St James Catholic Church

High School Youth Car Wash: April 28

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH CAR WASH! SATURDAY, APRIL 28TH: All high school aged youths are invited to our SPRING CAR WASH NEXT SATURDAY, APRIL 28th, FROM 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the St. James School parking lot on Broad St./Route 7, right next to the Youth House (808 W. Broad St.). We NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS, so please help us (and invite your friends to help us) with this fun and busy youth event! There will be three shifts: 1st (10:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon), 2nd (12:00-2:00 p.m.), and 3rd (2:00-4:00 p.m.). Pizza, snacks, and drinks will be provided in the Youth House for everyone who participates. The earnings from this carwash will support the teens from St. James who will be attending WorkCamp 2007 this summer. This event can count for high school Service Hours. Please contact Mr. Michael Sirotniak at 703-533-1182 ext.103 or msirotniak@stjamescatholic.org for more information or to be put on the shift schedule.

Richmond Diocese Information on VA Tech Tragedy

From the Richmond Diocese Website:

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

Letter From Representative of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI
Statement From Bishop DiLorenzo
Pastoral Care at Virginia Tech Prayer
Richmond Diocese Services for Virginia Tech

St. James Church: VA Tech Memorial Mass 4/18 at 7:30 PM

Memorial Mass for the Victims of Virginia Tech
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
St. James Church
830 West Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046

Memorial Masses for Victims at Virginia Tech

PLEASE NOTE: Area Masses/Vigils/Events will be updated throughout the day and coming days at www.arlingtondiocese.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2007
CONTACT:Soren Johnson
Director of Communications
Diocese of Arlington

703-841-2767

Arlington Bishop Mourns Loss of Life at Virginia Tech,

Invites Area Catholics to Prayer

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde called northern Virginia Catholics to pray for the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy.  His statement follows:

“I am truly shocked and saddened by the senseless killings yesterday at Virginia Tech.  In addition, many were wounded.  I join countless others across the Commonwealth in praying for those killed, the wounded, the Virginia Tech campus community, and families and friends of the students.  I also am praying for the soul of the person responsible for this heinous act.  I commend all the victims of this unspeakable violence and their families to the Lord of Life and assure them that our diocesan family of Arlington , especially our clergy, offer their prayers and support in this time of grief and need.  Today I offered the holy Mass for those killed, wounded, and the entire community.”

Bishop Loverde invites members of the community to join him at a holy hour of prayer for the victims:

7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22
Holy Spirit Church
8800 Braddock Rd.Annandale, VA 22003

Noted Irish tenor Mark Forestwill provide music during the time of prayer

Area Catholics Gather to Pray

Numerous area vigils, Masses, and holy hours to pray for the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy are planned throughout the 68 parishes of the Diocese of Arlington.  An estimated 325 graduates of Paul VI Catholic High School (Fairfax ), Bishop Ireton (Alexandria), and Bishop O’Connell High School (Arlington) are currently enrolled at Virginia Tech.

Events will be updated regularly at www.arlingtondiocese.org.  Among those events planned to-date:

Prayer Service for Cathedral School Students

2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17
St. Thomas More Catholic School
(Lee Hall)
105 N. Thomas Street
Arlington, VA 22203

Mass for the Victims of Virginia Tech
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
Holy Spirit Church
8800 Braddock Rd.
Annandale, VA 22003

Mass of Prayer and Healing for the Victims and Families
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
All Saints Church
9300 Stonewall Rd.
Manassas, VA 20110-2594

Evening Prayer
8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
8601 Wolftrap Rd.
Vienna, VA 22182

Memorial Mass for the Victims of Virginia Tech
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 18
St. James Church
830 West Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046

Mass to Pray for Victims and the Wounded
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 19
St. Bernadette Church
7600 Keene Mill Rd.
Springfield, VA 22152

Holy Hour of Prayer
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 19
Cathedral of St. Thomas More
3901 Cathedral Lane
Arlington, VA 22203

Over 400,000 registered Catholics belong to the 68 parishes of the Arlington Diocese, which encompasses 21 counties and seven independent cities in the northern tier of Virginia. Further information can be found at www.arlingtondiocese.org.

