LITURGY PLANNING

The Second Vatican Council called for the "full, conscious and active participation" of all the assembly when we gather to celebrate Liturgy.  To accomplish this the parish of St. James calls on all of our members to share their gifts and talents at our weekend, feast day and other special liturgies.  The work of the Liturgy Team is accomplished by the whole assembly with the special assistance of three groups of people:  those who do the advance preparation (planning teams, environment ministers, intercession writers, etc.), those who actively assist the assembly during the Liturgy (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Musicians, etc.), and those who work behind the scenes to make it possible for the assembly to participate meaningfully (Volunteer Coordinators, Baptism Sponsors, etc.).  These various ministries which make up the Liturgy Team are described below.

Four times in the coming year parishioners who participate in these various liturgical ministries will meet to evaluate our liturgies and discuss overall plans for the coming year.  All interested parishioners are invited to come and share their ideas.  The meetings will be held on:  September 11, November 13, January 22 & April 1.  All meetings are held in the rectory at 7:30pm.
Chairperson:                          Joann Held                 737-0867         e-mail  Joannheld@comcast.net 

Liturgy Planners:  Liturgy planners work in small groups to prepare for the liturgical season (like Lent and Easter), the rites of the RCIA, and special feasts and celebrations.  Planners participate in 1-2 small groups per year, and should bring to the task experience of good liturgy and open-mindness.
Coordinator:               Joann Held                 737-0867                     e-mail  Joannheld@comcast.net

General Intercessions Team:  This is a team of people who take turns writing the General Intercessions for our weekend Masses.  You can volunteer to write the Intercessions on your own or with a partner.  Training and examples will be provided.  Each team member writes intercessions for about 8 weekends per year.  The intercessions should be e-mailed (as an attachment) to the rectory office by Thursday of your scheduled time.  (stjames1@verizon.net) or by fax 609-737-6912.
Coordinator:   Joann Held                             737-0867                     e-mail Joannheld@comcast.net

Altar Guild/Sacristans:   Help care for altar linens, liturgical vestments, candlesticks and other needs in the Sacristy.  Altar Guild members wash linens about once per month.  Sacristans prepare the bread and wine before our weekend Masses.  We are especially in need of a coordinator who will help to set up a schedule, and assist the Liturgy Team, in the preparation of the church for special feasts and other celebrations.
Joann Held     737-0867                                                                     e-mail Joannheld@comcast.net 

Infant Baptism Sponsors:  The sponsors act as a bridge between the parish family and the family of the child being baptized, providing hospitality and information.  The sponsor contacts the family beforehand and assists them during the Baptism.  Commitment: About two Baptisms per year during Sunday or Saturday evening Mass, plus an initial practice session.
Coordinator:               Joann Held                 737-0867                     e-mail Joannheld@comcast.net

Environment Team:  Most of the volunteers in this group arrange flowers in the church on a rotating basis.  However, this group also includes persons who assist with banners and other liturgical objects, which make up the church environment.  There are also opportunities for painters, needlework, and someone to care for the panels that go around the Processional Cross and change them according to the liturgical season.
Coordinator:                           Volunteer needed 

Class Mass Team: These adults and teens work with our Religious Education students in Grades 3,4,5 & 6 to prepare for and celebrate their class Masses.   The commitment is to participate in 2 to 4 planning sessions in the summer and then help the children in their rehearsals and on the day of their Mass celebration.  We would like to assemble a team to 10 to 12 people to share the load and fun.
Coordinator:  Joann Held                              737-0867                     e-mail Joannheld@comcast.net
                         Fr. Ron Bacovin                    737-0122                     e-mail stjames1@verizon.net

Greeters/Host Families:  Individuals and families are needed on a regular or intermittent basis to assist our ushers and other ministers of hospitality by welcoming people as they enter our church.  Host families can be of any size.  Commitment would be approximately six Masses per year and hosts would be expected to arrive at church 20 minutes before Mass begins.

Coordinator:               Joann Held                 737-0867                     e-mail Joannheld@comcast.net

LITURGY

Lectors:    Share the Word of God by proclaiming the first and second readings at Mass.  Lectors attend a training session and periodic workshops in which they learn to “proclaim,” rather than just read, the Word.  Lectors are expected to prepare by studying, praying, and practicing with the Word; they are encouraged to attend the monthly Lector Scripture Study, which is provided for this purpose.  Workbooks are provided.  Lectors are generally assigned to their preferred Mass on a rotating basis.  High school students and adults are welcome.
Coordinator:   Maria Pluta                            695-2304                     MariaPluta@hotmail.com

Eucharistic Ministers:  Eucharistic Ministers are needed for all Masses, especially the 5pm and 11:30am Masses.  For special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter, EM's are asked to respond to a schedule request that is mailed to them.  Young adults should consider this ministry.
Coordinator:  Deacon Dick Currie                           844-1252         e-mail rjcacas@comcast.net

Mass Servers:  Assist with various duties during our weekend and feast day liturgies.  Open to girls and boys from the 5th grade through 12th grade.  Usual duty is one Mass per month.  Must be willing to attend training.
Coordinator:  Rafael Aviles                       730-0668         e-mail  rafaelaviles@verizon.net
Mentor:          Deacon Dick Currie               844-1252         e-mail  rjcacas@comcast.net

Music:  Volunteers are needed to assist as cantors or accompanists for weekend liturgies from mid-June through mid-September. Also throughout the entire year, instrumentalists are always needed to accompany or embellish the various musical groups in the parish.
Director of Music:     John B. Pierpont                    730-8506      jinglejack3@aol.com

Saturday Evening Singers – (aka – The Folk Group) - We are a small group of youth and adults that sing and play instruments together depending on our availability. We meet on Saturday evenings from September—June at the 5pm Mass. Practice begins at 4pm on Saturday afternoon and we sing on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month! If you play an instrument or you like to sing, we’d like you to join us!  We’re very informal and we really enjoy the time we spend together as we lead the congregation in song! Your presence will make a difference!! All Are Welcome so come give us a try!!
For More Info Contact: Laura Desai—609-737-3877 or laurajdesai@aol.com

Adult Choir: Members rehearse each Wednesday in the church from 7 to 8:30pm and sing each Sunday at the 9:45am Mass from early September to mid-June.  New members, teenage or older, are welcome anytime during the year.
Director of Music:     John B. Pierpont                    730-8506         e-mail:  jinglejack3@aol.com

Children's Choir:  The Children's Choir is open to all third through eighth grade students.  The choir experiments with some part-singing, soloing, small group singing, announcing and the playing of rhythm instruments.  The Children's Choir sings at the 11:30am Mass and rehearse Sunday from 10am to 11:30 am.
Coordinator:               Barbara Lysenko       466-4039 e-mail:  Barbara@KidsMusicRound.com
         
Occasional Choir:  The Occasional Choir sings once a month at a Mass where we are needed.  We practice on the First Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 9pm.  This choir is for our parishioners (from High School on up) who love music, but for many reasons can't sing with our regular weekend choirs.  The ability to read music is not necessary (although helpful).  If you can carry a tune you are qualified.
Coordinator:                           Joann Held                             e-mail - Joannheld@comcast.net 

CRASH "plus" Choir: The CRASH "plus" Choir provides music for the 5pm liturgy on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month and occasionally for other liturgies during the year.  The choir is open to all teens of the parish, as well as anyone else who enjoys singing with our youth (hence the "plus"!).  Rehearsals are held in the church at 4pm, prior to the 5pm Mass on the scheduled Saturday, from mid-September through mid-June.  Other rehearsals are scheduled during the year as needed, usually after the CRASH meeting on Monday nights about 9pm.  Come join us in singing with our parish community to help make our Liturgy more meaningful for all.
Coordinator:                           Mike Tusay                609-737-8060    mptbax@bellatlantic.net
Lucille Davy               609-818-1004 

Ushers: Men, women and teens whose responsibilities include:  welcoming the assembly at Masses, assisting in the seating of the assembly, especially for those parishioners with special needs; taking up the collection; organizing the communion procession; distributing the bulletin at the end of Mass; and other duties deemed necessary by the celebrant, liturgy team, or any parish group who needs the assistance of this group.  We also need special event ushers, especially for Christmas, Confirmation, and First Communion.
Coordinator:   Dennis Keck                         267-568-2896

Junior Ushers:  Help our Senior Ushers by handing out programs approx. 15-20 minutes before Mass (on occasion and scheduled ahead), and by tidying up the church for 5-10 minutes after Mass (anytime you're there) by collection handouts, putting away hymnals, etc.  Junior ushers are young people at least five years of age.
Coordinators: Nancy Podeszwa        882-669

email to stjames1@bellatlantic.net