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March 1, 2021
Neither Will I forget, Nor Regret
It was my first day as a student of high school. Finally, after nine years of attending Public School #7, (Kindergarten through eighth grade), I was a freshman of Passaic County Tech!!!
However, the evening prior to the big day, my mother insisted I had to wear proper and professional clothes! She insisted I wear a white dress shirt, blue polyester pants, blue dress socks and black shoes.
That morning, I did as she insisted. I felt like a weirdo once I left my house. And at the bus stop, I was looked at by other students as if I was “one sandwich short of a picnic”
Throughout the day I was quite conscious of what I was wearing. Well, to me, it just did not seem the correct wardrobe for my first class in Automotive Shop. And, since it was a hot September day, I learned polyester was not the material most welcoming to stay cool. Plus, a white shirt tends to stain if you splash some of your lunch of sloppy joe on a soft roll.
Deliverance came for my simple mind when I got on the bus to go home from Tech. I sat quietly on the bus, and just before it reached the stop from which I would get off, I loosened the laces of my shoes. I stepped off the bus, then, as my feet landed on Preakness Avenue, I kicked off both of my shoes! Salvation! Finally, I could relax. The first day of high school was over, dressed as if I was a gentleman going for a job interview at the local funeral home. I could not wait to inform my mother of her mistake about the clothes she insisted I wear.
But, when I got home my mother said she was proud of me. Mom said, “As you walked home with the others, you were the only one dressed as you should for school.”
Lesson: Sometimes we ought to do what we can to make our mother and father happy, even it is a sacrifice. Each of us has one mother and one father who are responsible for our existence in life. To do what we can to make them happy, is all worth it. Although it was not easy, today, I am glad I dressed as I did for the first day of high school- strange as it was!
Peace
Fr. Marc
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January 13, 2021
Notes for Liturgical Celebrations as Lent ApproachesAt the Mandate of the Bishop of Paterson
Dear friends in Christ,
As with all liturgical celebrations in the time of pandemic, special care must be taken to attend to the health and safety of all who participate in upcoming feasts, particularly during Lent and Holy Week. The approach of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Blessing of Throats which follows on Saint Blaise Day also require some modifications to our usual observances.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and Saint Blaise Day
The Mass of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, 2021 may be celebrated in the usual way according to the rubrics, using either the first or the second form for the blessing of candles. However, special care must be used to observe social distancing during the rite of blessing and any procession that takes place according to the norms of the first form should include only a minimal number of persons so that social distancing may be observed.
Memorial of Saint Blaise
On February 3, 2021, the Memorial of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, priests and deacons may impart the blessing of throats over the people in a general way, as in the blessing at the conclusion of Mass or other liturgical celebrations, without crossed candles and without the faithful coming forward individually. Individual blessing of throats is suspended this year.
As a reminder, the Blessing of Throats may be found in the Book of Blessings (1622-1655) along with the complete rite. The formula of the blessing may be offered by a priest, deacon, or lay person, but only priests or deacons may impart the sign of the cross over the people at the conclusion of the blessing.
As a reminder, the formula of the blessing is:
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise,
bishop and martyr,
may God deliver you from every disease
of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, +
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Celebration of Ash Wednesday
February 17, 2021 begins our observance of the holy season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has modified the rite for the distribution of ashes during this time of pandemic. Therefore, I direct all parishes and institutions of the Diocese of Paterson to implement the measures directed by the Congregation on January 12, 2021 under the signature of the Prefect, Cardinal Sarah. The Note of the Congregation is as follows:
NOTE ON ASH WEDNESDAY - Distribution of Ashes in Time of Pandemic
The Priest says the prayer for blessing the ashes. He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. Then he addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel", or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return". The Priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places. The Priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything.
While the Congregation for Divine Worship has provided this modified form for the distribution of ashes, it might be helpful to stress for those who might feel uncomfortable coming forward to receive ashes, that there is no requirement to receive ashes and to note that they may begin Lent most importantly through their internal disposition of turning their hearts toward God.
Holy Week
The norms of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued special norms for Holy Week last year for the year 2020 only. We will wait in order to see if those norms will be renewed, but we may still plan broadly by issuing the following guidelines on a diocesan level:
Palm Sunday: Palms may be blessed and distributed. It is left to the discretion of pastors to implement procedures that best provide for social distancing and a minimal number of persons handling the palm branches before and during their distribution.
Holy Thursday: The Mandatum (The Washing of Feet) is suspended this year.
Good Friday: The Cross is venerated by the celebrant alone at the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion or during other devotions. The faithful may genuflect or bow to the Cross at the time of their departure from the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion. Special care should be used to observe social distancing as the members of the congregation depart.
Easter Vigil: At this time, it appears that the Easter Sacraments, including the baptism of adults, will be celebrated in the customary way.
If and when the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments publishes other directives, we will share them with you as soon as possible. Thank you for all that you are doing in order to provide for the good order and prayerful spirit of liturgical life in our parishes and other communities during these challenging times.
With every good wish and a prayer for the Lord's blessing, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, D.D.
Bishop of Paterson
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St. James Adult Bible Study is an online group study program for all parishioners!
Our goal is to become more familiar with the Bible.
"Women in the Bible"
Starting Wednesday, January 27th at 7:00 pmContinuing on the following dates at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, February 3rd
Wednesday, February 10th
Wednesday, February 24th
Wednesday, March 3rd
How do you join us?
Please provide us with an email address by contacting the Parish House at 973-790-0288 or email stjameschurch@optonline.net so you can be sent the log-in information on the evening of the Bible Study.
