15 Pentecost Psalm 114; Exodus 14:19 – 31; Romans 14:1 – 12; Matthew 18:21 -35 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” Matt. 18:22 And so, we begin the countdown or, more precisely and more accurately, the “count-up”: 486…, 487…, 488…, 489…, 490! That …
Dear People and Friends of St. James, Although the autumnal solstice is still ca. 9 days away (22 September), summer [is unofficially over]. I know this because this week, via emails, telephone conversations, zoom meetings, and pastoral letters such as my own, priestly colleagues have indicated the difficulties of resuming our typical fall parochial activities. …
14 Pentecost, 9/7/2020 Ps. 149; Exodus 12:1 – 14; Romans 13:8 – 14; Matt. 18:15 – 20 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10 I make an understatement. Life has changed for all of us, since the appearance of COVID-19 into our individual, local, and …
Dear Members and Friends of St. James, My first obligation in my weekly update is to inform you of the death on 17 August of long-time member, Mrs. Margaret McDonagh. Hindered because of failing health, Margaret had been unable for some time to be present at Eucharist. She was laid to rest on 24 August. Social …
13 Pentecost, 30 August 2020 A Ps. 105:1 – 6, 23 – 26, 45c; Exodus 3:1 – 15; Romans 12:9 – 21; Matt. 16:21 – 28 Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matt. 16:25 Much talk is made frequently about …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, The sun continues its daily run and our hours of light diminish, as we lean towards fall. This certainty is not cause (at least, not for me) for a darkening of our mood. Rather, during these days and months of living with a pandemic and witnessing before …
Ps. 124; Exodus 1:8 – 2:10; Romans 12:1 – 8; Matthew 16:13 – 20 He then gave his disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matt. 16:20 From 2008 to 2012, [U.S. television streamed] a drama/comedy that bore the title “In Plain Sight.” The series, located in Albuquerque, New …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, Here is my weekly update. I send you all warmest greetings. As summer has moved beyond its zenith, communications in many parishes and at diocesan level have turned to the typical end-of-summer, plans-for-fall-and-beyond parish activities. Although we at St. James choose to remain in Phase One of our …
11 Pentecost, Ps. 133; Genesis 45:1 – 15; Romans 11: 1 – 2a, 29 – 32; Matt. 15: (10 – 20), 21 – 28 It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. Matt. 15: 26b Those who study twins, both identical and fraternal twins, have noted that twins …
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James, [As I close off my week, I bring two items to your attention]. The first is professional. I met this week, via zoom of course, with representatives from the diocese and other clergy. The purpose of the meeting was to share any updates regarding the pandemic and any …