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As members of the Body of Christ, the parish of St. James, Lake Placid, Florida proclaims our belief in the message and mission of Jesus Christ.
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matt 28:19-20)With God's Grace, the example of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we seek to live out that belief as a community of worship, of shared faith and of service where each member shares with others the gifts and talents received from God.
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Christmas Eve Masses: 4PM, 5:30PM (Children's), 10PM.
Christmas Day Masses: 8AM and 10AM.
Pastor, Fr. Vincent Clemente
Father Vincent came to the United States from Italy at the age of 15, where his family settled in the Cleveland, OH area. He has one sister. Father was ordained to the priesthood on May 8, 1976 and has previously served at St. Martha’s in Sarasota, FL and as pastor of St. Michael in Wauchula and St. Paul in Arcadia.
WELCOME, FATHER! We look forward to continued spiritual growth with you here at St. James!
Parochial vicar Fr. Felix Gonzalez
Fr. Felix Gonzalez, our newest parochial vicar, was born in Venezuela on September 18, 1953. He studied philosophy in Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies and theology at the Seminary “Santa Rosa de Lima,” Caracas, Venezuela. He was ordained on July 18th, 1981 at the .Archdiocese of Barquisimeto. He came to the United States 20 years ago and studied monastic spirituality in Worcester, MA and worked in different parishes in the Archdiocese of New York— Manhattan and the Bronx. During those years he studied in IONA College and graduated with a Masters in Science, majoring in pastoral counseling. After serving St. Leo for almost two and a half years, he is happy to embark on this new part of his spiritual journey.
Our commitment to a Safe Environment
As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults. St. James adheres to the Diocese of Venice's Safe Environment program. To learn more, visit: https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/programs/safeenvironment/
Pope Francis' Letter to the People of God, regarding sexual abuse in light of the outcome of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury.
My Dear People,
I wish for each of you a Merry Christmas. There are several scheduled Masses for your convenience during this Christmas season. Please check the Bulletin schedules. Christmas is a special time when we come “to know” how great the Love of God is. He was willing to become a human so that He could share His abundant love; and in becoming man, we respond to Him, and we have an opportunity for Salvation.
This season is not merely a celebration of Jesus being born; it is an act of love, a love so immense we can never fully comprehend. This is sacrificial love, whereby Jesus totally gave Himself and His earthly life up, to death on a cross, in order to save us. What drove Jesus to the cross was the immense love of the Father for Him. That also was the most painful part of His suffering, much more than the pain that the executioners inflicted on Him. Even the most dedicated saint who suffered and gave himself or herself to the Lord, will never fully understand the immense love of God. The Love of God is so immense that the angels closest to Him are called Seraphim, meaning the burned ones; which is the fire of God’s love. The angels continually sing: “Holy, Holy, Holy.” They are close to the throne of God, and they respond to this love by giving constant praise to God.
So, this week, we concentrate on God’s love and His willingness to come among us. Jesus is the greatest gift humanity has ever received. Isaiah, the prophet, called him Immanuel, (God among us). God had the plan from the very beginning to send His Son to become human.
We are built in the image and likeness of God. We can choose between good and evil. Other creations (animals) can’t. We have reason and will. Jesus showed us when we will what God wants, we will be blessed by His love. Our life on earth is a great opportunity to grow in God’s love. Every time we choose good over evil, and every time we are tempted, the grace of God helps us overcome these challenges. It is then that we grow.
Each time we choose to follow God, we are open to His love. This comes with a sacrificial love on our part. Whenever we sacrifice ourselves for the sake of God, we are growing in His Love. This is a process that we will never fully understand until we are united with Jesus.
We are walking by faith, and it takes faith to overcome the temptation that we face in our daily lives. Overcoming temptations will make a great difference in our lives as it made a great difference in the lives of the saints. This is what enabled saints to have greater Zeal for the Lord. They were more united to His love. Without sacrifice, making the right decision, and giving of ourselves to the Lord, our zeal will not grow, nor will the love of God grow in our hearts. Christmas is a time for each and everyone to grow in His love and be open to His inspiration to fervently share His love with one another. This is what God wants us to do.
St. Francis of Assisi captured this, par excellence. He elected to become poor for the sake of the love of Christ, and he shared this with all the people he met. That was his ministry, and his mission. This inspired many brothers to join him. St. Francis especially appreciated the tremendous love of God by recreating that night of Jesus’ birth in Gubbio, in a stable with animals, representing the circumstance of Jesus’ birth and reflecting on the immense beauty of God and of His love to be among us.
Merry Christmas to everyone. May the Lord Jesus bless each and every one of you.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Vincent Clemente
DECEMBER 24th— Tuesday. OFFICE CLOSED. Christmas Vigil: 4PM, 5:30PM, 10PM. Contact groups for schedule updates.
DECEMBER 25th— Wednesday. OFFICE CLOSED. Christmas Masses: 8AM and 10AM. No Meetings/Classes/Bible Study.
DECEMBER 26th— Thursday. No Classes/Meetings/Bible Study.
DECEMBER 29th— Sunday. No Faith Formation Classes.
DECEMBER 31st— Tuesday. OFFICE CLOSED. Children of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 1st— Wednesday. OFFICE CLOSED. No Classes/Meetings/Bible Study.
JANUARY 2nd— Thursday. CCW Meeting, 10AM, Social Hall. No Bible Study.
JANUARY 3rd— Friday. Kraft Korner, 10AM-12PM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 5th— Sunday. No Faith Formation Classes.
JANUARY 6th— Monday. SVdP Meeting, 2PM, Social Hall. RCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 7th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 8th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Divine Will, 4PM, Social Hall. Confirmation Prep, 7PM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 9th— Thursday. Divine Mercy, 10:30AM, Social Hall. Grief Support, 2PM, Social Hall. Prayer Group, 6:30PM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 12th— Sunday. Faith Formation, 11AM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 13th— Monday. RCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.
JANUARY 14th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall.
Knights of Columbus, 7PM, Social Hall.
