St. James Bookstore

Contact Person: Charlotte Schomberg   stjamescatholicbookstore@hotmail.com

The St. James Bookstore is located on the right-hand side of the vestibule as you enter the church building.  Store hours are before and after the 5:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass; from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays (closed during the 8:00 am, 10:15 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:00 pm Masses); and on Wednesday mornings during the holiday season only from 9-12 and again during evening Faith Formation.  Parishioners can purchase a variety of religious articles such as Bibles, crucifixes, rosaries, statues, medals, cards, and books in both English and Spanish for all religious occasions.  Volunteers are needed to assist customers and complete sales.   A typical gift of time would be once a month, one-half hour before and one-half hour after the mass you attend.

 

Hospitality

Contact Person: Jan Persuitte   Jan.Persuitte@hotmail.com

The Hospitality Ministry caters functions such as weddings, anniversaries and meetings.  Outside groups pay for catering of those events.  This provides additional income for the parish.  St. James Parish wide events and some St. James ministry functions are also catered by this group.

 

Welcome Ministry

Contact Person: Sanrda Prete

The members of the Welcome Ministry reach out to our new parishioners to help them become acclimated to our community.  Volunteers are needed to make friendly welcome phone calls, and to stuff timely information and goodies in our welcome bags.  Once a month we need volunteers from those in this ministry to help host our "Welcome Sunday" table that is located in the vestibule after each Mass (excluding the Spanish Mass).  Gift of time is generally about 2 hours every other month which is our Welcome Meeting and 30 minutes each month hosting the Welcome Table during our Welcome Sunday.

 

Women’s Guild

Contact Person: Dot Reilly    designdiva@windstream.net

The Women's Guild meets on the third Wednesday of the month, September through May, for fellowship, laughter and personal growth.  The guild holds several fundraisers a year such as the Fall Book & Bake Sale & Raffle and the Spring Bake & Plant Sale.  The proceeds benefit projects within our parish and worthy, charitable causes in our local community.  Other annual events are the Christmas Party, open to all ladies of the parish, the Valentine's Day Luncheon for the seniors of the parish, (which follows the World Day of the Sick Healing Mass), and the Women's Day of Reflection, also for all ladies of the parish.  The guild maintains a Prayer Shawl project by knitting or crocheting shawls that are blessed by our pastor and given to parishioners who are ill or in need of an outward symbol of our inward prayers for them.  Other activities include volunteering at the Night Shelter and making Christmas Cheer Bags for our parish shut-ins. We invite all women of the parish to join us!

 

Knights of Columbus

Contact Person: Gerard Mc Elroy    mgeerod@aol.com

The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic gentlemen fortified by its past and driven by its goals for the future. It’s through these five areas of service—faith, community, family, youth, and fellowship—that we truly make a difference. We are dedicated to assisting the parish and the community at large, especially the underprivileged and handicapped.

Within the Order itself, there are four “Degrees” of Knighthood, each one meant to exemplify one of the four principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. To become a full Knight, each member is encouraged to attain the Third Degree level. After which, he can go on to the Fourth Degree, the one that embodies patriotism and is the most visible of all the Degrees. The Fourth Degree Honor Guard is present for parish events such as Confirmation, First Holy Communion, Easter, special events, and special Mass intentions. It is through their participation in these areas that Knights receive their greatest, and often most personal, rewards. Once a month the Knights host a Sunday morning Parish breakfast as well as other events throughout the year.  The Knights meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm in Gill Hall.

 

Respect Life / Natural Family Planning

Contact Person: Mae Holland          Maecholland@gmail.com

The volunteers in this ministry will help provide information on the teaching of the Catholic Church regarding various life issues including; abortion, contraception, euthanasia, human sexuality/teen chastity, and natural family planning/fertility awareness.  They will assist in establishing regular times for parish-wide prayer for a broader acceptance of the culture of life and end to abortion.  The committee sponsors the St. Gerard Column in the Parish bulletin.  They set up and sponsor open talks for parishioners and offer representatives to help and support local pro-life ministries.  This gift of time is about 2 hrs per month depending on the number of volunteers participating.

 

Care Givers Support Group

Contact Person: Bette McIntyre   cament@vnet.net  or Andrew Ferraro  aferraro@ctc.net

This support group is for people who are taking care of a loved one, or a relative, or maybe even a dependent person they know.  It is stressful for all.  Often, the caregivers need information and someone they can talk with to get answers and comfort.  This ministry offers love, compassion, and understanding in a confidential and relaxed setting.  Periodically guest speakers will address relevant issues at the request of the group. This group meets the 3 ^rd  Monday of the month.

 

Marriage Preparation Mentors

Contact Person: Bert and Paula McGoff    McGoff@carolina.rr.com

St. James Parish is now offering marriage preparation classes to our newly engaged couples.  This ministry involves a trained married couple mentoring an engaged couple.  It is based on the program “When Families Marry”.  The two couples meet on four occasions for an hour and a half to discuss topics such as effective communication, finances, expectations and spirituality.  Call the contact name above if you and your spouse are interested in mentoring  a  new couples.  Training will be provided.

 

Parish BBQ

Contact Person: Jim Breslin   jbreslin@windstream.net

The Parish BBQ is a fundraising and fellowship event that has been a tradition at St. James for many, many years.  It is held on the first Wednesday in October.  All parishioners are called to participate.  All parish families get 10 tickets to sell. Those that are available help server dinners in the parish hall or prepare meals in the take-out area.  Donating baked goods is another way to share your talents with the parish.  It is a great time and a great way to meet others in the church.

 

Parish Picnic

Contact Person: John Green   greens220@hotmail.com

The parish picnic is usually planned for the beginning of June on the church grounds.  The church provides beverages, hot dogs and burgers.  Each family brings a side dish to share (enough for 10 servings). Fun and fellowship are the rule of the day.   There are many wet and dry games for the young and the young at heart.  The planning Committee is looking for individuals to meet about 2x before the event to help organize it.