St James Roman Catholic Church 429 New York 25A, Setauket- East Setauket, NY 11733

"The pastor is a sanctimonious jerk who discourages open prayer after daily mass, you'll hear the same lectors every week because that role is a 'closed society, and Deacon 'Lou' can't keep appointments and wears the wrong colored robe during Advent. I attended daily Mass at St. James for nearly 2 years and would invoke the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel - AFTER MASS WAS OVER - AND EVERYONE JOINED IN! They continue in my absence. On two separate occasions, Fr. 'Robert' told me: 1. "You don't have to shout" (I wasn't 'shouting' I was projecting so everyone in the church could hear me) and 2. "Wait 5 SECONDS" (after he's literally left the altar as if the mass was exclusively about HIM). During daily Mass, one of the regular lectors was so visually impaired that he could not read the scripture without long pauses or mistakes in names or places. I saw a need and offered to help. During that 2 years, I asked Fr. Robert about lectoring; because there was clearly a need. This is something I did regularly at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee. But when I made the offer - several times - Fr. Robert would look off into space and give me a 'non-answer'. After 2 years, I was finally contacted by the church - but only after asking another lector to whom I should direct my inquiries. (It's a 'secret society', you know...). As I understand the role of the lector, it's to allow the Spirit to proclaim the Word of God - it's not about the individual lector. If you're looking to hear the Spirit invoked, you should steer clear of St. James - because from most of the lectors you'll hear, it's not the Spirit being invoked, it's their own ego. "Look at me...listen to me...I'M MORE HOLY THAN YOU, SEE?" In an email exchange with Fr. Robert, I suggested that this role in the ministry had become a 'closed society' - and it is. In the 6 years I've attended, I've seen the same people OVER AND OVER AGAIN, droning the words out without Spirit, without feeling, and without understanding. To most of them, it's a task they perform in order to be seen as 'holy' and 'in the inner circle' and that is completely contrary to the teachings of Christ. (They booted Him out of the synagogue once for taking too much authority, too.) And that's really what's lacking at St. James; Fr. Robert is afraid of losing authority, which is why he rules 'his' little fiefdom in East Setauket with an iron fist. When I lectored in Tallahassee, I would memorize the reading, rehearse it several times, review the meaning in an online concordance that was vetted by the Catholic Church and then rehearse it some more - with understanding. What you'll hear at St. James is people often mispronouncing words and names and fumbling around the language like a 1st or 2nd grader - except for the 'Queen of Lectors' I see every Sunday - she often does both readings for lack of a second lector. I have to wonder who will do the readings if she should fail to make it to church that morning. Perhaps Fr. Robert can program an 'Alexa' to do the readings, so he can feel safely 'in control'. Fr. Robert's 'right hand' is 'Deacon Lou' whose little homilies are at best 'puerile'. He often wears the wrong colored robe during Advent. He drones on much longer than necessary to make his point - on those rare occasions when there's a point to be made. And, he doesn't keep his appointments or even follow up after he's missed one. In a letter to the Bishop, I even sent a picture of Deacon Lou in the wrong-colored robe during Advent, and complained about the 'closed society' the role of lector has become. I have yet to receive a response. During that last 2 years, I won what could only be described as a ‘spiritual victory’ through daily prayer and meditation. And in the process, I discovered a problem at St. James; one that is best described in Ephesians 6:12 "For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.""

"Attended the 11.30 mass on Christmas day and had a beautiful experience with my two young grandchildren. A young lady with a beautiful voice did a super job along with the regular staff. Coming from a different parish in Shoreham it was a beautiful experience. Thank you."

"A beautiful church indeed with lovely parishioners, staff and priests. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

"St. James RC is a beautiful place physically and spiritually. The blessed sacrament area has kneelers and chairs to spend some time with Our Lord- very peaceful and special. The beautiful baptismal font with the water flowing reminds us that God is our living water. The music ministry is beautiful. The priests, Father Jim, Father Jerry, and Father Fitz are so caring, kind, and most importantly help us grow in faith."

"St James has many beautiful ministries including Our Daily Bread, Ministry of Consolation, Outreach, Youth mass at 6pm Sundays and a very active Knights of Columbus council and a talented music ministry.It's a very large parish so please forgive us if we don't recognize you as a new face but everyone is welcomed. Give us a chance plus all the beautiful Sacraments are here. God loves you."