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Advocacy | Angel Food Ministries | Knights of Columbus | Parish Activities, and Interesting things to do! | Parish Meetings | Parish Needs
Religious Education & Activities
| Reminders | Retreats, Seminars & Pilgrimages | Vocations & Ministry
Volunteer Work, Parish Ministries & Charities
ADVOCACY

Health Care Reform Legislation

Congress is preparing to debate health care reform legislation on the House and Senate floors. Genuine health care reform should protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death. The U.S. bishops’ conference has concluded that all committee-approved bills are seriously deficient on the issues of abortion and conscience, and do not provide adequate access to health care for immigrants and the poor. The bills will have to change or the bishops have pledged to oppose them.

ACTION: Contact Members through e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters.
• To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Congress go to www.usccb.org/action.
• Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Members’ local offices.
• Full contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov

MESSAGE to SENATE: “During floor debate on the health care reform bill, please support an amendment to incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

MESSAGE to HOUSE: “Please support the Stupak Amendment that addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights in the health care reform bill. Help ensure that the Rule for the bill allows a vote on this amendment. If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.”

WHEN: Both House and Senate are preparing for floor votes now.


Act today! Thank you!


Virginia Catholic Conference E-mail Netword

  • The Virginia Catholic Conference, which engages in legislative advocacy on behalf of our Commonwealth's two Catholic bishops
    and their dioceses, has created an e-mail advocacy network. Its purpose is for those who wish to contact their state and federal lawmakers
    about respect-life, social-justice, family, and education issues to receive regular alerts and updates on legislation considered by the Virginia General Assembly and the US Congress.
  • Bishop DiLorenzo has emphasized the vital responsibility that every Catholic shares in "building a culture of life, providing for the poorest
    and most vulnerable in our midst, and enhancing family life."
  • To sign up for alerts and updates on initiatives supported by the Virginia bishops, please click here to "Join the Network!" and complete
    the short electronic form provided.
Knights of Columbus
KofC
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

Father Massey Council
121 S. 15th Street
Hopewell, Va. 23860

Primary Points of Contact:
Grand Knight - Chris Gerard
Deputy Grand Knight - Tommie Mortimer

General Information:
Regular Scheduled Meetings 1st and 3rd  Mondays every month

UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

03-26-10          Second Fish Fry (6:30pm at hall) -- Church Event

04-17-10          Kovar collection - Saturday Mass

04-18-10          Kovar collection - Sunday Mass

04-05-10          April meeting (7:00pm at hall)

04-19-10          April meeting (7:00pm at hall)

 

Parish Activities, and Interesting Things to Do!

Volunteers Needed
French Food Festival, April 17th Be a part of the 2nd Annual Little Sisters of the Poor French Food Festival, featuring world renowned Chef Paul Elbling!  There are many opportunities to volunteer in the kitchen, dining tents, drink concessions, children’s activities, etc.  The event takes place Saturday, April 17, 2010, at the Little Sisters of the Poor, 1503 Michaels Road, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  If you would like to help with this important fundraiser for the elderly poor, please e-mail Frenchfoodfestival@gmail.com or call Christy Heinen @ 288-6245.


HOSPITALITY SUNDAY
First Sunday of each month following the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the parish hall. Everyone is invited.
Pastoral Council Meeting

2nd Tuesday of each month.

Finance Council

3rd Thursday of each month.

Parish Needs
Stewardship clip art.
Let us all remember to pray the Prayer of Generosity as a family and as a community.
Remember to give God thanks and praise for the many gifts that God has given us.

Prayer for Generosity
Dear Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not count the cost;
to fight and not heed the wounds;
to toil and not seek for rest;
to labor and not ask for reward, except to know
that I am doing your will.

Amen.


HAVE YOUR TURNED IN YOUR STEWARDSHIP INTENTION CARD YET?

If not, CLICK HERE for more information.

Religious Education & Activities

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:
March 27/28: Passion and Palm Sunday.
We will begin 15 minutes early for both Masses as we process into church.

The Easter Triduum (The three days)
April 1: Holy Thursday:Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m.

April 2: Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 7:00 p.m.

April 3: Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil at 8:00 p.m.
April 4: Sunday, Easter day: Masses at 8:15 and
11:00 a.m.

PALM SUNDAY WEEKEND: Please arrive 15 minutes early for Mass as we process into church.


Understanding The Mass
While in the first part of the Liturgy of the Word we hear God’s story, in the second part we offer our story. Immediately following the Homily we have a few moments of “silence during which we each thank God for the word we have heard and apply the message of today’s readings to our daily living (Richstatter, Thomas O.F.M.(1989). A walk Through the Mass. Catholic Update Published by St Anthony’s Messenger.). Next we stand and recite the Creed. The creed is more than a list of things, which we believe. It is a statement of our faith in the word we have heard proclaimed in the Scripture and the homily, and a profession of the faith that leads us to give our lives for one another as Christ gave his life for us. After the Creed we offer our communal prayers in the General Intercessions. These are prayers, which constitute our acceptance that we are not perfect, but, as God’s Word has informed us, capable of changing for the better. This is where we fuse our intensions with God’s intensions for us. We pray for the Church, nations and their leaders, people in special need and the local needs of our parish—the petitions usually fall into these four categories. Here, at St. James, we are given the opportunity to include our prayers with those of the whole community.
Monsignor Chester Michael, in A New Day, writes that it “should be the aim of everyone in the community of worshipers to make the liturgy a communal endeavor. Individuals should sacrifice their own personal desires about the way they like to pray during the service. All should join together in singing and praying, according to the particular functions of each member of the group” (2001, p. 75 The Open Door).


Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults-RCIA
Anyone over the age of eighteen interested in learning more about the
Catholic church, or interested in being Confirmed, please contact Patti or Tom Allen, 541-3087.


OPERATION RICE BOWL
Our faith community will participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten Program, Operation Rice Bowl as part of our Lenten observance. Throughout Lent Operation Rice Bowl will help us pray, fast, learn and give in solidarity with those in need around the world. We encourage you to be a part of this Lenten journey at home with your family and loved ones. Focus your energy and attention on, learning about new ways to reach out to your neighbors most in need. Be sure to pick up your “bowl” in the commons and return it on Holy Thursday.

PRAYING LENT: For those who want to reflect, pray and do something extra for the Season of Lent, please visit http://liturgy,slu.edu/. Visit the Online Ministries site: Praying Lent. On this site there is a Lenten Daily Prayer for each day of Lent.

SOUP/BREAD DINNERS/STATIONS OF THE CROSS
During the 6 weeks of Lent, starting February 18th, we will have a supper of soup and bread at 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall, followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Please bring a pot of soup or bread to share. Everyone is welcome.

 


De ColoresCURSILLO is a 3 day retreat that is fully sanctioned by the Catholic Church
and the Diocese of Richmond. The retreats are put on by lay Catholics with the assistance of clergy.
Anyone in good standing with the church is eligible to attend. If you are interested in learning more
about Cursillo or participating in a weekend, ask a parish member that has been on a Cursillo
or contact the Central Virginia Coordinating Committee at 804-530-3546
.

Cursillo Prayer Group

CURSILLISTAS!
The next Ultreya is here at St. James on Friday, February 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Please plan to join us for an evening of prayer, scripture, witness and fellowship.


praying handsPRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH

PRAYER WORKS. Come and pray with the St. James Prayer Group.
Our objective is pray for St. James parish, the world
and economic situations, and any personal concerns.

We meet first Wednesday of the month at 7 PM in church.
ALL ARE WELCOME!


