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In Baptism we are united to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. As a sign of our Baptism and as called by Christ we strive to serve Christ and his body the Church. The following are numerous ways that members of Saint James respond in faith to Baptism and the gifts we have received. If you have questions about the following ministries, please call the Parish Office. Art & Environment These parish members are responsible for preparing, decorating and maintaining our worship environment for the various holy days and seasons of the liturgical year. Bereavement Ministry Provides prayer, comfort, and timely support to grieving parishioners who have experienced the death of a loved one. Volunteers extend assistance to the families with the preparation of the funeral liturgy. Behind -the-scene liturgical support and assistance with details involving family needs are available by our trained volunteers. Blood Donors This offers a service to the community by facilitating blood donations to the Hoxworth Blood Center, which supplies all the area hospitals. There is a Blood Drive held each December. Volunteers are needed only once a year to make phone calls in order to schedule appointments for the donors on the day of the drive. Blue Army of Mary This Apostolate of Fatima is comprised of adults who meet and pray the rosary following a weekday Mass in the Church. All who are interested in spreading the word of God and the messages of Fatima are welcome. Cursillo The Cursillo usually begins with a "short course in Christianity," a weekend of preparation conducted periodically for both men and women in our diocese. Our membership consists of parishioners from Saint James and surrounding parishes that have taken part in the Cursillo weekend, but all adults over 18 are welcome. Our group serves where we are called to be, within our homes, churches and communities. Watch the bulletin for announcements regarding meetings. Eucharistic Distributors to the Homebound The mission is to bring the Lord Jesus to those unable to come to Church whether it be a long-term or short-term illness. Volunteers are asked to take Communion to the homebound whenever requested. If you know of someone unable to attend Mass, please contact us. Fathers' Ministry Is a fellowship of Christian fathers who want to grow in their relationships with the Lord, their wives, their children and themselves. It is not a club, bible study, cure-all, or healer of psychological or marital problems. Its intent is to make healthy families stronger and keep them that way. Sessions begin in August and go through May. An inquiry and discernment process takes place in the first six weeks. Meetings are held early each Friday morning and they include large groups with prayer, teaching, song, and concerns, and small groups with prayer and discussion. All dads, married or single, of any faith, are welcome. FOCCUS Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study Ministry is in addition to Pre-Cana. It is another tool to help engaged couples prepare for successful marriages. An engaged couple works directly with a trained married couple in an informal atmosphere. The goal is to help the engaged couple to communicate their feelings regarding family, church and spirituality, money, sexuality and other important issues of marriage. Giving Tree The holidays provide the entire parish with an opportunity to reach out to someone less fortunate. A Christmas tree is placed in the church foyer with tags for each to take describing a particular need. The wrapped gifts are then returned to Church and placed under the tree. The Giving Tree committee is responsible for making the initial and follow-up contacts with organizations for items needed and delivery instructions. They oversee the project set-up and coordinate duties such as writing the tags, promotion the project in the parish, and delivering the gifts. Grounds Crew This committee of volunteers maintains the plantings and gardens of the parish grounds from spring through fall. Home Cookin' for You Parish volunteers work together to help parishioners during a difficult time or those who may be recovering from illness. Special needs are easily accommodated. As meals provide nourishment for the body, so by volunteering, God provides nourishment for our souls. Hospital Visitation As representatives of Saint James, they bring the support, love, and healing care of the faith community to those in the hospitals. Meetings are held twice yearly. Each volunteer visits once or twice a month and is assigned certain hospitals. Training is provided for all new people. Just for Moms Just for Moms is a group open to all Christian mothers. The goal is to offer fellowship, friendship, spiritual development. companionship, networking, community programs, discussion groups and other activities. Each month they try to present a topic that is both relevant and interesting to moms. They meet the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. All mothers are welcome. Loaves and Fishes Two food drives are held each year in the spring and fall which benefit the Saint John Social Service Center. Shopping bags with suggested food lists are supplied at Masses which are filled by members of the parish and returned to Church. The committee oversees the project and the delivery of the food. Medical Appliance Distribution This ministry was organized to bring together members of the parish who are in need of medical appliances in order to lessen the financial burden involved. It facilitates the re-use of medical equipment between parish members who own such and others who are in need of it. Mom's Ministry Mom's Ministry is a network of mothers organized to offer support to each other. The group joins together to develop and explore spirituality in themselves and to instill faith in their children, families and daily lives. The overall group is comprised of four satellite groups that meet for planned discussions focusing on bringing faith and God into our multitude of roles as mothers. All groups gather together three times through the year for cohesiveness and networking. Because the groups are discussion based, the group is only open to new members in August/September. Mom's Ministry is separate from Just For Moms with a greater emphasis places on spirituality. Nursing Home Visitation Saint James parishioners who are currently living in area nursing homes are visited. This may include good conversation, prayer, and bringing parish bulletins/news. Our Lady's Rosary Makers They present rosaries to our first graders, the RCIA candidates, prisons and missionaries from our parish. This group encourages the use of the rosary worldwide. Sales held throughout the year help make it possible to purchase supplies and cover shipping costs for our missionary efforts. They meet on the third Tuesday afternoon of the month. Prison Ministry Willing workers from the parish and team couples who have participated in a Marriage Encounter program make up this ministry. The group's function is to assist chaplains and prison inmates in strengthening marriage and family life by offering Marriage Encounter programs and support materials for the incarcerated man and woman. National Marriage Encounter Prison Ministry is an ecumenical organization of national scope whose efforts are coordinated by volunteers from Saint James who assist with the office work and preparation of materials. Respect Life New life is being breathed into the committee which is concerned with all social justice issues, especially the unborn, physically disabled, and the elderly. The goal is to keep Respect Life issues before the parish. Anyone interested in becoming an active participant should contact one of the listed representatives. St. Mary's Ladies Society All women of the parish are invited to pray, oversee upkeep of altar linens and vestments, and make baptismal garments for infants. Meetings are held in the church Hall at 1:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, except in January, February, July, and August. St. Vincent de Paul Society Emergency assistance is available to the needy and suffering in the Saint James area with material, financial, or spiritual aid. They handle most calls to the Church requesting help for the less fortunate for food, clothing, partial housing, partial utilities, and spiritual guidance. Outside the group itself, no one knows which families are being aided. Adult volunteers are needed to help with the fifth Sunday collections after Mass, Bundle Sundays, and /or home visitations. Saturday Morning Prayer Group All men 18 years or older are invited to join on the first and third Saturdays in the Church Hall for the sharing of our faith. I listen to the Word of God as spoken by others' experience of his spiritual journey. They meet for coffee and doughnuts and share in prayer, praise, scripture reading, and God's love in our day to day lives. Shepherds of Christ Parishioners commit to a ministry of prayer for the renewal of the Church and to pray for priests. The group meets at 11:00 a.m. Mondays in the Church. |
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