Letter, 2/6/22

Dear Parishioner and Friends of St. James,

I begin my update today which an apology.  Because of weather conditions and having no immediate task that required me this week passed to be on our church campus, I was not aware until this morning that access to our buildings had not been cleared of the two recent storms.  Thus, because of still treacherous conditions, it was necessary to cancel today’s in-person liturgy.  You should all have received email notification or a telephone call, in addition to the posting on WCVB-TV.*  We all know that, especially during winter months in our latitude, we are often at the mercy of nature.  And so it was this week, and during any other week, when to open would place your health and safety at risk.

Concerning Annual Meeting 2022, which has been warned for Sunday next, 13 February, at 12 noon, I see no impediment, save a power outage due to a storm.  We shall convene to conduct the business of our parish as required by Canon Law and state religious laws.  Because of restrictions caused by Covid-19, our meeting shall be conducted electronically, via Zoom which allows a telephone connection for those who do not have access to a computer for a visual connection.  Copies of the Annual Report shall be posted on Tuesday.  Copies will be sent as attachments to your email address, and hardcopies will be available on Sunday at the entrances to the church.  The invitation to Zoom and telephone connections will be sent to you on Thursday of this week.  In the meantime, I urge you most fervently to read my attached homily, as it anticipates my thoughts regarding our future ministry, as I enter my fifth year among you.

Of your charity, forsake not to pray for those who offer aid and solace to the poor, the homeless, the sick, and the marginalized in our nation.

We pray:

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made know to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, and those whom you love, for ever.  Amen.

Your fellow traveler on the Way,

CEB+

*please follow the link to check for cancellations or to subscribe to their cancellation emails