Dear parishioners, visitors and friends of Saint James: 

In the beginning of September 1965, the American folk group, the Byrds, began the recording of their number one hit single, Turn! Turn! Turn!” Although it was originally written by Pete Seeger in the 1950’s, the version by the Byrds became the most popular.

The lyrics are based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 beginning, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . .”

And so, it is. One of the things we know for sure that is always true is that everything is a changing – always. Summer is changing into fall, the temperatures will begin dropping, leaves falling, wardrobes altering for comfort’s sake. The holidays will soon be upon is.

It is a big moment for our parish and the Brooklyn diocese. Preparations are being made for the bicentennial of the founding of Saint James as a parish and the establishment of Roman Catholicism on Long Island. Many notable events are planned and big changes will also probably take place.

In this time of renewal, I ask you to consider some changes yourself. This could be a good time to review your spiritual life. You can increase your devotion to regular prayer and Mass attendance. You can read or reread classic spiritual books. You can seek out a confessor or spiritual director. You can also enhance your spiritual life by making improvements in you health and diet.

Since everything is always changing, why not consciously made changes for the better? With the dawning of the advent of the Kingdom of God, Jesus encouraged people saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Gospel of Mark 1:15)

Repent has a connotation of turning, turning around, changing one’s ways, going beyond one’s present way of thinking. If we believe in the Good News, then we know things will TURN out well. So,

Turn! Turn! Turn!

Peace, Fr Bryan