May of each year is devoted to honoring Our Blessed Mother! Please join us after the 7:30 a.m. Mass in the church for a short service honoring Mary, our Mother, on Friday, May 6th. Feel free to bring flowers to be placed at the foot of Mary on the altar.
Author Archives: St. James, Belvidere
Divine Mercy in My Soul – Women’s Retreat
Registration is filling up quickly for the May 14th women’s retreat. There are several spots remaining. Please consider joining us for this time of reflection on God’s mercy in our souls through the life and message of St. Faustina Kowalska. Father Geary will be our Spiritual Director for the day, giving two talks as well. Holy Mass. Adoration.Continue reading ” Divine Mercy in My Soul – Women’s Retreat”
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 5-1-22
Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! Do you hear God’s voice? Do you recognize His presence when He manifests Himself? The Lord is risen and seeks a relationship with you. Jesus asks you the same question he asked St. Peter in today’s Gospel: “Do you love me?” The Lord’s question to youContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 5-1-22”
Carta de P. Geary, 5-1-2022 – Español
Estimados feligreses de Santiago: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! ¿Escuchas la voz de Dios? ¿Reconoces Su presencia cuando Él se manifiesta? El Señor ha resucitado y busca una relación contigo. Jesús te hace la misma pregunta que le hizo a San Pedro en el Evangelio de hoy: “¿Me amas?” La pregunta del Señor a ti es muyContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 5-1-2022 – Español”
Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 4-29-22
Deacon Stu Dobson’s ReflectionFriday, 2nd week of Easter, Memorial of St Catherine of Siena, April 29, 2022Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Jn 6:1-15 Can you imagine what that young boy thought as Andrew approached him? “I need your bread and fish to feed everyone.” If I was the boy responsible for holding ontoContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 4-29-22”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 4-28-22
Deacon Steven Johnson’s ReflectionReflection for the 2nd Week of Easter, Thursday, 4-28-22, Year CReadings: Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-18, 19-20, Gospel Jn 3:31-36Optional Memorials: St. Peter Chanel-Priest & Martyr, St. Louis Grignion de Montfort-PriestTheme: The Law vs. The Lord I often think about the Church and its rules and regulations and cannot help toContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 4-28-22”
BLESSING OF THE EASTER FOOD
Fr. Geary blessed the Easter Food for many families in St. James Church on Holy Saturday morning. The Easter Food Blessing dates back possibly to the 7th century, and the custom of Blessing the Easter Food came out of the strict Lenten fasting during those times. As Easter approached the fasts were ended, and inContinue reading “BLESSING OF THE EASTER FOOD”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 4-21-22
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection – April 21, 20225th Day Within the Octave of Easter, Thursday, Year CReadings: Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2ab, 5-9; Gospel Lk 24:35-48Theme: Sincerity in Prayer Have you ever noticed the difference in the way you pray for something and the results that happen due to that prayer? Before we dive into thatContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 4-21-22”
Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience™ 
Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience™ Tuesday, May 3rd, at 6:30 PM Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers will present a 2-hour Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience™ at St. James Catholic Church, Belvidere, Illinois. As part of this spiritual opportunity to draw nearer to God with Our Lady and St. Bernadette you will: •Immerse yourself inContinue reading “Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience™ ”
2022 Diocesan Appeal
This weekend is our 2022 Diocesan Appeal commitment weekend! Each year, the Diocesan Appeal raises critical funds that make our ministries and programs possible in our parish and in our entire diocese. These programs include support for Catholic Charities, seminarian formation, Catholic Schools, and so much more. Please prayerfully consider making a gift to thisContinue reading “2022 Diocesan Appeal”
Divine Mercy Women’s Retreat
Divine Mercy in My SoulWomen’s RetreatREGISTRATION Available Today! Registration for this May 14th women’s day retreat is available at the table in the Narthex after all English Masses this weekend. Cost is $30, payable at time of registration. While you can still register through the church office through May 6th, your registration this weekend wouldContinue reading “Divine Mercy Women’s Retreat”
“Save The Bell” Update
Restoration Cost $ 33,000.00 Total Pledged $ 21,391.00 Total Paid $ 20,441.00 Thank you for your generosity in helping us restore the original church bell for generations to come!
“Father Stu” Movie Invitation
MARK WAHLBERGhas invited us to seehis new movie, “FATHER STU”Exclusively in Theaters Thru April 27th! Based on the true story of the life of Father Stuart Long. Among other actors, Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson set out to tell the story of a boxer-turned-priest who inspired countless people during his journey from self-destruction to redemption.Continue reading ““Father Stu” Movie Invitation”
Divine Mercy Sunday Schedule
~ Divine Mercy Sunday is April 24th ~(The First Sunday After Easter) Join us in St. James Church forDivine Mercy Sunday The schedule on Divine Mercy Sunday is as follows:3:00 p.m. ~Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament~Confessions During Adoration(There will be four priests available for Confessions) ~Chaplet of the Divine Mercy4:00 p.m. ~Close with Benediction Don’tContinue reading “Divine Mercy Sunday Schedule”
Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 4-22-22
Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection – Friday of the Easter Octave, April 22, 2022Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-27a; Jn 21:1-14 All week long we have been hearing about the boldness of the disciples proclaiming the truth about Jesus. As we approach the end of the Easter Octave, today, Friday, is no exception. Peter, who wasContinue reading “Deacon Stu Dobson’s Reflection 4-22-22”
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 4-24-22
Jesus Christ is risen, Alleluia! God’s greatest attribute is His mercy. His forgiveness is an unmerited gift to us because we cannot save ourselves. Mercy allows us to be friends with God by giving us a share in His divine life. The Lord does not have to love us, He chooses to love us and to share eternity withContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 4-24-22”
Carta de P. Geary, 4-24-2022 – Español
¡Jesucristo ha resucitado, Aleluya! El mayor atributo de Dios es Su misericordia. Su perdón es un regalo inmerecido para nosotros porque no podemos salvarnos a nosotros mismos. La misericordia nos permite ser amigos de Dios al darnos una participación en su vida divina. El Señor no tiene que amarnos, elige amarnos y compartir la eternidadContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 4-24-2022 – Español”
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! Fr. Geary, Fr. Schuessler, our deacons, and the parish staff all wish you and your families a very Blessed Easter. Rejoice…..He is Risen!
“Father Stu” Movie Invitation
MARK WAHLBERG has invited us to see his new movie,“FATHER STU” Exclusively in Theaters Beginning April 13th Based on the true story of the life of Father Stuart Long. Among other actors, Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson set out to tell the story of a boxer-turned-priest who inspired countless people during his journey from self-destruction to redemption. Beginning April 13th,Continue reading ““Father Stu” Movie Invitation”
Holy Week Schedule
Thursday, April 14, 2022—Thursday of Holy Week—(Holy Thursday)NOTE: There will NOT be Morning Mass, Adoration, 5:30pm Confessions, or 6:30pm Spanish Mass on Holy Thursday. 7:00 pm-Bi-Lingual—Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper Friday, April 15, 2022—Friday of the Passion of the Lord(Good Friday)NOTE: There will NOT be Morning Mass on Good Friday. 9:00 am – Stations of the Cross InContinue reading “Holy Week Schedule “
Saint James Catholic Church 