Homily for Thursday Ordinary Time, 1-14-21, Year BREADINGS: 1st Reading Heb, 3:7-14; Gospel Mk 1:40-45Theme: See the Forest for the Trees We’ve heard the expression; “He cannot see the forest for the trees.” We can be so close to our point of view that all we see are the trees right in front of us.Continue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-14-21”
Author Archives: St. James, Belvidere
Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-11-21
January 11, 2021Homily on the Inch What is an inch? Well, it is one five hundred millionth of the diameter of the earth fromthe north pole to the south pole. Who would know that but the creator? But in whatconstruction was the inch first used, it was used in building the great pyramid, Giza.Some ofContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-11-21”
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 1-17-2021
Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! The recent events in Washington, D.C. and the elections that preceded them have shaken us. Few Americans trust our government, and many have taken to violence to express their frustration. My words are not an attempt to throw in my hat with other political voices whoContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 1-17-2021”
Carta de P. Geary, 1-17-2021 – Español
Estimados feligreses de la Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Los recientes acontecimientos en Washington, D.C. y las elecciones que los precedieron nos han perturbado. Pocos estadounidenses confían en nuestro gobierno, y muchos han llegado a la violencia para expresar su frustración. Mis palabras no son un intento de meterme con otras vocesContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 1-17-2021 – Español”
To have and to hold, from this day forward …
Matrimony is a Sacrament at the Service of Communion, just likeHoly Orders. The grace of the sacrament is orientated to the salvation of one another. Man and wife have a common goal—heaven—and their cooperation with the grace received in the sacrament makes for a fruitful marriage of eternal significance that reflects to all the unionContinue reading “To have and to hold, from this day forward …”
Rockford Walk for Life
Pro-Life Rockford
Prayer Service
Sponsored by Respect Life CommitteeIn Memory of the Roe v. Wade DecisionWhich Legalized Abortion andTo Prepare For TheFIRST EVER Rockford March for LifeSaturday, January 23, 2021(Backed by Rockford Family Initiative)Date: Friday, January 22, 2021Time: 7:00 pmPlace: St. James—Belvidere Main ChurchFeaturing: AdorationBi-Lingual Rosary with Music, Benediction, and Closing Song
Holy Orders
“Ordered to the service of the common priesthood… there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community.” CCC 1591 This Tuesday, we resumeContinue reading “Holy Orders”
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 1-10-2021
Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! Our Savior Jesus Christ submitted to be baptized not to be made holy but to make the waters holy. The Sacrament of Baptism applies the forgiveness of sins wrought on the Cross. Original Sin is wiped away, the gates of Heaven are opened and we becomeContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 1-10-2021”
Carta de P. Geary, 1-10-2021 – Español
Estimados feligreses de la Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Nuestro Salvador Jesucristo se sometió a ser bautizado para no ser santificado, sino para santificar las aguas. El sacramento del bautismo aplica el perdón de los pecados conseguido en la Cruz. El pecado original es borrado, las puertas del Cielo se abrenContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 1-10-2021 – Español”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-7-21
Deacon Steven M. Johnson – St. James, Belvidere, ILHomily for Thursday after the Epiphany, 1-7-21, Year B Optional Memorial of St. Raymond of Penyafort Priest St. Raymond of Penyafort – PriestBirth date: 1175 Barcelona, SpainJoined the Order of Preachers and was its Second Master GeneralAt the command of Pope Gregory IX, he produced a collection ofContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-7-21”
Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-4-21
212 1-4-21 St Elizabeth Ann Seton Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 The many enforced separations from her dear ones by death & distance, served to draw Elizabeth’s heart to God and eternity. The accepting & embracing of God’s will- “The Will,” as she called it – would be a keynote in her spiritual life. Elizabeth’s deep concernContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-4-21”
Fr. Geary and Relevant Radio
Do you want to enhance what you already know about the Catholic Faith and learn even more?Tune in to Relevant Radio on 93.0 AM this Tuesday, January 5th, at 11:00 a.m.to listen to the Chuck Neff Show.Our own pastor, Fr. Brian Geary, will be the guest speakerdiscussing, “Creating a Christian Environment in the Home.”
Rockford Walk for Life
The Rockford Walk for Life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 Visit https://www.proliferockford.com/walk for more information and to see how easy it is to get involved and STAND UP FOR LIFE!
Prayer Service
The Respect Life Group Will Be Hosting a Prayer Service St. James Church7:00 P.M. Friday, January 22nd,The Eve of the AnniversaryRow vs. Wade Decision Please join us in a time of prayer for the respect of all life from conception to natural death.
RCIA
In the Gospels we see in the miracles of healing Jesus performed that He often went beyond healing the body of sickness and infirmity, to also healing the maladies of the soul, declaring, “Your sins are forgiven you, go and sin no more.” In the Sacraments of Penance and of Anointing of the Sick, JesusContinue reading “RCIA”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 12-31-20
Deacon Steven M. Johnson – St. James, Belvidere, ILHomily for 7th Day Octave of Christmas, Thursday, 12-31-20, Year BOptional Memorial of St. Sylvester I, Pope. St. Sylvester I, PopeBirth data is unknownInstalled as Pope (Bishop of Rome) 314 ADHis Papacy was during the reign of Constantine the GreatHe also fought the heresies of the timeContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 12-31-20”
Office Closed
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the St. James Parish Office will be closed to the public until further notice. You may contact the office anytime at (815) 547-6397 and leave a message. Messages will be checked frequently and your call will be returned.Thank you for your patience! In recognition of the NewContinue reading “Office Closed”
Fulfilling Our Promise
COMING IN JANUARY! There will be a new envelope in your weekly envelope packet beginning next month for the Fulfilling Our Promise Campaign. Please use this gold envelope to pay your pledge or donate to the campaign. Thank you for your generosity.
Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 12-28-20
698 12-28-20 Holy Innocents Matthew 2:13-18 In government today there are those who propose that when a child is born naturally that the Doctor would consult with the mother of the child as to whether the child should be permitted to live, or its life be terminated. The first objection to this practice should beContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 12-28-20”