AUGUST 10, 11 & 12

New gifts are needed for the " adult twistees booth"and "children’s twistees booth". Please bring them to the rectory.

The origin of the Feast of St. James took place in Spain. On July 25, 800 it is said that a large display of light came from stars over a certain field. The light was pointing to a certain spot in the field. When people went to examine the spot, they found the grave of St. James the Apostle. A large church was built on that spot. It is called "Sao Tiago de Campostella".

Sao Tiago means St. James. Campo means field. Stella means stars. The two words were joined together (Campostella) to indicate the place and the way the body of St. James was found.

Since the church was built, hundreds of pilgrims have made their way on foot traveling for many months to reach this shrine. They came from all the countries of Europe and of Africa.

They would wear and still wear a shell to indicate that they were pilgrims going to the Shrine of St. James. People would give them lodging and food along the way. When they got to the shrine, they would receive a document stating that they had completed the pilgrimage.

On the Feast of St. James at the Shrine, the pilgrims are greeted by a large statue of St. James on a large column at the entrance of the church. During the special Mass a large thurible ( container) of incense is swung throughout the church, filling the church with incense.

Fr. Thomas Washburn O.F.M. has accepted the invitation of preaching at the Mass. Fr. Richard Wilson, secretary to the Bishop and head of the Spanish Apostolate in the Diocese, also has accepted the invitation to attend our celebration. The priests of the house have also been invited. Deacon Larry St. Onge will also be present.

It will add so much to our parish celebration to have Fr. Tom with us. It was just a few months ago when he was celebrating his first Mass with us and now he is returning to preach at this special Mass. The memories of our journeying with him as he took the steps to the Priesthood and Final Profession as a Franciscan still remain a special part of our parish history of the last few years.

Now he is happily working in St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Derry, New Hampshire. He is involved with many projects. One of them is to establish a coffee house for young people.

We would also like to remember Rosemond Joseph in a special way as well. Rosemond belongs to the missionary Society of St. James. As part of this Society he will be working in Brazil after his ordination to the priesthood. Before his ordination to the Diaconate on August 31, he will take vows in this Society of St. James.

Rosemond Joseph has been to our parish many times in the last few years. Many people have gotten to know him. We still hope that he will be able to visit

with us in the fall. We will remember Rosemond in a special way at the Mass. We still hope that he will be able to come to our parish and celebrate Mass for us.

Fr. Richard Wilson will be with us. Fr. Richard preached one of the Feast Masses in honor of St. James after his ordination four years ago.

It is Fr. Richard who introduced Fr. Oscar to us. Fr. Oscar is doing well in learning English. Carol Oliveira, a parishioner, is teaching him English.

The candles that will light the church for our special Mass were donated by Scott and Sheila Washburn. These candle stands will add to the solemnity of the night. It will help us capture the special light that came from that field on the first July 25.

Roses will also be blessed and given to those who participate in this Mass. The red of the rose symbolizes the blood that St. James shed for the Faith. The petals of the rose symbolize the openness of the Apostle to the Word of God. The fragrance of the rose symbolizes the sanctity of the Saint.

The prayer of blessing over the roses will ask God that we receive the graces to be open to the Word of God; to grow in holiness, and to be ready to give our lives to God in any way.

These roses will adorn the statue of St. James during the Mass. They will be given to the participants after the celebration.

Everyone is invited to come to the rectory after the Mass for refreshments. It will be an opportunity to meet the priests and one another and end what we all hope will be a special night and one more step toward being a community.