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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.

 

Welcome, Pope Leo!
 
 
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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, 

An interruption from someone in the crowd leads to a change regarding teaching the disciples not “to be afraid” nor “worry” about facing persecution. In response to the man’s demand that Jesus settle an inheritance dispute, Jesus declines with a question that hints at His identity. He asks: “Who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” The question echoes the one once put to Moses: “Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us?” (Ex. 2:14). Luke includes it twice in Stephen’s speech (in Acts) revealing that, although some Israelites rejected Moses, God appointed him as their redeemer (Acts 7:27,35). Likewise, Jesus will be rejected but He will bring about God’s redemption (Luke 21:28). 

Rather than resolve the dispute, Jesus uses the occasion to instruct the crowd to be on guard against all greed. Regarding bodily life (see Luke 12:4-5), Jesus now puts possessions in relative perspective by speaking about treasures in heaven (vv. 21, 33-34). He makes His point with the parable of the rich fool (vv. 16-210, which is unique to Luke). The man’s obsession with his material goods leads to self-absorption. He is only concerned about “me”: my harvest, my grain. The problem is not what he thinks it is—where to store his bountiful harvestbut rather his selfish greed.  

In contrast, Joseph in Genesis also “collected grain” abundantly (Gen 41:49), but the purpose was to feed others in time of famine. Here, the man’s focus on himself even extends into the future: “I shall say to myself.” The Greek word for “self” (in “myself”) is psychè, which refers to a person’s “life” (Luke 6:9). The man thinks he is in control of his life. While congratulating himself for having so many good things stored up, he can therefore rest, eat, drink, and be merry. It seems that he has misinterpreted the similar words of the teacher in Ecclesiastes, who advises finding joy despite life’s toil: “There is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad” (Eccles. 8:15). Forgetting also the end of Ecclesiastes (see Eccles 12:5-7), the rich man thinks that his possessions give him security for many years to come. 

God, however, calls him a fool!--a term Jesus earlier applied to the Pharisees (Luke 11;40). The fool says in his heart:  “There is no God!” (Ps. 14:1).  Effectively, the rich man behaved as if there was no God, since he put his trust in his possessions rather than in God. He is an atheist in practice. However, his plans come to naught, because, that very night, his life (psychè) is demanded of him.  

The Greek word “demanded” is used to call in a debt (Luke 6:30; Deut. 15:2-3 LXX). The “life” that the man considered to be his own was really on loan from God. Though he wished “to save his life,”  he ended up losing it (Luke 9:24).

The lesson of the parable is what Jesus said earlier about persecution (12:4-5)--keep God in the picture--be not afraid and do not worry. One should view earthly things, whether negative or positive, from the perspective of eternity. 

This is precisely what the man did not do. He was too busy thinking about himself to think of God and to thank God for blessing him with a rich harvest. He was also too busy hoarding his wealth rather than sharing it with the poor (see 18:22-23). He stored up treasure for himself rather than “treasure in heaven” (12:33; 18:22), and, so, was not rich toward God. 

Yours in Christ, 

Fr. Vincent Clemente

 

Upcoming Events

JULY 29th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall.

JULY 30th—Wednesday. Divine Will, 4PM, Social Hall.

JULY 31st— Thursday. Prayer Group, 6:30PM, Social Hall. 

AUGUST 1st— Friday. Kraft Korner, 10AM, Social Hall. 

AUGUST 4th— Monday. SVdP, 2PM, Social Hall.

AUGUST 5th— Tuesday. Child. of Our Lady, 10AM, Social Hall. Grupo de Juan 23, 7PM, Social Hall.

AUGUST 6th—Wednesday. Divine Will, 4PM, Social Hall. 

AUGUST 7th— Thursday. NO CCW MEETING. Prayer Group, 6:30PM, Social Hall. 

AUGUST 12th— 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