St James Catholic Church

I no longer go to St. James. At one time it was about community and togetherness and a church filled with festivals and activities to encourage more people to join in and the ones already a part of the church to be more involved through Our Lord ! To help others and communicate and show the love we learn from our weekly sermons. YES the new pastors cleared the "debt " of the church, YES they give decent sermons and such on Sunday( and all available times). BUT it is not the same anymore and it is NOT better. Unfortunately I think it hit a plateau of boring and outdated ideals. Where are the activities to enrich life and the lord for our children and teens?? And what about the outdated Children Choir teacher. I think St James will ALWAYS have potential but when will it be noticed ? What happened to the spaghetti dinners to raise money and bring our Church Families together? Need Volunteers? I am here. I have offered and no one.. has come to me. God's word is powerful, it is meaning, it is how to live your life.. but isn't there ALOT Of fellowship and community in it? I think St James has lost that. I am VERY sorry to say.
And so there are no hard feeling or animosities.. I will NOT reveal my name.. I am only 35 and have been going to that church since I was 7

Posted 05/15/08 | Report Abuse

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I was very disappointed to read the previous review from Ms. Aguilar as this does not come close to our experience at St. James... The cry room is closed simply because at St. James, Fr. Charlie and Deacon Ray want to include all children with the community in our worship... Jesus said to let the little children come to Him, so WHY would you want to seclude them in a cry room? They are more than welcome in our church during any and all services... Please let me tell you that when you need someone, there is not a kinder parish family to belong to than St. James... My 6 year old granddaughter has been diagnosed with a very rare and agressive form of cancer... Chloe has been attending St. James since birth and was baptised there as were her little sisters and brother. Upon diagnosis, all the clergy immediately came to Texas Children's to see how they could help.. Fr. Charlie has known Chloe since birth and felt that she was ready to recieve her First Communion (in light of the devastation of the cancer and the possibility of very little time) At the last minute, when Chloe was too sick to leave the hospital, the parish came to her... there was standing room only when Fr. Charlie and Deacons Ray and Art said Mass at Texas Childrens so Chloe could recieve the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation... Through it all... St. James' staff has supported us -- and we are ever grateful... Their support and prayers have been unceasing --- I feel very sorry for Ms. Aguilar -- St. James is truly a holy place open to all of God's children... Bless them all.... In Christ... Deborah Lewerke, Parishioner 18 years

Posted 12/24/07 | Report Abuse

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I had a very upsetting incident on 12/12/07 @ this church.After talking to father Charles the next day he basically excused one of the deacons(Ray) This person basically implied that I was not saying the truth, about the incident. After analyzing all of this. I have come to the conclusion that they will protect each other regardless of the situation. If children are not wanted or are unpleasant to some of their staff they should at least let parishioners know especially, when they don't even have a cry room opened, for other parishioners with children. They do have a cry room, but is always closed when the mass is offered in Spanish. So if their ushers tell a child to shut up (not be quiet) they should also correct their spouse when having an outburst of laughter during mass. They will obviously only see others and not themselves, and this is fine according to deacon Ray and father Charles. I think thank God there are other places of worship where not only adults, but also children are welcomed.Maria Aguilar

Posted 12/13/07 | Report Abuse

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