St. James the Greater &

St. Thomas the Apostle

We welcome you to our parishes in the
northwest corner of Sussex County, New Jersey.

Eight young people of St. Thomas the Apostle parish received
the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Sweeney on April 25th.

               May the Spirit guide our young people on their journey through this world,           and help them to live fulfilling and happy and holy lives.

These children received their First Holy Communion on April 30th .

    It was for them a further step in developing a yet deeper relationship with Jesus.    
  They had already experienced His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  May they enjoy a closer friendship with the Lord as they receive the Eucharist and
that day be just the beginning of many Communions with the Lord,
as they continue to grow in wisdom and grace.
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Please feel free to share this downloadable 8 page which includes
Ascension Day & Pentecost:
Holy Week & Easter 2022 Catholic Kids Activity Book 

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Catholic Summer Camp

Once again, we will join with Our Lady Queen of Peace Church for a Catholic Summer Camp. It will take place from June 20th – 24th from 9:00am until Noon [12:00pm].
CSC is open to all children from Kindergarten through Grade 5.
The Confirmation Candidates are encouraged and welcomed to help assist us.
The cost is FREE!
Please register ASAP online at www.olqpbranchville.org under their Religious Education tab. For more information, please call Mary at 862-268-1876.

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Children's Liturgy of the Word

  C.L.O.W.  at St. Thomas the Apostle's 9:30 a.m. Mass.   
will resume in the Fall. 
  Students are still expected to continue attending a Sat. Vigil,
or Sunday Mass each weekend.

                  Mrs. Flexer welcomes Confirmation Candidates (from grades 7 & 8)                      and Confirmed teens to consider assisting as Lector, and/or Hospitality Minister for our 2022 /2023  C.L.O.W. schedule. 

Alternate ways to view Mass

      We offer this list of links  to online Masses or ones televised,  for those who still cannot attend with us in person - as noted via the Bishops of NJ update below. 
 Mass options online :  
 St. Patrick's Cathedral      
 Catholic TV 
  EWTN

Per the Bishops of NJ

The dispensation from the obligation to participate in Sunday Eucharist was lifted on the Vigil of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ,   
June 5th, 2021  for all of those in good health.
{  No one has been dispensed from observing their Sunday obligation.  }

 "A person with a cough or fever of any kind should not take part in Mass in-person."

"All who are healthy and who do not regularly come in contact with those who have serious underlying  medical conditions are encouraged to take part in Mass in-person."               " Those who are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus,
i.e. those sixty (60) years of age and over, and especially those with one or several underlying medical conditions, or those directly responsible for the care of those most susceptible - who may therefore not feel comfortable returning at this time, should continue to follow Mass at home via any live streams or televised options until restrictions are removed."
Go to our Alerts at top right & Coronavirus for info on alternative sources
to view Mass online or on your TV, and related info.

P.S. Don’t keep your ‘social distance’ from the Lord !

  1.   Those who should -  please wear a face mask.   There is hand sanitizer in the Gathering Space we have available for use of on entering the building.   
   Do not attend in person if experiencing respiratory symptoms {Flu & Covid have similar symptoms},  or if you should isolate/ quarantine, due to a known exposure.
  2.  Holy Communion remains prefered to be given in the hand.             Our Paterson Diocesan protocol advises:   "Those who wish to receive Holy Communion on the tongue .. asked to come up and receive at the conclusion of the Communion Procession."                                        Father Wayne Varga has requested that all adhere to this request.  
  2.  A Breaking Bread 2022 eMissal App  is available for all  iOS and  Android  users on smartphones and tablets for the current church year.       

The parishes of St. James and of St. Thomas 
accept Online Giving.
Please click the  logo above to sign up for either parish.

Thank You for your continued support!  
Diocesan Assessments * &  Special Collection* dates  listed. 
Please indicate which*  collection &  what date that you are donating
towards - via a notation.

              New Parishioner Information             
    We welcome you and ask that you fill out a registration form.
Can be obtained at church, via our Parish Office, or download 
  for St. Thomas or for St. James

  When a Catholic is asked to be a Godparent or Sponsor, a letter from the pastor of their parish is requested.
That letter can only be legitimately provided to a registered member of a parish.     

Please call the Parish Office 973-948-2296
to schedule Confession or for any specific requests.
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Our Parish Food Pantry is currently accessible 
weekdays til about 2:30pm  via Parish Office. Please call first.
If you don't get to speak directly with someone, 
please leave a message with your name and a phone # so that we can respond to you.   Someone will call you back.