St. James Roman Catholic Church

Christmas 2020

So this is Christmas … a song by John Lennon, whose lyrics strike me as odd, but whose title has intrigued me.  Appropriate for Christmas 2020, especially with COVID fears, restrictions and deaths; masked socially distant relationships behind glass, that are live-streamed or with face time; plus, it is winter- it is dark, cold.

So this is Christmas … whether it be a question or a statement, our response this year maybe more akin to a phrase from A Christmas Carole:  Bah- humbug, rather than a Merry Christmas!  Maybe this year, we are like Charlie Brown and cry out in our despair as we walk through this valley of ‘fear and death, in this time of darkness: “Will somebody tell me what Christmas is all about?”

Do we hear Linus, taking center stage echoing the whispering of the angel- “I proclaim to you good news of great joy, that will be for all people … in Bethlehem is born a Savior, the Messiah; who is Wonder Counselor, God-Hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace.”

Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s wish to dwell among us, not in a tent, not in a temple, not even in a womb, but in our very flesh, our humanity!  From the time of Moses, who could not look on the face of God and live, to the birth of a child in a stable, born of Joseph’s and Mary’s YES to God, we gaze upon the face of a babe, the Son of God and come to know Life, Love, Hope, Joy!

It is said that when one looks upon a person’s face it has a claim on them, because we can’t help but understand the singular uniqueness of that person, and we read their eyes and facial lines and know what they have to and will need to endure in their journey of life and we marvel at the mystery of who they are- … but it is truest when we look on the face of an infant.  That face makes a claim of us, born of an innocence of trust and love; follow me, shelter me, do as I will do!

Christmas is God’s belief in us, that we are capable of nurturing the greatest gift of love- in all its vulnerability … a baby; even in the face of the cross and Calvary’s of the world.  Consider how parents silently gaze on the miracle of their enfleshed love, hopes and dreams.  A child that forever changes their lives; a child that will ask of them to be less selfish and more self-giving; a child that will inspire them to improve themselves and the world in which their daughter or son will grow up in; a child that beckons us to sit on the floor and play with them- in the straw if you will, causing us to ponder … the meeting of heaven and earth, where perfection embraces our brokenness and calls us to the best of our divinity and more so of our humanity.

So this is Christmas … to gaze upon the face of God, as we are called, as the shepherds were, to the stable … for the Word was made flesh and made His dwelling among us!  God became man to save us and bring us home!

So where is the stable in Setauket this year?  It’s in our stay- at- home work places, with the craziness of the kids, who call us to sit on the floor and play with them?  In our car parades that pass by people’s homes to celebrate a life milestone event?  In our window visitations to those in nursing homes?  In our phone calls, letter writing, social media contacts?  In our medical personnel who have risked their health and that of their family to care for us?  In those who have served us at stores, gas stations, post office, deliveries, restaurants, parish outreach, work, etc. …

This is Christmas!  For maybe, just maybe, as the narrator in the Grinch who stole Christmas says: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!”― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 

Christmas Day will always be- just as long as we-  have we.  Christmas comes in spite of COVID, and all the darknesses of the present time; for God moves among us and is birthed once again in you and me.  In the solitary time we have been offered through the pandemic- and in spite of the darkness- we share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men; a mystery of eternal love, calling us to the wonder of Christmas …

 The Family we love

 The Friends we find

The Faith we hold

The Life we’re given

The Hope of Heaven

The Joy of Grace

The Gift of Jesus!

This is Christmas- so let kindness come with every gift, good desires with every greeting, deliverance from evil by the blessing which Christ brings and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.  Blessings

Mask It or Casket! A reminder about the importance of wearing a mask in church.

Please be advised that in accordance with CDC guidelines and our previously announced requirement that all who choose to attend Mass at St. James MUST wear either a mask or other face-covering that covers the mouth and nose is mandatory and no exceptions will be made.

Anyone observed not wearing a mask/face covering will be asked by an usher to either don a mask or immediately leave the church. Should that individual refuse to comply with the usher’s request, the ushers have been directed to interrupt the presider, who will publicly address the situation with the offender.

The wearing of face coverings has been shown to reduce transmission of droplets that may carry the coronavirus or other illnesses.  As such, it is a simple and effective sign of courtesy and respect towards others in our midst. 

Your cooperation is vital in order for us to continue to publicly celebrate Mass during the ongoing pandemic.

From the Pastor’s Desk

 I am pleased to share with you the latest information from our diocese relative to the resumption of public worship in our churches. Our current schedule of public Mass is Saturday at 5pm, and on Sunday at   9:30am with   the following restrictions:

•  We are limited to 120 people at each Mass. All in attendance MUST wear a mask or face covering and all are required to practice the current CDC guidelines to maintain social distancing and remain 6 ft apart.  You will find that certain pews have been roped off while others have been marked to indicate where you may be seated. In the interest of safety, please sit only in those pews that are open and appropriately marked.
•  Entrance to the church will be only through the new sacristy entrance, where you will find ushers at the doors keeping count of people entering the church. While we prefer that you exit via the sacristy doors as well, the other doors may be utilized for this purpose. 
• Please feel free to utilize the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the church.
• The 5pm Mass will be live streamed  and taped for broadcast on our website and Facebook pages.
• Daily Mass will continue at 8am, Mon-Fri; no morning Mass on Saturday.
• The resumption of our regular Mass schedule will be revisited in the coming weeks as we continue to monitor not only Mass attendance, but the number of COVID cases in our area. The health and well being of  our parishioners remains our top priority.

We have also been given the go-ahead to resume private baptisms (one family at a time), an adjustment to our previous practice of celebrating the sacrament with multiple families; if you are interested in scheduling a baptism, please call the office as soon as possible to discuss the schedule and available dates. Weddings and funerals will also resume, again following CDC guidelines related to masks, social distancing, and reduced attendance in the church.

As I’ve mentioned in earlier communications, the church we are returning to is, in so many ways, different from the church we attended a few months ago. We have endured physical separation from each other and had some of our most beloved traditions upended, specifically surrounding the Triduum days and Easter. Yet, throughout this entire ordeal, our faith has sustained us and we will once again be able to gather around the Table of the Lord within the walls of our church.

Some physical changes to the church include the long awaited replacement of our air conditioning units which took place this week; the  electrical work will not take place until next week, so we ask  for your patience as  the workers make every effort to complete this job as quickly and safely as possible.

In addition, the new/refurbished tabernacle is in place, having been pulled forward from the alcove in which the previous tabernacle was housed. A wall has been installed that now encloses the alcove, allowing us to create additional much needed storage space. The finishing touches on this project will soon be in place, but again, I ask for your continued patience.

Amidst all of this good news, we unfortunately are faced with a deficit of $85,000 in our collections (year to date). These past months have been challenging for all of us, and the financial issues brought about by the pandemic cannot  be taken lightly.  As our economy begins to reopen, please continue to remember how vital your financial support is to the survival of our parish.

Finally, please allow me to not only thank all of your for your support and prayers, but to also ask you to remember that the resumption of in person celebration of Mass and all that is associated with it, is a process, and will, of necessity, continue to evolve as the weeks unfold before us. We will make every effort to keep you informed of additional changes, and invite you to regularly visit the parish website for the latest information on this rapidly developing situation.

Pax et bonum,

~Fr. Jim

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.