Last Sunday’s parish tureen dinner was a huge success. The quality and variety of food was outstanding. This was largely due to the exceptional organizational skills of Michele Dean and Louise Twargowski who were the cochairpersons for the event. They are already making plans for the next tureen dinner that will be held in late November. In addition to Michele and Louise, I’d also like to thank the following people who helped at the event: Teresa Danylko, Mike Twargoski, Ann Hatheway, Eileen Custer, Andrew Boyd, Peggy Boyd, Ray and Judy Burkell, Theresa Adam, Heddy Hellmann, and Susan Church.

During the month of May, the usher will be taking a count of the number of people attending each Sunday Mass. Although this is done each October, the diocese is asking that it be repeated in May to ascertain the impact that the Catholics Come Home Initiative has had on Sunday Mass attendance throughout the 13 county region of our diocese. With 13 counties, territorially, the Erie Diocese is the largest in Pa.

A thank you goes out to those who donated items for last week’s Lunch With the Easter Bunny: Grace Hollister, Cindy Schwab, Penny Lorei, Joyce Cochran, Melody Bokshan, Judi Lorei, Debbi Thomas, Helen Kerner, Norma Jaroszewski, and Del and Ruth Petrush. A thank you is also extended to the following people who volunteered to help at the event: Erica Tokarczyk, Del and Ruth Petrush, Meghan Petrush, Sally and Tom Morgan, Mary Alice Bongiorno, Bob Petrush, and Nancy Veshecco.

Charles Spacht, our head usher, recently conducted a meeting for all of our hospitality ministers to outline the updated procedures to be followed in the event that we have a parishioner experience a medical emergency at Mass. All were shown the basics of operating our defibrillator. In the near future, we are planning on having an in-service to ensure that we will have at least one usher certified to use the defibrillator at each Mass. Currently, Charles Spacht, Penny Spacht, Kathy Snyder, Lois Lintelman, Marianne Lintelman, Ken Kensill, and Don Waltz are certified.

I am extremely grateful to all those who have made a gift of pledge to this year’s Catholic Stewardship Appeal. As this time, 523 of our families have made gifts or pledges in the amount of $124,772. Officials at the diocese have set our parish target for the number of gifts or pledges received at 700. We are currently 177 gifts short. If you are able, and have not already done so, will you please help us reach our target goal?

We have received a preliminary estimate for the needed roofing work on the Church. We can expect it to cost us somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000. This is largely because much of the work will be labor intensive due to the need to work around and under the air conditioning units and the steel beams that support them. Every penny raise above our diocesan assessment for the Stewardship Appeal will be used to help pay the cost of this necessary roofing project. Please help us if you can.

Here is a thought for the week. When I choose to compliment or affirm another person, I always end up feeling more blessed.

Happy Easter,

Fr. McCormick

A parish thank you goes out to the following who helped make our recent Pre-Cana Workshop such a meaningful experience for the couples planning to be married in the near future: Cathy DiLullo, Jill, Greg, and Meghan Breski, Andrea and David Breski, Deacon Chuck and Kathy Adamczyk, Char Neizmik, Chuck and Penny Spacht, Awar Biong, Lizzy Merski, Madeline Carnell, Jim, Beth, and Adam Zielinski, John and Mary Ellen Campbell, and Paul and Gretchen Lorei.

Congratulations go out to the following Mercyhurst students who attained first honors during the most recent marking period. First honors were obtained by: Sara Benczkowski, Florence Fournier, Grace Holland, Adam Malinowski, Demi Nguyen, Brandon Wawrzyniak, Julia Yurkovic, Michael Yurkovic, Julia Conroe, Mackenzie Kranz, Ashley Madura, Brittany Majczyk, Karlee Murawski, Chelsea Cox, and Alexa Wawrzyniak. Second Honors were achieved by: Elizabeth Gilkinson, Evan Herdzik, Amy Majewski, Madeline Kubaney, Achay Biong, Jacob Shaloiko, Raffaele DiLullo, Lukas Holland, and Kaeli Stolar. The following achieved honorable mention: Brandon Czerwinski, Matthew Tobin, Jennifer Robie, and Emily Bailey.

