St. James, Belvidere

Thanksgiving Day Mass

Thanksgiving Day Mass times are as follows: 7:30 a.m. in EnglishAnd9:00 am. in Spanish There will not be Adoration, Confessions, or a 6:30 p.m. Spanish Mass on Thanksgiving Day. Happy Thanksgiving!

In Celebration of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the parish office will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd, & Friday, November 24th, and will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 27th. Mass times on Thanksgiving Day are: 7:30 a.m. in English AND 9:00 a.m. in Spanish Fr. Geary, Fr. Schuessler, Fr. Canova, our Deacons, and parish staff all wishContinue reading “Thanksgiving – Office Closed”

Fr. Geary’s Letter for 11-19-23

Praised be Jesus Christ! The Gospel calls us to recognize God’s gifts and to invest them for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Everything good comes from God Who is perfect goodness. All that we have and are comes from Him. Our response should be gratitude and faithful service. As we celebrate Thanksgiving thisContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter for 11-19-23”

Carta de P. Geary, 11-19-2023 – Español

¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! El Evangelio nos llama a reconocer los dones de Dios y a invertirlos por el Reino de los Cielos. Todo lo bueno viene de Dios, que es bondad perfecta. Todo lo que tenemos y somos viene de Él. Nuestra respuesta debe ser gratitud y servicio fiel. Al celebrar el Día de AcciónContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 11-19-2023 – Español”

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 11-17-23

32nd Friday in Ordinary Time, November 17, 2023, Feast of St Elizabeth of Hungary Wis 13:1-9, Ps 19:2-5, Lk 17:26-37 A young Christian lady went off to college. As she sat in the cafeteria, she wondered about those around her, what they were like, what they believed, and what they were searching for in life.Continue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 11-17-23”

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily 11-10-23

31st Friday in Ordinary time, November, 10, 2023 Memorial of St Leo the Great Rom 15:14-21, PS 98:1-4, Lk 16:1-8 “I, myself, am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness.” I am constantly amazed by St. Paul. His insights into all peoples and their behaviors are masterful. FromContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily 11-10-23”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 11-9-23

31st Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 11-9-23, Year A Readings: 1st Reading Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12; Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9; 2nd Reading 1 Cor 3:9c-11,16-17; Gospel Jn 2:13-22 Feast: The Dedication of The Lateran Basilica Theme: The Temple of God A long time ago, back in college, I was at a summer party at a friend’s parents’ home. TheContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 11-9-23”

BABY SHOWER

RESPECT LIFE BABY SHOWER As we pause to give thanks for our many blessings, we want to THANK EVERYONE who donated to our annual Baby Shower. Your generous gifts have been distributed to the following sites that help our Moms in Need. The Pregnancy Care Center, The St. Elizabeth’s Center, The OSF St. Anthony HospitalContinue reading “BABY SHOWER”

Woman of the Year Award

Congratulations to KAREN SNYDER, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Woman of the Year award recipient from St. James Parish! We are all very proud of you, Karen, for always lending a helping hand when needed. You make St. James a better place to be, Karen! Fr. Geary, Fr. Schuessler (not pictured), and Karen’s & Rod’sContinue reading “Woman of the Year Award”

FOOD PANTRY UPDATE

Our Family of Faith Church(Formerly First Presbyterian Church)and St. James ChurchThe Compassion Closet The Food Pantry is starting to gear up for Thanksgiving Baskets and is currently asking for the following donations in the coming weeks: Canned Sweet Potatoes, Brown Sugar, Marshmallows, Canned Cream Corn, Canned Whole Kernel Corn,and Cranberries If you are able toContinue reading “FOOD PANTRY UPDATE”

Office Closed

In Honor of Veterans Day . . . The parish office will be closed on Friday, November 10th, and will re-open on Monday, November 13th. Thank you to all our veterans, past and present, for your humble service to our country!

Fr. Geary’s Letter for 11-12-23

Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! November is the month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Those souls, who, at the moment of their death were in the state of grace (friendship with God), but not yet ready to enter into Heaven, remain in Purgatory until their temporal punishment is completed.Continue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter for 11-12-23”

Carta de P. Geary, 11-12-2023 – Español

¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Noviembre es el mes de las Almas Benditas del Purgatorio. Aquellas almas que, en el momento de su muerte, estaban en estado de gracia (amistad con Dios), pero aún no estaban listas para entrar en el Cielo, permanecen en el Purgatorio hasta que se complete su castigo temporal. El tiempo del méritoContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 11-12-2023 – Español”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 11-2-23

30th Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 11-2-23, Year A Readings: 1st Reading Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4,5,6; 2nd Rom 5:5-11 Gospel; Jn 6:37-40 All Souls’ Day Theme: Hope and Despair The call came into my Chaplain’s phone with a loud ring, startling me. Instantly my heart raced, as I knew what the call would beContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 11-2-23”

FOOD PANTRY UPDATE

Our Family of Faith Church(Formerly First Presbyterian Church)and St. James ChurchThe Compassion Closet The Food Pantry is starting to gear up for Thanksgiving Baskets and is currently asking for the following donations in the coming weeks: Canned Sweet Potatoes, Brown Sugar, Marshmallows, Canned Cream Corn, Canned Whole Kernal Corn, and Cranberries If you are ableContinue reading “FOOD PANTRY UPDATE”

Office Closed

Daylight Saving Time Ends!

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday Night, November 4th!

First Saturday Devotion

Holy Mass and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament Tomorrow Morning, November 4, 2023. This Saturday, St. James will offer Mass at 7:30 a.m. followed by Adoration and Confessions. Benediction will close the Holy Hour at 9:00 a.m. All Are Welcome – Bring a Friend!

Fr. Geary’s Letter for 11-5-23

Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! No one is more humble than Jesus Christ. By becoming man, the Son of God lowered Himself in a manner incomprehensible. The eternal God Who dwells in inapproachable light condescended to be like us creatures out of sheer love. God’s humility should be the causeContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter for 11-5-23”

Carta de P. Geary, 11-5-2023 – Español

¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Nadie es más humilde que Jesucristo. Al hacerse hombre, el Hijo de Dios se rebajó a sí mismo de una manera incomprensible. El Dios eterno que mora en una luz inaccesible condescendió a ser como nosotros, las criaturas, por puro amor. La humildad de Dios debe ser la causa de nuestra admiraciónContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 11-5-2023 – Español”