Bulletin for the Week of December 2, 2012

LOOKING AHEAD Dec 2; Jan 6; Feb 3; Mar 10; Apr 7; May 5: Classes in Preparation for Confirmation 6:30, St. James Parish Center Dec 7-8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Masses: Dec 7: 5:30 PM Dec 8: 8:30 AM Dec 8: Cadyville Community Christmas Tree Lighting, 5-7 PM Dec. 8-9: Special Collection for Retirement Fund for Religious Dec 9: Last day to return gifts for “Giving Tree” Dec 15-16: Food Shelf Weekend Jan 19-20 Food Shelf Weekend Feb 13: Ash Wednesday May 12: First Communion May 25: Priest Ordination of Rev. Mr. Scott Belina, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 11:00 AM TOP NOTCH LINKS www.catholic.org (Catholic information) www.saintsquotes.net (Uplifting quotes) Mission Intention for December: That Christ might reveal himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehm and is reflected in the face of his Church. BAPTISMS: Calen James Duso and Anna Olivia Duso, twin children of Stephen and Elissa (Guynup) Duso became members of the Catholic community through the Sacrament of Baptism on November 25th. RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS: Next week the second collection benefits the Retirement Fund for Religious. More than 37,000 women and men religious are now past age 70 and their institutes struggle daily with the spiraling costs of health care. Please give generously to next week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. CHRISTMAS HYMNS WITH CHILDREN: The children in Grades 1-5 who participate in the Religious Education Program on Thursdays will be invited to sing Christmas hymns before the 4:00 Mass on Christmas Eve. Practice will be at the Parish Center on Thursdays December 13th and December 20th after the religion class. Parents whose children will participate are asked to pick up their child at 4:15 PM on those days. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS COLLECTION: As in the past you will find envelopes at the entrance of the church for donations for Christmas flowers and decorations. Place the envelopes with your contribution in the collection basket. Your generous contribution is very much appreciated. GIVING TREE: Your wrapped gifts need to be under the Giving Tree at the end of Masses on Sunday December 9th. Thanks for your response to this act of giving to needy children CHAMPLAIN VALLEY RIGHT TO LIFE: The Champlain Valley Right to Life meets on the second Wednesday of the month at St. John’s Church, Plattsburgh at 7:00 PM. All are welcomed to attend these meetings. CALENDARS: The 2013 St. James Parish Catholic Family Appointment calendar is available at the entrance to the church. The illustrations and reflections are based on Stewardship as a way of life. God created us in His divine image to be collaborators in the world. Life, as God’s loving gift, is to be treasured, protected, and nourished. MARRIAGE TIP: The marriage vow is forever. It’s non-negotiable, but most everything can be worked out. The vow between husband and wife is made before God, and God never gives up or loses hope. Find more Marriage Rx at www.foryourmarriage.org FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: Saturday, December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the patronal feast of the United States. It is always a Holy day of Obligation. The obligation is fulfilled by attending a vigil Mass on Friday evening, December 7 at 5:30 or Mass on Saturday morning at 8:30. THE HOLY LAND IN PLATTSBURGH: Thursday, December 13, at 7:00 pm Father Andy Amyot, leader of numerous pilgrimages to the Holy Land, will be offering a Virtual Tour of the Holy Land in the Emmaus Room at St. Peter's Church. His stories and images will give you a better appreciation of the first Christmas during this Advent season. Please call 518-593-6044 for more information.