The St. James Cub Scouts recently held their annual Pinewood Derby in the school gym. Because of the generosity of five anonymous donors, the pack was able to purchase the materials to make their own track. Tom Sigler, Matt Glowacki, and Pat Horstman donated their expertise and designed and built the track. The first place winner of the derby was Antony Bazina; Justin Czerwinski, took second place; Garrett Glowacki took third; the coolest car winner was Mitchell Razanauskus.

If you have not already done so, please turn in your reservation form for next Sunday’s tureen dinner after Mass today. If you have pictures of parish events that you would like to share, you are encouraged to bring them to the event and post them on the south wall of St. James Place. We will provide the push pins so that they can be displayed.

Our Youth Group is sponsoring the annual Lunch with the Easter Bunny next Saturday from noon until 2:00 o’clock. If you are able to give us a hand with this event, please call Del Petrush at 825-5509 or Sr. Sue at the parish office. All help will be greatly appreciated.

The winner of the Monthly Breakfast 50/50 was Geraldine Kinecki.

Because of the Casino Night and Reverse Raffle on Saturday, April 30th, there will not be a Sunday Breakfast in May. The breakfasts will resume in September. A thank you goes out to the members of the School Board who are responsible for these popular events.

Here is a thought for the week: Dear God, Please send to me the spirit of Your peace. Then send, dear Lord, the spirit of peace from me to all the world.

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. McCormick

A parish thank you goes out to Jim Borowy and his band “Endless Summer” for providing the music for last week’s Athletic Association’s Spring Dance. Jim is a member of the Athletic Board and is the individual responsible for arranging the dance. A thank you also goes out to those who helped set up for the event: Gina Chimera, Frances Veshecco, Natalie Meyer, Nancy Veshecco, Kim VanSlyke, Tom Blais, Mike Brennan, Kathy and Dom DiLullo, and Breanna Miller.

Please turn in your reservation form for the parish tureen dinner by no later than April 10. This will be a good opportunity to meet our new parishioners and touch base with those we often see in Church, but don’t have a chance to talk with.

Congratulations for the following seventh and eighth grade students from our school who made the honor roll this past marking period. Grade 7: Domenica Babo, Maria Borowy, Sara Brennan, Madeline Breski, Rebecca Campbell, Jacob Chimera, Caroline Cook, Jayme Cooper, Mark Gorski, Kevin Kruszewski, Benjamin Ladaika, Alexis LaZar, Caitlin Strasser, Jacob VanSlyke, Evan Warner, and Morgan Wawrzyniak. Grade 8: Sara Barbale, Matthew Benczkowski, Julie Bernatowicz, Amber Bokshan, Shamus Brady, Rosemary Campbell, Madeline Carnell, Damien Dobson, Theresa Fachetti, Alaina Kruszewski, Alexandra Lombard, Matthew Lynch, Alex Madura, Gina Majczyk, Elizabeth Merski, Mackenzie Schley, and Luke Sicker.

I am grateful to all those who have made a gift to the Catholic Services Appeal. The Diocese gives each parish two goals: one for the number of dollars to be raised and one for the number of gifts to be received. To meet our goal, we need 700 gifts; currently, we are at 447. We need 253 more gifts to meet our goal. If you have not made a gift yet, will you please consider helping us reach our target? No gift is too small; not gift is too large. If you are able, please give us a hand.

Our regional deanery penance services will begin next week. On Monday, April 11, Confessions will be heard at St. Mark’s; on Tuesday, April 12, at St. James; and on Wednesday, April 13, at Our Lady of Mercy. All services will begin at 7:00 PM. You are free to attend whichever service best fits your schedule. Helping us on the 12th will be Msgr. Richie, Fr. Michael Allison, and Fr. Priscaro. Please make an effort to receive the Sacrament at one of these services.

