CHRIST’S BAPTISM FORESHADOWS OUR OWN: Now that we have passed Epiphany, the day we celebrate the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ Child, the next stop on the Christmas journey is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Since the Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the remission of Original Sin, why was Christ baptized? After all, He was born without Original Sin, and He lived His entire life without sinning. In submitting Himself humbly to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, Christ provided the example for the rest of us. If even He should be baptized, though He had no need of it, how much more should the rest of us be thankful for this sacrament, which incorporates us into the Church. STATEMENT OF GIVING FOR INCOME TAXES: If you wish to receive a statement of your financial contributions to St. James Church for 2007, please indicate this on your Sunday offering envelope so that we can assure confidentiality. BAPTISM: Emma Grace Coryea, daughter of John S. and Kristina (Mooney) Coryea became a member of the Catholic community through the Sacrament of Baptism on January 6th. WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY: We are celebrating 100 years of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25. Jesus’ prayer for unity: That they may all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me (John 17:21) is the constant prayer of the Church. Promoting Christian unity is an ecumenical movement among Christians to pray for unity among all Christians. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity started with an eight-day liturgical prayer in 1908 at Graymoor, Garrison, New York, with a small group of Franciscans in the Episcopal Church, began the annual observance of a Church Unity Octave for the “reunion” of the Church. Prayers for each day of the Octave can be found on http://www.geii.org Let us continue to pray for Christian Unity so that one day “all will be one”. RIGHT TO LIFE MARCH: The Champlain Valley Right to Life will hold its annual Plattsburgh March for Life this Sunday, January 13th. The march starts at 1:30 PM at the Newman Center, 90 Broad Street, followed by a program at 2:00 PM at St. John’s Church. The speaker this year will be Father Thomas Euteneuer, President of the Human Life International, Pro-life Missionaries of the World. A reception will follow in the parish center at St. John’s. Those who cannot make the walk may join the group at St. John’s Church. VOCATIONS PRAYER Gracious and loving God, help the men and women of St. James Parish to hear the call to serve in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Our needs are great and our people thirst for your presence. Open the hearts of many, raise up faithful servants of the Gospel, dedicated, holy priests, sisters, brothers and deacons, who will spend themselves for your people and their needs. Bless those who are serving now with courage and perseverance. Grant that many will be inspired by their example and faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. RESPECT LIFE COLLECTION: January 22nd marks the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalised abortion on demand in our nation. Bishop Cunningham has authorised a Respect Life Collection, which will take place in all the parishes of the diocese the weekend of January 26-27. Money collected will be disbursed in the form of grants to local organisations active in pro-life ministry. VISIT OF POPE BENEDICT XVI TO NEW YORK CITY: Between April 15-20, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI will visit the United States. He will complete his visit with a Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Buses will be leaving Plattsburgh for the Mass in New York. They will leave very early Sunday morning, April 20, 2008 from Seton Academy (across from St. Peter’s Church) parking lot. Premier Coach will take you directly to Yankee Stadium for the 2:30 p.m. Liturgy. Security necessitates an early arrival at the stadium. After the Papal Liturgy the coach will return to Plattsburgh with an estimated arrival of midnight. Coach will stop for meals at fast service restaurants. Meals are not included. Per person price is $65. Forms for you to complete are at the entrance to the Church. Down payment is $25 and is due by January 15, 2008. With great joy we anticipate the first apostolic visit of his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, to the United States of America. We pledge our prayers in preparation for this historic journey, that hearts may be opened to God's love and fidelity by our Holy Father's pilgrimage. NEW BEGINNINGS: “NEW BEGINNINGS” is a group of divorced and separated people that meet every Thursday at 7:00 PM at St. Peter’s Church, Plattsburgh in the Upper Room. For more information contact St. Peter’s Rectory at 563-1692.