Bulletin for the Week of January 6, 2013

LOOKING AHEAD Jan 6; Feb 3; Mar 10; Apr 7; May 5: Classes in Preparation for Confirmation 6:30, St. James Parish Center Jan 19-20 Food Shelf Weekend Feb 13: Ash Wednesday Feb 16-17: Food Shelf Weekend Mar 16-17: Food Shelf Weekend Apr 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend 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.osv.com (Our Sunday Visitor) Mission Intention for January That the riches of the created world may be preserved, valued, and made available as God’s precious gift to all. STATEMENT OF GIVING FOR INCOME TAXES: If you wish to receive a statement of your financial contributions to St. James Church for 2012, please indicate this on your Sunday offering envelope so that we can assure confidentiality. THANK YOU: Thank you for your generous gift in our Christmas collection. Like every North Country parish we forward 100% of the collection to the Diocese of Ogdensburg to fund pensions for retired priests. Pension needs for the future as well as obligations for the next year are being met thanks to your generous donation. EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: On this first Lord’s Day of the new year we come together in joy to celebrate the festival of the Epiphany of the Lord. Today is the high point of the Christmas season and one of the greatest days of the year. A shining star in the heavens proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the new-born Saviour. You will notice that the Bible readings overflow with superlatives. PRAYER OF BLESSING OF THE HOME AT EPIPHANY Lord our God, bless this household. May we be blessed with health, goodness of heart, gentleness, and the keeping of your law. We give thanks to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen ST BROTHER ANDRE EVENT: St. Peter’s Parish in Plattsburgh will celebrate the Feast Day of St. Brother Andre on Sunday afternoon, January 6th. Activities will include: adoration and prayer, film, Christmas Carols, refreshments and The Sacrament of the Sick. All will occur in and around the Chapel of St. Frere Andre and the Emmaus Room. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin after the 11 am Mass and conclude with Benediction at 3:30pm. A special film on St Andre will be shown twice during the afternoon. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of a relic of St. Brother Andre will continue the entire time in the Chapel. All are welcome to all or part of the afternoon. MARRIAGE TIP: As this year closes, reminisce about highlights from 2012 with your spouse and child(ren). What made them most happy, sad, angry, and afraid? Share your own feelings also. Is there anything either of you want to change in 2013? Find more Marriage Rx at www.foryourmarriage.org COMMUNION TO THE SICK: The Second Vatican Council,in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, speaks of the Holy Eucharist as the source and summit of our spiritual life. This means the Holy Eucharist is the source from which all other blessings flow. Please advise Father Deno of homebound persons who would like to have Holy Communion brought to them at their homes. CHRISTMAS SEASON: Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes this year on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 13th. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him…including the fact that he was born to die for us. The Nativity scene is a popular symbol of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. Our secular and popular culture usually concludes the Christmas season on Christmas day. Christmas trees and decorations are usually continued until New Year’s Day. They are then removed. St. James and all Catholic Churches celebrate the entire Christmas Season. The manger nativity scene will be removed during the week after the Baptism of the Lord.