1. Lent, Holy Week and
Easter Sunday 2009
at St. James
Dear Parish Family Members,
With the seasons of Lent and Easter near at hand, we, the Parish
Staff, are eager to have you know about a number of important
events that will be taking place here in our parish through the
coming weeks.
Our hope is that you’ll be able to be a part of as many of these
offerings and celebrations as possible. In doing so, we feel sure
that we’ll continue to grow together as the baptized, the holy sons
and daughters of God.
The Season of Lent
Ash Wednesday: February 25th – We gather to begin our forty days of preparation for Easter.
Ashes will be distributed at a Service of Prayer at 7:00 am, after the 8:00 am Mass and at Services
of Prayer at 12 Noon, and at 5:00 and 8:00 pm.
Also on Ash Wednesday -- A Supper of Soup and Bread, sponsored by Bread for the World in
the church basement from 5:30 through 7:30 pm. An excellent way to begin the season: fasting
and remembering those less fortunate than ourselves.
All Throughout Lent – Please participate in Operation Rice Bowl as a way of praying with and
reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need throughout the world. Rice Bowls and Home
Calendar Guides to assist us in this effort will be available in the church.
Friday, February 27th – Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the church, beginning at 12 Noon.
They will also be prayed at the same hour on Friday, March 13th and 27th.
Every Tuesday Evening (Beginning with March 3rd) – Please join us in the church from 7:30-
8:30 pm for a Lenten Evening Service of Prayer. On March 24th and 31st, that Service will
include a reflection offered by Diane Vella, Pastoral Associate of St. Bernard’s Church in
Levittown.
Friday, March 6th -- The first of our parish Lenten Soup Suppers, beginning at 7:00 pm in the
church basement. The supper will be followed by the praying of Stations of the Cross in the
church at approximately 8:00 pm. All are most welcome and are also invited to bring a monetary
offering or one of canned goods for those in need.
Saturdays, March 14th, 21st and 28th – An excellent opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of
Reconciliation as our 2nd graders experience the sacrament for the first time in preparation for
their First Communions. Please join us for a brief common prayer at 3:30 pm followed by the
hearing of Confessions until 4:45 pm

2. Monday, March 16th – Please join us at 7:30 pm in the church for a presentation on the Letters of
St. Paul to be offered by Cris O’Keefe, a member of our parish family. The same presentation
will be offered again on Tuesday, March 17th at 10:00 am, also in the church
Friday, March 20th – Our second parish Lenten Soup Supper at 7:00 pm in the church basement,
followed by Stations of the Cross in the church at approximately 8:00 pm.
Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, April 3rd – Confessions will be heard in the church immediately
after the 8:00 am Mass.
Friday, April 3rd – Our third parish Lenten Soup Supper at 7:00 pm in the church basement,
followed by Stations of the Cross in the church at approximately 8:00 pm.
Palm Sunday: Masses celebrated on Saturday, April 4th at 5:00 pm and on Sunday, April 5th at
8:00, 9:30, 11:30 am and 6:00 pm.
Monday, April 6th – Confessions will be heard in the church immediately after the 8:00 am Mass,
from 4:30 until 6:00 pm and from 7:30 until 8:30 pm.
The Great Three Days – The Easter Triduum
Holy Thursday, April 9th – The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8:00 pm, followed by prayer
before the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight.
Good Friday, April 10th – Youth Group Stations of the Cross at 12 Noon; The Celebration of
the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 pm; Evening Prayer and Veneration of the Cross at 8:00 pm.
Holy Saturday, April 11th – The Great Easter Vigil at 8:00 pm. Easter Sunday, April
12th – Mass at West Meadow Beach at 5:30 am; Masses at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 am in the church
and at 9:45 and 11:45 am in the parish center.
The Season of Easter
First Communions – Through the season, we welcome our
second graders to the Table of the Lord, an excellent way
for all of us to appreciate again the gift of the Eucharist.
First Communions will take place on four Saturdays: April
18th and 25th and May 2nd and 9th.