Dear St. James Parishioner,
 
  May joy and peace be with you during this Advent Season and as we approach Christmas. Know that I continue to pray for you daily.
    
   I wanted to make you aware of our Penance Service and Christmas Mass times so that you all may partake in the celebration of those Sacraments. 
     
  The Advent Penance Service and Adoration is Monday, December 13 beginning at 5:30 pm at St. John, and going until all confessions have been heard. It will be come and go with four priests, the same as last year. I would also like to clarify the obligation for Christmas and Sunday, which is the following day. The Christmas obligation may be fulfilled from the evening of Friday, December 24 through Saturday, December 25. The Sunday obligation may be fulfilled from Saturday evening, December 25 through Sunday, December 26. You will need to attend two different Masses to fulfill the obligation of both Christmas and Sunday.
 

   Christmas Masses – St. James   

   Christmas Eve   8:30 pm     Enjoy Christmas music 30 minutes prior to Mass  

   Christmas Day   9:30 am     Enjoy Christmas music 30 minutes prior to Mass

      5:30 pm (Sunday liturgy)  

   Sunday, December 26  9:30 am

   Christmas Masses – St. John
   Christmas Eve    5:00 pm & 10:00 pm
   Enjoy Christmas music 30 minutes prior to these Masses.
  Christmas Day   10:30 am 
     Enjoy Christmas music 30 minutes prior to Mass.
   1:30 pm – Spanish
   5:00 pm (Sunday liturgy)
  Sunday, December 26
   8:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm – Spanish
 
   New Year’s Day
   10:00 am - Bilingual

  I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to remind you that it isn’t too late to donate to Veritas or Go for Catholic Schools. It’s an excellent opportunity to give to St. John School and to receive money back as a tax credit. You can fill out a form in the Gathering Area or go to their websites to make your donation. Also, if you have other year-end giving needs – call the office.   

 

   Festival of the Nativity is back this year in Fr. Lynch Hall at St. John.  I invite you to visit this beautiful display of hundreds of nativities representing the cultures of people throughout the world. Friday and Saturday, December 10 & 11 you may visit from 9 am to 8 pm. Sunday, December 12 they will be open from 9 am to 5 pm.
     
   Thank you so much for your continued support for St. James and all of our ministries. We continue to hold you in our thoughts and prayers and ask you do the same for us. If we can be of help in any way please let us know; the office is open Tuesday thru Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.
 
Merry Christmas and Blessings for the New Year!  

Fr. John                                          Fr. Carlos