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
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
Children’s Christmas Tableau
Children are invited to join our parish’s Christmas Tableau, a joyful reenactment of the Nativity at the 4 PM Christmas Eve and 10 AM Christmas Day Masses. Children can participate in one or both tableaus!
Be an angel, shepherd, a king! Be Mary or Joseph!
Register Here
View 2024 Christmas Tableau Photo Album Here
For more information, contact our Music Director at (862)371-3606 or email her at ellen.estallo@gmail.com.
Be an angel, shepherd, a king! Be Mary or Joseph!
Register Here
View 2024 Christmas Tableau Photo Album Here
For more information, contact our Music Director at (862)371-3606 or email her at ellen.estallo@gmail.com.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
You are warmly invited to join our parish community as we honor
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.
Catholics commemorate this feast day in remembrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s
apparition to the indigenous San Juan Diego in 1531.
Novena will be from December 4–12 at 6 pm in Church. Please note that on Sunday, December 7, the Novena will take place at 1 pm.
On Friday, December 12, the Feast Day Celebration will begin with a Procession at 5 pm at the 7/11 Convenient Store on Buckelew Avenue, to arrive at the church parking lot at 6 pm. Mass (in Spanish) will be celebrated at 7 pm followed by a Serenade and Fellowship Dinner at 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
Come and celebrate with us as we honor our Blessed Mother with prayer, music, and community. All are welcome!
Novena will be from December 4–12 at 6 pm in Church. Please note that on Sunday, December 7, the Novena will take place at 1 pm.
On Friday, December 12, the Feast Day Celebration will begin with a Procession at 5 pm at the 7/11 Convenient Store on Buckelew Avenue, to arrive at the church parking lot at 6 pm. Mass (in Spanish) will be celebrated at 7 pm followed by a Serenade and Fellowship Dinner at 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
Come and celebrate with us as we honor our Blessed Mother with prayer, music, and community. All are welcome!
Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Están cordialmente invitados a unirse a nuestra comunidad parroquial mientras honramos a
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Patrona de las Américas.
Los católicos conmemoran esta fiesta en recuerdo de la aparición de la Santísima Virgen María
al indígena San Juan Diego en 1531.
La Novena será del 4 al 12 de diciembre a las 6 pm en la Iglesia. Tenga en cuenta que el domingo 7 de diciembre, la Novena se llevará a cabo a la 1 pm.
El viernes 12 de diciembre, la Celebración de la Fiesta comenzará con una Procesión a las 5 pm desde la tienda 7/11 en Buckelew Avenue, llegando al estacionamiento de la iglesia a las 6 pm. La Misa (en español) será celebrada a las 7 pm, seguida de una Serenata y Cena de Confraternidad a las 8:30 pm en el Salón Parroquial.
Acompáñenos para honrar a nuestra Santísima Madre con oración, música y comunidad. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!
La Novena será del 4 al 12 de diciembre a las 6 pm en la Iglesia. Tenga en cuenta que el domingo 7 de diciembre, la Novena se llevará a cabo a la 1 pm.
El viernes 12 de diciembre, la Celebración de la Fiesta comenzará con una Procesión a las 5 pm desde la tienda 7/11 en Buckelew Avenue, llegando al estacionamiento de la iglesia a las 6 pm. La Misa (en español) será celebrada a las 7 pm, seguida de una Serenata y Cena de Confraternidad a las 8:30 pm en el Salón Parroquial.
Acompáñenos para honrar a nuestra Santísima Madre con oración, música y comunidad. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!
LEGO Replay
The Saint James Columbiettes will be collecting
LEGO pieces on December 13 and December 14
as part of the LEGO Replay project. We welcome
any and all previously used LEGO bricks. LEGO receives the
donated pieces, cleans them, repackages them, and distributes them to
children in need.
Please invite your family, friends, and coworkers to look through their children’s toy boxes for any LEGO pieces they wish to give. Collection bins will be located at the church entrance.
Please invite your family, friends, and coworkers to look through their children’s toy boxes for any LEGO pieces they wish to give. Collection bins will be located at the church entrance.
An Evening of Christmas Music
Let us gather joyfully as the Saint James Music Ministry presents
“An Evening of Christmas Music” — featuring
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Saint James the Less Church
A free-will offering will be collected to support our parish music ministry. For more information, please contact our Music Director, Ellen, at (862) 371-3606 or ellen.estallo@gmail.com.
- our resident Cantor, Madison Hammel, Soprano,
- young instrumentalists, The Trinidad Trio,
- the Saint James Children’s Voices and Women's Ensemble
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Saint James the Less Church
A free-will offering will be collected to support our parish music ministry. For more information, please contact our Music Director, Ellen, at (862) 371-3606 or ellen.estallo@gmail.com.
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
The Celebration of El Señor de los Milagros
Saturday, October 25, 2025,
Saint James the Less Church joyfully celebrated the Peruvian devotion to El Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of Miracles). The day began with a reverent Holy Mass and continued with a solemn yet vibrant procession around the parish grounds.
These photos capture the spirit of faith, unity, and devotion shared by all who gathered to honor Christ under this cherished tradition. Through prayer, music, and community, we experienced the beauty of God’s love that transcends cultures and brings hearts together in hope.
Here are some photos marking the event:
Saint James the Less Church joyfully celebrated the Peruvian devotion to El Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of Miracles). The day began with a reverent Holy Mass and continued with a solemn yet vibrant procession around the parish grounds.
These photos capture the spirit of faith, unity, and devotion shared by all who gathered to honor Christ under this cherished tradition. Through prayer, music, and community, we experienced the beauty of God’s love that transcends cultures and brings hearts together in hope.
Here are some photos marking the event: