CHRISTIAN CONCERNS COMMISSION

OUTREACH TO PARISHIONERS
Christian concerns are the active charitable ministry of the parish seeking to serve our fellow parishioners and community in time of need.  We invite you to become more aware of our activities and to participate in those in which you have an interest.

Respect Life Committee: The goal of the Respect-Life Committee is to find opportunities within the parish and community to make contributions for the protection of the unborn, the handicapped, and the elderly, as well as support for their families.  We also support local crises pregnancy centers, help parishioners who request further information and coordinate legislative action as required.
Contact:                      Sevy DiCocco                         737-9147         DiCsevAnn@aol.com

HOPE:  "The Lord is near to those who are discouraged;
 He saves those who have lost all hope." ( Psalm 34:19)
The Hope ministry provides spiritual support as well as referral services to adults and children who are dealing with addictions or compulsive behaviors (either their own or those of family members or friends).  The Hope ministry also sponsors educational programs, workshops and materials to enlighten and inform all parishioners and assist them in raising their awareness of the disease of addiction. 
Contact:          Moore Hank              883-8721    wmmhank@hotmail.com or stjhope@hotmail.com

SEPARATED AND DIVORCED
The St. James Ministry for Separated and Divorced seeks to reach out to our brothers, sisters, and their families of all faiths who experience the pain of separation and divorce.  In the process of meeting together on a regular basis, utilizing videos, group discussion and guest speakers we will grow in our faith, support each other and become better individuals.  We encourage an atmosphere of connection and trust.  We are a family, where it is safe to be ourselves.  Our hope is that we will gain happiness and joy so we can experience a better, more fulfilled life in our commitment to God and to ourselves.  Support meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
Contact Kathy Hoarn, - 883-0945, Dennis Keck – 883-3854, Elise or Rich Hobson – 333-9868

Re-Connecting with the Church
We are a group of lay people who welcome Catholics who have drifted away from the Catholic Church.  We are here to help them return to active membership in the Church.  We are willing to meet with someone at any time that is mutually convenient.  Inquiries are always welcome.  We are non-judgmental and we observe complete confidentiality.  Team members must be open-minded and comfortable with sharing their Catholic faith with those who are seeking a return to active practice.  By sharing our experiences with others, we can enrich our faith together.

Contact:        Mary Kay and Rob Kuser   896-1652        mkkuser@verizon.net or rkuser@verizon.net

Annulment Advocate Ministry:  St. James has several men and women trained by the diocese and certified by the Bishop to act as Advocates for those seeking to have a prior marriage annulled by the church.  Annulment advocates work with those petitioning the diocesan Tribunal, helping them to prepare their petitions, providing guidance, support and understanding throughout the process.  This ministry also provides information and education to parishioners in general regarding the annulment process.  If you or anyone you know would like to speak to or be assisted by an annulment advocate, call:
Contact:                      Deacon Sam               883-1518                     zakus@verizon.net  

OUTREACH TO THE SICK

Samaritan Ministry:  This ministry provides non-medical support service to homebound individuals.  This support could include shopping, transportation, friendly visits, and clerical assistance and telephone reassurance.  Training is provided for volunteers.
Contact:                      Sue Ziegler                             737-2488         adlted@verizon.net

Eucharistic Ministers of Care: Some Eucharistic Ministers are needed to bring Communion to parishioners who are homebound or who are in nursing homes and hospitals usually on a weekly basis. This can be either a long-term or short-term basis.
Coordinator:  Sue Ziegler                                          737-2488                                                                            adlted@verizon.net

Hospital Visits and Home bound visits:  If a parishioner is in the hospital we will make every effort to visit them if we are notified.  Eucharistic ministers from the parish visit homebound parishioners and bring communion.  If you have someone at home who cannot make it to Mass on a regular basis because of illness and wants to receive communion or would like a visit from a deacon, please call the rectory.  If the person is seriously ill either in the hospital or at home and you would like a priest to celebrate the sacrament of the sick (anointing) please call the rectory. Please note:  Because of new Federal Privacy Regulations, we are not automatically notified when a parishioner is hospitalized.  Please be sure to contact us if a relative or someone you know from this parish is hospitalized.
Contact:  Deacon Sam Sciarrotta 883-1518 or Deacon Jim Palsir 737-2717  stjames1@verizon.net
                   Deacon Moore Hank - 737-0122 or Deacon Dick Currie - 844-1252

St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center:  Assist both in and out patients move to and from their therapy appointment.  Volunteers are also used as assistants in various administrative offices--computers experience a definite plus in some cases, pastoral ministry and building maintenance.
Contact:  Sevy DiCocco                                  737-9147                                DiCsevAnn@aolcom

--FISH: (Friends in Service Here) "Meals on Wheels" and transportation to doctors, etc. for elderly persons in our area. In cooperation with other churches, volunteers serve as telephone dispatchers and drivers on a one-day per month basis.  Give it a try--join with a friend!  Take your pre-school children along for the ride.  Enjoy!!  For more information:
Contact:                      FISH                                       737-9123
                                    Dorothy K. Dutko                  737-1638

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen:  We provide a serving staff of four to five people each fourth Friday of the month from 10am to 1pm at the Soup Kitchen on Escher Street in Trenton.  Other areas of service --Tutoring, teaching reading or job skills and general volunteering are available on additional days and times.
Contact:          Jan Curran                 895-9535
Marie Menos            737-6940
Peggy McCormack    737-3709                                                        

Mt. Carmel Guild Food Collection:  The Monthly Food Drive Committee consists of approximately 30 members, two or three of whom either assist in setting up the boxes for the food collection on the first weekend of each month or delivering the boxes of food to the Mt. Carmel Guild in Trenton on Monday following the collection weekend.  Time commitment:  one day per year to either set up the boxes for the food collection or take the food to Mount Carmel Guild.
Contact:                      Kathy O'Hara                        895-1056         e-mail: keohara@comast.net
There will be a collection of non-perishable foods to be given to the Mt. Carmel Guild in November for Thanksgiving and again in December for Christmas.