Here is a thought for the week. People who can admit that they are wrong, get a lot farther than those who have to prove that they are right.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. McCormick

A thank you goes out to all who helped make our recent Woman’s Society Card Party such a huge success: Sylvia Stepnoski, Benjamin Bokshan, Kathy Schaaf, Debbie Thomas, Carol Huffman, Susan Wascak, Amber Bokshan, Adam Bokshan, Melody Bokshan, Janet Bokshan, Joyce Cochran, Cindy Schwab, Judy Lorei, Janet Szewcykowski, Kathy DiLullo, Bonnie Kern, Jane Olowin, Nancy Veshecco, Gina Chimera, Natalie Meyer, Mary Ann Straneva, April Adamczyk, Kathy Adamczyk, Corinne Suchar, and Diane Knight. If I missed anyone’s name, please let me know and I will acknowledge it next week. A note of gratitude also goes out to all the parishioners, friends of the parish, and businesses who donated items for the Chinese Auction. A thank you too to all those who donated fudge. We could not do it without you!

Holy Family School will be holding their annual festival next Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 in their school gym at 1153 East 9th St. They will be serving a chicken and biscuits dinner and there will be games of chance, Chinese auction, theme baskets, bake sale, and plenty of fast food. Sr. Kevin and Fr. O’Hara invite all to come and have a great time.

I, along with the members of the St. James Advancement Committee would like to thank all those who supported the recent Bon-Ton Community Day fundraiser. A total of 48 books were sold; 29 were sold at the school and 19 were sold at the rectory. The $240.00 that was raised will go towards the St. James School Fund. I’d like to thank Kathy Kinzig for again taking charge of this effort.

St. James School is blessed to have an outstanding art teacher of the caliber of Kathy Schaaf. Her enthusiasm and creativity inspire the children to consistently put forth their best effort. The students’ work is currently being showcased at the Blasco Library. Kathy, along with Kim Van Slyke, Gina Chimera, Janet Szewczykowski, June Torok, and Bonnie Astemborski put up the display which features a dazzling array of projects that the students, their families, and the parish can be proud of. How fortunate we are to have Kathy on our school faculty!

I’m very grateful to all those who have made a gift to this year’s Catholic Stewardship Appeal. Your generosity will help us to pay for the replacement of the flat roofs on the Church’s sacristy and two side chapels. If you have not already, and are able, please prayerfully consider making a gift to this year’s campaign. No gift is too small; no gift is too large; all gifts will be greatly appreciated. Please help if you can.

Congratulations go out to Nancy Veshecco who won the eighth grade gift card basket at the school’s recent skating party. This event was held to help defray the cost of the eighth grade class trip in May.

The school children are having their science fair this weekend in the school’s gym. Everyone is encouraged to stop and see how creative our budding Einstein’s are this year. The school will be opened on Saturday from 5:00 - 7:00 and on Sunday from 10: - 1:30.

Here is a thought for the week. Thank the Lord that you can give, instead of depending on others to give to you.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. McCormick

If you have not already done so, please help us with this year’s Catholic Services Appeal. If we all do our part, we will have no difficulty reaching our diocesan goals for both dollars and the number of gifts.

A thank you goes out to all those who helped at last week’s Women’s Society Card Party. I will list the names in next week's bulletin.

If you have not already done so, please sign up to have your picture taken for the parish directory. Signup sheets are in the vestibule. It would be nice if we could get every parish family and those who are friends of the parish to have their photo taken. Too often, we recognize the person’s face at Mass, but are not able to put a name with the face. If you can’t sign up this weekend, you may call the rectory to book your photo at the following times during this week: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 4:15 - until 8:00 PM.

The next meeting of the Catholics Come Home Committee will be held this Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the rectory. One of the issues we will deal with is finalizing the details for the parish tureen dinner on Palm Sunday from 1:00 – 3:00. Other outreach efforts will also be discussed. All are welcome to attend. On that topic, I hope that you had the opportunity to share the insert in last week’s bulletin with someone you know who has been away from the Church. Sometimes, all that it takes is an invitation to bring a person back to the sacraments.

Congratulations go out to our Varsity Girls Basket Ball Team for winning the AA playoff game against Our Lady of Mount Carmel with a score of 28 to 15. The team was expertly coached by Craig Fournier, Kelly Kienholz, and Dave Stolar. The team consisted of: Sarah Barbale, Madeline Carnell, Theresa Fachetti, Alaina Kruszewski, Rosemary Campbell, Amber Bokshan, Awar Biong, Domenica Babo, Miranda McAllister, Alexis Lazar, Rebecca Campbell, Alicia Olson, and Madeline Breski.

Last Monday Bishop Trautman conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 37 of our high school juniors. I’m grateful to Rennae DiRaimo, Lois Lintelman, and Jill Wells who assisted me in teaching the class. They, along with Kathy Adamczyk, Meghan Petrush, and Sabina Snyder organized the reception that took place in our social center after the Mass. Prior to the ceremony, the bishop enjoyed a meal expertly prepared by Charlie Robie and served by Mary Jane Robie, Betty Grafius, Cathy Derda, and Eileen Custer.

Here is a thought for the week. In our dealings with other, let’s try to do more than just listen; let’s try to understand.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. McCormick

Today’s bulletin contains an insert that I am asking everyone to share with at least one person who has fallen away from the practice of the Faith. Some people have said that they would have come back to the Church earlier, if only someone had asked them. Please use the insert as an opportunity to ask. The main purpose of the Catholics Come Home Initiative is to “reactivate” and “reengage” those who - for whatever reason - have estranged themselves from the Church and Sunday Mass. Our Catholics Come Home Committee has worked hard to make this Diocesan wide initiative a vibrant, dynamic, and inviting outreach within our own parish. The orange inserts in the misalette covers have yielded several calls to the members of our welcoming committee asking about our Church, school, and parish programs. Deacon Chuck is conducting a Lenten Bible Study Session on Saturday’s at 1:00 o’clock in the Church. As the word of this spreads, the numbers will continue to grow. Our open co-ed volleyball games on Tuesday nights has been very well received. People are excited about the parish tureen dinner on Palm Sunday and we have had several inquiries about the parish pictorial directory. All of these things will add to the vibrancy of our parish and make us more inviting for those who have been away or are considering becoming Catholic.

The Catholic Services Appeal is continuing. I’m asking everyone who is able, to prayerfully consider making a gift to this year’s campaign. Every penny raised above our diocesan goal will remain here to help with the roof replacement project on the Church. Please help if you can.

Pax et bonum, Fr. McCormick

Last weekend was Commitment Sunday for the Catholic Services Appeal. I?m grateful to all those who have already returned their pledge envelopes. We are off to a good start in raising the money to pay for our roof replacement projects on the Church?s flat roofs. Please help us if you possibly can.

Practice for Confirmation will take place on Sunday, March 13th at 6:00 o?clock in the Church. All candidates need to be present. If at all possible, sponsor should also be present. Bishop Trautman will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Monday, March 14th, at 7:00 PM.

We got a lot accomplished at last week?s Catholics Come Home meeting. I?m especially grateful for the suggestions and insights offered by Andrew Boyd, Michele Dean, and Louise Twargoski. In the near future we will be putting a sticker insides the plastic covers of the missalettes inviting returning Catholics or those interested in joining our parish to call one of the members of our welcoming committee. We are also going to have a parish tureen dinner on Sunday, April 17th from 1:00 - 3:00 o?clock at St. James Place. The parish will provide a meat dish, table settings, and beverages. We are asking those attending to bring a side dish or desert - and a serving spoon - to share. This is a means to build fraternity and fellowship within our parish family and as a welcome to any new or returning members. If you have old pictures of our Church or of other parish related events, you are invited to bring them along with you and tack them up on the south wall of the hall. The walls are carpeted so tacks and push pins won?t do any damage. A registration form for this event will appear in the bulletin as we get closer to the date. If you would like to serve on the tureen dinner committee, please let me know. The committee also decided that this would be a good time for us to update the parish pictorial directory. Olan Mills Studios will again do the directory for us. They will be here to take the pictures on April 12th - 16th and April 19th - 23rd. They will also be here on May 17th and 18th. On Tuesdays - Fridays, they will be available from 2:00 o?clock until 9:00 PM. On Saturdays, they will be available from 9:30 until 5;00 PM. We will have a sign up chart in Church in the near future. It would be nice if as many of our parishioners and friends of the parish as possible would have their picture taken for this directory. This will give people the opportunity to put a name with a face. Those who have their picture taken are under no obligation to purchase any pictures for Olan Mills. When the directories are completed, all who had their picture taken will receive a complementary copy. Lastly, next week?s bulletin will have a two page information sheet inviting inactive Catholics to return to Church. The names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the committee members will be listed along with our Mass and Confession times. Those who have any questions about their status or other issues are invited to contact one of the members of the committee. We are doing our best the make our parish as welcoming and inviting as possible for those who have been estranged or grown lax in the practice of their faith. We are asking you to share the insert with at least one person you know who is no longer coming to Mass or who would like to become a Catholic. All are welcome at St. James Parish!

