During the Jubilee of Hope (whose theme is Pilgrims of Hope), Pope Francis encouraged Diocesan Bishops to designate certain churches in their diocese as pilgrimage sites so that the Christian faithful could go on pilgrimage to them and gain graces and a plenary indulgence. Well, we have one such site in our backyard! In the February issue of The Southern Cross, the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope on the Isle of Hope was named a Pilgrimage Site! What a blessing for our parish! St. James has responsibility for the Chapel and we celebrate mass at 8:00 AM on the First Sunday of every month and on Christmas Eve. The Chapel is the first Catholic Church in what is now the parish boundaries of St. James the Less. It also happens to be the only church in the Diocese of Savannah to bear the name “Hope”!
What does this mean? We, as a Parish Staff and our Pastoral Council, are discussing different things we can do to make the Chapel more available to people during this Jubilee of Hope. Everyone will know what those things will be and when the Chapel will be open. Presently we are thinking of a Holy Hour of Hope on a Sunday late afternoon/evening and perhaps opening the Chapel from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays throughout the Jubilee Year for visitors. Perhaps we will have a walking pilgrimage from St. James Church to the Chapel! I am open to ideas if you have some!
It is an honor for our Chapel of Our Lady of Good Hope, who just celebrated last year the 150th Anniversary of its founding, to be named as one of the official Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese of Savannah!
UPDATES
Charging Forward in Faith and Education is moving along nicely! We would like everyone to be involved and support the campaign and everyone will be given a chance to do just that very soon! We are preparing for that weekend now! I am also inviting parishioners to visit with me and Sister Joan to speak about the vision and future of St. James Church and School. Please accept those invitations and schedule a time with us when you are invited via email!
The Church is on schedule and beginning to look beautiful! Be on the lookout for updated pictures and a new campaign video on our social media, website, and email communications. I am getting more and more excited about the vision for the School as we get closer and closer to seeing construction begin! Please pray for the projects and all involved and for the continued success of our fundraising efforts!
St. James the Less, pray for us!
May you and your family have a blessed and beautiful week!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin