St. James, Belvidere

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 9-2-22

22nd Friday in Ordinary Time, Yr 2, September 2, 20221 Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40; Lk 5:33-39 Who are you letting be your judge? I mean, with all the internet social media apps out there, are we letting ourselves be judged by the world? St. Paul laughs at that notion, or he would ifContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 9-2-22”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily – 9-1-22

Deacon Steven Johnson’s HomilyHomily for the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 9-1-22, Year CReadings: 1 Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1b-4b, 5-6; Gospel Lk 5:1-11Theme: Do Not Outsmart Yourself St. Paul says it best, “If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For theContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily – 9-1-22”

Carta de P. Geary, 9-4-2022 – Español

Queridos feligreses de la Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol. ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Para llegar a la unión divina (que Dios desea para todos), debemos renunciar a todo lo que nos posee. Jesús dijo que no podemos ser Sus discípulos sin renunciar a todas nuestras posesiones, incluyendo odiar a nuestro padre, madre, cónyuge, hijos e incluso nuestrasContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 9-4-2022 – Español”

Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-4-22

Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! In order to arrive at divine union (which God desires for everyone), we must renounce all that possess us. Jesus said that we cannot be His disciples without renouncing all our possessions, including hating our father, mother, spouse, children, and even our own lives (Lk. 14:25). OurContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-4-22”

Monthly Bi-Lingual Pro-Life Rosary

Please join us on Sunday, August 28th, for the monthly rosary to pray for the end to abortion here in Illinois. WHEN: Every Last Sunday of the MonthTIME: 1:15 pmWHERE: St. James Church, Belvidere, IL Rosario pro-vida bilingūe mensual A partir del 31 de julio habrá un rosario mensual para rezar por el fin delContinue reading “Monthly Bi-Lingual Pro-Life Rosary”

Religious Education Registration

2022-2023 It is not too late to register for RE classes! THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES WILL BE SEPTEMBER 6TH. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS SO SIGN UP NOW! To register your child for Religious Education classes beginning in September, please call the Religious Education Office at 815-547-7633 to set upContinue reading “Religious Education Registration“

RCIA Classes Sign-Up

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Are you considering becoming Catholic?Are you a Catholic interested in being Confirmed?Are you a Confirmed Catholic who is ready to explore your faith anew? Each year men and women embark on an exploration of the Catholic faith. Some are deciding if they are called to the Catholic Church;Continue reading “RCIA Classes Sign-Up“

Holy Hill Pilgrimage

The Holy Hill Pilgrimage was a Great Success! Father Steven Sabo recently led a group of pilgrims from St. James Church to Holy Hill—Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians on Monday, Aug. 22nd. It was a beautiful day to travel with friends, participate in Mass, and enjoy the sights of the basilica!

Fr. Geary’s Letter, 8-28-22

Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! The Letter to the Hebrews passage for today gives a brief description of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As we assist at Holy Mass we are at Calvary with Jesus, “the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaksContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 8-28-22”

Carta de P. Geary, 8-28-2022 – Español

¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! El pasaje de la Carta a los Hebreos para hoy da una breve descripción del Santo Sacrificio de la Misa. Al asistir a la Santa Misa, estamos en el Calvario con Jesús, “el mediador de un nuevo pacto, y a la sangre rociada que habla más elocuentemente que la sangre de Abel”Continue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 8-28-2022 – Español”

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily – 8-26-22

21st Friday in Ordinary time, YR 2, August 26, 20221 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11; Mt 25:1-13 As Catholic Christians, we have some of the most powerful weapons at our disposal, and they are prayer, the cross, and the rosary. If only we would be wise enough to use them in our battles. ThereContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Homily – 8-26-22”

Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily – 8-25-22

Homily for the 21st Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 8-25-22, Year CReadings: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Ps 145:2-7; Gospel Mt 24:42-51Optional Memorials: St. Louis, King of France, St. Joseph Calasanz, PriestTheme: Be Prepared The Boy Scouts’ motto is, “Be Prepared.” For any person who went through scouting in the older days, whether boy scouts or girlContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily – 8-25-22”

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Youth Group

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” ~ John 15:16 You are invited to the Youth Group every Wednesday night at 6:30Continue reading “Youth Group”

Religious Education Registration 2022-2023

It is not too late to register for RE classes! A $20 fee will be assessed for any registrations received after August 9th. To register your child for Religious Education classes beginning in September, please call the Religious Education Office at 815-547-7633 to set up an appointment. Forms, with tuition information and dates, are availableContinue reading “Religious Education Registration 2022-2023”

St. Vincent de Paul

With extreme gratitude, we give thanks to our St. James faith community for generously supporting the work of our St. Vincent de Paul Conference. In the month of July, we were able to help 29 families in need—with gas, electric, and water bills; with rent/mortgage payments; with gas cards to go to doctor appointments andContinue reading “St. Vincent de Paul”

Important Pro-Life Message

Please read to see how you can make a difference: As you know, a group of abortionists from Madison & Milwaukee have purchased two buildings in the city of Rockford to be used as abortion clinics. They are being led by the same abortionist who is the former owner of the now closed Rockford abortionContinue reading “Important Pro-Life Message”

Immaculee Ilibagiza

Immaculee Ilibagiza, Rwandan Genocide Survivor and author of, “Left to Tell,” will bring a message of forgiveness and hope at a retreat September 23rd—24th, hosted at the St. James Catholic Church Parish Center in Belvidere, Illinois. For more information and registration, go to: http://www.immaculee.com or contact Dee Sternhagen at815-312-8703.

Carta de P. Geary, 8-21-2022 – Español

Estimados feligreses de Santiago: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! ¡La campana de nuestra iglesia está de vuelta! Gracias a todos los que contribuyeron a la reparación / restauración de nuestra querida campana de la iglesia, San Patricio. Sí, la campana tiene un nombre elegido por el P. Patrick McGuire en 1909 cuando fue solemnemente bendecida y exorcizada. AlContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 8-21-2022 – Español”

Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection – 8-19-22

Friday, August 19, 2022 20th week in Ordinary timeEz 37:1-14; Ps 101:2-9; Mt 22:34-40 “Dry bones; hear the word of the Lord!” (Ez 374). I had not thought much about these words but put in the context of Israelites wondering if their rightful place will be restored, it makes sense. They are dry, lacking motivation,Continue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection – 8-19-22”