Recent News

  • Why Must He Die?
    29.01.10
    The Teen Chorale of the TriCounty Choir Institute will  be presenting the Musical Passion Play “Why Must He Die?”.  It will be presented in 13 performances in churches of all denominations during this Lenten season. The twenty-four cast members include college to junior high students from 18 schools including: Aliquippa HS, Ambridge HS,  Avonworth Jr. & HS, Beaver Falls HS, ...
    Read more...
  • Veritas Events
    18.11.09
    Essay Contest for 8th -12th grade!Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Veritas Youth!Topic: Role (responsibility) of a Catholic in our free Society.When: Starting now with a DEC. 20th deadline.Pick up a “Essay Contest Packet” at the rectory, on the Youth bulletin board or next to the Parish bulletins outside the sanctuary.CASH ,Certificates, quotes in our bulletin and other priz...
    Read more...
  • OC Christmas Caroling
    18.11.09
    OC Christmas Caroling and PartyDecember 12, 2009Gathering Space - 6-8:30PM Attachments: FileDescription OC Christmas Caroling and Party.docDownload for complete information ...
    Read more...
  • Thanksgiving Dinner
    14.11.09
    Two years ago we began what is becoming a St. James tradition. Our parish family will once again host a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. This will be our third Thanksgiving dinner for all those who might not have family joining them this year or might be eating alone. Come and join Fr. Dan and other parishioners as we give thanks for all God has given us. We will have sign up sheets on the bulleti...
    Read more...
  • High School Coffee House and Game Night at Gilmary!
    03.11.09
    Saturday Nov. 7th, 7:30-10pm All are welcome!  (6:45 pm meet in St. James Gathering space to carpool) Hang out with friends and enjoy our POOL TABLE, FOOSBALL, AIR HOCKEY, OPEN GYM, CARD AND BOARD GAMES, LIVE  MUSIC, FOOD, and other kids from neighboring parishes, all in our newly renovated space at Gilmary!  All that’s missing is YOU! Bring a friend! Permission Slip Requi...
    Read more...
  • Life Teen Bible Study
    03.11.09
    This isn’t your parent’s bible study! Come join other teens from around the area to have food, hang out and learn about our gifts and what Jesus tells us about life, love and everything else! Bring a friend! All are welcome! We already met a couple times this year and had fun, laughed and learned things we never knew about being a Christian.  Ask any question in a chilled out atmosphere!...
    Read more...
  • OC Halloween Dance recap!
    03.11.09
    Over 75 kids had a blast, snacks, danced and won some best costume prizes at our biggest OC dance to date! Much thanks to our organizers and all who helped! All 6th, 7th and 8th graders and friends from all schools are welcome at all OC events! Check out the pictures of dancing and being with friends! We raised $310 for a family in need and charity from this event!...
    Read more...

Prayer Requests

Remember the Sick

In this space each week, we will let you know who is sick in our parish and in need of prayers.

Please remember in your prayers:

  • Eleanor Skapik
  • Eleanor Farbo
  • Frank Wojtarowicz
  • Michael LoBello
  • Robert Sabatelle
  • Thomasina Garafola
  • Robbie Hawranko
  • Sue Etters
  • Dolorita Harasin


...and those who have died

  • Bryan “Jack” Kennedy

 

Remember those in the Military

  • Michael Mitchell (Army)
  • Col. Joseph Martin (Army)
  • Lt. Brian Naranjo (Coast Guard)
  • S.A. Melinda "Minny" Mowery
  • Col. Mark VanKooten (Air Force National Guard)
  • Captain Christopher Stepanek (Air Force)
  • Lt. Jaymie Stepanek (Air Force)
  • Lt. Col. Bryan J. O’Neill (Air Force) 
  • Jonathan & David Miller (Air Force Academy)
  • Captain Matthew J. DiGiacomo (Army)
  • Austin Kisow (Marines)
  • Ben & Sam Rinaldi (Air Force Academy)
  • Lewis G. Giammaria (Air Force)
  • Major Sean T. Auth (Air Force)
 
 

Events

<<  February 2010  >>
 Su  Mo  Tu  We  Th  Fr  Sa 
   1  2  3  4  5  6
  7  8  910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28      
Banner

Financial Summary

As of January 17, 2010
  Last Week July 1 through
Last Week
Collection $12,728 $477,353
Expenses $18,426 $522,750
Over/Under  -$5,698  $-45,397
Home
A Holy Time
For those of us who live farther north, it is now the heart of winter. And for all of us, north and south, the holidays are over. We may sense the start of a long, hard stretch of blank time. These opening Sundays of “Ordinary Time” reflect this feeling of beginning.
 