Loaves and Fishes:  Once a year our parish will sponsor a meal for the poor and homeless in Trenton.  As a parish we will provide the food, prepare, serve and clean up.  Approximately 20 people are needed annually to be willing to attend 2 meetings to plan the menu and coordinate the activities of volunteer workers in preparing and serving the Loaves and Fishes meal in St. Mary's Cathedral, Trenton.
Date:  March  2008
Contact:                      Stephanie Brown                    818-1986

CROP:  Volunteers are needed to support the annual CROP walk in Pennington.  Help with water stations, first aid, directions, etc.  Walkers are sponsored and proceed go to feed the hungry.
Date of 2007 Walk:  November 2007
Contact:                      Phyllis Soriero                        215-369-3095 

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRIES

Ministry to Bereaved Families:
--Lazarus Group: Bring the presence of Jesus to a bereaved family by assisting them in their needs.  If the family wishes, a light luncheon will be provided after the funeral in the family center.  Occasional commitment:  requires flexibility on short notice for one or more of the following:  set-up, serve, clean up, or bake.  Anyone wishing to join the work of this group and volunteer their service in setting up, food contribution, serving or clean-up is invited to call one of the contact numbers. 
Contact:          Jackie Wittkop         737-0216                      Gerry Farina               737-2216

--Bereavement Committee:  This ministry is broken down into two categories.  Card writers--these people write cards of condolence to those members of the parish who have lost loved ones in the past year.  The cards are sent at the one month and one year anniversary of the death.  Each volunteer is assigned responsibility for one month per year.  The Resource Room provides the cards.  Christmas remembrance--these people will deliver a Christmas poinsettia to parishioners who lost a loved one in the previous year.
Contact:                      Sue Ziegler                 737-2488         adlted@verizon.net

COMMUNITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES

St. James Blood Drive:  Two Blood Drives are held at St. James:  New Year's Eve and the 4th of July weekend.  A core group of volunteers are needed to assist the chairpersons in signing up blood donors three weeks prior to the blood drive.  This core group will make up a "pool" of volunteers who will work shifts the day of the blood drive.  These volunteers must be willing to be trained in Red Cross procedure (a one-hour training offered at St. James.)  Volunteers formerly trained are asked to re-commit themselves to this service.
Contact:          Cindy Persichilli                                 737-2628                     

Habitat for Humanity:  Habitat is a non-profit Christian housing ministry working in partnership with poor families of Trenton to renovate or build simple, decent homes for those without adequate shelter. 
Our men and women volunteers are arranged into teams that work 4 Saturdays a year with the Trenton affiliate of Habitat.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.  No experience is required. 
Contact:                      Mark O'Dea                          737-8655         markfodea@verizon.net

Alternative Christmas Gifts:   Meet to select several charities and provide gift cards to offer parishioners the opportunity to give an "Alternative" gift for family and friends to benefit the "least of these" in our world- a gift that gives twice!  Be willing to work the Alternative Gifts table in the Gathering Area after one of the weekend Masses each of three weekends prior to Christmas to accept checks and distribute gift cards.
Contact:                      Jan Sturm                               896-2038

Martin House Community for Justice Foundation: Located at 802 East State St. (corner of Chambers) in Trenton.  Diocesan project to rehabilitate abandoned homes for low-income families.  Work the 3rd Saturday of every month.  No prior experience required.  Clean up; sheet rock and spackling, painting/staining, carpentry installing trim, windows and doors, etc.  Volunteers are also needed in the learning center to tutor students up through high school.  Used clothing and furniture in good repair are always welcome.  Fr. Brian McCormack, 989-8143, welcomes visitors.  Very reward work!
Contact:                      Sevy DiCocco             737-9147         DiCsevAnn@aolcom

Shared Ministry with St. Joseph's Church, Trenton:  The children from St. James Church reach out with the joy of Christmas by sharing gifts with youngsters from St. Joseph's in Trenton.  A St. James youngster chooses an ornament from the Giving Tree and he/she purchases a gift for a specific child and appropriate grade level.  Help is needed to sort and deliver (during week after Christmas) these gifts to St. Joseph's.  Gifts are then distributed to St. Joseph's students on Sunday, the Feast of the Epiphany.
Contact:  Jim Palsir - 737-2717                                             e-mail:  stred@verizon.net

Anchor House Outreach:  Volunteers are needed to assist our parish outreach to Anchor House, a home for runaway and abused children in Trenton.  We need people to volunteer some time (1 or 2 hours per week) to cook for the youth, help them with their homework, take them on outings, etc.  We need volunteers to assist in preparing for and supporting the annual Anchor House Ride for Runaways, the major fund-raiser for this ministry.  Those interested in participating in the ride or as rider or as a support person are also welcome.
Contact:                      Deacon Dick Currie               844-1252         rjcacas@comcast.net

Triad House:  The Triad House is located just a few miles from St. James in Ewing Township.  It is a group home for 11 or 12 teenagers who have nowhere to live because of family abuse or neglect.  Most teens are attending Ewing Township schools.  Volunteers serve as tutors from 6:30 to 8pm during the school year.  The individual commitment is to go to the Triad House twice a month to help with homework.

email to stjames1@bellatlantic.net