For more info call Dick Commander, 530-3546
.


bibleSCRIPTURE STUDY

Every Wednesday in room 11 from 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m. All are welcome.
For more information call Ethel Blaha at 530-2152

    Religious Education Classes

    2nd Sunday – Catholic Update class after 9:30 Mass  (Feb, Apr)


Reminders

LENTEN GUIDELINES
FASTING is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by everyone 18 years of age and older, who has not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, enough to maintain strength may be taken, according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal.

ABSTINENCE is observed by everyone 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence no meat is allowed. Note that when health or the ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence.

CATHOLIC COLLEGE STUDENTS going to Liberty University?
St. Thomas More Parish is your parish home-away-from-home while you are at Liberty University.
Contact us with your address and email, so we can let you know about us.
St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 Roundelay Road, Lynchburg, VA. 23602.
Phone: 434-237-5911 - email: info@stmva.com


grad

IN COLLEGE?
Students in Virginia colleges can get a warm welcome and an easy connection through campus ministry.
Go to http://www.richmonddiocese.org/cyam/index.htm
and click on the link on the left side that says “College Bound?”
for the information form that will make that connection. 

Retreats, Seminars & Pilgrimages

YOUNG ADULT RETREAT:
Ages 18-40. Sponsored by the Office for Black Catholics - June 4-5, 2010 at Shalom House, Montpelier, VA.
Ansel Augustine and Brian Greenfield, Retreat Leaders. Cost $30.00 (3 easy payments of $10.00 beginning in March).
Final payment due May 24, 2010. Contact Pam Harris for more information (804)622-5104 pharris@richmonddiocese.org

 

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Friday March 5th 11:00am at First Baptist Church City Point. People around the world celebrate the same day with the same service written this year by the women of Cameroon.  Their theme is from Psalms 150 "Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God."  Come add your voice in prayer with the voices of your neighbors here in Hopewell and around the world.  Lunch is served following the program.

 

Vocations & Religious Ministry

Clipart of ordination.Support Our Seminarians...........
Our seminarians depend on the community for prayer and support. For a list of seminarians' names and contact information, please click here. Did you know that the Office for Vocations has extensive resources to promote vocations to the priesthood?  Go to http://www.richmonddiocese.org/vocations/index.htm for information.

 


Image of eucharist.MINISTRY

Are you interested in a very rewarding ministry? We are looking for someone who would be interested in taking the Eucharist to the homebound. You would be asked to do this about once a month and you would be trained. It is a blessed way to show your love for God and you neighbor.
Please call the office.

Volunteer Work, Parish Ministries, & Charities

Do you know the Ministries of our Parish? The major ministries you might what to check out. Liturgy, Bereavement, Lector, Eucharistic/Homebound Eucharistic Minister, Greeter, Music, Religious Education, Children’s Liturgy, Parish and Finance Council just to name a few. Ask a council member about getting involved in one of these exciting ministries!!


CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church is responding to victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. To donate please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. In the memo portion please write: Haiti Earthquake.

Hands of Love Ministry Image of woman knitting.

HANDS OF LOVE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Will meet Thursday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the religious education office. Come join us for needlework, prayer and fellowship. No skill required. For more information contact Kay Vanatta @kvanatta@hughes.net or 757-866-0028.
Needed: Prayer, yarn, medium sized gift bags, 6X9 mailing envelopes, money for postage and other supplies.

Angel Food Ministries

Click here for this month's menu.
Angel Food Ministries Info Form

Ordering & Pick-Up Information for
West Hopewell Presbyterian Church

Place Your Order:
In person orders along with payment can be completed at
the church. Volunteers will be available to direct to the exact
location in church. Make checks payable to WHPC.

First and Last Wed. every month from 6:30 to 7:30PM
First Sat. of every month from 10-11AM.
Due to weather, please call to verify dates & times.

IN PERSON orders consist of food stamps, credit & debit
card, checks, cash or money orders. ONLINE orders only
take credit & debit cards. No online Food Stamp orders.

