Welcome!  I'm so glad you're here.

I am Pastor Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius. This site is the primary digital ministry space for two parishes: Epiphany of Our Lord and St. James the Greater. We serve people in the greater St. Louis area, specifically in Dogtown and the South Side of the City. Like many of my brother priests, I have been assigned responsibility for two parishes: Epiphany of Our Lord and St. James the Greater. I welcome this challenge with enthusiasm.

As I prepared to take on this assignment, I began praying for the people at both Epiphany of Our Lord Parish and St. James the Greater. As I asked for guidance and wisdom, God began to reveal to me a spiritual connection. In the story of the Feast of Epiphany we hear of the Magi searching for newborn king:

...And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-12)

There is also a path in Northern Spain called the Camino de Santiago or in English The Way of St. James which leads people to the Cathedral of St. James in Spain. Tradition holds that the the remains of the apostle are buried here. Each year thousands of pilgrims from throughout the world make this journey.

The Magi were looking for Christ, and were transformed by the encounter. St. James was transformed by his relationship with Jesus, and went forth to share the Gospel.

In a spiritual sense, St. James the Greater and Epiphany of Our Lord, are companions on this journey. As we work together, we create something indescribably beautiful, breathtaking in its power to do good, and filled with unlimited potential to change the lives of everyone for the better.

I hope you will join us for Mass, learn and grow in faith with us, and join our community of believers. Thank you for taking the time to learn more today.

May Jesus Christ be Praised, now and forever!

Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius,
Pastor