An annual plant sale is held the first weekend in May and is open to the public. Proceeds benefit community service projects within our parish. Volunteers are needed to organize, advertise and work at the sale.

Where:   St. James Catholic Church
Coordinator:   Mary Nagengast (766-0414)

This committee oversees the care of parish facilities.  If you enjoy working with your hands and the feeling of a job well done, this committee can use your help.  Nearly all the work on St. James grounds, including mowing, planting and landscaping, is done by volunteers.  Estimated time commitment varies based on job.

Business Manager:   Tim Bays (893-3085)

Upon notification of a parishioner, who is ill, grieving the loss of a loved one, facing a difficult situation or celebrating a milestone, volunteers send a card and a note to let them know that we care and are praying for them.  A monthly rotation schedule is followed by the team of card ministers for sending cards.  This is a ministry you can perform in the comfort of your own home.

Donations of cards for all occasions are gladly accepted.

Coordinator:   Ellen Schmiedeknecht (893-8123)

A group of dedicated parishioners who reach out to the poor through works with various ministries.  These works include:  coordinating the Monthly Miracle Drive at St. James for The White Lake Area Food Pantry, assisting with requests from our Christian Tithing Fund, and the White Lake Area Giving Tree.  The estimated time commitment spent with these charitable works is 12 hours per year.

Coordinators:   Jim & Rita Kenny (894-8792)

This group serves our parish by sorting, validating, counting, reporting and depositing the Sunday Mass offerings and other diocesan collections to ensure proper financial accountability and tax information for St. James Church.
Estimated time commitment is approximately 12 hours per year.

Meets:   Weekly on Sunday
Coordinator:   Mary Kriesel (894-2086)

Ministering Holy Communion to the homebound is an ancient way of reminding those who cannot attend Mass that they remain part of the Body of Christ.  Estimated time commitment is one hour per week.

Coordinator:   Deacon Greg Anderson (730-2418-cell)

The Education Endowment provides financial resources to enhance the long-term support of our parish religious education programs here at St. James.  This fund was created to help provide support for such things as books and other reference materials, educational programs and workshops, and equipment.  Estimated time commitment is four hours per year.

Contact:   Tim Bays (893-3085)

This committee was chartered by the Finance and Pastoral Councils to develop a master plan to address the facility needs for St. James Parish for the next twenty years.  Priorities include such things as community gatherings, faith formation, and the rectory and campus grounds.  Studying the needs for the future is an ongoing process.  Estimated time commitment is six to eight hours per year.

Chairperson:   Bob Hyatt (893-8965)

The Finance Council consults with the pastor on meeting the financial and material needs of the parish.  It assists with ensuring we have the necessary resources to carry out our Mission.  Members advise the pastor on finance matters and administration of parish property, review monthly financial reports, the parish budget, and the parish annual report.  The council also develops long-range plans for operational and capital needs.  Members are appointed by the pastor.  Estimated time commitment is 12 hours per year.

Meets:   Third Thursday of each month, ten months per year
Where:   Parish Ministry Center
Chairperson:   Luke Cole (893-3551)

The Funeral Luncheon Committee provides for and arranges the luncheons following funerals held at St. James.  Volunteers are called upon to provide various food dishes including casseroles, salads, and desserts; plus setting up, serving, and cleaning up after the luncheons.  Leftover food is packed and given to the family of the deceased and/or our homebound or shut-in members.  If you enjoy cooking and/or have time to help, this ministry provides comfort for family members and friends.

Coordinators:   Marge Hulet (894-8919), Ellen Schmiedeknecht (893-8123)

Under the auspices of Mercy Hospital, these volunteers minister to patients at Mercy and/or Hackley Hospitals.  Whether stopping by for a brief visit, ministering Communion, or praying with someone, these volunteers visit all Catholic patients at the hospital(s).  Those assisting at the hospital(s) describe their ministry as very rewarding and a true gift.  The time commitment is flexible, as you may sign up for one day per month or several days per month.  Helping hands are needed, and training is available.  If you are a Eucharistic Minister or would like to become one, please consider this worthwhile ministry.

Contact:   the Spiritual Care Department at Mercy Health Partners  (672-3912)

This newly-formed committee is in the initial stages and is currently re-organizing the library.  Consideration is being given to:  promoting the library, book donations, book fairs, general housekeeping, and other areas.  Helping hands are always welcome.

