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Ministry Guide (in alpha order)

Please click each title to learn more. Click here for the Ministry Handbook.

–A–

▼Altar Servers

Assist the priest (and God) at the altar. Altar servers assist at weekly Masses and weddings. St. James is looking for students, 5th through 12th grade who would like to join the Altar Servers. Altar Servers.

▼Ambassador Welcome

This group officially welcomes newly registered parishioners into our parish with a home visit and welcome event. We invite newcomers to Our Lord’s Table and to consider serving Him through the many ministries St. James offers. Join us – new ambassadors are always welcome! For more information visit: Ambassador Welcome.

–B–

▼Bereavement for Funerals

assists families of a deceased parishioner with planning the funeral Mass. The bereavement ministers meet one on one with the family and plan step by step the funeral liturgy. For more information visit: Bereavement Ministry

–C–

▼Caregivers Ministry

St. James Caregivers Ministers is a once of month program to help the people who give care to family members, at home or with their loved ones. It is a time for the Caregivers to learn to care for themselves – with prayers, quiet and discussion. For more information visit: Caregivers Ministry.

–E–

▼Earth Shepherds

Pope Francis, in his beautiful encyclical “Laudato Si”, calls the faithful to care for our common home. Earth Shepherds, aims to provide opportunities to study the encyclical, learn about the relationship between Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching and our responsibility to be stewards of God’s Creation, support individual and parish-wide efforts to live more sustainably and coordinate initiatives to care for the environment. Parishioners of all ages are encouraged to join this ministry. For more information visit: Earth Shepherds.

▼Elizabeth Ministry

Elizabeth Ministry– We are a ministry of women reaching out to other women who are in their childbearing years. We offer support to those who are pregnant, to those considering adoption, to those dealing with infertility and to those who have experienced a miscarriage or the loss of a baby. For more information visit: Elizabeth Ministry.

▼Eucharistic Adoration

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly and physically present—body, blood, soul, and divinity— in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.   Join us in Eucharistic adoration at specific times and locations. For more information visit: Eucharistic Adoration.

▼Eucharistic Ministers

join a Mass team, which distributes the Eucharist every other week. Prospective ministers participate in a Vicariate training session plus attend a specific training for St. James. For more information visit: Eucharistic Ministers.

–F–

▼Finance Committee

The Parish Finance Committee is a mandated body which has an advisory and consultative role on behalf of the pastor.  Email: [email protected]

▼First Saturday Rosary and Devotion to Our Lady

The 1st Saturday of every month this ministry recites the rosary and prayers of devotion to Our Lady in the Church immediately following the 7:30am Mass. For more information visit: First Saturday Rosary

▼Funeral Adult Servers

This ministry of service to the St. James community is participation in a final act of love and respect for the deceased through involvement in their final Eucharistic liturgy before burial. For more information visit: Adult Funeral Servers

–G–

▼Garden Club

The green environments of St. James—the flower beds and landscaping around the church and rectory, the courtyard, perimeter of the parking lot, and around the building of the St. James Parish Center —are lovingly cared for by the volunteers of the Garden Club. For more information visit: Garden Club.

▼Women's Golf League

This league started over 40 years ago and is as strong as ever. We are a group of 32 women who enjoy each other’s company, the outdoors, and the game of golf. For more information visit: Women’s Golf League.

▼Greeting Ministry

In a parish as large as St. James, the Greeting Ministry hopes to provide a kind, familiar face at each Mass to receive each person into our parish community and make them feel welcome and at home. As people enter our church and parish center during weekend liturgies and special holidays, the Greeting Ministers happily welcome them with open arms. For more information visit: Greeting Ministry.

–H–

▼Hot Meals Program

This program is available to individuals or families who are in need of warm meals due to recent surgery, illness or serious injury for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. For those in need, the food will be brought to your home as pre-arranged with the Hot Meals Coordinator. Volunteers are always welcome! For more information visit: Hot Meals Program.

–K–

▼Knights of Columbus

The Holy Rosary Council (#4483) of Arlington Heights serving the parishes of St. James; St. Edna’s; Our Lady of the Wayside; St. Colette’s; is part of the largest Catholic Lay ministry in the world—the Knights of Columbus. Practicing Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, are invited to joinFor more information visit: Knights of Columbus.

–L–

▼Lectors

To become a lector, completion of training at a Vicariate session is required; this training is offered at various times during the year. For more information visit: Lectors.

▼Liturgical Environment

is responsible for the décor you see on Sundays and holy days. We coordinate the Liturgical Environment for each liturgical season as well as at our parish’s sacramental celebrations, prayer gatherings and special occasions. For more information visit: Liturgical Environment .