Pax et bonum,

Fr. McCormick

The winter weather and salt has taken its toll on the carpeting on the church steps and the wall along the rectory courtyard. I’m glad that we did not replace the carpeting last fall when it first began to show some wear. It was decided then that to avoid the damage that the ice and snow does to it each year, we would wait to replace it until the spring. The courtyard wall was painted two years ago. It will have to be done again this year. Latex paint doesn’t seem to hold up as well as the old oil based paints. Just like your homes, there is always something here that is in need of repair.

A thank you goes out to the members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry for provided prayer shawls for the recent Mass for the sick and unemployed. The members of the group are: Bernie Oatman, Loretta Laniewicz, Cheryl Brown, Anne Filtutze,Patty Bogart, Carol Dean, Beckie Bauman, Therese Fraizer, Ronalee Curtis, Audrey Dubowski, Rose Deniro, Jill Wells, and Tess Fusco. I’m grateful for their outreach and ministry to the sick of our parish and those in the wider community. I would also like to recognize the following individuals for their help with the Mass: June Klins, Anita Cugini, Dolores Taccone, Linda Dougherty, Kathy Bolla, Mary Ann Hannah, and Ray and Judy Burkell. Ray and Judy would appreciate hearing from you if you attended the Mass or sent in intentions to be placed in the petition basket, and received a favor through St. Philomena’s intercession. You can sent the information to them by mail: Ray and Judy Burkell, 2129 Eastern Ave., Erie, 16510 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Today is Commitment Sunday for this year’s Catholic Services Appeal. Please do your best to help us exceed our Diocesan goal of $79,313. Every cent raised above that total will stay in the parish to help us pay for the flat roof replacement on the mothers’ chapel, sacristy and side chapel of the Church and for the defibrillator that we will be purchasing. One important change for this year’s drive involves the returning of the pledge card. Everyone is asked to return the card, even if your circumstances prevent you from being able to make a gift. In a case like this simply put a 0 on the pledge line. It is important for EVERYONE to return the card. Why? The Diocese is requiring us to either send another letter or call those who do not return their card. Your willingness to return the card will save the parish the time, effort, and the postage required in doing a follow up mailing. Please help us make this year’s appeal the most successful in our parish history.

Our school’s basketball season ended last week. In addition to thanking the coaches of our varsity girls, varsity boys, and JV boys basketball teams and the moderators of our varsity and JV cheerleaders, I would also like to thank Paul Causgrove who served as a referee for several of our games. Each time that he was assigned to serve at our school, he always returned the referee fee to our Athletic Association . I, along with all the members of the Athletic Board am grateful for his generosity. Nancy Veshecco, our Athletic Director, always reminds our athletes and parents that St. James is the only diocesan school that does not charge our children a fee to play sports. We have been able to do so only because of the hard work and commitment of the members of Athletic Board and the many of the parents who help with the numerous fundraisers. Let’s hope this never has to change.

