About St. James the Less · Corinth, Mississippi
Saint James the Less Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Corinth, Mississippi, serving the northeast corner of the state as part of the Diocese of Jackson. The parish celebrates Sunday Mass in both English (10:30 AM) and Spanish (1:00 PM), reflecting a multicultural community. Daily evening Masses Monday through Friday at 6 PM, plus a Saturday morning Mass, give the parish a strong devotional rhythm. Beyond worship, St. James runs faith formation for children and adults, an RCIA program, a high school youth ministry, a Knights of Columbus council with its Ladies' Auxiliary, and a parish social services outreach.
- Patron
- St. James the Less (Apostle)
- Rector
- Father Joseph Le (Hai Long Le)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jackson
Why belong here
St. James the Less is a welcoming bilingual parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship side by side each Sunday. Daily evening Mass, weekly adoration Friday through Saturday morning, and a full faith formation program for children, youth, and adults make it easy to grow in the faith at any stage of life. Members can also get involved through the Knights of Columbus, the Ladies' Auxiliary, the high school youth ministry, and the parish's Saint James Social Services outreach to those in need.
Mass times at St. James the Less
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- After Masses and by appointment (Después de las misas y con cita previa)
Adoration times
- Friday 8:00 AM through Saturday 9:00 AM (Adoration and Exposition)
About Saint James the Less
Saint James the Less Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Corinth, Mississippi, in the northeast corner of the state. Part of the Diocese of Jackson, the parish serves a diverse, multicultural congregation with weekend worship offered in both English and Spanish. The church sits on North Harper Road and is the spiritual home for Catholics across Alcorn County and the surrounding region.
- Diocese: Jackson, Mississippi
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Location: 3189 N Harper Rd, Corinth, MS 38834
Our Pastor — Father Joseph Le
The pastor is Father Joseph Le (baptismal name Hai Long Le). Born in Saigon, Vietnam, as the youngest of five siblings, his father was an officer in the Army of South Vietnam and spent seven years in a labor camp after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Father Joseph's family came to the United States in 1992, and he became a U.S. citizen in 2002. He was a Carmelite monk for 17 years in monasteries across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, and took the name Joseph out of devotion to St. Joseph, the humble carpenter.
- Pastor: Father Joseph Le (Hai Long Le)
- Office phone: 662-331-5184
- Cell: 662-808-7673
- Email: [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at St. James is described as a process of initiating children into the faith community, modeling the ministry of Jesus by welcoming children and families to follow Him. Children learn the stories, beliefs, symbols, traditions, and prayers of the Catholic faith, and sacramental formation happens with both the family and the parish community. Registration for new Religious Education students opens each year; current students are automatically enrolled.
- Children's Faith Formation classes on site
- Sacramental preparation in partnership with families
- Registration open annually for new students
Adult Faith Formation
Recognizing the Church's catechetical mission to help the faithful of all ages grow in human and Christian maturity, St. James offers adult faith formation that engages the particular needs and interests of adults in the community. The program offers a comprehensive, systematic presentation and exploration of the core elements of Catholic faith and practice, aiming to help adults form a sound Christian conscience and live as faithful disciples in the world.
- Ongoing adult catechesis and faith sharing
- Accessible, life-experience-based learning
- Contact the parish office (662-331-5184) for details
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the parish's process for adults who wish to become Catholic. The journey begins by visiting the parish or speaking with the priest, and follows the standard four-step RCIA journey: Evangelization and Inquiry, Catechumenate/Candidacy, Period of Purification and Enlightenment, and Initiation and Mystagogy. Two registration forms are available on the parish website for those interested.
- Step 1: Evangelization and Inquiry
- Step 2: Catechumenate / Candidacy
- Step 3: Period of Purification and Enlightenment
- Step 4: Initiation and Mystagogy
- RCIA Registration Forms A and B available online
Youth Ministry
St. James offers a High School Youth Ministry dedicated to serving and ministering to teens, recognizing their special needs and valuable contributions to parish life. The program follows United States Conference of Catholic Bishops guidelines, with three goals: empowering young people to live as disciples, drawing them into responsible participation in the life and mission of the Catholic community, and fostering total personal and spiritual growth.
- High School Youth Ministry
- USCCB guidelines: Disciples, Participation, Growth
- Contact via the parish email to get involved
Knights of Columbus & Ladies' Auxiliary
The parish hosts a local council of the Knights of Columbus, the worldwide Catholic fraternal benefit society founded by Father Michael J. McGivney. The council provides financial aid and mutual assistance to members and their families, and engages in educational, charitable, religious, and social welfare works. The Ladies' Auxiliary supports the Knights' goals, provides fellowship among parishioners, and financially supports other charitable organizations.
- Knights of Columbus — contact Joe Vella at 662-660-3423
- Ladies' Auxiliary — contact Sharon Awwad at 662-286-5339
- Knights' Pancake Breakfast — last Sunday of the month, between Masses
Saint James Social Services & Outreach
The parish maintains a Saint James Social Services ministry, with the weekly second collection supporting local outreach to those in need. This is part of St. James' effort to integrate faith and service, and to connect parishioners with the wider Corinth community through works of mercy.
- Weekly collection supports Saint James Social Services
- Outreach to neighbors in need in the Corinth area
Mission Churches Served by Father Joseph
Father Joseph Le also celebrates Mass at two mission churches in the surrounding area, expanding the parish's reach across northeast Mississippi.
- St. Francis of Assisi, Booneville, MS — Friday 10:00 AM and Sunday 8:30 AM
- St. Mary Mission, Iuka, MS — Wednesday 10:00 AM and Saturday 5:00 PM Vigil
Visit Us — Parish Office & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Mass-goers needing hearing assistance are encouraged to see an usher before Mass. The parish also asks visitors to be alert to scam texts and emails impersonating parish priests — priests will never request donations through text or email.
- Parish Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Phone: 662-331-5184
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 3189 N Harper Rd, Corinth, MS 38834
- Mailing: PO Box 660, Corinth, MS 38835-0660
- Hearing assistance available — ask an usher