St James Catholic Church

This Giving Tuesday, St. James Catholic Church invites you to be part of something truly meaningful—a chance to support the beauty, reverence, and dignity of our parish’s liturgical life.

The Church of St. James in Catawissa, Missouri was dedicated on September 1, 1913. The small wooden building with white walls and a shingled roof, located in Franklin County, stands today as a living tribute to the deep and enduring faith of the Catholic families of this area. A defining part of our parish’s history has always been the devotion and perseverance of parishioners, whose desire for a Catholic church in Catawissa has kept the community praying, gathering, and working for its success for more than a century.

St. James Catholic Church shares a pastor, Fr. Alexander Nord, with two nearby parishes—St. Bridget of Kildare in Pacific and St. Mary of Perpetual Help in Villa Ridge. Together, we form a family of faith: three distinct parishes with one shared mission to love God, serve His people, and unite all in Christ.

This year, our Giving Tuesday goal is to raise $25,000 to purchase a new altar crucifix and shorter gold candlesticks for our sanctuary—and/or sacred items that will enhance the celebration of the Holy Mass and help focus our hearts on Christ’s sacrifice made present on the altar.

Why does this matter?

The sanctuary is the heart of every Catholic church, and everything placed near the altar should lift our minds and hearts to heaven. A new altar crucifix and appropriately sized gold candlesticks will:

• Increase the beauty and reverence of the altar

• Improve visibility of the crucifix for all parishioners

• Strengthen our focus on Christ during prayer and worship

• Complement the historic architecture and furnishings of St. James

• Serve our parish faithfully for generations

These liturgical enhancements will ensure that the Eucharist at St. James continues to be celebrated with dignity, beauty, and clarity.

How you can help:

Every gift—large or small—brings us closer to strengthening the place where we meet Christ most intimately: the altar. 

To make donating simple:

• #iGiveCatholic envelopes will be available at St. James Church.

• You may also mail or bring your donation to the Shared Parish Office: 120 W. Osage, Pacific, MO 63069

Your generosity directly enriches the prayer life of every worshiper who gathers at St. James.

Please pray for the success of this fundraiser, that our parish may continue to offer worship that is worthy, reverent, and beautiful.

Join us this Giving Tuesday and help St. James Catholic Church honor the faith of our ancestors while strengthening the beauty of our sanctuary for generations to come.

Together, let us continue to: Love God, Serve His People, & Unite All in Christ.