I will be away from St. James for the next two weeks to attend my third and final session at the Alleluia School of Spiritual Direction. The first session was on Prayer. The session July of 2023 was on Healing. This session is on Growth. During these next two weeks, we will be examining the following themes in the spiritual life: detachment, practicing the presence of God, knowing Jesus in a deeper more intimate way, living in faith, hope, and charity, and exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Continuing Education is important for everyone! As a priest, this School has been my continuing education the past few years and my desire is that it helps me be a better pastor and spiritual guide for you and all the people of God.
My desire is to have parishioners trained in spiritual direction so that we can begin a Spiritual Direction ministry here at St. James. We all need someone to accompany us on the journey of discipleship of Jesus Christ. Spiritual Directors assist us in hearing the Lord and discerning what He is doing in and with us and where He might be leading us. Two parishioners will be with me these two weeks to begin their training. It is a 2 year process in which the student attends 3 two-week sessions (with graduation at the final session), goes on an 8-day Ignatian Retreat, and does a spiritual direction practicum for 16 weeks.
Please keep the three of us in your prayers these next couple of weeks!
2024 Catholic Men’s Conference
I invite all men (single and married) of St. James to attend our 2024 Catholic Men’s Conference! Saturday, January 27th, St. James will host once again a day long conference to help Catholic Men grow in faith and virtue becoming the men the Lord wants them to be. The theme of this year’s conference is “Esto Vir! Be a Man!” Father Brett Brannen, priest of the Diocese of Savannah and Pastor of St. Michael’s on Tybee Island, and Deacon Larry Olney, permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will be our two presenters that day. Both of them are dynamic and entertaining! There will be an opportunity for confession, adoration, and fraternity. This is chance to begin 2024 tending to your spiritual life and to being a better Catholic man, husband, and father.
Men of St. James, I am calling you to come and have your soul be filled with truth and strength! And, bring a friend!
May the Lord Jesus bless you and your families abundantly this week!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin