Welcome to St. James

                       Serving with St. James

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

In the month of October, we will embark on our annual parish stewardship renewal, begin a capital campaign and receive an invitation to participate in the diocesan appeal. I ask that each of you prayerfully consider a service commitment here at St. James.

Service to others was an expression of the core of Jesus’ identity. As a baptized Christian, service to your parish family is an opportunity; an opportunity to be Christ for others, an opportunity to meet new people and an opportunity to really connect and build relationships with fellow parishioners.

Everyone has gifts and talents to share. I have been a witness to and recipient of your generosity over the last eight years. When you share who you are and the gifts you have at St. James, grace and blessings flow abundantly.

Certainly, the parish benefits from your involvement; not only in the tasks completed, but more so in the energy and life that you bring into this building every single day.

The blessings and benefits are mutual, with a more fulfilled sense of belonging because of your service to St. James. Coming together as servants of Christ allows us to build community and reach out to those in need.

In the coming month, you will have the opportunity to review and renew your stewardship commitments and decide on areas to generously use your time, talent and treasure. In committing to share the gifts God has given to you with others, you will benefit from new relationships and strengthen our parish family.

This past week Fr. Art and I have been on the annual diocesan priest retreat in Schuyler, Nebraska. Our retreat director gave us a prayer by St. Charles de Foucauld that I would like to share with you.

Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures –I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul: I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father.

I AM Joseph your brother, Fr. Joe Hannappel