Welcome to St. James Church!

Welcome to St. James Roman Catholic Church in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Please take the time to check out our various ministries St. James has to offer.
We hope you will visit us!

Rev. Andrew O. Labatorio, Parochial Administrator

Visit Us:
8320 Brookside Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027

Rectory Phone: 215-635-6210
Rectory Fax: 215-635-3346
Rectory Email: [email protected]

Weekend Mass Schedule:
Saturday 5:00 p.m.,
Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m. - Filipino Mass

Daily Mass:
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m

Holy Day Masses
8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturdays 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.

First Friday Devotions:
6:00 p.m. Exposition and Adoration
Sacred Heart Divine Mercy Chaplet Rosary
Sacrament of Reconciliation
7:00 p.m. Mass

The Unity Prayer

My adorable Jesus,
May our feet journey together.
May our hands gather in unity.
May our hearts beat in unison.
May our souls be in harmony.
May our thoughts be as one.
May our ears listen to the silence together.
May our glances profoundly penetrate each other.
May our lips pray together to gain mercy from the Eternal Father.

St. James Stock's Pound Cake Fundraiser

St. James Parish is sponsoring a Stock’s Pound Cake fundraiser for the weekend of May 10 and May 11, 2025. Standard Stock’s Pound Cake comes with vanilla or chocolate icing. Also, marble pound cakes are available with chocolate icing. Each Pound Cake will cost $18.00.

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, April 27. All orders must be prepaid and checks may be payable to “St. James Church”.

PICKUP WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE BROOKSIDE ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL HALL ON SATURDAY, MAY 10 BETWEEN 4-5PM AND ON SUNDAY, MAY 11 BETWEEN 9 :30 AM AND 10:30 AM.

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 Doreen at the Rectory at 215-635-6210 or Dolores Wlodarczyk at 215-687-0748.

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

Download the Order Form here:
Download 2025 Stocks Pound Cake

2025 Holy Week and Easter Schedule

2025 Holy Week Schedule

Sunday, April 13
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Masses: 5:00 pm (Vigil April 12); 8:30 am; 10:30 am, 12:30 pm
Palm will be distributed at all the Masses

Wednesday, April 15
Confessions- 6:00-7:00

Holy Thursday, April 17
10:00 am – Holy Chrism Mass
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul
6:00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday, April 18
3:00 pm – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion,
Veneration of the Cross and Communion

Holy Saturday, April 19
7:00 pm Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday, April 20
5:30 am – SALUBONG (social hall)
(Meeting of the Risen Christ and the Sorrowful Mother)
Masses: 6:00 am; 8:30 am; 10:30 am

For Livestreaming
www.facebook.com/stjameselkinspark
or Saint James The Great PA on YouTube

A Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Nelson Pérez

Brothers and Sisters,

Please join me and sign up for a conversation about our Church. Your voice and presence are essential as we plan a new way forward together as the Catholic Church of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez

Click here to read the Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Pérez:

Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Masses will be celebrated and ashes distributed:

8:30 a.m.
6:30 p.m.

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel

Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return

2024 Advent and Christmas Season Schedules

Christmas 2024 - New Year's 2025

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturdays 3:30 - 4:50 p.m.
Advent Parish Penance Service:
Friday, December 13th, 6:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Masses:
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Children and Family Mass with Choir: 4:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

Christmas Day Masses:
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m, 12:30 p.m.

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Tuesday, December 31, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Monday, January 1, 2026
8:30 a.m. Mass

The Reverend Edward A. Windhaus

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the Rev. Edward A. Windhaus. Father Windhaus served as Pastor of Saint James Parish from 2010 until he was named Pastor Emertius upon his retirement in 2019.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Monday, September 16, 2024
8:30 a.m.: Reception of the Body
9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Viewing
11:00 a.m.: Funeral Mass

The Most Reverend Edward Deliman will be the celebrant.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Rev. Edward A. Windhaus Obituary

Rev. Edward Anthony Windhaus, age 79, Pastor Emeritus of St. James Parish in Elkins Park, PA passed away on September 9th, 2024 at St. Joseph Manor in Meadowbrook, PA.

