St James Church Bulletin
Click for Pennington, New Jersey Forecast
Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 02:17:37 EST     - -     click here for directions to Pennington, NJPennington, New Jersey 08534      - -     Circulation 11765 since January 1, 2007

This Week's Reading

Lent 2010

LENTEN CALENDAR
Daily Mass 9:00am (Monday through Saturday) Church

Stations of the Cross: Friday evenings, March 19 at 7:30pm in the Chapel

You are invited to participate in a 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

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Communal Penance Service: Tuesday, March 23 7:30pm Church

Individual Confessions:
Saturday, March 20 11am to noon (Church)
Monday, March 22 – 7:30 to 8:00pm (Chapel)
Saturday, March 27 – 11am to noon (Church)
Tuesday, March 30 – 7:30 to 8pm (Chapel)

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.

~~~

Easter: Faith and Fun

EASTER FAITH & FUN
When: Sunday, April 11
from 5 to 7:30pm
Where: St. James Family Center
Who’s invited? Everyone, Everyone & Everyone!!
Did you know that the Easter Season lasts 50 days, and ends this year on May 23, the Feast of Pentecost? We will keep the celebration going at our Easter Faith & Fun night. Come and join your fellow parishioners for a light meal (Subs & Salads), joyful prayer, and a time to learn & create & celebrate. Interested? Sign up in the Gathering Space, or outside the Religious Ed Office, or send a note to our e-mail account: StJamesFnF@gmail.com. There’s no charge for the meal, but donations to offset the cost will be gratefully accepted!
~~~

WORKCAMP FUND RAISER

SAVE THE DATE'S WORK CAMP FUND RAISER:
All proceeds from these events will help send our youth to work camp this summer in Oswego, N.Y.
March 27 --Mark Twain's Last Stand @ 7:30pm/ Gym This one man play has gotten outstanding reviews, staring Alan Kitty
~~~

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.
~~~

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: Sunday, April 25 at 11:00am in the Blue Room.
~~~

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.
~~~

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
March 21 – Last KN Class and Graduation
*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 21 and April 18
Children's Liturgy of the Word: 2nd and 4thSunday of the Month at the 9:45am Mass. March 28.(last Children’s Liturgy of the Word for the school year)

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

~~~

Loaves & Fishes

LOAVES AND FISHES
You can bring your donations of food items to the cafeteria beginning Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19. On the evenings of Thursday and Friday 3/18 and 3/19, we will be preparing the items to be taken down to Trenton on Saturday. For more information, please call Mark O’Dea at 737-8655.
~~~

CRASH Club Corner

CRASH Club Corner:
This past Monday at CRASH, we started the evening by singing a CRASH favorite, “Green Alligators.” Next, we went up to the gym for next activity which was a CRASH version of the olympic sport of “curling.” Following our icebreaker, our special guest for the evening was Monsignor Ron. Monsignor spoke with the youth, shared stories and answered questions which allowed the CRASH members to examine how they can help others and grow in their faith. Some of the topics that were addressed included: (1) Service to others, (2) Helping others in need, (3) The importance of the Lenten Season in our lives, and (4) The prison ministry at St. James parish. A special thank-you to Monsignor Ron for time as the The CRASH youth and adult leaders really enjoyed the evening and the topics that were addressed. Also, thanks to Team #3 (Julia McGovern, Kat Heffern, Katie Breen, Katherine Comly, Devon Landis, Lillian Rankel and Karl Muessig) for a great night!

This 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. Please plan on stopping by after mass this weekend - we hope to see you there!

This Thursday (March 18th) the CRASH Club will be making over 700 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for Loaves and Fishes. All CRASH youth and adult leaders and invited to join us at 6:30 in the St. James kitchen (by the gym). In addition, CRASH members are asked to bring in jars of creamy peanut butter and jam to CRASH on Monday night!

Upcoming CRASH Events:
Saturday, March 13th & Sunday, March 14th
Pancake Dinner & Breakfast
(Following all masses)

Monday, March 15th
CRASH – Team #4-- 7:00 – 9:00 PM

(Bring in your peanut butter & jam)

Thursday, March 18th
Sandwich making for Loaves & Fishes--6:30 PM
~~~

Saturday AM Men's Group

MEN'S GROUP:
The men's group will meet on all the Saturdays of Lent. The next meeting: March 20th, 2010. Information: please call Chet Snook at 215- 428-0207
~~~

Holy Week Helpers Needed

HOLY WEEK HELPERS NEEDED
We still need Volunteers to help with special tasks during our Holy Week Liturgies. …….You can take an active part and experience Holy Week more fully by signing up in the Gathering Space today for one of our special Holy Week tasks. There is something for everyone, from children through seniors, for families and individuals. You can help with advance preparations, such as decorating the Church or building the Holy Saturday fire; or you can participate as a Greeter or by sharing the Light of Christ at the Easter Vigil, or even volunteer to have your feet washed. There are many other tasks, as well, so check them out at the sign-up Table this weekend, or call Joann Held at 737-0867.
~~~

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.
~~~

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be held on Friday, March 12, 9:30am to 1pm. For more information, call Joanie Halajko at 896-9416
~~~

Hope for a Safe Spring Break

HOPE FOR A SAFE SPRING BREAK
For many college students, March means Spring Break – a chance to trade the cold gray days of the Northeast for warm sunny shores in Florida or Mexico. Before those young adults leave, however, is a good time for parents to touch base with them (especially those making a first trip) on what they might encounter and how they might be prepared for it.
On-campus advertising from brewing companies and resort destinations can paint an exaggerated picture of Spring Break behavior – including attitudes of aggressive partying (and binge drinking) that can make an impression on students, even if they have not participated in that behavior before. Binge drinking on campus or during Spring Break is such a recognized problem that many universities include write-ups on their Web sites warning of the dangers.
The Hope Ministry Web page www.stjames-nj.org/hope.html includes links to several checklists for a safe Spring Break and information about binge drinking – from both parent and young adult perspectives. Or for additional perspective, information, or confidential support, you can also call a Hope Ministry member.
Pete Antoniewicz 466-7719
Dawn (DiDonato) Sabo 883-5385
Moore or Theresa Hank 883-8721
stjhope@hotmail.com
ADDICTION – A DISEASE, NOT A DISGRACE
~~~

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.
~~~

Divine Mercy Novena

Novena to the Divine Mercy
In honor of the feast of Divine Mercy (which will be celebrated the Sunday following Easter) a group of parishioners will gather for 9 days beforehand to pray the novena to the Divine Mercy. We will meet in the Chapel at 3pm each day beginning on Good Friday, April 2nd until Saturday, April 10th to pray the Novena of Chaplets to the Divine Mercy. The novena is a short and beautiful series of repeated prayer, similar to the rosary. Prayer booklets will be provided.

Please join us for one or all of the nine day novena. If you have any questions, please call Melody Lorenz at 609-818-1230.
~~~

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, Checks should be made payable to St. James Seniors.
~~~

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
~~~

TO TOP OF BULLETIN PAGE