St. James Roman Catholic Church

Looking for our virtual Masses during the COVID 19 Health Emergency? Look at our banner at the top of this page where you will find links to Holy Week celebrations as well as our weekly Masses.

For your convenience, you will also find above, links to homilies by both Fr. Jim and Fr. Fitz.

LOOKING INTO THE EYES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AS THEY FACE THE CORONA VIRUS

by Rev. Larry Duncklee

And God saw every thing that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good.

God looks at you and me all the time,
but only through the eyes of divine love.

The eye is the window to the soul,
And OH how our souls and your souls have been revealed.

With hair and head and face covered,
With nose, and mouth unseen I can still see

Who you are, what you are and why you are
Through the windows to your soul.

Your eyes looking down say, “I am exhausted”
Your eyes looking up say, “Is it time to leave”

But more, much more has been revealed by
Your eyes, by what lies behind those human windows.

I have seen in your eyes a word of fear,
A cry of hopelessness with our inability to save them.

Yet there is No hiding your endless supply of compassion
behind those wide open eyes revealing kindness and love.

So often the soft glistening of watery eye not allowing a tear, and again at times not being able to stop the flow of sorrow for the one you are caring for;

says so clearly that you are an extension of God’s love and care for them, for those who are God’s daughters and sons.

Oh how I laughed when your eyes cut quick and head shifted in response

To those who just cannot help being or acting without any common sense.

Oh the frustration shouting out from behind those eyes when
it is not enough, enough support, materials, protection, answers.

Those eyes simply shout out, “Please help me”
Please help us, please help them, please help their families.

You look into their eyes via Facetime and your eyes offer them
hope, companionship on the journey, and firm assurance
that the one the love is not alone, will not die alone.

Once again I see so clearly the joy and hope singing out
When one is on the way to being healed,

Your eyes twinkle with humor at the necessary joking and laughter;
with all your strength your eyes say, I will continue to do all I can.

Without giving it much thought your eyes have been saying it all,
Writing words, a book of accomplishments, desires, hopes and more.

I can see se definitively your desire for those lying in bed,
Your desire for their healing, your desire for their comfort,

Your desire for what is best for them, even if it is death.
A desire that they leave us in the company of saints both here and there.

I have seen and I have cried for you and with you.
I have laughed and danced among you.

I have been so proud to see your heart, your mind;
and your soul behind your beautiful eyes.

God has indeed seen who and what and why you are…
and God says, “you are very good.”

And I say, “Thank you” for letting me see
behind your eyes and into your souls.

Strengthened by who you are and what you are and why you are.

Father Larry Duncklee is pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead. He has spent a lot of time visiting patients and staff at Peconic Bay Medical Center during the coronavirus crisis.

And God saw every thing that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good.

God looks at you and me all the time,
but only through the eyes of divine love.

The eye is the window to the soul,
And OH how our souls and your souls have been revealed.

With hair and head and face covered,
With nose, and mouth unseen I can still see

Who you are, what you are and why you are
Through the windows to your soul.

Your eyes looking down say, “I am exhausted”
Your eyes looking up say, “Is it time to leave”

But more, much more has been revealed by
Your eyes, by what lies behind those human windows.

I have seen in your eyes a word of fear,
A cry of hopelessness with our inability to save them.

Yet there is No hiding your endless supply of compassion
behind those wide open eyes revealing kindness and love.

So often the soft glistening of watery eye not allowing a tear, and again at times not being able to stop the flow of sorrow for the one you are caring for;

says so clearly that you are an extension of God’s love and care for them, for those who are God’s daughters and sons.

Oh how I laughed when your eyes cut quick and head shifted in response

To those who just cannot help being or acting without any common sense.

Oh the frustration shouting out from behind those eyes when
it is not enough, enough support, materials, protection, answers.

Those eyes simply shout out, “Please help me”
Please help us, please help them, please help their families.

You look into their eyes via Facetime and your eyes offer them
hope, companionship on the journey, and firm assurance
that the one the love is not alone, will not die alone.

Once again I see so clearly the joy and hope singing out
When one is on the way to being healed,

Your eyes twinkle with humor at the necessary joking and laughter;
with all your strength your eyes say, I will continue to do all I can.

Without giving it much thought your eyes have been saying it all,
Writing words, a book of accomplishments, desires, hopes and more.

I can see se definitively your desire for those lying in bed,
Your desire for their healing, your desire for their comfort,

Your desire for what is best for them, even if it is death.
A desire that they leave us in the company of saints both here and there.

I have seen and I have cried for you and with you.
I have laughed and danced among you.

I have been so proud to see your heart, your mind;
and your soul behind your beautiful eyes.

God has indeed seen who and what and why you are…
and God says, “you are very good.”

And I say, “Thank you” for letting me see
behind your eyes and into your souls.

Strengthened by who you are and what you are and why you are.

Father Larry Duncklee is pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead. He has spent a lot of time visiting patients and staff at Peconic Bay Medical Center during the coronavirus crisis

On behalf of our parishioners, the Pastoral and Support Staff of St. James Parish  wish  to offer our gratitude, thanks, prayers and blessings to all  those responding to  those in  need during  the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Peace, Pax, Shalom, Salaam

A special request for help from the staff at Our Daily Bread

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

May God bless and protect you and your families during this challenging time.  While we are all impacted by the changes to our lives caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some people are particularly vulnerable.  Among those are the homeless, the poor, and the unemployed.  Additionally, many of the small businesses in our community are facing severe hardship. 

In an effort to help our struggling friends and neighbors, if your financial means allow it, we ask that you please consider donating a gift card (in denominations of no more than $20 each please)  for one of our local restaurants or bakeries to Our Daily Bread.

We will then distribute these cards to the people who visit our soup kitchen/pantry.

We will do this for the foreseeable future, but would especially like to be able to provide the gift cards for Easter.  If you are able to help, please drop the card in an envelope marked “ODB” into the mail slot at the rectory office.

Thank you for your generosity, and stay safe and healthy.

Our Daily Bread Volunteers