Fr. Geary will bless your animals at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, October 3rd, in the parking lot next to the rectory. Please be sure to have all pets on a leash or in a crate. Thank You!
Author Archives: St. James, Belvidere
RCIA
Our story begins in what is perhaps the most action-packed book ever written: Genesis! Creation, man, original sin, sacrifices, angels, covenants and a flood! A simple read can leave you thinking that Genesis is merely an historical account, but it’s not. It’s revelatory, prophetic and evangelical. Tainted by a curse, our story seems destined forContinue reading “RCIA”
Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection- 9-28-20
455 9-28-20 26th WOT Luke 9:46-50 St Wenceslaus God’s love is unconditional, timeless, and boundless. Jesus, himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve. Paul the Apostle states that Jesus, “emptied himself and took the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7) Jesus lowered himself (he whose place is at the right handContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection- 9-28-20”
What does the Church count as the Central Mystery of the Christian Faith and Life?
Not the incarnation, not the resurrection, not the mystical body of Christ. You may be surprised to learn that the Trinity is this great central mystery. CCC 234 states: “The mystery of the Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God Himself.” This paragraph of the CatechismContinue reading “What does the Church count as the Central Mystery of the Christian Faith and Life?”
Be Informed
BE INFORMED! To help Catholics prepare for the upcoming November election of the President of the United States, please visit http://www.ilcatholic.org and read the Guidelines on Political Activities for Parishes and Catholic Church Organizations. For more detailed voting guidelines, go to https://www.usccb.org/offices/general-counsel/political-activity-guidelines
Blessing of the Animals
Fr. Geary will bless your animals at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd, in the parking lot next to the rectory. Please be sure to have all pets on a leash or in a crate. Thank You!
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-27-2020
Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! It is never too late to say ‘yes’ to God. Maybe we have said ‘no’ to Him for years. Maybe we have tried to please others before pleasing God. Maybe we are afraid of what saying ‘yes’ to Him will mean for our present situation or forContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-27-2020”
Carta de P. Geary, 9-27-2020 – Español
Estimados feligreses de la Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Nunca es demasiado tarde para decir “sí” a Dios. Tal vez le hemos dicho ‘no’ por muchos años. Tal vez hemos tratado de complacer a los demás antes de complacer a Dios. Tal vez tengamos miedo de lo que decir “sí” aContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 9-27-2020 – Español”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 9-24-20
Homily for Ordinary Time – 25th Week Thursday, 9-24-20, Year A READINGS: 1ST Reading 1 ECCL 1:2-11, Gospel Lk 9:7-9 Theme: Only God Satisfies Vanity of Vanities! All things are vanity! Save one – faith in God. You want the answer to life? You already know it. Only God can satisfy. Yet, we stumble aroundContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 9-24-20”
Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection- 9-21-20
643 9-21-20 25th WOT St Matthew Apostle Matthew 9:9-13 The Matthew whom Jesus calls here is the apostle of the same name and the human author of the first Gospel. In Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27 he is called Levi the son of Alphaeus or simply Levi. In addition to Baptism, through which God callsContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection- 9-21-20”
Cumpliendo Nuestra Promesa
Por favor, vean el Videos de Padre Geary que presenta, el inicio de la campaña “Cumpliendo nuestra promesa”.
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-20-2020
Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! Just before the Covid-19 lockdowns began in March of this year our Parish was ready to begin a debt-reduction campaign to pay off the loan for our newly expanded church. We had planned to do a major kickoff event in the gym to announce the endeavorContinue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-20-2020”
Carta de P. Geary, 9-20-2020 – Español
Estimados feligreses de la Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Justamente antes de que comenzaran los aislamientos por el Covid-19 en marzo de este año, nuestra Parroquia estaba lista para iniciar una campaña de reducción de deuda para pagar el préstamo para nuestra iglesia recién ampliada. Habíamos planeado hacer un gran evento de inicioContinue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 9-20-2020 – Español”
Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 9-17-20
Homily for Ordinary Time-24th Week Thursday, 9-17-20, Year A – St. Bellarmine -Optional Mem (1542 – 1621, Bishop in Italy – Member of SJ – Doctor of the Church READINGS: 1st Reading 1 Cor 15:1-11, Gospel Lk 7:36-50 Theme: Conversion Through Forgiveness In the first reading we get a look at who St. Paul reallyContinue reading “Deacon Steven Johnson’s Reflection 9-17-20”
Rise up, ye men of God!
Rise up, ye men of God! Kapaun’s Men have reported for duty and are prepared to continue the briefing on what it means to give ourselves away. For men only, we meet each Saturday at 06:15 AM in Connolly Hall (Church basement). God is calling all men to rise up and lay hold of theContinue reading “Rise up, ye men of God!”
God meets man. How is this even possible?
By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of His works. But there is another order of knowledge which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers: the order of divine Revelation…Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed Himself and given Himself to man. This He does by revealingContinue reading “God meets man. How is this even possible?”
Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection- 9-14-20
Holy Cross John 3:13-17-9-14-20 Early in the fourth century St Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went to Jerusalem in search of the holy places of Christ’s life. She razed the temple of Aphrodite, which tradition held was built over the Savior’s tomb, and her son built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher overContinue reading “Deacon Jim Olson’s Reflection- 9-14-20”
Fulfilling Our Promise Campaign
For more information on our Fulfilling Our Promise Campaign, please click here. Por favor, vean el Videos de Padre Geary que presenta, el inicio de la campaña “Cumpliendo nuestra promesa”. (Español) Fulfilling Our Promise CampaignAs of March 22, 2023: THANK YOU FOR PAYINGOFF OUR BUILDING DEBT! Amount We Still Owe – $ ZERO ! ! !InterestContinue reading “Fulfilling Our Promise Campaign”
Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-13-2020
Dear Parishioners of St. James: Praised be Jesus Christ! Forgiving other people is one of the most difficult things to do. Yet, we take for granted God’s forgiveness toward us. The Lord died on the Cross to redeem us of all of our sins. If we fall on our knees and beg Him for pardon,Continue reading “Fr. Geary’s Letter, 9-13-2020”
Carta de P. Geary, 9-13-2020 – Español
Estimados feligreses de la Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol: ¡Alabado sea Jesucristo! Perdonar a otras personas es una de las cosas más difíciles de hacer. Sin embargo, damos por supuesto el perdón de Dios hacia nosotros. El Señor murió en la Cruz para redimirnos de todos nuestros pecados. Si caemos de rodillas y le rogamos perdón,Continue reading “Carta de P. Geary, 9-13-2020 – Español”
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