It is difficult to believe that I have already been at St. James as pastor for 3 years! Time flies when you are having fun, when you are right where the Lord Jesus wants you, when you are ministering to the people entrusted to your care! There have been so many blessings and graces! Coming to know you and walk with you on your journey of faith has been beautifully edifying and encouraging in my own discipleship of Jesus.
This past year has been strange and threw us many curveballs, but we are continuing to move forward, building up the kingdom of God here in our parish. We embarked upon a campus wide plan addressing some needs of the Church and School. These discussions, like many other things, came to a halt with the descent of Covid-19. The ministry in the parish began to take on a completely different look and feel in March and continues to this day though we are getting back to a semblance of normalcy this month and next. Changes occurred at the school and the ELC with two sisters leaving and three coming and with the retirement of the first and only Director of the ELC since its founding. Two new priests came to us with new ideas, gifts, and talents. They have contributed greatly to our parish this past year!
A parish should be a school of discipleship. At St. James, we learn how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ here through our worship on Sunday, our bond of community and example for each other, through study of the Word of God, through prayer before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, through fellowship with each other (CCW and the Men’s Group), through experiencing God’s love and mercy in the Sacrament of Confession, through spiritual direction and sacramental preparation, through TMIY and Walking with Purpose, and through the many other avenues presented at our parish. Taking advantage of these opportunities forms us and molds us as disciples of Jesus Christ.
We are here to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to help you become a better disciple each and every day. Thank you for the privilege and blessing of being your pastor these last 3 years! I am hoping for many more years to come!
Parishioners in need
As I close this Pastor’s Corner, I want to extend an invitation to everyone. One of the ways we make disciples is to help one another. The Lord said, “They will know that you are my disciples because of how you love one another.” Parishioners have given the parish ways to assist parishioners who are in need especially because of this pandemic. If you are in need or if you know someone who is suffering because of this pandemic, please contact the church office. We cannot assist people if we do not know where the need is. We are ready and willing to help. Please let us know.
May the Lord bless you and your families abundantly this week!
~ Fr. Daniel F. Firmin