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. McCormick

Congratulations go out to the following Cathedral Prep students who achieved honors during the latest marking period. First Honors were attained by the following: Daniel Fromknecht, Eric Hess, Andrew Link, and Jacob Murawski. Second Honors were achieved by the following: Blake Alcorn, John Madura, Sean Thornton, Dennis Do, Adam Spinelli, Brandon Feikles, Cody Feikles, Scott Hess, and Noah Repko. Congratulations to them and to their parents and grandparents.

A thank you goes out to Linda Daugherty for touching up the chips on the St. Joseph statue in our sanctuary. Her expertise in working with ceramics enabled her to complete the task so professionally that one cannot find the spots she repaired. We are all grateful to her for a job well done.

One of the suggestions to come out of our recent Catholics Come Home planning meeting was that we look into the possibility of having recreational co-ed volleyball games in our school gym. Any parishioner 21 years or older is welcome to play next Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM. Mary Beth Brady is taking charge of this activity. If you have any questions, you can call her at 897-8003.

I received a number of notes and e-mails from our parishioners who are wintering in Florida. They appreciate the ability to keep up with parish news and events via the website. Corey Spacht is the individual who designed and maintains the site. He does an outstanding job. In our internet driven world, an eye catching and engaging presence on the worldwide web is vitally important. Corey’s expertise and artistic talents enable our parish to have an attractive and appealing site that not only allows people to check for Confessions or Mass times, but even includes a feature that allows visitors to donate on line. How fortunate we are to have this site for both information and outreach purposes. With the beginning Catholics Come Home Initiative just around the corner, this webpage will be an effective tool to help encourage the inactive in our area to choose St. James Parish.

The Athletic Association is sponsoring a Spring Into Summer Dance on Friday, March 25th at St. James Place. Music will be provided by the band Endless Summer. Jim Borowy, a parishioner and part of the Athletic Association Board, is a member of this band. Doors will open at 7:00 and the band will play from 8:00 until midnight. This is a BYOB affair; beer, pop, and mixers will be provided. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the rectory and school. If you liked the Snow Blossom Dance, you won’t want to miss this event.

Please do your best to help make this year’s Catholic Services Appeal the most successful that our parish has ever had. Commitment Sunday is next weekend.

Here is a thought for the week. Always have good thoughts, always do good deeds, and always speak good words. Anyone who keeps the above three will have the best of all in this world.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. McCormick

A thank you goes out to Patrick Saber of Penn Beer for their recent donation to St. James School Technology Fund. This gift will be used to help defray the costs that we will incur when the wireless access points in the school are upgraded. This will happen sometime during the summer months. Through a grant, the school recently received 48 laptop computers that will be placed on two carts. The carts enable the computers to be wheeled from classroom to classroom as they are needed by the teachers. The current access points do not have the “horsepower” or range to adequately handle these additional laptops. This is just another example of how our school consistently strives to offer our students every opportunity to maximize all of their potentials. While on the topic of the access points, a thank you goes out to Jessie Crow, the technology coordinator at Villa Maria Academy, for his expertise and guidance in helping us to prepare for this necessary and important upgrade.

Today is our school’s open house for prospective parents and students. The School Board and Advancement Committee would to recognize and thank Jacob Nesgoda, the branch manager of the Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union on Buffalo Road for his help in advertising this event. The credit union’s philosophy is “People Helping People.” In their dealings with us, they have truly put this philosophy into effect. We are very appreciative of their continued help and support of or parish and school.

Last week we had to have a high lift move the mounds of snow in the Church parking lot. The accumulation of snow had become so great that we not only lost access to the parking spots on west side of the lot, but also access to the exit on Prospect Avenue.

High School CCD and Confirmation classes will resume next Sunday evening. It is vitally important that all Confirmation students be in attendance. With Confirmation only a month away, there are many things that need to be taken care of. Foremost among them is the letter that each candidate must write to the bishop requesting to be Confirmed. We will begin working on these letters next Sunday.

The winner of the Sunday Breakfast 50/50 was Bob Anderson.

Here is a thought for the week. Successful people always have two things on their lips... silence and a smile; a smile to solve the problem and silence to avoid the problem.

Pax et bonum,

Fr. McCormick