MEETING FOR MEAT PIE SUPPER VOLUNTEERS – Tuesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Rectory. Parents who have children in St. James/St. John School who would like to receive a subsidy from the parish must attend.

Parish Pastoral and Financial Councils will meet with Fr. Richard Wilson on Thursday May 13 at 7 p.m. in the rectory

PARISH FINANCIAL COUNCIL REPORTS on the collections for the month of March:

Sunday March 7

$ 2,698

Maintenance $ 880

Sunday March 14

$ 2,805. 93

Sunday March 21

$ 1,851.45

For the last ten years the Parish Financial Council has always stated that we need $3,000 each week in the first collection to meet all of our expenses. Although the Financial Council reports the weekly collections periodically, the expenses of the fiscal year are only reported once a year in the Annual Financial Report.

St. James’ merging with the other three parishes of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, St. Hedwig, and St. Anne, needs to bring about another good look at the financial status of this new parish community. The merger must increase the weekly collections for the newly formed parish community to survive.

Parishioners need to take a new look at their level on contributing every week. Nothing can take the place of the weekly collection. As each household depends on the weekly income to meet expenses, so too the parish needs the weekly collection to meet expenses. No parish can depend on money making events. So many factors may make the event produce a different profit than was expected. Money making events can be compared to a household’s unexpected bonus or gift. It is nice to receive the gift. More things can be done, but we cannot live for the next surprise.

Great hope is being sensed by many of the parishioners of the four parishes. A new beginning. A new Easter! A stronger parish!

-Father Ed

PARISH MEETING: We invite all parishioners to come to the hall on Monday,

As the Diocese celebrates its one hundredth anniversary, we see the many ways that the Church needs to be present to care for the needs of people of all creeds and races.

The state is cutting back its funding of many projects which make the needy more needy.

Parishioners are asked to increase their contributions to the Appeal this year. Because it is the one hundredth anniversary of the Diocese, parishioners who have not given one hundred dollars to the Appeal in the past are asked to do so this year.

Last year St. James went over its previous year’s total. It is hoped that this will happen again this year. Although everyone is feeling the effects of the budget crisis, this is the time to be thankful for all the benefits that God has given to us.

You are asked to mail your donation with the Appeal card to the rectory; put it through the mail slot; or put it in the collection. –Father Ed

THERE WILL BE A PARISH FESTIVAL THIS YEAR, AUGUST 6, 7,8 2004

YOM HASHOAH, THE ANNUAL HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL OBSERVANCE, will be commemorated today (Sunday), beginning with a candle-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Holocaust Memorial Sculpture in Buttonwood Park, followed by a Memorial Program at 7:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue (corner of Brownell & Hawthorne). The program will include a video & photo exhibit about GI’s who liberated the concentration camps and comments by local soldiers who were liberators. All are welcome.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: St. Mary’s & Sacred Heart Cemeteries in New Bedford are in need of seasonal help to cut & trim grass as well as other maintenance. Ideal for students or retirees. Contact Larry Ostapow (673-1561) for more info.

CONCERT AT ST. ANNE’S: The New Bedford Choral Society will be presenting a concert at St. Anne’s Church on Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. This might be a nice way to end the evening after the Meat Pie Supper. Admission will be charged at the door.