Today’s reading from the book of Nehemiah tells with great drama how the people gathered to hear, as though for the first time, a solemn reading of God’s word. As they listened, they fell to the ground and wept. But the prophet said, “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep” (Nehemiah 8:9).
 
Today’s Gospel tells a similar dramatic tale. We are presented with the very beginning of Jesus’ public life. The people gathered to listen, and Jesus proclaimed the fulfillment of the prophet’s words. To his listeners— and to us—he announced “a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:19).
 
The Wedding Feast at Cana
Though John mentions nothing of Jesus’ baptism, he does have a “water” story that begins his public ministry. It is at the prodding of his mother that Jesus performs the first of his signs indicating the beginning of God’s reign. The miracle deals with bringing wine out of the water. Nothing is more ordinary than water, yet in Jesus kingdom he brings forth the extraordinary out of the ordinary. In our baptisms this miracle is replicated. Through it Christ changes our lives bringing out the extraordinary within the ordinary!
 
The Baptism of the Lord
The Christmas Season ends today with the Baptism of the Lord. Following the Masses this Sunday, all the Christmas decorations will be removed, and we will enter into the Ordinary Season.
 
The Christmas Season basically consists of three feasts: The Nativity, The Epiphany and the Baptism of our Lord. There is a movement within the season which begins with God’s arrival celebrating the Incarnation. The Nativity is celebrated as an octave because of its importance. These are eight days to revel in God’s new way of being present—in the flesh. This is not enough however. We must come to realize the significance of the birth. God has come here to do something. The Epiphany, meaning manifestation, leads us to a deeper realization that the “wood of the crib” is the “wood of the cross.” This child is born to die, that is, give his life for us. The gifts of the magi represent the hidden purpose. Once we come to this deeper awareness, we want to rush to his baptism where he begins his “public ministry.” At the Jordan River, Jesus begins his “work” of salvation. The years prior to his public ministry are referred to as the “hidden years.”  
 
The Baptism is also an “epiphany” or manifestation where we discover more about more about the child who is now a grown man. We hear from Luke’s Gospel how the baptism takes place. There are three things that happen after the baptism. First the heavens are opened; secondly, the Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove; and finally the Father speaks, “You are my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” The significance of this epiphany is the revelation of the Trinity intimately involved in the work of the incarnation and redemption. The profound effect is the opening of heaven. Heaven has come to earth. In Christ, heaven and earth intersect. The Father is pleased because the Son is doing his father’s will. It is Father’s will that heaven come here to earth, and this is accomplished in Christ through the Holy Spirit who is directing this “re-creation” of the world. As in the book of Genesis the Sprit of God hovers over the waters stirring them and bringing forth life to a motionless world. This is the beginning of a new age, the reigning of God on earth.
 
What we see happening becomes the template which is repeated in each of our baptisms. Jesus work culminates in the giving of his life for us. “I lay down my life in order that you may take it up again.” This is his mission which he embraces at the Jordan River, and will be accomplished through his death and resurrection.
 
The Holy Family
Rapidly, we move into the 12th year of Christ’s life when Jesus is separated from his parents. In anxiety Jesus’ parents search for him. They find him in discussion with the scholars of the Law who are surprised by the young man’s learning. We discover several things about the Family. They are devout, observant Jews who study the Law, and obviously made sure their son has received instruction. Jesus has learned obedience from his parents, both of whom are models of obedience. Jesus returns to Nazareth where he continues to grow in wisdom, age and grace. This sole glimpse into the family life of Jesus is a template for all families who strive as well to grow in wisdom and grace. The family is the central social unit for society. What is grown and developed within families is foundational for all other social structures. As the family goes, so goes the world!
 
More Articles...