St. James Catholic Church

St. James Parish is sponsoring a Stock’s Pound Cake fundraiser for the weekend of October 24 and 25, 2020.  Standard Stock’s Pound Cake comes with vanilla or chocolate icing.  Also, marble pound  cakes are available with chocolate icing.

Please download the order form below and either place it in the box in the vestibule of Church, drop it in the collection basket, or place it in the basket on the back porch of the rectory on or before Sunday, October 11.  All orders must be prepaid and checks may be payable to “St. James Church”.

CURBSIDE PICKUP WILL TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OUR SCHOOL HALL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 12 NOON, AND ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 12 NOON.

Please help make this fundraiser a success for our Church.  Thank you so much for your participation.  You will not be disappointed – these cakes are delicious and they freeze very well.  Any questions, please call Dolores Wlodarczyk at 215-379-5696.

If you are unable to participate in this fundraiser, please consider making a monetary donation.  Thank you!

Download the Order Form here:
Download Stock's Pound Cake 2020

Father Efren’s instillation will be on September 27 at 1 p.m. Please pray the following prayer every day for the success of his ministry and for all of us that we may be a community of love, mercy and joy.

On Saturday, July 25, come to St. James Hall for an Open House after the 5:00 p.m. mass.  Meet new pastor Fr. Efren, enjoy some refreshments, and fellowship with St. James parishioners.

July 25 is the Feast of St. James the Greater, the namesake of St. James Church.

(Photo: CatholicPhilly.com)

Archbishop Nelson Pérez has appointed the Rev. Efren V. Esmilla the next pastor of St. James Parish in Elkins Park.  Fr. Efren comes to St. James from Our Lady of Hope Parish on Broad Street, where he has been pastor since December 2006.   While serving as Pastor of Our Lady of Hope, Fr. Efren has also served as Chaplain to the Filipino Apostolate, Spiritual Director to the Legion of Mary, Adjunct Spiritual Director at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and Dean of Deanery 12 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Fr. Efren was ordained in 1993 and served for eight years as Parochial Vicar at St. John Chrysostom in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.  He then served two years at Maternity B.V.M. parish in Northeast Philadelphia before becoming Assistant Director of Pastoral/Apostolic Formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary for a year, followed by Director of the Spiritual Year in the Seminary.  Fr. Efren then spent just under a year and a half as Parochial Vicar at St. Martha in Northeast Philadelphia before being named Pastor at Our Lady of Hope.

Fr. Efren earned a bachelor's degree from San Beda College in Manila, Philippines as well as a Master of Divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

As Fr. Efren streamed his farewell mass at Our Lady of Hope on the parish's Facebook page, parishioners had many kind words for their outgoing pastor.   Parishioner Cyra wrote, "Thank you Father Efren for being a friend to me, my family and friends. God BLESS".  Hazel wrote, "Wishing Fathet Efren a successful transition. We will miss you 💖". 

As he heads to St. James, Fr. Efren already expressed excitement that St. James Parish approaches a big milestone: in 2023, St. James Parish will be 100 years old.

Fr. Efren moves into St. James Rectory on Wednesday, July 8.  May God bless him in his new ministry!

One year of joy. Except for the pandemic, that's how I feel about being at St. James. Unfortunately, like all good things, it's coming to an end. The Archdiocese has other plans for me. And for you, too!

Fr. Efren, your new pastor, is a terrific person, Christian, and priest. With him you'll be well pleased.

I hope you'll pray for me as I'll pray for you. And pray for the people of Visitation BVM in Trooper. That's where I'll be going as an assistant. They'll  need plenty of prayers putting up with their new assistant!

July 8th is moving day. Fr. Efren will be moving in while I'll be moving my stuff out. I'll have the chance to see and greet you before I leave.

God bless us, everyone.
Fr. Lange

Father Lange, Parochial Administrator at St. James Parish since last June, has been appointed by Archbishop Nelson Pérez to serve as Parochial Vicar at Visitation B.V.M. Parish in Trooper.  We are most grateful for Father Lange's leadership this past year, particularly as we found ourselves in unprecedented times. 

Our first “Yellow Phase” weekend for Mass went well, I think.  Thanks to all of you for making it so!

It is with great sorrow that I announce the closing of our St. James Nursery School.  It has served our parish well for 38 years, but with an extremely small incoming class this coming year and for the foreseeable future, it does not seem feasible to continue to make something happen where it cannot work well.  This is mostly due to demographics more than anything else.  It has nothing to do with do with the wonderful program that this has been. Mrs. Judy Coughlin founded the program 38 years ago and it has been a very sweet aspect of our parish life ever since.  Mrs. Lori Hegarty took over in 2009 and has also maintained it as a wonderful program since then, along with her most recent helpers: Grace Gallagher, Angela Burke, and Gina Foell.  It has been a program that touched the hearts and lives of many families and little ones and the world has been a better place for it.  We thank everyone involved, especially Lori, for the work and LOVE that has been integral to this program.

Fortunately, we have a new tenant that while serving a different ministry is indeed still a ministry that should help the lives of others.  The Breathing Room Foundation will move in immediately to provide assistance to individuals and the families of those dealing with cancer.  Their stated mission is as such:

Provide those affected by cancer with personal, individualized support to alleviate the emotional, physical, and financial strain that a cancer diagnosis brings. It is our goal to ensure our families have the “breathing room” they need to allow them to concentrate their efforts on regaining their health.

More can be found at their website at https://breathingroomfoundation.org.

Congratulations to all of our graduates from grade school, high school, college, and trade schools.  You are our hope in a world that seems to have dwindling hope.  Take our prayers for you and help our world and yours to rejoice.  May any celebration that seems to be lacking now be more than made up for by your futures!

I am happy to inform you that our business manager, Mr. Greg Garrison, brings us good news in that our parish is doing well despite the struggles we have had all had to face in these strange times.  This is true for two reasons.  Firstly, the generosity of our parishioners has been nothing short of magnificent!  All have given from their hearts while some (those who have been personally able to do so) have also given tremendously in very large amounts from their wallets.  The Lord repays everyone according to their hearts regardless.

But our business manager has also been successful in obtaining a special loan to pay our employees’ salaries that will enable the loan to become a kind of grant under certain conditions.  It seems that we will be able to meet these conditions!

For these and all of your great gifts, Lord, we are most grateful.

Deo gratias,

Fr.  Lange