses on Whitsunday
• CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION: June 19, 2022 following Mass. Give public witness to your faith and devotion toward the Blessed Sacrament in this joyful practice harkening back to the middle ages.
• LEARN TO CHANT: June 26, 2022 between Masses, Father Mayer will begin teaching on Sunday mornings chanted morning prayer (Mattins). 
• EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: June 17-28, 2022 speakers and prayer opportunities. Learn more.
• FESTIVAL OF SAINT JAMES: July 24, 11:30 – 2:30 PM Food, deserts, games, fun, and entertainment, blessing of vehicles. Get involved. Volunteer. Reduced price tickets available beginning in June. Learn more. 

EXHIBIT OF SACRED RELICS COMING TO JACKSONVILLE

LEARN, PRAY, ENCOUNTER HOLINESS, MAY 28-JUNE 2, 2022

Experience of the living God through an encounter with the relics of his saints. Each exposition begins with a multi-media presentation on the Church's use of relics that is scriptural, catechetical, and devotional, leading to a renewal of the Catholic faith for many people. After the teaching those in attendance have an opportunity to venerate the relics of some of their favorite saints, including St. Joseph, the Apostles, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Maria Goretti, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Faustina Kowalska, Pope St. John Paul II, Bl. Carlo Acutis and others (150 relics). The supreme highlight is some of the largest remaining fragments of Wood from the True Cross (the Cross upon which Our Lord died) and a piece of the Veil worn by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bring articles of devotion (such as rosaries, holy cards, etc.) and pictures of ill friends/family members which may be touched to the reliquaries as a means of intercessory prayer. More information and full schedule.

• May 28, 5:30 PM Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, Flagler Beach
• May 29, 2:00 PM Mary, Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Jacksonville
• May 30, 6:30 PM St. Patrick Catholic Church, Jacksonville
• May 31, 6:30 PM St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Palm Coast
• June 1, 6:30 PM Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Jacksonville
• June 2, 6:30 PM Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, Jacksonville

SANCTITY OF LIFE

PREPARING FOR UPCOMING SUPREME COURT RULING

As you know, we are expecting the U.S. Supreme Court to issue its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization anytime between now and the end of June. Given the possibility that the Court could use this case to overturn or significantly roll back Roe v. Wade, the need to be prepared for this decision cannot be overstated. We can certainly expect parishioners to be affected in various ways, not least by the media firestorm that will ensue.

There are resources available to help you speak to the Dobbs decision in a polarized culture. One approach is to emphasize that, as Catholics, we are “born ready” to engage a culture of life! This has been our teaching and pastoral response from the earliest days of the Church. The parish is a wonderful place to give witness to what is true compassion and mercy. Here are some great resources for your reflection and consideration:  

• Dobbs “What to Say and How to Say It” 
• Dobbs “Standing with Moms in Need,” A Joint Statement of USCCB Chairmen 

Faithfully Yours,

Father Mayer

Parochial Administrator (pastor)

St. James Catholic Church

A Community of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter

www.StJamesCC.org

904-999-1423

office@StJamesCC.org

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