ST. JAMES
THE LESS
Roman Catholic Church
OUR PARISH MISSION
We foster love by example.
As a parish community dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus, we here at St. James are committed to further His mission.
Through His Word, the Liturgy and the Sacraments, through music, evangelization and religious education, through prayer and the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary, we deepen our knowledge, our understanding and our practice of our faith put to action.
Committing ourselves to serving the needs of our people for spiritual and social development, and economic growth, it is by design and intention that we foster love by example.
We invite you to join us in doing so.
Committing ourselves to serving the needs of our people for spiritual and social development, and economic growth, it is by design and intention that we foster love by example.
We invite you to join us in doing so.
PARISH LEADERSHIP
We are called to serve God's people.
Rev. Juan Carlos Gaviria
Parish Administrator
Rev. Peter Akkanath Chakkunny, CMI
In Residence
Linda Rondinelli
Director of Religious Education
Carla Harris
Parish Secretary
Ellen Estallo
Music Director
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office Address: 36 Lincoln Avenue, Jamesburg NJ 08831
Mondays from 9 am to 2 pm
Tuesday through Thursdays from 8 am to 2 pm
Closed on Fridays
Tel. 732-521-0100 and Email: jamestheless1880@gmail.com
Religious Education Office:
please call 732-521-1188 or email at sjtlccd@gmail.com
PARISH MEMBERSHIP
Make our parish your home.
There is more to be said about being a parishioner of St. James The Less Church beyond being registered. We may identify as parishioners after receiving a Sacrament: perhaps this is where we or our children were baptized, received First Holy Communion, or were confirmed or married.
St. James is a place where we encounter Christ at the banquet table of the altar and in other forms as well. We serve one another in ministry, gathering to grow in prayer, service, and in understanding of our faith. It is here where we gather as a family and worship our One True God.
Saint James The Less Church is our family, our home.
We are sent out to live out the Gospel. We work together for God’s glory. It is with our commitment to our parish that as a family, we grow in faith to achieve what we are called to do. Being a parishioner is not forced upon us, but instead comes from a deeper place — within each of us.
We invite you to make Saint James The Less Church your home.
A parish membership form is also available for download
here
for your convenience. Please speak to Fr. Juan, Fr. Peter or to any of our ministers at mass. Give us a call, or even better pay us a visit! We would love to have you as one of our own.
PARISH NEWS
Bishop Checchio Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, Bishop of Metuchen since 2016, as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans, granting him right of succession to Archbishop Gregory Aymond. The Vatican announced the appointment on September 23, 2025.
Let us join together for a Farewell Mass of Thanksgiving as we prayerfully honor Bishop Checchio before he departs to begin his new ministry.
Let us join together for a Farewell Mass of Thanksgiving as we prayerfully honor Bishop Checchio before he departs to begin his new ministry.
Saturday, November 1, 2025
11:00 AM
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, NJ
View Invitation (PDF)
11:00 AM
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, NJ
View Invitation (PDF)
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
As the Universal Church prepares to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis invites all of us to become “Pilgrims of Hope”—a call to renew our faith through prayer, reconciliation, and community. Here at Saint James the Less, we embrace this sacred invitation with open hearts.
Rooted in our parish mission to "foster love by example,” we will journey together in faith, offering spiritual opportunities and parish-wide celebrations that align with the global Church.
Rooted in our parish mission to "foster love by example,” we will journey together in faith, offering spiritual opportunities and parish-wide celebrations that align with the global Church.
During this holy year, the Church offers the faithful the opportunity to receive a Jubilee Indulgence—a special grace granted through pilgrimage, prayer, and participation in the sacraments.
Bishop Checchio outlines the specific ways to obtain this grace in his official Decree on the Designation of Sacred Places for the Jubilee Indulgence.
For more diocesan Jubilee events and reflections, click on the link to the Diocese of Metuchen Website, below:
Diocese of Metuchen – Jubilee 2025
Bishop Checchio outlines the specific ways to obtain this grace in his official Decree on the Designation of Sacred Places for the Jubilee Indulgence.
For more diocesan Jubilee events and reflections, click on the link to the Diocese of Metuchen Website, below:
Diocese of Metuchen – Jubilee 2025
The Mass of Remembrance
Fr. Juan Gaviria and the St. James Lazarus Ministry warmly invite you and your family to The Mass of Remembrance in honor of loved ones who have passed away during this past year. It will take place on:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
at 7:00 PM
Saint James the Less Church.
During the liturgy, the names of the deceased will be remembered, and families will be invited to light a candle (provided by the parish) in their honor. You are also welcome to place a framed 5x7 photo of your loved one on the Memorial Table in the church. Please write your name and phone number on the back of the photo.
If you would like to include the name of a loved one at this Mass, please contact the parish office by calling (732) 521-0100 or via email at jamestheless1880@gmail.com by Monday, November 3.
For additional questions, you may also contact Pat Moke at (732) 310-3540.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
at 7:00 PM
Saint James the Less Church.
During the liturgy, the names of the deceased will be remembered, and families will be invited to light a candle (provided by the parish) in their honor. You are also welcome to place a framed 5x7 photo of your loved one on the Memorial Table in the church. Please write your name and phone number on the back of the photo.
If you would like to include the name of a loved one at this Mass, please contact the parish office by calling (732) 521-0100 or via email at jamestheless1880@gmail.com by Monday, November 3.
For additional questions, you may also contact Pat Moke at (732) 310-3540.
Parish Bulletin
The current parish bulletin and the two previous issues are available for viewing and download on
desktop or tablet only.
Hard (paper) copies are always available in the vestibule of the church and at the rectory.
Hard (paper) copies are always available in the vestibule of the church and at the rectory.
Our Parish Bulletin
To receive regular communications on upcoming masses & services, via email and/or text, sign up for FLOCKNOTE. Text JAMESTHELESS to 84576 or visit stjamestheless5.flocknote.com
PARISH NEWS ARCHIVE
Bishop Checchio's Visit
May 10, 2025
St. James The Less was blessed with a visit from Bishop Checchio on Saturday, May 10 to celebrate the 4 pm Mass.
Here are some photos marking the event:
St. James The Less was blessed with a visit from Bishop Checchio on Saturday, May 10 to celebrate the 4 pm Mass.
Here are some photos marking the event: