Mark Byars, an organizer for a fundraiser for St. James Catholic Church, said he doesn’t want the church to share the same fate as happened to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in downtown Port Arthur in the mid-2000s — a date with the wrecking ball.

“I love the connection people had have over the years with St. James. That’s the biggest thrill. I’m nostalgic for Port Arthur though I’m in Nederland.”

“In the back of my mind I think what happened to St. Mary’s and it’s (St. James) worth fighting for.”

Byars said he and the Rev. David Edwards, pastor of the church, were classmates at Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur though Edwards was a year behind him.

The weekend schedule of events is as follows: 8 a.m. check in on golf scramble, 9 a.m. shotgun start — Florida style scramble on Saturday, October 22 at Babe Zaharias Golf Course, 3500 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. in Port Arthur.

From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. there will be a fundraiser dance and silent auction at Kirwin Hall, adjacent to St. James Catholic Church, 3617 Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur.

At 11 a.m., there will be a “Homecoming” Mass with a reception immediately following.

“We have 12 teams now. We’ve invited priests and the religious to catch up with each other,” he said. “It’s amazing the number of people’s parents who were married there or who were buried there. There’s still strong commitments to the church from people who don’t live here anymore. There’s a strong affection.”

He added a fundraiser in August to install stained glass windows in which Jivin’ Gene Bourgeois performed had a “great response.”

The entry fee is $300 per team and/or $75 per person (includes green fee, cart, food and drink). Participants can register the morning of the tournament at 8 a.m. if need be.

There will also be a four-man ball scramble.

The dance is $300 for a table of 10. One does not have to have a golf team to purchase a table at the dance. Participation is separate.

Entry forms and payments may be sent to: St. James Catholic Church Attn: Friends of St. James, 3617 Gulfway Dr., Port Arthur, TX. 77642.

Participation options are:

• Gold sponsor ($2,500)- Logo on materials, two four-man teams, sponsor of contest prize, company info on sign, sign recognition on course, at dance and in church bulletin, table for 10 at dance that night.
• Silver sponsor ($1,000) – One four-man team, sponsor of contest prize, company information on sign, sign recognition on course, dance and church bulletin.
• One golf four-man team – ($300) Drinks, food, green fees, golf cart.
• Beverage sponsor ($500) – Recognition on beverage cart or fee can be waived if willing to provide beverages (1 Remaining). 5Point Credit Union
• Golf food sponsor ($500) – Sign at serving table or fee to be waived if volunteering to provide food and cook at tournament (1 Remaining) – fried fish provided by K of C Sacred Heart Council 3406.
• Longest Drive Sponsor ($300) – Sign at longest drive hole and prize sponsor.
• Closest to the Pin ($300) – Sign at closet to the pinhole and prize sponsor.
• Sign Sponsor—($200) Company logo or “In Memory of” on one hole sign displayed at golf, dance, Facebook and bulletin.
• Table for 10 at the homecoming dance— ($300)

 DJ (Mark Fiorinza) and security provided includes 10 raffle entries for door prize(s) during the night.

 Attendees may bring their own drinks and food. Bottled water will be provided.

 Door prizes and silent auction will be held throughout the night.

 There are only 25 sections of 10 seats sold as groups of 10 until all sold.

 Group purchasers’ names will be displayed at the dance and golf tournament and in church bulletin as a “Friend of St. James.”

General donations may also be made for those who can’t attend.

David Ball: 490-721-2427