Fr. Marc will send you and email with the login information and pass code.
Just click on the link provided to launch Zoom meeting and type in the passcode.
Finally, just have your Bible at your side. That is the only book you’ll need.
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Request A Visit to the Sick & Home-bound
If you have a relative or friend who is home-bound and would like to be visited by a Priest or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please call the office at (973) 790-0288 or email us at stjameschurch@optonline.net.
The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion brings the Church and the comfort of Christ in the form of the Eucharist to those who cannot physically come to church. In this way, the sick and home-bound are united to the Body of Christ present in our community. We continue the healing and compassionate ministry of Jesus, as members of His Body.
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We are in need of Ushers for our Sunday Masses
Ushers are called to be Ministers of Hospitality. They are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcoming and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship. They are the first point of contact for the communal celebration of the Liturgy and because of this, should take special steps in being living representatives of the Parish. Ushers minister to the entire community in a very active way. By freeing each person of their own personal inhibitions to the Mass through a welcoming atmosphere, Ushers take an active role in enabling each person to come to a freer expression of God in the Liturgy.
If you would like to become an Usher, please contact the Parish House at (973) 790-0288.
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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney
Bishop Sweeney is a native of Queens, New York; he was born on January 10, 1970 to the late James and Agnes (nee Blewitt) Sweeney. He has a sister, Marie Shanahan and a brother, Brendan, and five nieces and nephews. Bishop-elect Sweeney grew up in St. Luke’s parish in Whitestone.
He attended Cathedral Prep from 1984 to 1988 and was an outstanding baseball player for the high school seminary team, excelling as an infielder, outfielder, and pitcher. While his dream of playing professional baseball never panned out, he was inducted into Prep’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
After high school graduation, Bishop Sweeney entered Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston and studied at St. John’s University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy in 1992. He then entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington and received a M.Div. in Theology. During his time at the Seminary in Huntington, Kevin spent a Pastoral Year at St. Agatha’s (Brooklyn).
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On June 28, 1997, Bishop Sweeney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Thomas Daily. Bishop Sweeney’s first assignment as Parochial Vicar was to the parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentine (Jamaica) from 1997 to 2003. He was then assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows (Corona) from 2003-2004.
In 2004, Bishop Sweeney was named by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio as the Vocation Director. During his time as Vocation Director, which lasted until 2010, he also served as the first Director of the (St.) Pope John Paul II House of Discernment.
In January, 2010, Bishop Sweeney was appointed as the Pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where he continues to serve. Bishop Sweeney is fluent in Spanish, having studied the language extensively in programs in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.
Please join us in prayer for the 8th Bishop of the Paterson Diocese.
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Mass Schedule (as of June 11, 2020)
Good News - Our Church is Open for Mass
75 Capacity Per Mass - First Come First Serve!
Must Wear Mask!
WEEKEND Masses
Saturday: 8:30 AM 5:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM 10:15 AM 12:00 Noon WEEKDAY Masses
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM HOLY HOUR
Every Tuesday 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm Our church is opened from 6:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
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By Mandate of the Apostolic Administrator
Public Celebration of the Liturgy Resumes
on the Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ
On the weekend of June 13-14, 2020 the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the churches and institutions of the Diocese
of Paterson are to resume publicly celebrating the Sacred Liturgy with the faithful. Public celebrations of Holy Mass and all of the
Sacraments must be in accord with previously issued Health and Safety Protocols which remain in effect until further notice.
The Protocols for the Reopening of Churches to Public Liturgical Celebrations issued on May 18, 2020 by the Apostolic Administrator
of the Diocese are to be followed for the safety and health of all.
Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L, .D.D.
Apostolic Administrator
June 8, 2020
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Protocols for the Reopening of Churches
to Public Liturgical Celebrations.
The Diocese of Paterson has been in close communication with State officials, medical professionals, and the other dioceses of the State. We wish to provide the faithful with access to the liturgical life of the Church while maintaining the public health and safety of the faithful and others with whom they may have contact.
These mandated guidelines are general enough to be adapted to diverse parish settings and institutions of the diocese. They are also specific enough to attend to the health and safety of the clergy and faithful as we provide for the spiritual good of our people.
Each parish community or institution will be required to work closely together, involving clergy, staff, and volunteers in order to implement these guidelines and to provide, as much as it is humanly possible, a safe environment proper for Liturgy during this pandemic.
To read the guidelines, please click on the document to the right "Protocols for the Reopening of Churches Guidelines".
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Sacrament Times
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Mass Times
- Saturday: 5:30 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- Sunday: 7:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:15 AM EnglishEnglishEN 12:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN 7:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- MonFri 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
- Saturday: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN
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Confession Times
- Monday: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM or by request anytime
- Saturday: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM or by request anytime
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Adoration Times
- Tuesday: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Cenacle to Mother Mary
Cenacle to Mother Mary - Praying for Priests, Religious Life & Vocations. The Rosary is also prayed, every Tuesday at 6:30 PM in Church followed by Benediction. All are welcome!
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Today's Readings
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Reading I Dn 9:4b-10Responsorial Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 and 13Gospel Lk 6:36-38
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Teen/Family MassOnce per month, Fr. Marc will celebrate a Sunday evening Mass at 7:00pm. It will always be the last Sunday of the month!
Bring the entire family to the Mass, at this convenient time, or whenever you cannot participate in the morning Mass on Sunday!
The following are the dates of the Sunday evening Masses for the upcoming months:
2021 - January 31, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 30, June 27
It is advised you place this reminder at a convenient location in your home, for your future reference. God Bless You. Fr. Marc
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Faith Resources
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