HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
The Christian Service Commission promotes programs which strive to address human needs within the parish community and in the broader community. Your time and talent is greatly needed and appreciated.
WOULD YOU? COULD YOU?
If you desire to meet fellow parishioners…become involved!!!
There are a variety of ministries that you can choose from...
Christian Service offers Parish Nurse Ministry, Senior’s Fellowship, Life Issues, Men’s Club, Women for Christ, Needle Works, Prayer and Playtime, Funeral Luncheon Team Ministry…to name just a few opportunities. There are MANY other groups within the parish family that you can become involved in. Call the parish office for a listing.
LIFE ISSUES TEAM
Working within the parish to foster awareness of all issues related to the dignity of the human person, members of this organization provide educational information and host various activities in support of life in order to strengthen and encourage a strong Catholic response to the sacredness of life from conception to natural death. The Life Issues Team meets once per month.
This ministry supports life issues from womb to tomb. They provide educational support, and opportunities to promote life issues from a variety of venues. One of the 10 major themes of Catholic Social Teaching is: “Respect for the Dignity and Life of the Human Person, from Conception to Natural Death”- The Roman Catholic Church teaches that: “ The foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching is an unwavering commitment to the dignity and worth of every human being, without exception. The Book of Genesis teaches that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Thus all human life, at every stage from conception through natural death, is sacred. The human person is the clearest reflection of God among us. We are therefore called to revere and cherish the life of every person.” Please contact Mary L at St. James for more information about the Life Issues Team.
MINISTERS OF COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND
Trained volunteers from the parish community visit and bring Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to participate in the Sunday Liturgy. The visits are arranged in advance with the homebound parishioner or nursing home. Instruction is provided.
SOS (Southeast Oakland Shelter)
For one week each year, St. James Parish is host to the homeless providing them with shelter, food, transportation and care. There are many areas in which volunteers can assist including greeting our guests, acting as an overnight host, providing morning or evening transportation, preparation of breakfast, lunch or dinner. Call Mary Lewis for more information at 248-544-1567.
PARISH NURSE PROGRAM
Health professionals from all fields of medicine volunteer their time to promote preventative health care and education. They act as resource persons and provide health information. Services that you might choose to become involved with include blood drives, blood pressure checks and the organization and completion thereof.
The Parish Nurse Team meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7PM. ANYONE in the healthcare profession is welcome to attend. The group is dedicated to serving the needs of parishioners in a variety of ways. Please consider attending a meeting to find out more about the Parish Nurse Team.
GIVING TREE / MITTEN TREE
Participate to provide gifts for parishioners in need or to charitable organizations. Organizers assist to set up the giving tree, create tags and deliver donated gifts. Likewise, by way of the mitten tree, gloves and winter hats are collected for refugees coming into the Detroit area. Call the parish office for more information about how you can help at 248-542-8835.
THANKSGIVING DINNER
Assist in the collections of donations or help to set up and prepare a Thanksgiving Day meal for those who are alone or less fortunate.
NEEDLEWORKS
Bring your coffee mug, knitting material, ideas, hopes and goals two Saturdays per month at the St. Mary Parish Office Building from 9 – 11AM. Open to men and women alike, knitters and those who crochet, this fun ministry makes hats, scarves, blankets, chemo caps and other items for charitable purposes. Donations of yarn are welcome too!
FUNERAL LUNCHEON MINISTRY
There are a variety of ways in which you can help!
You might wish to serve in this ministry in the following ways:
Set-up (table settings and decorations)
Caller (make calls to people from an established list to seek food donations for the luncheon)
Food Donations (Volunteer to be on a "call list" for a particular food group needed for the funeral luncheon)
Servers/Greeters (serve as a "host or hostess" to welcome the bereaved family members and their guests, serve food, and take care guests at the luncheon)
Clean-up (after the luncheon, pack up leftover food for the bereaved family, wash dishes, put away supplies)