St James Church Bulletin
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 00:38:18 EST     - -     click here for directions to Pennington, NJPennington, New Jersey 08534      - -     Circulation 11706 since January 1, 2007

This Week's Reading

Lent 2010

Daily Mass 9:00am (Monday through Saturday) Church
Stations of the Cross: Friday evenings, March 12 at 7:30pm in the Chapel

You are invited to participate in very special Stations of the Cross devoted to Mary in Honor of the Feast of the Annunciation on Friday, March 19 at 7:30pm in the Chapel. Come pray the stations while acknowledging the special role and powerful presence of Our Blessed Mother.

Lenten Bible Study: We will continue our Lenten Bible Study this year with a look at the Gospel of John, his well known “I AM” sayings, his insistence on fully committed discipleship, and his focus on the divinity of Jesus. Deacon Dick Currie is preparing informative sessions that will be offered on Thursdays 7:30 – 9pm and repeated on Saturdays 9:30 – 11am in the Resource Room . For more information please call the Religious Education office at 737-2717

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Summer Workcamp - Fund Raisers

SAVE THE DATE'S WORK CAMP FUND RAISERS:
All proceeds from these events will help send our youth to work camp this summer in Oswego, N.Y.
March 13/14 :
Pancake Dinner/Breakfast / Gym After all masses bring the family we guarantee you will not leave hungry

March 27
Mark Twain's Last Stand @ 7:30pm/ Gym This one man play has gotten outstanding reviews, staring Alan Kitty
Watch for more details in the coming weeks.
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Separated & Divorced

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED:
Has your family been torn apart by the end of your marriage? You are not alone; 57% of all marriages end in divorce. If so, life as you knew it has or will change. As painful as it is, life must go on toward a new beginning and acceptance of the situation. You need not walk this path alone. Come to a supportive environment where the participants understand and can identify with what you are going through. You will learn how to deal with your feelings, and look toward rebuilding your life, one step at a time. We must be willing to do the work. In the group, we share our pain, joys, successes, and solutions to problems we encounter. Some come just to listen. Our group continues to meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of every month from 7-9pm in the Resource Room. Our format is very informal. We are currently using the DivorceCare video series which offers a variety of topics related to the process of divorce. The video is followed about the group, please contact Rich or Elise Hobson 333-9868 Kathy Hoarn 883-0945 or Dennis Keck 267 568- 2896. We may also be contacted by email st.jamessupportgroup@gmail.com.
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Baptism Class

Baptism Class:
The Baptism class is required for all couples who are expecting a child in the near future. You are expected to attend this class before the child is born - even if you have previously attended such classes. The class is approximately two hours. Please call - at 737-0122 to register. Next Class: to be announced
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Ministry for Chronically Ill

New Ministry for Chronically Ill – A ministry for the chronically ill (those experiencing an illness for weeks, months, or years) is in the process of being formed. The next meeting will be on Monday, April 5 (time to be announced) in the Resource Room. If you have lived with an illness such as cancer, heart disease, an emotional or psychological condition, Parkinson’s or any other serious malady, seriously consider becoming a part of this group, which may provide support, healing, and fellowship for you. Information, please call Margo Sciarrotta at 609-883-1518 or e-mal msciarrotta@verizon.net.
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St. James Nursery School

Nursery School News for February
The celebration of St. Valentine’s Day at the nursery school was more than just a party. The holiday presented a wonderful opportunity to discuss what love is and ways to show it. We also want to let everyone know that the school has started a Parent Advisory Committee to assist with fundraising and setting policies. If you are interested in helping (you do not need to have a preschooler attending), please contact us at stjkids@hotmail.com. One last note: Please keep sending in the Campbell and Pepperidge Farm proofs of purchase. The number collected is slowly, but steadily increasing. Thank you!
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Religious Education

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious Education Classes
Tuesday & Wednesday
4:15 – 5:30 – Grades 1 – 4
7 – 8:15pm – Grades 5 – 8
Thursday--4:15 – 5:30 – Grades 3 – 7
Sunday--Kindergarten
1st and 3rd Sundays during 9:45 and 11:30 Masses
*Please check our webpage under Religious Education for the full calendar

Parent's Liturgy of the Word: First and Third Sunday of the Month at the 9:45am and 11:30am Mass. March 7 and 21

Children's Liturgy of the Word: 2nd and 4thSunday of the Month at the 9:45am Mass. March 14 and 28.

Our Tuesday afternoon classes, grades 1, 3, & 4 and any Home Study students are invited to celebrate Mass together at 11:30am on Sunday, March 14th. Mass preparation activities will take place at 4:15 on Tuesday, March 9th.

Vacation Bible School will be offered this summer through the cooperation of the area Christian churches: Pennington Presbyterian, Pennington Methodist, St. Matthew’s Episcopal, and St. James Catholic Church.
Dates: July 26 – 30
Time: 9:15am - 12:15pm (9am early drop off, if needed)
Ages: 4 (as of October 1st) through 9th grade (gr. 7-9 participate in field trips most days)
Place: Pennington Presbyterian Church
Cost: $25
Registration information will be available soon. If you wish to become an adult volunteer teacher or aide (Jr. & Sr. high school students only) contact our Religious Ed office for more information at 737-2717 or stjamesedu@gmail.com

Our seventh grade Confirmation retreat was a huge success, thanks to the hard work and thorough preparation of our presenters – TCNJ’s Campus Ministry students and Fr. Bill Lago. This could not have been possible without the help of our seventh grade teachers and especially Mrs. Long, who made the brownies for our dessert.
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Loaves and Fishes

LOAVES AND FISHES
Loaves and Fishes is a volunteer program sponsored by local churches, schools and other organizations that provides a hot meal to the poor of Trenton on the last two Saturdays of each month. St. James has sponsored a mean annually for many years and will do so once again on Saturday, March 20th. This has been of the favorite activities at St. James because it is an event that truly involves the entire parish. We provide the food, transport it to the Cathedral, cook the meal, serve it and clean up after the service is completed. We make lunch bags that provide additional food for the guest to bring home and enjoy after we are gone. It is a huge endeavor that miraculously comes together year after year thanks to the generosity of the people of St. James. As you can imagine, the need this year has grown even greater. Sign ups will take place the weekends of March 6/7 and March 13/14. Watch for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Mark O'Dea at 737-8655.
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CRASH Club Corner

CRASH Club Corner:
This past Monday at CRASH, we started the evening in gym for a game of “human pickle-ball.” Following that, our small group discussions focused on moral dilemmas or “pickles” that we are faced with in everyday life. Each group prepared “pickle puppets” and at the end of the night each group presented a short puppet show of moral dilemmas that youth can face in today’s society. In keeping with the “pickle theme” each group started the process of making a jar of homemade pickles (by mixing freshly cut cucumbers and mixing them with vinegar, onions, sugar and a number of spices) which should be ready in several weeks. Thanks to Team #2 (Rory Nachbar, Karli Bruno, Megan Kovac, Nicole Olearchik, Mike Musso Curtis May and Toni Lombardo) for a great night!

Next weekend the members of CRASH who will be attending this summer’s workcamp trip will be having a pancake dinner (Saturday night following the 5:00 mass) and breakfast (Sunday morning following all of the masses). All of the proceeds from the weekend will go towards the trip this summer. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming CRASH Events:
Monday, March 8th CRASH – Team #3 7-9 PM

Saturday, March 13th & Sunday, March 14th Pancake Dinner & Breakfast
(Following all masses)
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Saturday AM Men's Group

MEN'S GROUP:
The men's group will meet on all the Saturdays of Lent. The next meeting: March 13th, 2010. Information: please call Chet Snook at 215- 428-0207
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R.C.I.A. and Re-connecting Church

RCIA:
RCIA is a ministry for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This ministry meets with those interested in becoming Catholic or those who are baptized Catholic and wish to complete their Sacraments of Initiation. We welcome anyone inquiring about the Catholic faith. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Catholic, please contact Nancy Lucash at 737-2717 or 530-9507.

YOUR CONSCIENCE AS A GUIDE:
"Above the pope as an expression of binding claim of church authority stands one's own conscience, which has to be obeyed first of all, if need be against the demands of church authority." Pope Benedict XVI Are there things about the Catholic Church that are troubling you? Do you feel frustrated? Do you want to talk to someone about it? Perhaps we can help. We are Reconnecting with the Church. We are lay members of St. James who are here to listen to you. We are non-judgmental. We care about you.
As you enter the church please pick up our brochure in the rack on the left side, or call Mary Kay or Rob Kuser at 609-896-1652 to learn more.
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Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be held on Friday, March 5, 9:30am to 1pm. For more information, call Joanie Halajko at 896-9416
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St. James Seniors Club Scholarship

ATTENTION: HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS -- St. James Seniors Club will offer a $1,000.00 scholarship to a graduating high school senior again this year. The applicant must be a member of St. James Parish and the award must be used for his/her continuing education. Applications are available by calling Mrs. Fran Kelly at 609/730-8775 between Monday, March 8th, and Tuesday, April 6th. The deadline to return the application is Tuesday, May 4th.
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Festa - Thank You

2010 Festa Italiano---A BIG Success!!!
Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came together to make our 2010 Festa Italiano another successful event for our parish. This event is all about us coming together as a parish. It is about us getting to know each other better and enjoying each other’s company. St. James is blessed with wonderful parishioners, who tirelessly offer their generosity with time, effort and enthusiasm, to make this a wonderful, fun and delicious event!! As usual, my family and I had a great time!

I want to thank those who volunteered, as well as everyone who came out and supported the event. Many, many thanks to all!!!
Erik Kelly
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St. James Seniors

ST. JAMES SENIORS
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 1st, at noon when we will have a Soup and Salad luncheon.
Reminder: Our Prayer Partner program started on Ash Wednesday and will continue through Lent, so please remember to say a prayer for your partner every day during Lent.
Membership dues for 2010, at $10.00 per person, are now due. You can mail your check to Sebastian Panebianco, 10 Temple Court, Pennington, NJ 08534, or pay at the March 4th meeting. Checks should be made payable to St. James Seniors.
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Grief Share Meeting

New: Grief Share Meeting
Where: St. James Church ( Blue room)
When : Every Thursday Night 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Meeting: Open Discussion - The group is open to anyone struggling with a loss who is willing to receive and give support. Together we can share the pain and ease the grief.
Contacts: Lori Bell (609) 815-0818 or lorilou011@yahoo.com Eileen Meyer ( 609) 586-7146
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