Lenten Resources

Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking off every yoke?
Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry,
bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own flesh?
(Isaiah 58:6-7)

What will Lent 2017 look like for you? How will you celebrate Lent within your family? We have put together some resources for everyone in the parish to enjoy. Please feel free to download the calendar path for all the opportunities we have here at St. James as well as explore some of the staff’s favorite links. We will be adding more all through Lent so check back often.


Lent at St. James 

What Does Fasting and Abstinence Mean? To find out click here.

 Click on an image for more information.

Lenten BOOK 2016
Preparing for Lent Booklet Lent FAQs, ideas for prayer, sacrifice, & almsgiving.

40 days of Lent

 

Daily ideas for families during Lent

 

40 for 40
Blank 40 for 40 and ideas to fill in on your own.

 

 

 


Links for Making the Most of Lent

Some favorite links and videos from St. James Parish Staff.

Videos

Links

Apps

 

Lent / Easter

LENTEN RESOURCES

Lenten 4 copy
For parish Lenten schedles, event calendars, activities to use at home, and many other resources for the journey through Lent  click here

 

 

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS SCHEDULE
 Stations for calendar

Lectors

Liturgy of the Word – Lectors

Our ministry provides Lectors for Liturgy of the Word for all Masses.

We do not meet on a regular basis but we do hold meetings as needed for instruction, refresher clinics, and orientation throughout the year.

We have been blessed with our ministry and currently have lectors scheduled for all Masses. If you are interested in becoming a Lector, all new Lectors are welcome to be called upon on a substitute basis.

We currently have about 60 Lectors within our ministry, of which 50 of those Lectors are active each month.

Good vocal skills and a good sense of presence are excellent qualities for Lectors to proclaim the Word. If you feel comfortable in a public setting you may be an excellent candidate to become a Lector. All parishioners are welcome to join us. The best time to sign up as a Lector would be during “Time and Talent” drives.

For more information you can contact us at the following information:
Dick or Mary Loy Brown
Phone: 816-781-1766
E-mail:

LECTOR PROCEDURES
Guidelines for Lectors – Find Out More

LECTOR SCHEDULE
Monthly Schedule – Find Out More

Youth Events

YMHome FS Confirmation

Service

Service

Here are some service ideas you can do on your own or with a group
• Make “I Care” kits with combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. for homeless people
• Help with repairs at a local homeless shelter
• Make a care package with mittens, socks, t-shirts, long underwear, etc. for a child at a homeless shelter
• Collect grocery coupons to give a local food bank
• Organize a neighborhood group to plant, tend and harvest a vegetable garden
• Donate food to Harvesters, Hillcrest, or Love INC.
• Adopt a “grandparent” at a local nursing home
• Visit a nursing home
• Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean gutters, or wash windows for a senior citizens
• Pick up medicine for an elderly person
• Go for a walk with a senior citizen in your community
• Hold an afternoon dance for your local nursing home
• Teach them your dances and ask them to teach you theirs
• Deliver meals to homebound individuals
• Offer to pick up groceries with/for a senior citizen
• Help senior citizens in your neighborhood obtain and install locks or smoke alarms
• Teach a senior friend how to use a computer or the Internet
• Get a group together to sing or present a play at a nursing home
• Help neighbors paint and repair their homes
• Clean up a vacant lot
• Organize a campaign to raise money to purchase and install new playground equipment in an area park
• Campaign for additional lighting along poorly lighted streets
• Paint a mural or clean up in a local park
• Plant flowers in public areas that could use some color
• St. Mary’s Food Kitchen
• In As Much Ministries
• Meals On Wheels
• Liberty Hospital Volunteer
• Hillcrest Ministries
• Local Schools – tutoring, misc.
• Blood Bank-babysitting
• Love INC
• Prison Ministry-do a Bible drive
• Visiting Elderly
• Give manicures/painting fingernails for elderly women, visiting, etc

First Communion & First Reconciliation

First Communion  & First Reconciliation

In our diocese, in order to receive the sacraments of first reconciliation or communion a child must meet the following criteria:
*Must be at least 7 years old
*Must be in at least the 2nd grade
*Must have had a least one year prior religious instruction and formation, whether in a Catholic school or a parish school of religion or in a qualified program of home study.

The child’s preparation for reception of this sacrament is done in the home. Parents participate in one preparation meeting.  The children celebrate the sacrament with their families during the Easter season. Please check the bulletin for times and dates.

Religious Education – Read More to find out St. James’ Religious Education Program.

Contact our Director of Religious Education with any questions,  Lori Tajchman
816-781-4343 x208
 

Parish Leaders

St. James Catholic Church is guided by a collegial partnership of laity, pastor, and ministerial staff.

The leadership at St. James is made up of the Pastors, the Pastoral Council, the pastoral staff, and four branches of ministry commission: Liturgy, Education, Groups and Social Care Ministries.

Each commission meets regularly to coordinate the ministries within its area, support the work of the committees with the commission, make decisions appropriate to its function in the parish, and engage in consultation about pastoral matters with the Pastoral Council.

Our Parish Staff

Our Pastoral Council

4 Branches of Ministry Commission

Children Ministries

We have numerous Children’s Ministries.  Here is an overview of each of them.  Follow the Links to Find Out More.

PB&J (Prayer, Bible Study, & Jammin’) – This is parent-child class of Catholic faith formation taught through music and movement. Find Out More.

Children’s Choir – Children’s Choir is open to children in Kindergarten through 5th grades. Find Out More.

Religious Education – In our diocese, in order to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, a child must meet the following criteria:  Find Out More.

Children’s Ministries Events & News – Find out the newest events and news for each of the Children’s Ministries Groups.  We try to keep everyone updated each month as to what is happening!  Find Out More.

Children’s Choir

Never Too Young to Go Make a Difference

Children’s Choir is a Musical Service and Spiritual Opportunity
for Children Kindergarten through Middle School

ST. JAMES CHILDREN’S CHOIR

 *Due to the pandemic and out of concern for your child’s health, the children’s choir is not currently meeting.

  • Serves: By singing on the First and Third Saturdays of each month at the 5:00 PM Liturgies.  Middle School students support the voices in the choir and may be Cantors or Cantors-In-Training.
  • Prepares: By practicing from 10 to 11:15 am on most Saturdays
  • Includes: By inviting all children Kindergarten through 8th Grade, with no registration fee and no audition
  • Sings: By learning Mass-appropriate music to lead our services, and age-appropriate music of prayer and praise
  • We have FUN!!!

Our Children’s Choir sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Swope Park
Rangers Soccer Game on September 17, 2017

Contact Danny Baker – Director of Music & Liturgy – Danny Baker   781-4343  x207 

Visit Sick and Shut-ins

The volunteers take Holy Communion to those who can’t go to Mass on a weekly basis.

Contact – Mike and Carol Winkelbauer    816-415-8328