▼Liturgy Preparation

This ministry prepares the liturgical life of the parish as the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triduum, Easter Season and Ordinary Time) unfolds. Grounded in sacred scripture and rich prayers of the Church, all efforts are made to draw our community more deeply into the Paschal Mystery. For more information visit: Liturgy Preparation.

▼Loaves and Fishes

For over 30 years, St. James has reached out to the homeless in Chicago’s Uptown Neighborhood. The LOAVES & FISHES Ministry continues to provide a Saturday evening meal of soup & bread and a brown bag lunch for up to 60 men and 40 women. Our ministry operates each Saturday beginning in November and runs through April. For more information visit: Loaves and Fishes.

–M–

▼Marriage Ministries

The St. James Marriage Ministries seeks to engage married couples in our community. For more information visit: Marriage Ministries.

▼Mass Coordinators

Mass Coordinators at St. James serve at weekend Masses and special seasonal Masses by ensuring an organized and respectful celebration of the Mass—the center of our Catholic spiritual life.For more information visit: Mass Coordinators.

▼Mental Health Ministry

We strive to provide support, education and awareness to our parish communities on issues related to mental health. Our goal is to break down the social stigma surrounding these issues, provide information, local resources, and emotional and spiritual support. For more information visit: Mental Health Ministry.

▼Moms Plus

Moms Plus at St. James provides an atmosphere based on faith, friendship and fun where we can just be ourselves, share our ups and downs, and connect with other moms in our parish who also are on the blessed (and sometimes hectic) journey of raising children. For more information visit: Moms Plus.

▼Music Ministry

Our Music Ministry has a strong community of singers whose devotion shines through in our sung liturgy. With the exception of the Children’s Choir, our ensembles meet weekly on Thursday evenings. Through their membership, choir members gain a terrific sense of community and involvement. Membership in our choirs is open to all interested singers after a simple voice check. For more information visit: Music Ministry.

–O–

▼Open Doors Ministry

This is a ministry that invites and welcomes people into a full and active spiritual life by providing faith formation for individuals and families with special needs. We joyfully enter into faith formation through catechesis, adaptive programming, and mutual support. For more information visit: Open Doors Ministry.

▼Over 50 Social Club

The St. James Over 50 Social Club provides social outings, game days, cards, speakers, parties, current events/news and spirituality to any parishioner over the age of 50. We generally meet on Mondays at 1 p.m. in the O’Brien Room within the Parish Center. Ministry Lead: Gerry Stec Contact Phone: 847-398-2097 Email: [email protected]

–P–

▼PADS

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) – St. James has joined other area churches to open its doors to provide food and shelter to area homeless. “Guests” are hosted at St. James and are provided a hot dinner, clean bedding, breakfast and a sack lunch for the following day. For more information visit: PADS.

▼Pastoral Council

The St. James Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a diverse visionary and advisory body of servant leaders, guided by the Holy Spirit to assist and serve the St. James family, staff and Pastor in achieving our mission of being a welcoming Catholic community sent forth from our celebration of the Eucharist to walk in faith, live in hope, and act in love. For more information visit: Pastoral Council.

▼Peace & Justice

Peace & Justice Committee is rooted in the Gospels and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is a guiding voice for peace and justice that educates the faithful on the Catholic social teachings, supporting and complementing parish ministries, and empowering people to transform lives and society, both locally and globally. For more information visit: Peace & Justice.

▼Ministry of Praise

This is a spiritual ministry in which the members offer their prayers to God for special intentions to help others in their need. This ministry is especially for the homebound so that they can experience a closer connection to St. James parish. Their prayers will provide a wealth of spiritual treasures that can bring God’s blessings on themselves and on those special prayer requests. Each minister will receive a prayer book, a cross, and a certificate designating her/him as a Minister of Praise. Each minister will also receive a monthly letter containing inspirational messages and prayer requests. For more information visit: Ministry of Praise.

▼Prayer Shawl

This ministry at St. James creates a wide variety of shawls for anyone in need of prayers or blessings. We pray as we knit or crochet and get together once a month to bless the fruits of our labors. All are welcome to join in this ministry. For more information visit: Prayer Shawl Ministry

–R–

▼Religious Education

The mission of the program is to ignite in our children a spark that will lead them to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. To do this, we offer children reflections of God’s love, share stories about the impact God has made in our lives, and help them echo God’s Word. For more information visit: Religious Education Ministry.

