On Sunday, July 27, the parish community of St. James in Georgetown gathered with Bishop Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their church building—an occasion filled with joy, thanksgiving, and hope. The celebration was followed by a lovely potluck dinner and a strawberry social.
In his homily, Bishop Joseph reflected on the legacy of prayer and service that has marked the parish’s history, connecting it with the day’s Gospel (“Lord, teach us to pray”) and this year’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
The bishop also warmly recognized the contribution of grandparents and the elderly, in honour of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, saying: “Your faith never retires. You are our first witnesses of hope.”
The bishop encouraged parishioners to continue being “artisans of a revolution of tenderness” by passing on the faith, praying together, and living the Lord’s Prayer with sincerity and joy.
Happy 50th anniversary, St. James!
Blessing of the Stained Glass Windows
On the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Saint James Church
My dear brothers and sisters,
Today we give thanks to God for the fifty years of grace poured out upon this sacred place. In a special way, we now bless these stained glass windows—a labour of love and faith, a testament to the beauty of holiness.
These windows are more than art.
They are catechism in colour, prayer in glass.
Through them, the Mysteries of the Rosary—the Joyful, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious—surround us like a living meditation. The Crucifixion is made present, perhaps near water, reminding us that the mystery of salvation touches even the shores of our Island.
We are also blessed with scenes from the life of Christ: His Baptism, His gift of the Eucharist, His healing of the blind, His feeding of the multitudes, His welcome of children, and His work beside Joseph in the carpenter’s shop.
Saints Anthony and Francis stand with us, patrons of prayer and peace. We see the Good Shepherd, the Washing of the Feet, and the journey to Emmaus—images that reflect the call to serve and to walk with others in faith.
One window recalls the Red Sea crossing—our single Old Testament scene—reminding us of God’s power to deliver. Another window in the crying room shows the miraculous catch of fish, a sign of vocation and mission.
These windows also carry the stories of our people: babies remembered, loved ones honoured, and acts of faith handed down. In the entrance, the window of Fr. Kiggins welcomes all who enter—his 37 years of service a blessing that still speaks.
And in the front, close to the speakers, we find the window of Jesus walking on the water, given by Vince Elordieta, rescued from a shipwreck in World War II, who prayed to be drawn from the sea like Peter. That prayer was heard. In the hospital, he met the nurse who would become his wife. His thanksgiving lives here in light and glass.
We thank all who made this possible, especially Fr. Paul Egan and Kevin Walsh. May these windows continue to proclaim Christ to all who enter.
Scroll through to view photos from the event.
