St. James, Belvidere

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily 1-6-23

Christmas Weekday, Friday, January 6, 20231 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20; Mk 1:7-11 I will start today with a question. And that question is this: Who do you believe? So think of that question as you listen to this homily. I am going to start by talking about Baptism. I don’t think any ofContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily 1-6-23”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-3-23

For the Christmas Weekday, Tuesday, 1-3-23, Year AReadings: First Reading 1 Jn 2:29-3-6; Ps 98:1-, 3c-4,5-6; Gospel Jn 1:29-34Option Memorial: The Most Holy Name of JesusTheme: Children of God We, humans, are connected to each other. We are meant to be together, to belong with each other, and to be in service to each other.Continue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-3-23”

Office Closed

In Celebration of the New Year Holidays,the parish office will be closed onFriday, December 30th, andMonday, January 2nd.and will re-open onTuesday, January 3rd.Fr. Geary, Fr. Schuessler, our Deacons and theParish Staff wish you and your families a very Safe and Happy New Year! “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passedContinue reading “Office Closed”

Fr. Geary’s Sabbatical

In recognition of 25 years of priestly ministry for the Diocese of Rockford, I will take a sabbatical beginning January 2nd, 2023, in the Holy Land (Israel). I will return to the office March 6, 2023. We will celebrate my 25th Anniversary here at St. James in May, 2023 (Details will be forthcoming as theContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Sabbatical”

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 31st, 20227:30 am & 4:00 pm—English6:30 pm—Spanish Sunday, January 1st, 2023Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish Sunday, January 8th, 2023—Epiphany of the Lord7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish

Fr. Geary’s Bulletin Article-1-1-23

Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ, our newborn King! During the Christmas Season, we celebrate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Our Lady gave birth to a divine Person, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mary, born in time as a mortal, gave birth to the timeless Second Person ofContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Bulletin Article-1-1-23”

Carta de P. Geary, 1-1-2023 – Español

¡Alabado sea Jesucristo, nuestro Rey recién nacido! Durante el tiempo de Navidad, celebramos la solemnidad de María, la Madre de Dios. Nuestra Señora dio a luz a una Persona divina, nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo. María, nacida en el tiempo como mortal, dio a luz a la eterna Segunda Persona de la Santísima Trinidad queContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 1-1-2023 – Español”

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 12-30-22

Feast of the Holy Family, Friday, December 30, 2022Sir 3-2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-5 Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 I was watching a new episode of “The Chosen” the other night. It was right after the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus called the disciples together before they split up for some R&R. As they were talking, JesusContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 12-30-22”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 12-29-22

For the 5th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, 12-29-22, Year AReadings: First Reading 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-2a,2b-3,5b-6; Gospel Lk 2:22-35Option Memorial: St. Thomas Becket, Bishop & MartyrTheme: Obedience and Humility When I was a kid, and we would play outside with our friends, the town whistle would blow atContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 12-29-22”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 12-22-22

For the 4th Week of Advent, Thursday, 12-22-22, Year AReadings: First Reading 1 Sam 1:24-28; Ps 1 Sm 2:1,4-7, babcd; Gospel Lk 1:46-56(Magnificat – Song of Mary or Canticle of Mary)Theme: Thankfulness In Galilee, in the town of Nazareth, two servants were preparing for a journey. One said to the other, “Can you believe thatContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 12-22-22”

WEATHER UPDATE

BECAUSE OF THE FORECASTED BLIZZARD AND DIFFICULT TRAVEL, OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WILL BE CANCELLED TOMORROW, DEC. 22ND. THE CHURCH, HOWEVER, WILL BE OPEN FOR PRAYER. THERE WILL BE 5:30 P.M. CONFESSIONS AND 6:30 P.M. MASS IN SPANISH. THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22ND.Continue reading “WEATHER UPDATE”

Merry Christmas

Fr. Geary,Fr. Schuessler,Deacon Jim,Deacon Steven,Deacon Stu,and the office staffwish you and your familiesa Very Blessed Christmas! “For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son: that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting. . . .” John 3:16, 17

Office Closed

In Celebration of the Christmasand New Year Holidays,the parish office will be closed on Friday, December 23rd, Monday, December 26th,Friday, December 30th, andMonday, January 2nd.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 24th—Christmas Eve4:00 & 5:30 pm—English7:00 pm—Spanish Sunday, December 25th—Christmas Day7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish Saturday, December 31st, 20227:30 am & 4:00 pm—English6:30 pm—Spanish Sunday, January 1st, 2023Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish Sunday, January 8th, 2023—Epiphany of the Lord7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily – 12-23-22

Friday, December 23rd in the Octave before Christmas. Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 All this week we have been hearing the stories of how John the Baptist and Jesus’ births came about. As we approach the end of the Octave before Christmas, we hear the last “O” antiphon today. “O King ofContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily – 12-23-22”

Fr. Geary’s Bulletin Article-12-25-22

Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ, our newborn King! The invisible God became visible so that we might approach Him with confidence. He left Heaven for you, His lost little sheep. He was born of the Virgin Mary to show His tender love. He brings with Him peace, healing, forgiveness, and eternal life. Continue reading “Fr. Geary’s Bulletin Article-12-25-22”

Carta de P. Geary, 12-25-2022 – Español

¡Alabado sea Jesucristo, nuestro Rey recién nacido! El Dios invisible se hizo visible para que pudiéramos acercarnos a Él con confianza. Él dejó el cielo por ti, su ovejita perdida. Nació de la Virgen María para mostrar su tierno amor. Él trae consigo paz, sanación, perdón y vida eterna. Esta Navidad (y siempre) lleva tuContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 12-25-2022 – Español”

Pro-Life date change

PLEASE NOTE – DATE CHANGE! Monthly bi-lingual pro-life rosary The monthly Pro-Life Rosary will be held at 1:15 p.m. on December 18th to avoid having it fall on Christmas Day. Please attend. We need more people publicly praying for the end to abortion. WHEN: Every Last Sunday of theContinue reading “Pro-Life date change”

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, December 24th—Christmas Eve4:00 & 5:30 pm—English7:00 pm—Spanish Sunday, December 25th—Christmas Day7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish Saturday, December 31st, 20227:30 am & 4:00 pm—English6:30 pm—Spanish Sunday, January 1st, 2023 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish Sunday, January 8th, 2023—Epiphany of the Lord7:30 & 10:00 am—English12:00 pm—Spanish

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE – 2022

THANK YOU to all who worked so hard to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe with dozens of beautiful flowers in the church, as well as volunteer help with extra Masses, Confessions, and rosaries being said during this time of Honoring Our Mother, Mary. May God Bless you for your dedication to St. James Church!