Born October 29th, 1944 in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Edward Joseph Windhaus and the late Catherine Gertrude Windhaus (nee Brecker).

Beloved brother of Linda Geiger, wife of the late Gerald Geiger; Teresa Dunn, wife of Michael F. Dunn, Esq., and Robert Windhaus, husband of Maria (nee D’Ambrosio).

He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

After graduating from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1962, he then enrolled at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained in May,1972. He later earned a second Master’s Degree in Liturgy from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Fr. Windhaus served as a Parochial Vicar or Pastor for many parishes within the archdiocese of Philadelphia, including:

St Henry’s in Philadelphia
St. Mathew's in Conshohocken
St. Pius X in Broomall
St. Maria Goretti in Hatfield
St. Titus in East Norriton
St. James in Elkins Park until his retirement in 2019.

Fr. Windhaus was also Chaplain at various Newman Catholic Centers including Bucks County and Montgomery County Community Colleges, and Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore colleges.

The Reception of the Body will be held on Monday September 16th, 2024 at 8:30 AM at St. James Church, 8320 Brookside Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027 followed by a Viewing from 9:00 am to 11:00 AM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow the Mass at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.

In lieu of mass cards or flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 5200, Harlan, IA 51593-0700.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Appoints Fr. Andrew Labatorio as Parochial Administrator of St. James

After three new priests were ordained on May 18, 2024 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez released the latest round of clergy assignments for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. With Bishop Efren Esmilla having taken on the City of Philadelphia has his Episcopal Region in his role as Auxiliary Bishop, St. James was in need of new pastoral leadership. Archbishop Pérez appointed Rev. Andrew Labatorio as parochial administrator of St. James the Great Parish in Elkins Park.

Fr. Andrew joined the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2019 after a 17-year mission in Haiti. Fr. Andrew was first assigned in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as Parochial Vicar of St. Elizabeth Parish in Upper Uwchlan, before being assigned Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Hope in Philadelphia in 2020. Fr. Andrew will be continuing as Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of Hope while serving St. James.

Meanwhile, Bishop Efren will remain at St. James, not as clergy assigned to the parish, but in residence.

Fr. Andrew's tenure at St. James begins on June 17. Welcome, Fr. Andrew!

Watch Episcopal Ordination of Bishops-Elect Esmilla, Cooke, and Chylinski

March 7, 2024 - The Ordination of Auxiliary Bishops Chylinski, Cooke and Esmilla for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be livestreamed here:
CLICK HERE to Watch Episcopal Ordination of Bishops-Elect Esmilla, Cook, and Chylinski

Liturgical Aid with text and music for mass: http://cathedralphila.org/weeklymusic

Procession 1:40 PM Eastern Mass of Ordination 2:00 PM Eastern

Join Us! Mass of Thanksgiving and Banquet to Honor the Episcopal Ordination of Rev. Efren Esmilla

MASS:
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024
Time: 1:00pm
Location: St. James Church
8306 Brookside Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027

RECEPTION:
Date: Sunday, March 10, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Brookside Manor
50 Bustleton Pike
Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053

Appetizers, dinner buffet, cash bar, dessert and dancing
Admission $50.00 per person

Please make checks payable to "St. James Church"
Mail to: St. James Rectory, 8320 Brookside Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 or
place payments in collection basket during Mass.
Credit/debit card please call St. James Rectory 215-635-6210

RSVP by February 23, 2024
Contact St. James Rectory via email [email protected] or call 215-635-6210

You're Invited to the Episcopal Ordination of Efren Veridiano Esmilla

All parishioners of Saint James the Great Parish are cordially invited to attend the Ordination of their Pastor, Bishop-Elect Efren Esmilla, along with Bishop-Elect Christopher Cooke and Bishop-Elect Keith Chylinski.

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

1723 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Ordination will be livestreamed on the Parish Facebook Page. Bus reservations have closed.

*Please note, seating at the event for the general public is limited and not guaranteed.

St. James Catholic Church

Serving Elkins Park, PA since 1923