Fr. James is a Catholic Priest and member of the Dominican Order (Western Province). Fr. James is from the small town of Coalinga in Central California. Fr. James did his undergraduate studies at Santa Clara University where he majored in music and double minored in History and Catholic Studies. He graduated cum laude in 1998. During his years at Santa Clara, Fr. James worked as an organist and member of the choir at St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco.. Fr. James earned the Master’s in Music from the University of Notre Dame in 2000 where he studied organ and worked as a graduate assistant organist at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. In the fall of 2000, Fr. James entered the Dominican novitiate in Oakland, CA to begin his formation for the Priesthood. In 2008, he was ordained to the Priesthood and served for two years as a College Chaplain at the University of Arizona, Tucson.
In the fall of 2010, Fr. James began the DMA in Sacred Music (choral music) at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC where he studied under Dr. Leo Nestor. During his time in DC, Fr. James was the director of the Schola Cantorum – an all male choir composed of Dominican seminarians and Priests at the Dominican House of Studies. In November 2013, the Schola released their first CD “In medio ecclesiae: Music for the New Evangelization.” In the fall of 2014, the Schola released their second album “Ave Maria: Dominican Chant for the Immaculate Conception.”
From January 2016 to July 2017 Fr. James served as Director of the Shrine of St. Jude at St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco. There he helped provide pastoral care for people from all walks of life who were seeking help where help was almost despaired of. This ministry included a heavy component of work with the Hispanic Community which regularly worshiped at St. Dominic’s. In July 2016, Fr. James was appointed the Vicar Provincial for Advancement for the Western Dominican Province – a job which helps promote and support the Mission of Preaching for the Salvation of Souls in the Western United States.
He loves preaching and teaching as well as directing music for the liturgy. He also loves being a family Priest to his large extended family and his many Godchildren.