Dear Epiphany of Our Lord and St. James the Greater Parishioners
Parishes are important because they allow the Catholic Church to live out its universal mission on the local level.  Parishes give the faithful the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and teach the Church’s doctrine, especially about salvation. Parish churches aim to support the local community by following Jesus's example of looking after and carrying for the people of God in a specific area. 

We all know that it is one thing to say you love someone and it is even more important to show that love through actions even if the action is small and does not fully express the love that we have in our heart.  With this in mind, I am excited to announce that our parishes will be starting a brand-new program of recognizing and expressing gratitude for people at different stages of their spiritual journey. 

• Engaged Couples – We want to ask God’ blessing up engaged couples who are members of the parishes or who will be married at on of our parish churches.  We know that strong families help provide for the future of our parishes and our Church. 
• Married Couples on their Anniversary – Marriage is one of the seven Sacraments and married couples through their commitment to love show us something about the life of the Blessed Trinity.  We therefore want to thank married couples for living out their vows and ask God to continue the good work in them.
• All children are a blessing, and we therefore want to celebrate with parents expecting a child (and grandparents expecting a grandchild).  There is a long tradition of presenting pregnant mothers with a medal of St. Gerard on it.  St. Gerad is the patron saint of pregnant mothers.  Grandparents whose children do not live within the parish can receive the medal from the parish to present to their daughter or daughter-in-law.
• Starting a New Job - Jesus did not call his Apostles when they were at their local synagogue.  He called them while they were at work - Fishing, collecting taxes, etc.  We want to ask God's blessing upon anyone who is starting a new job.
• New Parishioners – We want to acknowledge new members of our community and in a visible way we desire to show new parishioners that we consider them a part of our parish family.
• Parishioners who are leaving – The only thing constant in our world is change and we know that people for many reasons may feel called to leave our parishes and move away.  We want to offer them and our parish a way to have honorable closure.  Showing gratitude for the past we had with them and our sure and certain hope that God has great things in stored for them on the next step of their faith journey. 

It is the plan to have these special blessings take place at our Sunday Masses either after the Prayers of the Faithful or after distribution of Communion.  We also pledge never to make someone receive a blessing but know that by participating in our blessing program and allowing us to celebrate life’s milestones with you, you help bring hope and joy to our parishes. 

If you are engaged, preparing to celebrate a wedding anniversary, expecting a child or grandchild, please fill out the form. below.

With the promise of prayers,



Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius
Pastor of St. James the Greater Parish
And Epiphany of Our Lord Parish