In the Gospel of John 20:22-23 we read, “He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them; whose sins you retain are retained.’” With that, our Lord Jesus gave to the Apostles and their successors and the priests ordained by them the power to forgive sins. The priest in the confessional continues the healing ministry of Jesus. He came to heal us from the wounds of our sins and reconcile us to God the Father and to one another. This work continues in Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation.
Thursday evening this week, approximately 50 of our young people will experience for the first time the beauty, healing, and mercy of God in this Sacrament! If you have ears to hear, there will be an abundance of joy in heaven that evening! “There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who think they have no need of repentance.” (Luke 15:7) Please pray for these young souls that they may come to know in a magnificent way the mercy, grace, and love of Jesus in this Sacrament.
This leads me to a question: when was the last time you experienced the mercy, grace, and love of Jesus in the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation? At St. James there are plenty of opportunities to avail yourself of this Sacrament – Monday – Friday, 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM; Saturday, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM. Come to the fountain of mercy!
2025 St. James’ Catholic Women’s Conference
Saturday, January 25, St. James will have our 2025 St. James’ Catholic Women’s Conference with Lisa Cotter and Danielle Bean as our presenters. Bishop Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah, will start the day off with mass and there will be opportunities for prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Confession/Reconciliation. We have a wonderful team who worked with Sr. Stephanie to develop the day long conference. I am looking forward to welcoming 200 women who have taken the day to be with Jesus and their Sisters in Christ!
Prayer for our Charging Forward in Faith and Education capital campaign
As we continue to build and bring the vision of the Church and School to reality, I ask for your prayers. Prayer cards are available in the Narthex. Here is a prayer composed for the success of our capital campaign:
God our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your abundant blessings bestowed upon St. James the Less Catholic Parish and the good work you have begun in our community. Standing upon all You have done in the past and all you are doing in the present time, we rejoice in the future You lay before us. May we charge forward in faith and education, being formed as disciples of Jesus Christ, Your Son, striving for excellence in all we do, and growing in faith, hope, and love. Through the intercession of St. James the Less, Your Apostle, may we be generous in sharing all that we are and all that You have given us. Help our vision become a reality, O Lord, and let all we do and build glorify Your Name. Amen.
Please continue to pray for the success of our campaign and that the projects to be completed safely and in good time!
St. James the Less, pray for us
May the Lord Jesus bless each of you and your families this week!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin