Saint James Church

Believing...Caring...Sharing...

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LENTEN DAILY MASSES

9:00AM Monday-Thursday

Lent is that sacred season when Christians join on a

Forty-day journey with those preparing to be initiated into

the Church at Easter, through the sacrament of Baptism,

Confirmation, and the Eucharist. This journey consists of

prayer, fasting, almsgiving, works of penance, & charity,

and culminates at Easter when the faithful renew their

baptismal vows to die to sin so as to live in Christ.

EVENING PRAYER

Sundays at 5:00PM in the Church

Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30PM in the

Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

LENTEN FASTING REGULATIONS

WEEKDAYS OF LENT:

There is no obligation to fast. However, voluntary

acts of self-denial are recommended.

GOOD FRIDAY

Day of FAST and ABSTINENCE from MEAT.

All those between the ages of 18 and 59 inclusive may take

only one full meal on these days. Two smaller meals are

permitted to maintain strength according to ones needs. The

eating of solid food between meals is not permitted.

DAYS OF ABSTINENCE:

ALL FRIDAYS IN LENT

All who have reached their 14th year are bound to

abstain totally from meat.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturdays 2:30PM-3:30PM

SEDER SUPPER

Wednesday, March 31st at 6:00PM

HOLY WEEK LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)

Saturday, March 27th from 2:00PM-3:30PM

Tuesday, March 30th 7:00PM Communal Service

Wednesday, March 31st from 3:00PM-5:00PM

PALM SUNDAY, MARCH 28TH MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 27th, 4:00PM (Vigil Mass) Sunday Masses:

7:30AM, 9:30AM (Solemn Blessings of Palms), & 11:30AM.

Evening Prayer with cantor 5:00PM, Sunday, March 28th.

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST

NO MORNING MASS

Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00PM

Visits to the Repository (Day Chapel) until 10:30PM

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND

Morning Prayer at 8:00AM

Passion and Death of Our Lord at 3:00PM

Way of the Cross at 7:00PM

HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD

Morning Prayer at 8:00AM

Blessing of Easter Baskets at 11:00AM

Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00PM

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 4TH MASS SCHEDULE

7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM

Featured Quote

"Ask for nothing and refuse nothing."
-St. Francis de Sales

Past Quotes

"Therefore, holy brethren, through the judge who is to come I ask you to help with prayers one who is straining under the burden. Let us pray for one another that we may be saved. For when we are joined to you by means of prayer, it is as if while walking through a slippery place we hold out our hands to help one another. So the charity of each is stronger because one depends on the others."
-Pope Saint Gregory the Great

"The point is... that we should rejoice in our brothers and sisters at all times. That we should see Christ the Bridegroom in their person and presence. That we should celebrate them as the occasion demands."
-Fr. Thomas Hopko

"You are an Easter people, and your song is alleluia!"

-St. Augustine

"Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing."
-Dorothy Day

"The way of perfection passes by way of the cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2015

"To be full of the Spirit is to have your heart broken by the things that break the heart of God."
-Tony Campolo

"Being a disciple means sharing without counting the cost. Being a disciple means sharing even when we least feel like it, when we least can afford to do it and when the person in need of our gift is the last person we wish to serve!"
-U.S. Catholic Bishops

"One has to look forward with desire to relationships if one is to persevere in them."

-Mary Therese Harrington, S.H.

"One of the greatest problems in the United States has been that we live faith as an abstract entity. Actually, however, such an abstract faith has little effect on our personal experience."
-Bishop Carroll T. Dozier

"This is all I desire, to be where God wants me to be."
-Bishop Frederick Baraga

"Everything dies a little when something dies a lot."
-The Tinker King

"Love is ingenious."
-St. Paul of the Cross

"The First Commandment is quite clear: We must put no other gods before the one God. No idols, superstitions, magic. Not money or career or self. Not the beautiful body or comfort or addictions. Not even our good relationships and projects. God must come first for us. Once we have that right, other things fall into place."
-Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney

"Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest?"
-Luke 12:25-26

"Amor ergo sum." (I am loved, therefore I am.)
-Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia

Mass Cards

Are available for deceased and living
The donation is $5.

Mass Intentions

Come to the parish office during Regular office hours to book a Mass.
For weekday Masses the donation is $10.
For Saturday, Sunday & Holy Day Masses the donation is $25.
Donations must be received at the time of booking.

New Parishioners

Please register as a parishioner by visiting the parish office during regular business hours or calling Betty at 529-8655.

Sponsor Certificates

Sponsor certificates are available from Fr. Baranowski. Please call him at the parish office to make an appointment.

Baptism

Parents must be registered at St. James and attend our Baptism class.

If you are not registered at St. James and would like to have your child baptized here, there will be a 3 month waiting period from the time you register.

Our Baptism Team will call to set up a time for a brief visit to drop off the Baptism book and some pamphlets. They will also answer any questions.

Baptisms are held the 1st Sunday of the month at 1:00 in the church, except during Lent.

Classes are held on the last Sunday of the month at 1:00 in Fr. Shea Hall, except during Lent. Parents must attend. They may bring their children and their sponsors.

Sponsors not registered at St. James must obtain a sponsor certificate from their parish.

Only one sponsor is required, but two are allowed. If there are two sponsors, both must be Christian but only one need be Catholic.

For more information about baptizing your child, click here

Please contact the parish office at 529-8655 with any questions.

Parish Center Rental Info

Contact Betty at the office at 529-8655.
The hall holds 300 people.
Insurance is required. You can purchase it through the Archdiocese or your own insurance company.
There is a security deposit which is refundable as long as the condition of the Parish Center is found in good order.
There is a cleaning fee which is non-refundable.
The Parish Center is not available for New Years Eve at any time.

Questions concerning Religious Education should be directed to our Religious Formation Office, Religious Formation Page.

Questions concerning Marriage Preparation should be directed to the pastor.

What time is Mass? Read through the Mass Schedule

How do I get to St. James? Go to the directions page.

How do I become a Catholic? Click here for more information.

I'd like to be more involved in the parish. What can I do?

Click here for some ideas:

How do I submit a name to be included in the Prayer of the Faithful/General Intercessions at Mass?

Write out your General Interecession and place it in an envelope with the name "Betty" on the outside. Drop it in the collection basket when you come to Mass. Prayers will be included at Mass as soon as reasonably possible. If you have any questions, Contact Betty at the office at 529-8655.

Please note - Prayers of the Faithful/General Intercessions can only be used if they are general, and may be rewritten to fulfill this requirement. Please click here for more information about submitting Prayers of the Faithful.

If you yourself are sick and would like us to pray for you by name, please speak with our deacon.

Ask us a question: web@stjamesrh.org

stjames-map

Google Maps Directions

767 Elm St.

Rocky Hill, CT 06416

Directions From I-91 S
Take the WEST STREET exit - exit number 23 - Towards CT-3/ROCKY HILL. Turn LEFT onto WEST STREET. Pass the MARRIOT on your right and continue through the first light. Pass an entrance to Raintree Condominiums on your left and at the next light take a left onto Gilbert Avenue. At the stop sign take a left onto Elm Street and the church will be just up the road on your right.

Directions From I-91 N
Take the WEST STREET exit - exit number 23 - Towards CT-3/ROCKY HILL. (0.52 miles) Turn Right on to WEST STREET. Pass the MARRIOT on your right and continue through the first light. Pass an entrance to Raintree Condominiums on your left and at the next light take a left onto Gilbert Avenue. At the stop sign take a left onto Elm Street and the church will be just up the road on your right.

Directions From Route-3 S
Turn LEFT onto CT160/ELM ST. and after 0.67 miles you can see St. James Church in the LEFT side .

Directions From Route-3 N
Turn RIGHT onto CT160/ELM ST. and after 0.67 miles you can see St. James Church in the LEFT side.

Directions From Route-99 N
Turn LEFT onto CT-160/ELM ST. After 1.44 miles you can see St. James Church in the RIGHT side.

Directions From Route-99 S
Turn RIGHT onto CT-160/ELM ST. After 1.44 miles you can see St. James Church in the RIGHT side.

Telephone Numbers
Parish Office: (860) 529-8655
Fax: (860) 257-1754
Email: office@stjamesrh.org
Religious Ed. Office: (860) 529-1274
Email: reo@stjamesrh.org
Music Office: (860) 529-8655

St. James Pastoral Staff

Father David Baranowski, Pastor

Betty Kreder, Administrative Assistant -Email: office@stjamesrh.org
Robert Pallotti, Deacon - Email: dbobp@sbcglobal.net
[Click here to visit Deacon Bob's web page.]

Tom Sacerdote, Director of Religious Education- Email: tsacerdote@stjamesrh.org
Carol Rizzo, Sacramental Preparation Coordinator- 860-690-2423-Email: crizzo@stjamesrh.org
[Click here to visit our Religous Education web page.]
Joy O'Sullivan, Director of Music Ministry- Email: josullivan@stjamesrh.org
[Click here to visit St. James Music Ministry web page.]

Lenten Faith Sharing
http://www.diocesefwsb.org/OSD/DisciplesInMission.htm

Mass Times
http://www.masstimes.org/

Saint of the Day E-newsletter Sign-up
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/Default.asp#SaintofTheDay/

The Josephine Foundation and Voices That Blend
http://www.thejosephinefoundation.org/

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Interfaith Program
http://www.equalexchange.com/interfaith

US Bishops' Response to "The Da Vinci Code"
http://www.jesusdecoded.com/

For Catholics Who Have Been Away From The Church
http://www.oncecatholic.org/

Retreat Opportunities
http://www.retreatsintl.org/

Liturgy of the Hours
http://www.universalis.com/

Links to Various Prayers
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/

Praying with Children
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/child/index.html

Kids' Clubhouse (Grades K-3)
http://www.FaithFirst.com/html/kidClub/kidClub.asp

Kids Only Club (Grades 4-6)
http://www.faithfirst.com/html/kidsOnly/index.asp

Teen Center (Grades 7-8)
http://www.faithfirst.com/html/teenCenter/index.asp

Busted Halo (for Young Adults)
http://www.bustedhalo.com/

Catholics On Call Online Retreat
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/programs/onlineRetreat/index.html

Rachel's Vineyard
http://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Project Rachel
http://home.wi.rr.com/noparh/projectrachels.html

Archdiocesan Pro-Life Activities
http://www.prolifeministry.org/

Catholic News Service
http://www.catholicnews.com/

Bible Gateway - Search the Bible in Nine Languages and Multiple Bible Versions
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?

Audio Bible
http://www.audio-bible.com

Writings of Fathers of the Church
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/

Guide to Early Church Documents
http://iclnet93.iclnet.org/pub/resources/christian-history.html

Index of Saints
http://users.erols.com/saintpat/ss/ss-index.htm

The Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/

Sacred Space (Irish Jesuits)
http://www.jesuit.ie/prayer/

Crossing the Threshhold of Hope
http://www.catholic.net/RCC/POPE/HopeBook/crossing.html

The Vatican
http://www.vatican.va/

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/

Archdiocese of Hartford
http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/

Diocese of Norwich
http://www.norwichdiocese.org/

Diocese of Bridgeport
http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/

Connecticut Catholic Conference
http://www.ctcatholic.org/

More Catholic Links
http://www.catholic-usa.com

Youth Group Links

My Catholic Voice
http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/

Backyard Gallexy
http://www.backyardgalaxy.com/

Fr. Stan Fortuna
http://www.francescoproductions.com/

Martin Doman
http://www.martindoman.com/

Proud 2B Catholic
http://www.proud2bcatholic.com/

Sean Forrest
http://www.seanforrest.com/

Steubenville East Youth Conference
http://www.steubenvilleeast.org/

The R.O.C.K Group
http://www.therockgroup.org/

Links to Some Sample Prayers of the Faithful

Archdiocese of Anchorage
http://www.archdioceseofanchorage.org/intercessions/index.html

Center for Liturgy at St. Louis University
http://liturgy.slu.edu/

The first evidence of Roman Catholics in Rocky Hill comes from around 1850. While it is unclear when the first Mass was celebrated in town, it is known that the "upper room" of Academy Hall, the present headquarters of the Rocky Hill Historical Society, was leased by the Rocky Hill Ecclesiastical Society, who in turn leased it for the celebration of Masses while the first St. James Church was being built on Chapin Avenue. From June 1877 to February 1880, the priests of St. Mary's Church in East Hartford ministered to the Catholics of Rocky Hill. Although the Chapin Avenue land was purchased December 3, 1878 from Ralph N. North for $300.00, construction of the church did not begin until 1880, when Fr. John D. Ryan became Cromwell's first resident pastor at St. John's Church and received jurisdiction over Rocky Hill. The corner stone for St. James Church was laid in 1880. The church was dedicated in 1882, but not used until 1883. From 1883 until 1946, St. James was the mission church of St. John's in Cromwell. In 1920, Fr. James E. Derwin became pastor of St. John's Church and in February 1945, he purchased land adjacent to the Chapin Avenue church. On November 30, 1946, Bishop Henry J. O'Brien established St. James Parish with Fr. Francis P. Heavren as its first pastor.

During the parish's first year, the St. James Men's and Women's Clubs were organized. Their members provided much support to the Church, from preparing church linen to refurbishing the basement of the church. In 1957, Fr. Heavren was transferred from St. James Church and Fr. Shea was assigned as pastor. By 1959, the community had grown not only in faith and works, but also in size. Some people still remember how worshippers stood outside open doors and windows at the overcrowded Masses. In response, Fr. Shea established a Campaign Committee in 1959. From early 1959 to the day of the groundbreaking, pledges of $305,000 were received, exceeding the $200,000 goal. Groundbreaking took place on October 4, 1959 on land that had been part of the farm purchased by Joseph A. Anulowicz in 1913. (A former home of Mr. Anulowicz still sits near the church's west driveway.) By the time building of the new church began, Masses were being held at the Center School, because there was not enough room in the Chapin Avenue building.

From the earliest days of St. James, the education of youths was of special concern to the faith community. Fr. Derwin met with youths at the old West School to instruct them in the faith. With parish volunteers and Sisters of Mercy, religious instruction was provided. In 1950, Ethel Sullivan and Genevieve Lytle approached Fr. Heavren to found a kindergarten in the Chapin Avenue Church basement. When kindergarten became a mandated public school program, St. James' program evolved into a nursery school, which continues to this day. The youth of the parish have also been and continue to be participants in parish activities, such as the May crowning of the Blessed Mother, the Fife and Drum Corps, scouting, athletics, food drives, Bible school, Strawberry Festivals, a visit to the Pope in Denver, altar service, coffee hours, and many others. The youth, hand in hand with the adults, learn and practice their faith in daily life and give vitality to the St. James family.

The men and women, young and old, alone, in groups or in organizations have worked endlessly, sometimes unknown to others, and in various ways to provide services to the parish. As time passes, the laity continue to take on more responsibility within our faith community. A parish council was formed with many committees to address various needs. Not only have parishioners been involved in their faith community but also community activities. Parishioners became a major part of the very fabric of the Rocky Hill community.

In 1984, Archbishop John Francis Whealon responded to the growth of the community at St. James by establishing a new community, which eventually became the parish of St. Elizabeth Seton. This Mission of St. James celebrated its first Mass on June 23 of that year in a space lent to them by the Wiremold Corporation on Brook Street. In 1996, St. James joyously celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with much festivity. Shortly thereafter, the community undertook extensive renovations to the church building, worshipping in the Parish Center for many months until the work was complete. The evening of Holy Thursday in 2001 marked the first Mass in the new space. Today, the People of God continue to support their parish family through various ministries and activities. Please visit our ministries and events pages for more information on the current chapter in the history of St. James.

SACRAMENTS AND LITURGIES

EUCHARIST:

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AM
Daily: Mon. - Thu. 8:00 AM in the Chapel (during Lent, 9:00 AM in the Church)
Holy Days: 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, 6:45 PM Evening Prayer combined with Mass

EVENING PRAYER

Monday & Wednesday: 6:30 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

PENANCE:

Saturday: 2:30 - 3:30 PM
First Thursday: 7:30 AM (Lent 8:30 AM)
Communal Celebration in Advent and Lent and by appointment

BAPTISM:

Preparation: Last Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM
Baptisms: First Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM
Each are By Appointment Only
Please call the Parish Office to make an appointment

MARRIAGE:

Preparation: 6 months required by the Archdiocese of Hartford
Please call the Parish Office to make an appointment.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK:

Please notify the Priest

Parish Office Hours:

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon. - Fri.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WE BELIEVE…WE SERVE…WE SHARE

A Small Christian Community of St. James Church is planning

a Military Whist on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at 6:15PM

in the Parish Center. The purpose of the Military Whist is to raise

funds for a desperately needed well for a school in Africa. The

well will be built under the guidance of Fr. Robert Vujs, a

Maryknoll Priest. There will be door prizes and desserts. Tickets

for the Military Whist are $5.00. Please contact Nancy Newton

at 860-529-2291, or you can purchase them after all masses

beginning the weekend of September 4th & 5th.

Recent Events
Marriage Renewal Mass, Saturday February 13, 2010

marriage renewal mass feb 2010 mod2

Left to right

Deborah & Melroy D'Costa, 20 Years,

Dee & Ray Benedetto, 50 Years,

Renie & Rom Andrea, 50 Years,

Terri & Gerry Luczak, 30 Years,

Kathy & Jim Alexander, 20 Years,

Missing from Photo

Marian & Louis Lazzeri, 60 Years,

Mary & Donald Kamerer, 55 Years

Upcoming Events Past Events News & Stories

Saint James is a Roman Catholic Parish bonded together by our faith in God and dedicated to the mission of following Jesus. As a welcoming and loving community, we adhere to the teachings of Christ and His Church, and seek to encounter Him in the Sacraments, Scriptures and each other. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we shall grow in our Ministries, Holiness, Prayer, Works of Justice and proclaim to future generations the favors of God's steadfast love.

Through Baptism we become God's Sons and Daughters, and brothers and sisters of each other in Christ. We ask that every family in the parish be registered and every adult receive a set of envelopes. Registration forms should be acquired at the parish office as soon as possible. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of our parish family.

Saint James Church