Ministries

Lay Ministries

All are welcome and encouraged to serve on one of our lay ministries. Service enhances Saint James while giving you a chance to be more involved in your church. Your involvement will result in a greater sense of what it means to be a Catholic and the opportunity to meet and work with fellow parishioners. We hope you will consider serving on one of the following ministries. For additional information on the following ministries or other ways to get involved, contact ministries@stjameschatham.org.

Altar Server

A great way for our young parishioners to gain a sense of being a part of the Catholic Church. Boys and girls in grade 3 and above and have received their First Holy Communion assist the Priest and Deacon during the liturgy.

Choir

Music is an integral part of the Catholic Mass. Join together in song, under the talented direction of our director, Justine Rodriguez. Rehearsals on usually on Wednesday evenings, 7pm in the hall.

Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers

All can serve who want to. There is nothing “extraordinary” about any of such ministers except the closeness one experiences in the act of serving the Body and Blood of Christ to fellow parishioners.

Lector

Reading the Word of God with proper inflection and phrasing enhances the understanding and reception by parishioners at Mass.

Greeter

Saint James is noted for its warmth and friendliness. What better way to show this to parishioners and visitors than to be met at Masses with a friendly smile and a “Welcome to Saint James”.

Usher

Volunteers assist people to their seat if necessary and take up the collection.

Pastoral Care

The Visitation and Bereavement Committees serve not only parishioners but others. The Visitation Eucharist Ministers give Holy Communion to persons who are home bound and to patients in local nursing homes.

Faith Formation

There is always a need for adult mentors to educate our youth in the Catholic faith and prepare them for confirmation as well as share experiences with them.

RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation – preparation of adult candidates for Catholic sacraments. Contact Terry Ribadeneyra at (518) 392-2499 or terryriba@gmail.com

Hospitality

Several parish coffee hours are held each year, as well as special parish events. Help is needed by way of food donations and serving during these events.

Outreach

Denise and her assistants are involved in gathering needed supplies and items for the general community as well as needy parishioners. This is Saint James extending its engagement to the larger Columbia County populace

Finance Council

As the name implies, the finance committee is responsible for the financial administration of our church. If you have an interest in serving on this committee or helping them by serving as a counter following the weekly collections, please contact us and someone from that committee will follow up with you

Buildings & Grounds Committee

Volunteers care for the buildings of the parish by inspecting and evaluating them and recommending repairs.

Other Opportunities

In addition to the above, there are other ministries on which you can serve. The Haiti committee helps raise funds for our sister parish. There are those who decorate the church for regular Masses and on special occasions. So whatever your interest is, there is an opportunity for you to serve. All are invited to help make Saint James what it is for parishioners and the surrounding community.