February Order Deadlines:
On-Site Order Deadline: 2/08/10 7:30 PM
Online Order Deadline: 2/115/10 5:00 PM
This program of open to Everyone! If you don’t want to use it, pass this on to friends or family!
ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES PROVIDES FOOD RELIEF
FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF U.S. FAMILIES EACH MONTH
As Food Prices Escalate, Families can now get a $65 Box of Food for Only $30

Pick-Up:
Pickup times are from 10am-12pm only, on the date
listed. Volunteers/Signs will be available to direct to the exact
location in church. Please bring empty box and receipt to pick
up items. Any items not picked up during this time will be
donated to others in need.

February Pick-Up Date:
Saturday, February 20th 10am-12 noon
On Facebook: WHPC Angelfood Ministries


REQUEST FOR EYESGLASSES AND HEARING AIDS
If you have any of the above mentioned please place them in the basket in the commons. They will be forwarded to the Office of the Chancellor, at the Diocese. They will be delivered to a doctor who travels to the Philippines every January and spends months operating and treating indigent citizens of that country.

He takes and freely distributes these eyeglasses and hearing aids for which the recipients are very grateful, as many are able to see and hear for the first time.


Prison ministry
Prison Ministry

Prison and Jail Ministry. There are currently 33,000 inmates in Virginia state prisons, 28,000 more currently in city, county, and regional jails. 95% of these 61,000 prisoners will be released at some time back into the general population. Richmond Area Prison and Jail Ministry Working Group would like your help in responding to help them reenter society as productive citizens. Informational Program explaining opportunities for you to help, both inside and outside prison and jail walls, will be presented Thursday, March 4, 7:00 pm, St. Ann, Colonial Heights. Call DennisBeeman 262-2487 beeman@verizon.net)

Experience the Joy of Foster Parenting
foster careCCC needs foster parents to provide loving homes for youth in the refugee foster care program. If you would like to gain rewarding experience working with children from other countries, contact BeBe Tran at 545-5949 or email Bebe.Tran@cccofva.org. Visit the CCC website for more information at www.cccofva.org.


VOLUNTEER BAKERS NEEDED!

The chaplains at Ft. Lee have asked for our help!

Each Wednesday night, the base chapel hosts a "Coffee House" for the new soldiers who are currently on base for short-term training. At the moment, over 80 enlisted men and women participate weekly. St. James parish has offered to provide home-baked cookies
for the 2nd Wednesday of each month, beginning in April.

We need volunteers who can prepare each month: 2 dozen cookies, brownies, cupcakes, or other eas6-to-eat dessert items, and drop them off at the church office by Wednesday morning on the 2nd week of each month. Substitute bakers will also be needed to fill in when someone is out of town.

What a great way to support our Troops and give them a fine "taste" of St. James!
For details, contact Hope Dodd at the office.


Service to Poor Persons
YOUNG ADULTS: Women and Men around the ages of 18 to 35 you are needed to give Service to Poor Persons. If you would like to consider this activity with others of your age, single/married,
please let us know and we will call you for your suggestions of a time, place, date to meet about it.
For more information, see the website at www.famvin.org

The website gives information about the Vincentian Marian Youth under the topic, Vincentian Family.
Contact Sister James Regina, or Sister Lucille at St. Joseph's, 732-8501 or Pat Clement at our parish office.


grocery basketJUSTICE AND PEACE MINISTRY
A reminder that food baskets will now be at the doors of the church.
When you enter church, please place your donated items in the baskets.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the Food Pantry and the families we serve each week.


THE SHEPHERD’S CENTER OF CHESTERFIELD is a non-profit, interfaith organization of senior adults who donate their time, talents, professional expertise, automobiles, gasoline, etc. to help other senior adults remain independent in their own homes. It was established in August 2001. We are in need of volunteer drivers. Please call 706-9198 for more information.

©2007 St. James Catholic Church, Hopewell, VA