Mass of Remembrance: April 4 at 8:00 PM

A Mass of Remembrance for those who have suffered the death of a loved one will be celebrated this Wednesday, April 4 at 8:00pm (Mass is at 8:00pm because of Confessions being heard at 7:00pm) in the Church.

We never get over a death of someone very close to us, especially a spouse, child, parent, grandparent or friend, but we all keep moving forward in life, trusting that one day we will see them again when God calls us home to Him. For those who have suffered a loss; I invite you to come and continue the healing of your loss and to fulfill the scripture passage that says: "Pray for the living and the dead." Maybe for some, this is a time to say the things you wanted to say or to seek forgiveness of the one who died. This Mass is a wonderful moment in the privacy of your heart to offer the Mass for things unsaid or unforgiven. What more beautiful way to prepare for the celebration of Easter morning, than by making peace through this Mass with your loved one and with God.

The Pastor's Column: April 1, 2007

It is hard to believe that Palm Sunday is here. It seems like yesterday when I was putting ashes on the foreheads of our parishioners and saying, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."

On that day, I reminded those attending the Mass that we will one day depart from this world and go before our Judge. The Lord made clear to us what we are called to do in this world. We are to obey His Commandments; that is, to love God and neighbor, to forgive the offenses of others as we wish God to forgive ours, and to be faithful to our spouse, our children, and those who rely upon us. We are called to inspire those whom we meet by our attitude, our faithful witness, and our willingness to "be our brother's keeper". We are in this world not to have the most toys in the end, but to show Christ to others by example. Perhaps someday the elderly lady at the end of your block will see the compassion of Christ through your visits, invitation to family meals - maybe even simple acts like shoveling her walk after a snow storm. Perhaps someday your co-worker will turn to God because of your concern for them, which you displayed by asking how things were going in their life and staying around long enough to actually listen to the response! Maybe your parents will one day tell God how they kept the faith because of the way their children treated them in the last part of their lives.

How are we doing in remembering that one day we will die and meet our judge? How have we used the past six weeks in spiritual, not material, reflection? Even more importantly, how have we come to realize that there are certain aspects of our lives that we truly need to change? Have we used this Lenten season to meet the challenge and change our ways, or at the end of these 40 days do we remain the same people we were on Ash Wednesday? What would you do at work if you were told you had a month to change your work performance or you would need to leave? Would, after a month, you still be doing the same thing? God has given you 40 days to pray, reflect, and understand your need to change certain things. Now He asks each of us, "Are you truly willing to follow me?" It is never too late to take advantage of this new day. If you fall under the above example of having allowed this Lenten season to pass by unheeded - you still have until Easter Sunday to begin! Have a holy and peaceful Holy Week. For those traveling during this time of year, may you and your family have a safe trip and know that you are in our prayers here, at St. James. We will miss you!

As we prepare for the celebration of Easter (and the fact that Jesus broke the chains of sin and death, restoring our hope in the resurrection of the faithful), I would like to celebrate a Mass of Remembrance for those who have suffered the death of a loved one. The Mass will be this Wednesday, April 4 at 8:00pm (Mass is at 8:00pm because of Confessions being heard at 7:00pm) in the Church. We never get over a death of someone very close to us, especially a spouse, child, parent, grandparent or friend, but we all keep moving forward in life, trusting that one day we will see them again when God calls us home to Him. For those who have suffered a loss; I invite you to come and continue the healing of your loss and to fulfill the scripture passage that says: "Pray for the living and the dead." Maybe for some, this is a time to say the things you wanted to say or to seek forgiveness of the one who died. This Mass is a wonderful moment in the privacy of your heart to offer the Mass for things unsaid or unforgiven. What more beautiful way to prepare for the celebration of Easter morning, than by making peace through this Mass with your loved one and with God.

Thank you, to all those who participated in the 40 Hours this past week. Seeing so many of you throughout the day, evening and early morning hours praying before Our Lord was truly inspiring. Thank you to Dan Day, our Director of Music and to all the members of the choir for their help during 40 Hours with their gift of song. I am also thankful for the words of inspiration given to us by Fr. Miller, Fr. Jorge and Fr. Hanley each evening during the 40 Hours celebration.

