Happy Wednesday in the Octave of Easter! We hope this finds you continuing your Easter feasting ; )

Easter Sunday and the following seven days present a special time to bask in the glory of the resurrection. The Octave of Easter is one of the lesser known liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church. It includes Easter Sunday and the seven days that follow, culminating in the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday (also known as the Second Sunday of Easter).Starting from at least the 3rd or 4th century, Christians began to extend certain feasts beyond the initial day. This meant that the joyous celebrations of Easter Sunday were prolonged and lasted a full eight days.” -READ THE FULL ARTICLE FROM ALETEIA.ORG

Thanks to you and your positive feedback Masses will continue online!We would like to thank all of those who took the time to offer feedback in regards to our online Masses for Palm Sunday, the Triduum and Easter Sunday. Thanks to the positive input, we have decided to continue filming weekend Masses at St. James so that you may stay connected to our spiritual family and home while we are sheltering in place. We will send the link to the Mass via Flocknote before Saturday at 4 p.m. each week.Once the Mass is uploaded to our YouTube channel, you may also find the link at our parish website listed in the headers. www.stjamesge.org 


This Sunday is Divine Mercy SundayTo find out everything you need to know about this wonderful celebration, Click Here to Visit TheDivineMercy.orgRegistration for 2020-21 Religious Education Classes Now Open
Our online registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open. To complete your RE registration and payment plan, follow the FACTS link below:https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/4LLY6

On the welcome page click the appropriate option: (1) ‘Create a username & password’ if you are a new FACTS User, or (2) ‘Sign in’ if you already have an account. Select the appropriate school year and complete the steps as prompted. 

Looking for a way to share your faith? If you are interested in becoming a Catechist or Aide for Religious Education for the upcoming school year, please contact the Religious Education office. Catechists and Aides receive fee discounts of 50% and 25% and can ensure their first choice of class day/time for their child(ren).

The Religious Education office will be closed.  Please email us: reo@stjamesge.org if you have any registration related questions. 

St. James Youth Ministry Begins Weekly Bible Study Today for Teens
Beginning this afternoon, our Youth Minister Gina will offer a Wednesday Bible Study on Zoom. Email her at gina@stjamesge.org to get the link and password to join today at 4:30 p.m. 
This week read Luke 24: 1-35.  Bring your Bible, a good snack, and let’s crack open the Scripture. Be sure to read the passage ahead of time.  

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
We have invited our staff to share with you a spiritual resource that each has found helpful during our shelter-in-place days. Today we feature the recommendation from Joanne DeZur, who works 2 days a week in the Ministry Center front office. 

She writes, “In this time of having to stay at home just me and the dog Fozzie Bear, I have found what helps me might help others. On the computer I can pull up The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which has a calendar for every day in the color of the day that gives me the 1st, and 2nd readings and the Gospel.

The 2nd reading usually starts with “Brothers and Sisters” which makes me feel like I am with my friends, neighbors and others as we handle this trying time. Take a look at it, it helps you to feel not alone.”

Brothers and sisters:
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh;
on the contrary, you are in the spirit,
if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you,
although the body is dead because of sin,
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit dwelling in you. 

Click Here to Read Each Day’s Readings

How can we be of help to you? As we continue to shelter-in-place, is there any way we can be of help to you? Please email your thoughts and ideas to lisa@stjamesge.org.