Spirituality News
The Year of Saint Paul
Pope Benedict XVI has announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul, which runs from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009. We are celebrating this Pauline year in our school with programs, events and announcements that will help our St. James family celebrate the life of this great apostle. St. Paul’s messages and writings unmistakably teach us the importance of being “Christ-centered” in our day to day actions. One way of becoming more “Christ-centered” like St. Paul is to practice the “Beatitudes”. Jesus gave us the Beatitudes to help us lead a way of life that promises eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven for the good deeds we do here on earth. They teach us how to “be happy”, “make others happy”, and “make God happy too”.
St. James School Spiritual Programs “All are Welcome”
Catholic Book Club – Our meetings are the second Tuesday of the month in Rm. 1 of the Parish Center. Here are the books for the next couple of meetings.
December 9 - Arise from Darkness: What To Do When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR. January 13 Paul - Least of the Apostles by Alain Decaux. All are welcome. Please contact Julie Lee at manninglee@optonline.net.
Fatima Pilgrim Program – The Fatima Pilgrim Statue is available for families to bring home and teachers to circulate in their classrooms. The kit includes rosaries, leaflets on how to pray the rosary, movies about Fatima and a booklet written by Lucia, the oldest of the children of Fatima. If you would like to reserve a week for your family, please contact Emily Miller at emily.miller123@yahoo.com.
Parent Rosary – parents, teachers and students are invited to come and pray the rosary for our St. James School Family on Wednesdays at 2pm in the chapel. If you would like to help out and lead the rosary one week, email Hazel Aiello at aiello4546@aol.com.
Faith and Learn –a DVD viewing on a topic that will help parents with their faith formation. Stay tuned for more details.
St. James School Email Prayer Chain – Email special intentions to Laura Williams at lifeswork@verizon.net. All intentions are sent anonymously, if you wish.
Christmas Spiritual Bouquets – at “Breakfast with Santa”, a table will be set up to make Spiritual Bouquets for Christmas. Volunteers welcome, email Joan Piasio at joansteve510@aol.com or Anne Molnar at jamabc@optonline.net.
Faith and Family Bulletin Board – (next to the gym exit) Family activities and events that help form our Catholic faith. Contact Noreen DeMarco at paulreen@optonline.net.
HSA Spirituality Event – we will have a guest speaker at the April HSA meeting. Details forthcoming.
Kindergarten Rosary Making – Kindergarteners will string their own SJS rosary in May. Class parents are needed to volunteer and assist. Details to follow.
Spirituality Committee Meetings - 1st Fridays of the month @ 10am at Panera Bread in Basking Ridge. Please attend a meeting or join the committee. We welcome ideas to help our St. James Family grow in our Catholic faith. Contacts: Hazel Aiello at aiello4546@aol.com or Joan Jackson Zadroga at joanpjackson@yahoo.com.
How can you celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Paul the Apostle?
· Read St. Paul's writings on the Epistle
· Make a mini-pilgrimage (visit churches dedicated to and named after St. Paul) www.masstimes.org
· Spread the Gospel by volunteering, taking a Bible Study, or donating to a missionary order
· Learn more about St. Paul, and deepen your faith through his example: http://www.osv.com/YearofStPaulNav/YearofStPaul/tabid/6133/Default.aspx
· Pray the St. Paul prayer:
A Prayer to the Apostle Paul
Glorious St. Paul,
Most zealous Apostle,
Martyr for the love of Christ,
Give us a deep faith,
A steadfast hope,
A burning love for our Lord;
So that we can proclaim with you,
It is no longer I who live, but Christ
who lives in me.
Help us to become apostles
Serving the Church with a pure heart,
Witnesses to her truth and beauty
Amidst the darkness of our days.
With you we praise God, our Father:
To Him be the glory, in the Church and in
Christ, now and forever.
Amen.
