Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, During a conversation recently with an old friend—this friend, like me, qualifies under both definitions and usages of “old—a conversation dominated by a discussion of C19, I suggested that we should be of great cheer, as the length of daylight hours is increasing notably. She responded that she …
2 Christmas Psalm 84 Jeremiah 31:7 – 14 Ephesians 1:3 – 6 Matthew 2:1 – 12 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young. Ps. 84:2 I begin my reflections today with reference to the gospel of John which is always appointed to be …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, Per usual, you may find attached my meditation for the Second Sunday after Christmas. Eucharist was celebrated on Sunday, 26 December, as liturgical protocol required, Sunday being always a feast day, and a homily was offered, however, informally. And as we do not transmit our worship via Zoom …
Dear friends, This here web site moderator/manager will be stepping down from her role as of 1/1/2022. Having moved out of state several years ago, I intended back then to pass on the task to others. But when the pandemic hit, I felt called to help members of St. James, residents of Somerville, and neighboring …
Christmas 2021 Psalm 97; Isaiah 62:6–12; Titus 3:4–7; Luke 2: 1–20 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David, and he went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, I post already now, quite early, my reflections on this holy night. I do so prior to the Mass of Christmas, because so many of you have informed me that, due to the emergence of the new strain of coronavirus and the increase of cases of infections in …
4 Advent Psalm 80:1–7; Micah 5:2–52; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–55 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country. Luke 1:39 In the preceding three Sundays in Advent, as we prepare to remember in celebration the birth of Jesus of Nazareth who, so we proclaim, is …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, The Fourth Sunday of Advent, as always, heightens our anticipation of our annual celebration in remembrance of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah. I pray that my reflections, attached to this e-note, even as we prepare to celebrate, will direct your attention to the significant role …
3 Advent Canticle 9: Isaiah 12:2–6; Zephaniah 3:14–20; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:7–18 As the people were filled with expectation… (Luke 3:15) Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! (Zephaniah 3:14f.) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be …
Dear Members and Friends, This greeting is both an invitation and a reminder. The mercantile world has already weeks ago reminded us of the approaching celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah. Indeed, it is actually wonderful to receive free publicity regarding the birth of Christ, even if this spigot of publicity …