I hope this note finds you well.  It is hard to believe we are in October with these warm temperatures.  Hopefully the payback will not be too severe during the upcoming Winter months.

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone again who helped with last month's Parish Fest.  I'm still getting comments about how much the Parish Staff appreciated all the work we did to set up, cook, serve and clean up for the event.  It does show that our service is important in supporting the St. James' Community.  And I have another opportunity to support the community.

You may have read a Flocknote announcing "Trunk or Treat" following the 4PM Mass on Saturday, October 30, 2021.  We had considered doing a Pasta! Pasta! Dinner that evening, but given the nature of this event, we decided at this past Thursday's meeting that it may be more appropriate to serve pizza during the event.  So, instead of Pasta! Pasta!, it will be Pizza! Pizza!  (my apologies to Little Caesars).    

Al Roma has agreed to tap his network of experts to help secure the pizza.  We just need YOU to help set up during the 4PM Mass, and serve the pizza to the families who will be participating in "Trunk or Treat" following the Mass (around 5PM).  We expect the event will wrap up around 6:30PM.  Please acknowledge the link below if you can help on Saturday, October 30, 2021.

We are also going to use the last weekend of October to recruit other men of St. James to join our group.  So, if you cannot help on Saturday, consider joining us to pass out brochures and engage our fellow brothers after the Sunday masses on October 31, 2021.

As I mentioned, we had a meeting this past Thursday, and I have attached the presentation that we reviewed during the meeting.  Please note our next gathering will be Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 7PM in the St. James' Disciples Room.

During the meeting we agreed to do our annual decorating of the Parish House on Saturday, November 20, 2021.  We'll be gathering at Fr. Ed's around 8:30 AM to install the Christmas lights on the exterior of the house.  Not too worry, we'll have plenty of hot coffee and nourishment to get you through the morning.  

But the big event will occur later that evening, as Fr. Ed has agree to host us at our the Parish House for a Pre-Thanksgiving Pot Luck Dinner.  And you are welcome to bring your wife or significant other to this dinner.

If you recall, we did this pot-luck dinner in January 2020 (pre-Covid), and it was a great success.  We picked the Saturday before Thanksgiving as a great opportunity to get together again and share some food and laughs before the holidays really pick up the pace.  

More details to come, but please reserve the evening of Saturday, November 20, 2021 for this special evening.

I hope you have a blessed week!

John Fitzpatrick