Coordinator:   Carmen Wood (894-9559)

The Liturgy Committee is devoted to nourishing and providing direction for the liturgical aspects of parish life.  Our mission is to insure that St. James parishioners are provided the opportunities to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations.

Meets:   As needed
Chairperson:   Pat Jackson (894-9893)

Providing meals to parishioners during times of need is the goal of this ministry.  This ministry assists families in our parish through challenging times such as:  serious illness, recovery from an accident, recent death, or other family difficulties, on a temporary basis.  Attempts will be made to work within your family’s dietary needs and/or food restrictions.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this ministry, please contact the Parish Office or the Meal Ministry Coordinator.  This ministry provides the perfect opportunity to become involved without a large commitment of time.   Anyone willing to provide a meal is asked to contact our coordinator.

Coordinator:   Lucille Michael (893-0805)

The purpose of this committee is to review the operation of the cemetery and make recommendations to the Sexton and Priest.  This committee meets one to three times a year.  Estimated time commitment is two to three hours per year.

Sexton:   Tim Bays (893-3085)

The mission of this ministry is to welcome new members into our parish community and encourage them to become active members of St. James.  This committee periodically hosts new member receptions in order to provide an opportunity to meet fellow newcomers, staff, and other parishioners and provide information about our parish and its ministries.  New committee members are always welcome and encouraged to join us.

Coordinator:   Louise Brouns (894-8734)

These volunteers provide a compassionate, Catholic presence at Heartland Health Care Manor by visiting patients, singing, praying the Rosary and ministering Communion, each Wednesday.  Estimated time commitment is one to two hours per week.

Monthly Mass is celebrated the first Wednesday of each month.  Those interested in assisting with this ministry will spend one to two hours on this day.

Coordinator:   Deacon Greg Anderson (730-2418-cell)

What is the mission and vision of St. James Parish?  What is God calling us to do?  How can we better serve our community as the Body of Christ?  Members of the Pastoral Council work in a consultative capacity with the pastor to answer these questions.  In a spirit of prayer, this group discerns the spiritual and social needs of the parish and reviews the ministerial efforts of the parish.  Members are selected through a process of prayer, study, and call by the Holy Spirit.  Estimated time commitment is 12 hours per year.

Meets:   Third Wednesday of each month, ten months per year
Where:       Parish Ministry Center
Chairperson:   Steve Nagengast (766-0414)

As a convenience to parishioners, a variety of religious articles is available for purchase, which includes but not limited to:  books, jewelry, rosary beads and other devotionals.  The booth is open Sundays after both Masses, in the Parish Hall.

Coordinator:   Suzie McGee (893-0119)

This ministry promotes the culture of life through prayer and action as well as personal example.  We promote this mission through various activities including the Right to Life billboard, Lifesaver sales and web advertisements.  October is Right to Life month.  Please pray for a greater respect for the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death, and contact our coordinators if you would like to help with this ministry.

Coordinators:   Roger and Judy Rutzen (894-1215)

SCRIP is a term that means “substitute money.”  When you purchase SCRIP, you are purchasing negotiable gift certificates and prepaid cards that are used just like cash.  SCRIP can be used to purchase everyday expenses such as:  food, clothing, gas, restaurant, and other essentials.  Because SCRIP is purchased in advance, the participating retailers offer a discount of 2% to 40%, which is revenue for our parish.  Volunteers are needed to sell SCRIP before and after Masses.  Estimated time commitment is approximately 24 hours per year.

Coordinator:   Ann Pierce (894-1816)

The United States Council of Catholic Bishops defines Stewardship as: "A Christian Steward is one who receives God's gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord."  Our newly-formed committee's objective is to serve the parish by informing and educating St. James Parishioners on what it means to be a stewardship parish, which encompasses the sharing of time, talent and treasure.  The program is scheduled to be presented to the parish in September, 2009.

Chairperson:   Roger Rutzen (894-1215)

Spiritual care and spiritual affirmation work hand-in-hand with medical and emotional care.  The Watchman Program is a faith community-based effort to identify a volunteer leader in a congregation who promotes awareness about hospice care to their church family.  Watchmen have the very special role of knowing which supports are available for families and then to help carry the word to them when they are in need.

Coordinator:   Cindy Pawlowski (894-9798)