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We welcome you to our parishes in the
northwest corner of Sussex County, New Jersey. -
St. James the Greater
75 River Road, Montague, NJ 07827
Map and Directions
St. Thomas the Apostle
210 Route 206 N, Sandyston, NJ 07826
Map and Directions -
Our church welcomes those visiting our area
to come join with us at Mass.Please check our Church Bulletin [via link above - top right] for timely info and upcoming parish or area events.
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2023 - 2024 Religious Education program classes
resumed the week of Sept. 17th.
The Sacraments of Christian Initiation for those students who will receive First Holy Eucharist and Confirmation,
builds on the grace that each child first received at Baptism.Reception of the two sacraments requires two specific years of preparation for these Sacraments, usually in 1st & 2nd grade, and again in 7th & 8th grade. Children entering 1st grade in September should be enrolled.
The grades between are necessary stepping stones, to help to
assure that each child will fully grasp and understand their faith,
and cannot be skipped.Children's Liturgy of the WordC.L.O.W. will be offered at St. Thomas the Apostle
during the Sunday 9:30 AM Mass - beginning Oct. 1st.
Check bulletin for specific dates.
All students should attend either St. Thomas' 4:30 PM Sat. Vigil,
or a Sunday Mass at either St. James or St.Thomas
each weekend year-round.Mrs. Flexer welcomes Confirmation Candidates (from grades 7 & 8) and Confirmed teens to consider assisting as Lector, and/or as
Hospitality Minister for C.L.O.W. or in any other Liturgical Ministry.+ + +
Sister Stan on Thursday, July 13th, shared her remarkable story of starting a mission and orphanage (Nazareth Home for God’s Children) in Northern Ghana. Sister presently cares for more than 100 orphaned “spirit children”,
i.e. children who are considered disposable because of their physical impairments or other circimstances.
www.sisterstanschildren.org/sisterstan.html
======================================================Eight of our children received their First Eucharist on Saturday, April 29th, 2023.
May our children continue to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus and may they continue to receive Him lovingly and reverently all the days of their lives.+++
Bishop Sweeney presided over Confirmation, calling down the Holy Spirit upon fifteen of our young people, on March 31st, 2023 at St. Thomas the Apostle.
Pray that they may allow the Holy Spirit to inspire them
while they continue to mature in their faith.+++
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
If anyone is already baptized, there is no reason to delay being fully initiated.
If you are over 18 and for any reason did not receive any of these
Sacraments of the Catholic Church: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation -
please contact the Parish, if you now desire to receive them.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consider this !
We'd
like to make you aware of an opportunity to grow in your faith and learn more about the Catholic Church’s teachings - on your own time.
Ascension launched its newest Catechism in a Year podcast - consisting of daily/ individual 15-20 minute episodes of Fr. Mike Schmitz reading and offering insights and guidance on the entireOne can easily catch up. Consider giving it a try!Our Catechism explains & discusses all the fundamental teachings of our faith in a prayerful, engaging and approachable way. Having it in podcast form makes it easily accessible via a computer or a smartphone / tablet. You can listen at home, or while walking, driving - at a time you choose.
Info is online to sign up FREE at both Ascension Press’s website & on their FB page. Check out the The Catechism in a Year YouTube Channel - the only place to watch, listen and / or read along with every word of the podcast.
The Bible In a Year also remains accessible - all 365 episodes remain online.
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Check out our Upcoming Events sub-page for a number of parish events.
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Alternate ways to view Mass
We offer this list of links to online Masses or ones televised, for those who cannot legitimately attend in person.
All others should now be attending a Sat. Vigil or a Sunday Mass each weekend to fulfill their Sunday Mass obligation - if there is no illness, or a genuine extenuating circumstance.Per the Bishops of NJ -
As of the 2023 Vigil of Corpus Christi, all are again welcome to receive from the chalice. Of course, those with colds are asked to refrain.
Receiving from the chalice is always optional, but it offers us the full experience of the Last Supper of Jesus. It also remains an alternate form for those who cannot receive the gluten host; should one need to take Communion via a low gluten host - that need must be made known to the pastor ahead of time, as it is kept separate and offered by the presider.{Note: No one was ever dispensed from observing their Sunday obligation. } o to our Alerts and then Important Info on the menu at top right for more info.
We continue to have hand sanitizer available.
Feel free to wear a facial mask, if you choose to or have need to for any reason.
For everyone's continued safety, those wishing to receive Communion on the tongue - our Paterson Diocesan protocol advises:
"Those who wish to receive Holy Communion on the tongue .. come up to receive at the conclusion of the Communion Procession."
Options online for those ill / unable to attend in person:
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Catholic TV
EWTN -
The parishes of St. James and of St. Thomas accept Online Giving.
Please click on the logo above to sign up for either parish.
Diocesan Assessments * & Special Collection * dates listed.
Please indicate which * collection your donation is towards - via a notation.
Thank You for your continued support!
New Parishioner Information
We welcome you and ask that you fill out a registration form.
One can be obtained at church, via our Parish Office, or download:
St. Thomas or St. James
Whenever a Catholic is asked to be Godparent or Sponsor, a letter from their pastor
of their home parish is requested.
That letter can only be legitimately provided to a registered member of a parish.
Please do call the Parish Office 973-948-2296 [Ext. 11]
to schedule receiving the Sacrament of Confession with the pastor
or for any other specific requests.
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Our Parish Food Pantry is currently accessible
on most weekdays via the Parish Office.
Please call first to be certain someone there can assist you.
If you don't speak directly with someone, do leave a message with your name and
a phone #, so that you can be responded to. Someone will call you back. -
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Mass Schedule
- Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM EnglishEnglishEN at St. Thomas the Apostle
- Sunday 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN at St. James the Greater 9:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN at St. Thomas the Apostle 11:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN at St. James the Greater
- MonWed Fri 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN at St. Thomas the Apostle
- Saturday 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN at St. James the Greater
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Confession
- Saturday: 4:00 PM to 4:20 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle
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NOTE:
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is always also available by Appt. -
Parish Staff
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Pastor
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Deacon
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CRE
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Parish Secretary
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FORMED
Click on FORMED to sign up for your direct account under our parish subscription: St. James the Greater and St. Thomas the Apostle.
It has something for all ages! -
Religious Ed for Children (CCD)
Msgr. Gacquin Youth &
Religious Education Center (REC) Religious Education Office
122 Layton-Hainesville Rd.
Sandyston,
NJ 07826
Mail should be sent to the parish office address noted at the bottom of this page.
Map and DirectionsCCD Office Phone: 973-948-7004
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See www.ithirstinitiative.org
For those Interested in Assisting those Suffering from Addiction:
Book released: The Road to Hope -
Pregnancy Assistance & Adoption Services
Call 1-800-395-HELP or
Tri-State Pregnancy 570-491-5151
Good Counsel Homes: 1 -800-723-8331
Serving pregnant mothers in need any time, any place.
www.goodcounselhomes.org
Adoption@Catholic Charities
Walking with Moms in Need
+++Post-Abortion Healing:
Project Rachel
973-777-8818, ext. 272
hopeafterabortion.com
www.rachelsvineyard.orgLumina: Hope and Healing After Abortion: 1.877.LUMINA1 (877.586.4621) www.postabortionhelp.org FB: LuminaHopeandHealingAfterAbortion/ -
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