$500
Year-Round
Support the series and be recognized in our printed program, bulletin, and from the stage during the concert.
Includes:
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Recognition during concert opening remarks
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Name in printed program
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Name listed in parish bulletin
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Name listed on concert website
MOST POPULAR
PRINCIPAL
$1,000
Year-Round
Step into the spotlight with added promotion in parish materials, and enjoy an exclusive invitation to a concert dress rehearsal.
Includes all Artist benefits, plus:
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Name included in Mass announcement promo
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Invitation to dress rehearsal
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Reserved concert seating
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Logo featured in bulletin, program, and website (if applicable)
MAESTRO
$2,000
Year-Round
Lead the Sacred Sounds series as a premier sponsor with top billing, front pew seating, and digital/social recognition.
Includes all Artist and Principal benefits, plus:
- VIP front pew reserved seating (limited availability)
- Premier sponsor placement on all materials
- Dedicated social media thank-you post
Sponsorship Form
Mark 7:15
Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.
Readings for Sunday: Deuteronomy, James, Mark
Reflection:
This Sunday, Jesus challenges us, saying that what defiles us comes from within, from our heart: “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” This can be especially challenging as our culture today celebrates unchastity, greed, blasphemy and arrogance.
It helpful to know that in first century Jewish anthropology, a human thinks with his heart and feels with his guts. The concept of thinking with your brain and feeling with your heart is more of a Greek concept. In a way, the Jewish understanding makes sense: the heart is the center of the person, and if you are upset or having other strong emotions, you will feel it in your digestive track.
Jesus is challenging the way we think. To what or to whom are we conforming our minds? Jesus or the prevailing culture?
It has been several decades since the sexual revolution in the 1960s: are people in our culture any happier because of it? If so, why are so many people on antidepressants and antianxiety meds? (It is a good thing to get help for depression and anxiety, but we should ask: what is going in our society that so many are prescribed these medications?) Despite our challenging economy, we are still the richest society in history: yet are we any more satisfied and content? Church attendance is so much lower now than the 1960s and we celebrate the pagan, the occult and the superstitious. Are we better off for it, or worse?
As St. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Reflection Questions
- Do I carefully choose what video, TV or movies I watch? Do I choose things that conform my mind to Christ, or do I choose thinks that conform my mind to the secular world?
- What presumptions do I have about my life and the world that are not actually in line with God’s thinking? Do I presume that God thinks like I do?
- If I think there is something wrong with the world, what is it? Is it merely politics or economics, or can I see that society’s alienation from God brings its own problems?
John 20:22
Receive the Holy Spirit.
Readings for Pentecost Sunday (during the day): Acts, 1 Corinthians, John
Reflection:
Pentecost Sunday is sometimes referred to as the birthday of the Church. On this day, fifty days after the glorious resurrection of the Lord, the Church (those called out by God) is given the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His sevenfold gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These powerful gifts are given not for our own selfish use, but to build up the Body of Christ, the Church.
The Holy Spirit is also called the Paraclete, which has various meanings. Among them are, “advocate,” “witness,” and “consoler.” St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote of desolation and consolation, the states of moving either away from God or toward Him. Such consolation originates in the Holy Spirit.
We are not in this adventure of Christian discipleship alone. By ourselves we can do nothing, but with the Holy Spirit, God can accomplish great things through us. Jesus promised to send the Paraclete to remain with the Church until the end of time. Even in times of poor leadership and scandal, the Holy Spirit remains and protects us from error and the triumph of false teaching.
A traditional hymn to the Holy Spirit asks, “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest; Come with thy grace and heav’nly aid to fill our hearts which thou hast made, To fill our hearts which Thou has made.”
Amen! May the Holy Spirit pour out His gifts upon St. James Parish in a powerful way as we celebrate this solemn feast.
Reflection Questions
- How have you experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life?
- What can I do and what am I willing to do to share my faith with others, even those who seem different from me?
- Am I willing to be bold like the apostles were, announcing what the Lord Jesus has done to save us?
