Homily for 4th Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 2-4-21, Year BREADINGS: 1st Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Gospel Mk 6:7-13Theme: Contrast of Old vs. New Love vs. Hate, Light vs. Darkness, Good vs. Evil. These are things that oppose each other or contrast each other. Contrast, a verb, which means to compare or appraise in respect toContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 2-4-21”
Author Archives: St. James, Belvidere
Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 2-1-21
323 2-1-21 4th WOT Mark 5:1-21 Jesus took pity on the man who was overtaken by a legion of evil spirits. The destructive force of these demons is evident for all who can see as they flee and destroy a herd of swine. After Jesus freed the demoniac the whole city came out to meetContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 2-1-21”
Walk for Life
The Brad & Marcy Stark family were among the hundreds of people who participated in the Walk for Life to help spread the message that all life is sacred from conception to natural death. This event was held in Rockford on Saturday, January 23rd. “Before I formedContinue reading “Walk for Life”
God’s Law -First Written In Stone, Then Within Our Hearts.
Thankfully, the Church teaches us to uphold the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Like guardrails on the narrow path to heaven, they provide clear guidance for what we ought to do and what we ought not to do. In the New Covenant, the Lord raises the bar on right livingContinue reading “God’s Law -First Written In Stone, Then Within Our Hearts.”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-28-21
Homily for 3rd Week of Ordinary Time, Thursday, 1-28-21, Year BMemorial of St. Thomas Aquinas – Priest and Doctor of the ChurchREADINGS: 1st Reading 1st Wis, 7:7-10, 15-16; Gospel Mt 23:8-12Theme: Wisdom of God St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest Born 1226 in the old kingdom of Sicily which is now known as the Lazio Region ofContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-28-21”
Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-25-21
519 1-25-21 Conversion of Paul 3rd WOT Mark 16:15-18 The Grace of God changed St Paul from a persecutor of Christians to a messenger ofthe Gospel.This fact teaches us that our faith has its basis in grace and the free correspondenceof each person.The best way to bring about the unity of Christians is to encourageContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-25-21”
FREEDOM, MORALITY, AND GRACE
“Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility. By free will one shapes one’s own life…” (CCC #1732) This of course, is the very reason we need grace! Join us this Tuesday atContinue reading “FREEDOM, MORALITY, AND GRACE”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-21-21
Homily for Thursday Ordinary Time, 1-21-21, Year BMemorial of St. Agnes – Virgin and MartyrREADINGS: 1st Reading Heb, 7:25, 8:6; Gospel Mk 3:7-12Theme: Love for Christ St. Agnes was born around 291 in Rome, Italy. She was from a wealthy family. From an early age she consecrated herself to God and gave herself to HimContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-21-21”
Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-18-21
311 1-18-21 2nd WOT Mark 2:18-22 The presence of the Bridegroom, by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.“From the time that the incarnation of our Savior was first promised to the patriarchs,it was always awaited by many upright souls with tears and mourning – until he came.From that time when, after his resurrection, he ascended to heaven, allContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Homily – 1-18-21”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Homily 1-14-21
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”
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”
Saint James Catholic Church 