Fr. Posey

Pro-life News: Novena to the Holy Spirit

Pro-Life Supporters, put your faith into action and pray to end abortion. For 9 consecutive Saturdays from March 31 through May 26 (eve of Pentecost), a novena to the Holy Spirit along with the Rosary prayer will be prayed from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the abortion site on 900 S. Washington Street (Lee Hwy.). Your prayerful presence is urgently needed. For more information, call Sharon DePoorter at 703/573-3615.

Adult Confirmation Classes

If you are an adult who has not received the Sacrament of Confirmation you are invited to attend preparation classes taught by Fr. Hanley. Confirmation is a vital sacrament that gives the grace to remain strong in your faith in the face of life's many strains. Classes will be held Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. starting April 17 and concluding May 29. Participants will be prepared to receive the sacrament on May 27 at St. Thomas More Cathedral. Please contact the Rectory at 703/532-8815 for more information.

Schedule Notices for Holy Week

REMINDER - EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Please note that there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament this Friday, April 6, from 9:00 -11:45 a.m. in St. James Church.

ATTENTION! THERE WILL BE EARLY DISMISSAL FOR THE SCHOOL AT 11:30 A.M. THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 5.. MAY WE ASK PEOPLE ATTENDING THE NOON MASS TO PARK ON THE STREET? THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

PLEASE NOTE: the Rectory office will be closed on Good Friday, April 6th. The office will reopen at 9:00 a.m. Monday, April 9th.

Blessing of Easter Food Baskets

Father Majka will have the traditional blessing of the Easter Food Baskets in church on Holy Saturday, April 7 at 9:30. Come and share this beautiful tradition of many European countries. Prepare a basket, lined with white linen, and include foods such as breads, butter, decorated eggs, cheeses, meats, cakes, salt and pepper. The custom is to end the Lenten fast and celebrate the season of the Resurrection by sharing the blessed foods with your family following Easter Mass.

Holy Week Services

HOLY WEEK 2007

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
April 2, 3 and 4
Confessions: 7:00 P.M.

Holy Thursday, April 5
Mass of the Lord's Supper,
Holy Communion and Procession: 7:30 P.M.
Visits to the Repository until Midnight

Good Friday, April 6
Confessions: 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Stations of the Cross:
3:00 P.M. and 6:15 P.M. (Spanish)
Liturgy of the Passion and Death
Of Our Lord, Holy Communion:
7:30 P.M.

Holy Saturday, April 7
Easter Vigil Mass: 8:00 P.M.

Easter Sunday, April 8
Masses: 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 A.M.
12:00 Noon, 2:30 P.M. (Spanish)

Download Schedule in PDF format at http://www.stjamescatholic.org/pdf/easter_2007.pdf

High School Theater

DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL - at Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School. Friday, March 23, Saturday, 24, and Friday, March 30 at 8:00 P.M. and a Sunday Matinee on March 25 at 2:00 P.M. Tickets can be reserved at (703) 237-1448, or at the door. Tickets are $5.00 for Students and Senior Citizens and $10.00 General Admission.

PAUL VI PLAYERS presents the 1930's musical "Anything Goes". Performances will be Friday or Saturday, March 30 & 31, at 7:30 P.M., or Sunday, April 1, at 2 P.M. Tickets will be available at the door.

40 Hours Devotion

Begins at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. Eucharistic Adoration will continue for 40 hours, interrupted only by the celebration of the daily Masses. The Adoration will end at the conclusion of Tuesday's evening Holy Hour at 7:30 p.m. Forms will be available in the back of the church if you would like to participate. Questions? Call the Rectory office at 703/532-8815.  [More Information]

Divine Mercy Prayer Host Families Needed

St. James will be blessed to host a beautiful image of the Divine Mercy in the Church for one week. Five families are also needed to host smaller images in their homes at the same time. They are asked to pray the Chaplet of Mercy and the Rosary every evening for the week the image is in their homes. Prayers will be offered for the intentions of suffering parish families. If interested, please call the coordinator, Fatima Diaz, at 703/658-2526.

Office Assistant Needed

St. James Office Staff is in need of an office assistant to work Tuesday nights from 5 :00 until 9:00 p.m. Duties include answering the door and the phone, helping parishioners with registrations and Mass Requests, receiving appointments for the priests and assisting with mailings. Applicant must be at least 16 years old. If interested, please call the rectory office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 703/532-8815.