On Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3, Saint Joseph School was blessed to welcome Fr. James Kandole Saturday, a priest from Jamaica and a good friend of Fr. Richard’s, whom he met through Food for the Poor.
Fr. Saturday began his full day at Saint Joseph School on Tuesday, December 2 by joining our community for the school’s Advent Prayer Service. Following the prayer service, he spent the rest of the day doing what he clearly loves most—being with young people.
During his visit, Fr. Saturday spent time in every classroom, greeting students, listening to their stories, and answering their questions. With our youngest learners, he jumped right in—sometimes even sitting on the floor and chatting about whatever was on their minds. In our PreK 3-year-old classroom, Fr. Saturday spoke tenderly about the Nativity and the birth of Jesus, using a small Nativity set displayed in the room to help the children reflect on that holy night.
In the afternoon of December 2, Fr. Saturday met with our Grade 5–8 students in the Parish Center for a lively question-and-answer session. The students arrived “armed” with questions—and Fr. Saturday enthusiastically answered them all! Their questions ranged from lighthearted favorites to deep faith and life topics: his favorite foods (including matoke—green bananas—and Jamaica’s famous jerk chicken), his childhood in Uganda, his favorite Bible verse, why he became a priest, what life is like in Jamaica, and his main goal in life. Again and again, Fr. Saturday returned to a simple message: his goal is to help people fall in love with God.
Students also appreciated his practical, faith-filled wisdom. He reminded them to avoid arrogance and instead live with humility, encouraging them to stand humble before God, trusting that God does not turn away a humble heart. He shared how village life in Uganda was simple—farming, strong community, and fewer complications—and that as a child, you belong not only to your family, but to the whole community: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Our middle school students were especially captivated by Fr. Saturday’s firsthand stories of ministry in Jamaica, including the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that hit Jamaica in 2025. He described how families sought shelter wherever they believed was safest—sometimes under beds or in bathrooms, and in some cases climbing onto furniture to avoid rising water. He shared the emotional toll of the storm as well as significant losses, including damage to his pastoral home/rectory and a retreat building. Yet even through suffering, he offered a powerful witness: the Church remains “beautiful,” because God is present with His people, especially in hardship.
When asked about his favorite Scripture, Fr. Saturday shared John 10:10: “I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” He encouraged students to see their daily responsibilities as meaningful—reminding them that work is not negative, but part of living out God’s plan with purpose and joy. He also spoke about vocation and discernment, explaining that becoming a priest—or serving God in any way—is a process of listening to God through prayer, guidance, and faithful reflection.
On Wednesday, December 3, Fr. Saturday returned to Saint Joseph School for a final send-off before traveling back to Jamaica. The entire school gathered to thank him for the time he spent with our students. Mrs. Boudreau presented him with an SJS gift bag and school swag, and our National Junior Honor Society, led by advisor Mrs. Karen Lefebvre, presented Fr. Saturday with a $500 check to support his church. The celebration concluded with the school joyfully singing “Sto Lat,” followed by a group photo with Fr. Saturday and our students.
We are grateful for Fr. Saturday’s inspiring presence and the faith-filled joy he brought to our community. We hope he visits us again very soon!
