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Saint James Parish Goal
To deepen our own faith in Jesus Christ in order to
bring it to and share it with others.

 
HEALTH CARE 

The July issue of the Catholic Update entitled “Catholics and Health Care: They Go Together” and written by Fr. Thomas Nairn, OFM looks at the connection between health care and social justice, especially human dignity, the common good, the care of those who are poor and sick, responsible stewardship, and the rights of conscience.  He explains that the work of a Catholic health-care system is a participation in the healing ministry of Jesus which includes a commitment to those most vulnerable.  Pick up a free copy of the CU each month from the table in the narthex.  Read it and see what you think! 

 
MARRIAGE

 The June issue of the Catholic Update entitled “Seven Keys to Marriage” and written by John Feister looks at the U.S. Bishops’ new pastoral letter, “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.”  As a married person, the author reviews some overall themes of the letter, as well as some hot-button issues in our society that threaten the institution of marriage.  Pick up a free copy of the CU each month from the table in the narthex.  Read it and see what you think! 

 
CONGRATULATIONS! 

One Sunday at the 10:45 Mass we honored all 22 high school seniors from our parish and their many contributions they have made to the life of St. James.  Kathy Perry presented a special certificate to senior Jenna Hilliard who was this year’s nominee for the St. Timothy Award, a diocesan award given for outstanding service.  Congratulations to Jenna who has been so active at St. James Parish and served in so many ministries, e.g., altar server, VBS teen helper, CCD, ROCKS, Mission Trips, dinner server, children’s choir, cantor, etc.   

In addition, Annmarie Lyons, daughter of Jean and Pete Pascale, presented the Anna and Joseph Pascale Scholarships.  This is the 15th year this scholarship has been given to recognize academic achievement and stewardship to the parish and to remind teens of the love St. James always offers them.  This year’s winners were Christopher Baker and Jenna Hilliard, with honorable mentions given to Angelica Audia, Josh Phillian, Zachary Romeo, and Brad Vasko.  After Mass we gathered in the Social Hall for a grand reception hosted and served by the women in CWO who gave each senior a special gift.  We applaud all our young women and men with whom we have had the privilege to share faith and whose lives have touched ours.  May they continue to stay close to Jesus as they move forward on their faith journeys and may they always find a welcoming home at St. James!  

 
MARY
Who helps you to deal with the daily struggles of life?  Who is a faith model for you?  The May issue of the Catholic Update entitled “Mary, Mother of God and Our Mother” and written by Dominican Fr. Peter John Cameron suggests that Mary, as seen in her “real life,” can be an inspiration for us.  In realizing how Mary lived by faith, we might find the courage and grace to do the same.  Pick up a free copy of the CU each month from the table in the narthex.  Read it and see what you think! 
 
Victim’s Assistance Hot-line Diocese of Pittsburgh

If you are a person who has been hurt by abuse from clergy or others associated with the Church, the Diocese offers assistance with counseling, spiritual direction and referrals to other supportive services. For information on any of these services, we invite you to contact the Diocesan Assistance Coordinator toll free at 1.888.808.1235.

If you feel you are a victim of sexual abuse by any personnel in the Pittsburgh Diocese,
call the Diocesan Victims Assistance Hotline
1-888-808-1235.

 
ALL VOLUNTEERS IN THE PARISH
As part of the plan to create a safe environment for children in our church, all parishioners who volunteer in any capacity in the parish – Committee/Council/Team Members, CWO, Men’s Group, Catechists, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Music Ministers, Ushers, Kitchen Workers, etc. – are asked by the Diocese of Pittsburgh to fulfill four basic requirements which are described below.  For more information about the requirements, contact Susan Dexter or Sr. Zoe Ann at 724-964-8276. 

1)  The first requirement is to register online with the Diocese of Pittsburgh Database.  This is a relatively simple process of entering your name, address, and basic information about yourself.  To begin the application process go online to the diocesan website www.diopitt.org and click on the box for database application on the left side of the screen or call the parish office for directions on how to apply.   

2)  The second requirement is to sign the Code of Pastoral Conduct.  This is a document stating the expected behavioral standards for all Church volunteers within the diocese.  Your signature on the Acknowledgement Form signifies that you agree to act in accord with Catholic values.  Call the parish office to obtain a copy of the Code.   

3) The third requirement is to participate in a Protecting God’s Children workshop.  It is an excellent program that truly equips adults to create safer environments for children.   For a list of all PGC workshops in our area, go to the diocesan website www.diopitt.org and scroll down toward the bottom to the section on Current Issues and click on the line Protecting God’s Children Workshops.  

4) The fourth requirement is to apply for the Dept of Public Welfare (DPW) Child Abuse History Clearance.  After you complete the first requirement of registering online with the diocesan database, a PA State Police Criminal Record Check (CRC) will automatically be submitted electronically for you.  A copy of that report will be sent to the parish.  The parish will then provide you with a copy of that CRC report and a DPW form to complete.  The CRC report must be attached to the completed DPW form before it is submitted it to the state.
 
BIBLE DONATION
Recently a generous parishioner made a monetary donation to St. James Parish in memory of Mary Phillian asking that we buy various translations of the Bible and make them available to the parishioners.  Mary was involved in the prayer and Bible study group that meets on Friday mornings.  In honor of Mary who loved the Scriptures, 6 books were purchased.  One of the new books is a comparative Bible which gives each passage of Scripture laid out on a page with four different translations side by side for easy comparison.  You may be interested in reviewing some of the books which are housed for the time being in a specially marked box in the narthex or in the Social Hall.
 
Hi St. James Parishioners,

As you probably know from the bulletin articles, there is a Food Cupboard at St. Joseph Parish in New Castle that is supported by the parishes in Lawrence Co.  So now when people come to us at St. James with requests, we can send them to St. Joe's for food.  Anyone from our area who is in need of food can go there for help. 

We are grateful that St. Joe's is willing and able to provide this wonderful ministry, and we want to support them so that this can continue.  Thus, we send monetary and food contributions to the Food Cupboard. 

Each month we at St. James are collecting a specific food item to donate.  This month it is CANNED VEGETABLES.  So when you are shopping this week or see a good sale, remember to throw a few extra cans into your grocery cart for the Food Cupboard. 

Then when you come to Mass this weekend, remember to bring your cans and put them in the containers in the narthex.  Thank you for reaching out to others in this way and helping to feed Christ present among us today!

 
MARRIAGE MINISTRY

Following are some contacts for marriage ministries sponsored by the Diocese of Pittsburgh.  For more information on any of them, call the number listed or contact Sr. Zoe Ann.

Engaged Encounter Marriage Preparation Weekend for engaged couples Contact Brian & Nancy Stevens at 412-861-0262

Marriage Encounter
(Inspirational Weekend Experience for Married Couples) Contact Mary & Lou Locante at 412-635-7775

Retrouvaille
(Help for Troubled Marriages) weekend experience: private time & confidentiality. Contact Eric & Vicki John at 1-800-470-2230

Natural Family Planning Contact numbers for information on NFP include the following:
Jacki Pleska 724-747-2470; Dolores Shipe 412-732-0502; Micha Peters 412-766-4053

 
VILLA SHOPPE
There is a gift shop at the Villa which is now open to the public each day from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day except for Monday, Wednesday & Sunday when it's closed.  The shop features traditional items, e.g., sweatshirts, cards, jewelry, crosses, rosaries, books, CDs, as well as many unique gifts, e.g., prayer bowls, handheld labyrinths, fair trade coffees and soup mixes, original art prints, holiday baskets and the Villa Cook Book.  Call ahead for evening hours.  724-964-8920 ext. 3279.
 
NEW ADULT CATECHISM
Many of you are probably aware that there is a new United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.  There have been articles about it in the newspapers and in the Pittsburgh Catholic.   Based on the universal catechism, the book was developed by the U.S. Conference of Bishops.  It is written with a very reader-friendly format including lots of stories, sidebars, and summary boxes.  Copies of the new catechism are available at St. James for purchase at the discounted price of $16 rather than the list price of $25.  Anyone interested in purchasing a catechism should contact Sr. Zoe Ann or sign up on the sheet in the narthex.  Checks can be made payable to St. James. 
 
BIBLES FOR SALE

$10 for paperback copy. The New American Catholic Bible. Contact Sr. Zoe Ann or The Religious Education Committee

 
NEW RCIA GROUP
We are presently forming a new inquiry group for the RCIA process. If you know of someone who may be interested in learning more about the Catholic Church and is discerning the possibility of becoming Catholic, please contact Sister Zoe Ann by calling the parish office at 724-964-8276.
 
HOSPITAL & NURSING HOME STAYS 
A recently enacted law has affected the longstanding practice of hospitals and nursing facilities of providing information to parishes about parishioners who are patients or residents. Because of the new law, the priests and the staff of the parish may not promptly learn or may not learn at all, that a member of the parish has been admitted to the hospital or nursing home. If you, or a member of your family are hospitalized or enter a long-term care facility or assisted, independent living residential facility and you want the parish office to know, please personally or through a family member contact the church office promptly. We will do our best to obtain information about our parishioners, but we are limited in the information we can obtain. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.