WOW!!
Fr. Tim McKeown led those who came on an awesome retreat on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings this past week! He was a wonderful presenter and teacher! Each night there was something new to learn and more practical tips on deepening our life of prayer! It was a blessing to have him with us and lead us. I know that everyone who came took many things away each night which will assist them in their discipleship of Jesus Christ.
The twelve types of prayer he presented on Sunday evening will help many of us pray differently and better. On Monday, the example of Blessed Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan gave inspiration to each of us with the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Thinking of the Psalms, that beautiful book of the Bible, as a “gymnasium of the soul” was wonderfully helpful as I pray the psalms each day. He walked us through Lectio Divina and helped us with overcoming distractions in prayer on the last evening of the Retreat. I was very pleased with the number of people who attended! Thank you all for your participation!
Sisters renew their vows
On December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, our 6 Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary renewed their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience! Each year on this feast, they say “Yes” to God again! St. James is blessed by their witness of fidelity and service to God. Thank you, Sisters!
Reflect, Renew, Rejoice
Since September, Bishop Parkes has been holding listening sessions all around the diocese. The last few will be here in Savannah! Monday, December 13th, at 7:00 PM, we will host one of these sessions for the whole Savannah area. Please invite people from other parishes to come to St. James that evening.
These sessions are a chance for the Bishop to listen to you about what the diocese does well and what needs improvement and what should we be doing now and in the future. The sessions have really been good. Please make every effort to attend! I will see you there!
To understand the process in greater detail, please see the diocesan website (www.diosav.org).
Advent Penance Service
A wonderful way to prepare to celebrate Christmas and to prepare for the coming of Jesus in our lives is to go to the Sacrament of Confession/Penance/Reconciliation often! On Tuesday, December 14th, at 7:00 PM, we will have our Advent Penance Service. Priests will be available for confession.
This past year, we have increased the time available for confession from 2 hours to 4.5 hours. It is encouraging to see so many people take advantage of this sacrament! If you have not been to confession in a long time, please come to the penance service and continue throughout the year at the normal hours during the week here at St. James!
Rejoice! The Lord is near! Rejoice!
May the Peace of Jesus mark each day during this season for you and your families!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin