Return of Mass and Holy Day Obligation (for most people)
As you know, the commutation of the obligation to attend public Mass during the Coronavirus Pandemic has been in place since the middle of March (see previous newsletter for commutation information). Bishop Lopes recently wrote to us priests that he has been intending to revisit this issue, but that the Vatican beat him to the punch when Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, wrote to the presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences to remind them of the urgency of encouraging the faithful to return to in-person Mass.
Our faith is sacramental, not notional. The Word became flesh, and gives himself to us in the flesh in the Eucharistic sacrifice. This sacramental principle also applies to the Liturgy of the Word, as the liturgical proclamation of the Word is categorically different than reading the scriptures in private devotional prayer. The circumstances of these last months have been exceptional, certainly. Given the sacramental character of our worship and life, however, we risk great and lasting harm to the Church and to individual souls the longer people stay away from Mass and Confession.
Bishop Lopes has directed that beginning October 1, 2020, the commutation of the obligation to attend Mass only applies only to those persons who are at higher risk for the Coronavirus (according to the CDC, those who are 60+ years of age, those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, or are immuno-compromised). If you are not in this vulnerable group and you do not have some other grave reason to miss Mass, you have an obligation of holy obedience to your bishop and as a member of the Ordinariate to return to Mass and the Sacraments. As faithful Catholics we accept this obligation joyfully knowing that through Holy Mass the Lord loves us and feeds us with himself. Please also keep in mind that Bishop Lopes has given me the faculties to dispense or commute your Mass obligation for a just reason, so if you have any issues please come and talk with me.
If you would like to dig even deeper into the joy of keeping the Lord’s day holy, I would recommend this letter written by St. John Paul II.
Welcome to our Candidate and Catechumens!
On September 12, 2020 we officially welcomed four individuals who are preparing to enter the Catholic Church! Into the Order of Catechumens for those who are preparing for baptism, confirmation and communion: Aoibheann (Evie) Wetzstein, age 10; Óisín (Oshee) Wetzstein, age 7; and Lilly Chesser, age 13. Into the Order of Candidates for those preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church and will be receiving confirmation and communion we welcomed Nathan Wetzstein who was baptized in the Church of Christ. Please warmly congratulate these four if you have not already done so. Please also keep them and their sponsors, John and Catherine Lanzilotti, and Theresa Lahey, in your prayers.
Welcome Newly Registered Parishioners
Over the last month or two the following families completed the parish registration form and are now officially part of the St. James Family. We are blessed to have them as part of our community.
- John & Catherine Lanzilottle and Children
- Ashley & Joshua Workman and Children
- Louis & Nancy Caron
- Patrick Keenan
Join the St. James family today by printing and completing this form. You can bring it with you and give it to me next time you are at Mass.
Reserve Your Ordo (Liturgical) Calendar
Obtain this great tool for daily personal devotion. This traditional calendar faithfully lists the saint days and solemnities of the upcoming year, corresponding to the official ordo of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter. The reservation deadline for this Walsingham Edition 2021 Ordo calendar is Sunday, October 11. I would appreciate it if you would please with-hold the $5 per calendar payment until you receive the actual calendar, otherwise I am bound to lose track of who paid and who did not.
Keeping Our Children and Vulnerable Adults Safe
As we are beginning this school year, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of being vigilent and looking out for those who are most vulnerable. If you have a reasonable suspicion of abuse, neglect or maltreatment of a child, youth or at-risk adult, report it immediately to the Department of Health and Human Services 1-800-96ABUSE. If the alleged abuse involved Ordinariate personnel, (priests, deacons, employees, teachers or volunteers), after contacting the authorities, please contact the Ordinariate Safe Environment Coordinator, Lynn Schmidt: 907-317-6257, SafeEnvironment@ordinariate.net.
Opportunity to assist with Coat of Arms Financing
We are currently in the process of finishing the development of the St. James Coat of Arms and you have the opportunity of joining in on the financing of this project. The coat of arms was begun by Stephen Jordan who did a wonderful job bringing together the vision of what St. James is about into the computer sketch of our current coat of arms. The emblem design is now moving forward once again toward completion under the talented oversight of Marco Foppoli, the Italian artist who designed the coat of arms that belongs to Bishop Lopes. The cost to have the emblem completed is six hundred Euros. Please contact me if you would like to give any amount toward this project.
Get Ready to Vote
The November 3 general election is quickly approaching. Our bishops are working hard to equip you as a faithful catholic and responsible citizen. Here are some resources that you may want to look into:
Florida Catholic Conference of Bishops Developed Resources:
- Presidential Candidate Comparison – available in English and Spanish and by visiting http://www.dosafl.com/election2020/
- Candidate Questionnaire Project (CQP) – be sure to check back after Sept. 29 (the deadline for receipt of responses from general election candidates).
- Simply Catholic English bulletin insert.
- Catholic Across the Aisle – keep your eye out for this podcasts on faithful citizenship – coming soon
- Election and Political Activities Guide (EPAG)
Additional U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources:
Second Annual Rosary Congress
The Diocese of St. Augustine is hosting the second Annual Rosary Congress , Sept. 25-Oct. 2, 2020, in honor of the sanctity of human life, the conversion of hearts and an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. There will be 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration, an hourly rosary and a daily Mass for Life at ten parish locations for eight consecutive days in the diocese. We seek Our Lady’s intercession and pray for our nation to return to an authentic belief in the sanctity of all life and peace in our country. See the attached flyer for parishes participating this year. For questions, contact May Oliver at moliver@dosafl.com or call (904) 262-3200, ext. 159.
Feast of Our Lady of La Leche Celebration
Oct. 10: Perpetual Adoration will begin at 5 p.m. and continue through 11:45 a.m. on Sunday. Oct. 11: Feast Day Mass, at noon, with Father Erlin Yoan Garcia, ICC, as the main celebrant, National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, St. Augustine. For details, email Sister Christine Hernandez at sr.christine@missionandshrine.org or call (904) 824-2809.
October 11: Feast of Our Lady of La Leche Celebration at Santa Fe Shrine
Bishop Felipe Estévez will be the main celebrant for Mass at 11:30 a.m., in the church of St. Madeleine Sophie Parish, 17155 NW U.S. Highway 441, High Springs (32643). For details, call (386) 454-2358.
That’s all I have for now. God’s peace and blessings to you.
Your pastor,
Father Mayer
