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Welcome

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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Mass Times

MASS TIMES:
Weekends
Summer Mass Schedule (June - September)
Saturday Vigil 4 PM
Sunday 9 AM
Winter Mass Schedule (October - May)
Saturday Vigil 4 PM
Sunday 8 AM and 10 AM
Weekdays (M - F) - 9:00 AM
First Saturday of Every Month
9:00 AM (with Anointing of the Sick)
Holy Days
7:00 PM Vigil, 9:00 AM Morning

Office Hours - For emergencies call 863-465-3215

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9:00 am to 12 noon
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Wednesday
9:00 am to 12:00 noon

3380 Placid View Dr.
Lake Placid, FL 33852

 Fr. Vincent Clemente

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!    

 Fr. Felix Gonzalez

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,

Faith is an immensely valuable treasure for souls in everyday life because it is a beacon of light and an immense consolation at all times of distress. Therefore, it must be jealously guarded in one’s heart.   

The Apostles, who were asked to grow in faith, desired to see wonderful deeds accomplished (in order to confuse the Pharisees). They also wished to do these works themselves. This is why Jesus told them that if they had the faith the size of a small mustard seed—a bare minimum—and if that faith was alive and able to grow, they could uproot and plant a mulberry tree in the sea with only a command

It is clear from the context that the Apostles had asked to grow in faith for a faint and subconscious sense of vanity! They wanted miracles to confuse the Pharisees. They also believed it was necessary that the Master defend Himself against the plotting of His enemies. For this reason, Jesus, subtly and through a parable, said they should consider themselves like the servants of a master, plowing his field and grazing his flock! Even if they would do wonders for the apostolate, they should never think to take the glory for themselves, but should think of themselves only as useless servants who were simply commanded to perform a task as part of their duty.

Those who understand just how much pride inflates one’s sense of self and how easily our fallen nature feels vanity for a job well done, should, in turn, understand (very well) the timing and truth of Jesus’ cautionary remark. Sincerely believing oneself to be nothing gives one an immense interior joy while the inner feeling of humility protects the good that has been done.   And, when giving it back to God, He makes all more fruitful with His grace, multiplying it in our souls. 

In every age, the words of Jesus have been a defense against vanity for the messengers of the Divine Word. Those who work for an apostolate, in fact, are an instrument of God’s grace, often witnessing the wonders of His power and the divine mercy in their work.  

The Lord, in His mercy, works great wonders with minimal means and through inept men; but also, when His intervention is obvious in works done well, the person who has been the instrument may feel the personal satisfaction for this work, and could also demand recognition of his efforts before God. Jesus’ words immediately bring him back to reality! Recognizing that he has done only his duty, and that he is a useless servant because he did it imperfectly, he humbles himself,  prostrates himself, and he appeals to the divine mercy.  Then it is possible for the good work done to bear fruit. 

Those who have a little experience with the true apostolate know how deadly proud satisfaction can be! They also know it is a sure sign of not having produced the true fruits of eternal life.

 It is necessary, therefore, to have humility and not to seek personal satisfaction but only the glory of God and the true good of souls. 

[Reflections on the Gospels by Don Dolindo Ruotolo]

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Vincent Clemente

Upcoming Events

SEPTEMBER 29th— Monday. OCIA, 6PM, Social Hall.

SEPTEMBER 30th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 1st— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Divine Will, 4PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 2nd— Thursday. CCW Meeting, 10:00AM, Social Hall. Charismatic Prayer Group, 6:30PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 3rd— Friday. Kraft Korner, 10:00AM, Social Hall. 

OCTOBER 6th— Monday. SVdP, 2:00PM, Social Hall. OCIA, 6:00PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 7th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 8th— Wednesday. Bible Study, 10AM, Social Hall. Divine Will, 4PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 9th— Thursday. Blood Drive. 9AM. Divine Mercy, 10:30AM, Social Hall. Grief Support, 2PM, Social Hall. Charismatic Prayer Group, 6:30PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 12th— Saturday. Return Box of Joy Gifts, 12PM-3:30PM, Social Hall. 

OCTOBER 13th—  Monday. Office Closed. Return Box of Joy Gifts,10AM-2:30PM, Social Hall. OCIA, 6:00PM, Social Hall.

OCTOBER 14th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall. Knights of Columbus, 7PM, Social Hall.

prayer for Hurricane Season