Charging Forward with Gratitude


On this Thanksgiving update for our Charging Forward in Faith and Education capital campaign, my heart is filled with gratitude to be at St. James Church and School during this chapter of our parish history! We embarked upon renovations of the church that transformed our place of worship through beauty and filled the space with a palpable sacredness. We are in the midst of expanding our number of classrooms and building a new entrance to give our future generation a safer, more peaceful, and more beautiful environment in which to learn and seek the truth. This is truly a monumental chapter in the history of St. James and I thank Almighty God every day that I can play a role in it!


God brought each of us here to St. James at this time. We each have a part to play in bringing these good things to completion! I am blessed to be part of such a wonderful and beautiful community! Your love, support, and prayers have kept me going through some very difficult times this year. For this, I am eternally grateful! 


Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and your families!

I am


Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus our Lord,



Fr. Daniel Firmin

As we enter this festive holiday weekend, I want to thank you for your generosity and support for the Charging Forward in Faith and Education capital campaign. These past months have been full of blessings.


Over the summer, the construction crew completed the work on the church. August brought the completion of the renovation project. What a beautiful weekend to share with the parish! Bishop Stephen Parkes dedicated the new altar at Mass on August 3rd. The church was filled with so many people for this special liturgy! Bishop Parkes moved through each part of the ceremony with joy and reverence.


After Mass, people gathered in the parish center for a reception to celebrate with Bishop Parkes and Father Firmin.


We are so happy to be back in our church after ten months in our temporary church.


In August, Garbutt Construction began preparing the school for construction. You can see the construction fences in the front of school, and there is another site in the back. The foundations are poured for each area and the walls are going up. We are charging forward!


Our capital campaign continues until we reach our goal for the church and the school. For more information, please contact Stephanie Painter at spainter@stjamessav.com.


Father Firmin and I are so grateful for your continued support. Be assured of our prayers for you and your family for Thanksgiving and the Advent season.


Sincerely,


Sister Joan Felicia, IHM

Bishop Parkes celebrates Mass at our Altar Dedication on August 3, 2025.

Renovations were completed in the church at the end of July.

Workers smooth the newly-laid foundation for the front addition of the school.

Foundation is set for the additional middle school classrooms behind the school.
 

Campaign Update
 

Priority


Facilities


Endowment


Totals

Goals


$14,000,000


$1,500,000


$15,500,000

Commitments


$11,915,093.10


$1,569,600.00


$13,484,693.10

Percent of Goal


85.11%


104.64%


87.00%
 

Leadership Committee
 

Campaign Leadership Committee


Campaign Chairs

Brian & Sally Kennedy


Committee Members

Bill & Peggy Boyden

Jonathan & Rachel Lane

Griff & Denise Lynch

Tom & Molly Mahoney

Rob Massey

Gregg & Mary Schroeder


Building Committee Chair

Ed Hissam


Public Phase Chairs

Abigail Cail

Nicole Mayberry


Father Daniel Firmin, Pastor

Sr. Joan O’Reilly, Principal

Stephanie Painter, Advancement Director

Greg Markiton, Campaign Counsel, Partners in Mission
 

Campaign Priorities
 

Spiritual Life of the Parish - $3,000,000

  • Renovations to the sanctuary of the church
  • Replacing reredos
  • New chancel furnishings
  • Reconfiguring the choir area
  • Updating the audio and lighting
  • Refurbishing the pews
  • Replacing the existing flooring


Academic Expansion - $11,000,000

  • Rebuilding the front entrance to the school to improve safety and enhance aesthetics
  • Building a new junior high with six new classroom spaces


Endowments - $1,500,000

  • Help fund capital expenses and operations for the Parish
  • Help make Catholic education more accessible and provide professional development opportunities for the School
Review the Full Case Statement
 

Thank You to Our Charging Forward Donors!
 
Click Here for Full List of Donors
 

St. James Legacy Society
 

Leave A Legacy - Join the St. James Legacy Society Today


Have you remembered St. James in your will or estate plan? As we continue to build a legacy of faith and service, we invite you to consider joining the St. James Legacy Society—a special opportunity to leave a lasting impact on our beloved School and Parish.


If you are considering joining the St. James Legacy Society or have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Painter, Director of Advancement, at 912-355-1523 or SPainter@stjamessav.com for confidential assistance.  
 

Campaign Prayer
 

God our Heavenly Father,

We thank You for Your abundant blessings bestowed upon us

and the good work you have begun in our community of St. James the Less.

Standing upon all You have done,

we rejoice in the future You lay before us.

May we charge forward in faith and education,

being formed as disciples of Jesus Christ, Your Son,

striving for excellence in all we do,

and growing in faith, hope, and love.

Through the intercession of St. James the Less, Your Apostle,

may we be generous in sharing all that we are and all that You have given us.

Help our dreams become realities, O Lord,

and let all we do and build glorify Your Name.

Amen.

Blessings,

Stephanie Painter

Director of Advancement

spainter@stjamessav.com

912-355-1523
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St. James Catholic Church & School | 8412 Whitefield Ave | Savannah, GA 31406 US

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