▼Respect Life

The mission of the Respect Life Ministry of St. James is to transform society into a Culture of Life where every human being is valued and protected from the moment of conception until natural death. For more information visit: Respect Life.

▼Retired Men's Group

The St. James Retired Men’s group is parish-oriented in principle but ecumenical in spirit and practice. It is founded on four objectives: sociability, support, service and spirituality being the keystone. All retired men, directly or indirectly affiliated with St. James Parish are welcome. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. For more information visit: Retired Men’s Group.

▼Rose for Life

The Rose for Life Ministry places a single red rose near the altar of the church and the parish center at all weekend liturgies. The rose symbolizes the Church’s respect for life in all of its stages and the hope that one day soon abortion will be a thing of the past. Each weekend, the rose is donated by a family in the parish in honor of a special loved one. For more information visit: Rose for Life.

▼R.C.I.A.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is a process—people on a journey of faith. It is through the R.C.I.A. process that adults come into the Church. It’s open to individuals whom are merely inquiring about the Catholic Church, as well as those who have already decided to become Catholic. For more information visit: R.C.I.A. – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

–S–

▼Sacristans

Sacristans perform a simple but important task of ensuring that the linens, vestments and sacred vessels are clean, prepared and made available for Mass. Additionally, they ensure that the supply of wine and hosts are ready prior to the liturgy. For more information visit: Sacristans.

▼Scouting

We have a Boy Scouts, Cubs Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Boy Scout Troop 166 is a Boy Scout organization chartered by the Northwest Suburban Council and sponsored by the St. James Women’s Club. It has been in continuous existence for more than 50 years. Cub Scouts is open to boys from 1st through 5th grade, at which time they are eligible to become Boy Scouts. The values-based Girl Scout program has something to offer every girl, from kindergarten to eighth grade who agrees to the Girl Scout Promise. The Girl Scout Promise reminds a girl to do her best for God and her country and to help other people. For more information visit: Scouting.

▼Small Groups

This ministry coordinates groups of 10-12 people seeking a more intimate experience of church. Relating scripture or current issues to everyday life experiences enables each member to share their journey of faith with one another and support one another in trying to live out our faith in the world. For more information visit: Small Groups.

▼S.P.R.E.D.

The archdiocesan program SPRED (Special Religious Education for the Developmentally Disabled) has been active at St. James since 1968. We provide 15 weeks of religious education to students aged 22 and older. These young adults participate in weekly classes, special events and preparation for the sacraments if needed. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings. For more information visit: S.P.R.E.D. – Special Religious Education for the Developmentally Disabled.

▼St. Vincent De Paul

The St. James Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an emergency source for short-term financial and material help for parishioners and others living within the parish boundaries. The Society also provides assistance to parishes in need in Chicago and internationally. For more information visit: St. Vincent De Paul.

▼Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones: A Domestic Violence Ministry is dedicated to increasing parish awareness and understanding of the problem of domestic violence and to serving victims and survivors of emotional, financial, physical, or sexual abuse by a spouse or intimate partner. For more information visit: Stepping Stones.

–U–

▼Ushers

The St. James Usher Ministry seeks to help the community of worshipers at St. James to experience a comfortable place where they may seek unity with the perfect sacrifice our Lord Jesus made for us on the cross. Ushers serve at the celebration of the Mass so everyone may feel the hospitality of our community while we ensure the convenience, comfort, safety and well-being of the congregation. For more information visit: Ushers.

–V–

▼Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School(VBS)–Is a week-long summer camp in June for children ages 4 through 5th grades. Music, crafts, Scripture, prayer, and play are all important components of this lively VBS experience. Kids love this program because it’s so fun! Registration is held each spring and space is limited. For more information visit: Vacation Bible School.

–W–

▼Wedding Rehearsal Team

The wedding coordinators assist the priest, deacons, couples to be married and their families by running the wedding rehearsals. Their function is to walk the bridal party through the mechanics of the wedding Mass (ceremony), and then to help the party assemble and process in on the wedding day. For more information visit: Wedding Rehearsal Team.

▼Wheels to Worship

This ministry coordinates rides to Mass to the Church for those in need. Can you help by transporting someone to Mass, at your convenience? Need a ride to Mass? See the website page for an application to be completed before rides are provided. For more information visit: Wheels to Worship.

▼The Women of St. James

  is a community of Catholic women who are committed to growing and sharing our faith through sisterhood and service. The Women of St. James.

–Y–

▼Youth

The St. James Youth Ministry seeks to engage the youth of our community. For more information visit: Youth Ministry.