Bulletin for the Week of January 11, 2009

FUNERAL: A funeral was celebrated this week for Clarence Delaney. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

WHY DID JESUS ASK TO BE BAPTIZED? Neither John the Baptist nor Jesus invented baptism. It had been practiced for centuries among the Jews as a ritual equivalent of Confession. Until the fall of the Temple in 72 A.D. it was common for Jewish people to make a spiritual cleansing in a special pool called a MIKVEH--literally a "collection of water". This was said to remove spiritual impurity and sin. Men did this weekly on the eve of the Sabbath. Women did it monthly. Converts were also expected to do it before entering Judaism. Orthodox Jews still retain the rite. Jesus transformed this continual ritual into the one single, definitive act by which we begin our faith. In effect he fused his divine essence with the water and the ceremony.

BAPTISM SPONSORS: Sponsors for Baptism are to be at least 16 years of age, have received Holy Communion and Confirmation, and practice their Catholic faith. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted in the company of a Catholic sponsor, serving as a Christian witness.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: For early Christians, the Sign of the Cross involved tracing small crosses on the forehead, on the lips and on the heart, as we do at Mass before the reading of the Gospel. In the 3rd century,Tertullian noted that Christians made the Sign of the Cross regularly before entering or leaving their homes, eating, bathing, even before lighting lamps. The Sign of the Cross is made on Catholics at Baptism, at the Anointing of the Sick and countless times in between. When you reverently bless yourself with the Sign of the Cross, you express belief in God the Father, in God the Son and in God the Holy Spirit from whom all blessings flow. We can sanctify modern life with this ancient gesture.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:“I am very grateful because Eucharistic Adoration is being increasingly renewed . . . and how, precisely in this way, new vocations are also born” (Pope Benedict XVI, Feb. 22, 2007). Eucharistic Adoration is held throughout the year every

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 am to 9 pm at St. John’s Church Adoration Chapel, downstairs. Everyone is invited to spend some quiet time with Jesus anytime during these hours. For more information about spending a special hour with Jesus weekly, or becoming a substitute, please call 561-5083 or email us at Sjohnsadoration@aol.com

MARRIAGE TIP: “In sickness and in health…” How do you deal with illness? Do you like to be coddled or ignored? What does your spouse want from you when he or she is sick? Find more Marriage Rx at:www.foryourmarriage.org

STATEMENT OF GIVING FOR INCOME TAXES: If you wish to receive a statement of your financial contributions to St. James Church for 2008, please indicate this on your Sunday offering envelope so that we can assure confidentiality. Your statement will not include your gift to the Bishops Fund.

THANKS FROM SOCIAL SERVICES: The Clinton County Department of Social Services sent the following message: Clinton County Social Services sends heartfelt appreciation for the generosity of your church members who participated in the Giving Tree program. Over one hundred gifts were donated and distributed to children and youth in need this holiday season. Many, many families enjoyed a better holiday thanks to you. We trust that more people iunderstand the true meaning of Christmas because of your kind giving. Signed: Chris Allen, Director of Social Services