Liturgical Ministries

OVERVIEW This is an individual opportunity to serve the Lord.  This is time spent adoring Jesus in the Monstrance once a week.  Exposition is every Thursday in the Church from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. St. James Church is open daily for us to come and spend time with Him). Sign up for an hour on Thursdays, and come any time the rest of the week. Contact:  Christie Eichler    816-809-0821    What Is Eucharistic Adoration? Eucharistic Adoration is simply prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament (the Consecrated Hosts in the tabernacle on the left side of the altar at St. James). Eucharistic Adoration is an extension of our experience at mass, cultivating a deeper and truly personal relationship with Jesus. This type of adoration can take place anytime in our church. However, every Thursday at St. James, we have a special form of Adoration called Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. What Is Exposition Of The Blessed Sacrament? Specifically it involves taking a Consecrated Host (Jesus) out of the tabernacle at St. James and placing it in a monstrance that enables the Host to be seen. The monstrance is then set in front of the tabernacle. This currently takes place every Thursday beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending with a closing prayer service at 9 p.m. During this time, parishioners commit to a specific amount of time (usually an hour) to be with Jesus when He is exposed. What Is A Monstrance? A monstrance is a sacred vessel which has a glass opening through which a Sacred Host can be seen and protected. The glass enclosure at St. James is surrounded by gold decorative rays enhancing the meaning of the spiritual graces conferred by the Holy Eucharist on those who believe, adore and participate. This glass enclosure is held by a stem resting on a base similar to the base of a chalice. Every Thursday at St. James, the monstrance is set out at 8:30 a.m. and then put away after the prayer service at 9:00 p.m. Why Commit To The Thursday Adoration (Exposition) vs. Just Stopping In Any Time? To see Jesus visibly present under the appearance of the small white host is much more conducive to intimacy than hidden away in the tabernacle. Moreover, it adds an extra responsibility to the adorers to be sure to be faithful to the hours for which they are scheduled on Thursday. This is due to the fact that it is the suggested norm that there should be at least two adorers present when Jesus is exposed in the monstrance because He must never be left alone. It is a way to ‘keep vigil’ with Christ in the Eucharist and it focuses our attention and gives assurance to our faith that He is with us. Of course we still encourage Adoration at other times. How Do I Spend An Hour Before Jesus During Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament? This hour that Jesus wants you to spend with Him is spent any way you want. You may bring your own prayer books, use the materials in the bookcase by the tabernacle, read the Bible, pray the rosary, journal, or just sit, relax and enjoy the peace that comes from simply being in the Presence of God. You may feel that you cannot pray well. Don’t let this discourage you. The mere fact that you take time out to spend an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is in itself a prayer of great faith. One note about the Rosary. When you pray the Rosary in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, you love Jesus WITH THE HEART OF MARY. Therefore, united to the Heart of Mary through the rosary you make a perfect holy hour because you pray to Jesus with the perfect love of Mary! Is Exposition Limited Only to Thursday from 8:30am TO 9pm? At St. James, we currently have about 25 people committed to hours on Thursdays (roughly 2 people/hour). We need to ensure that at least two people are committed to each hour that we include in the Exposition time. If we can get the commitment, we hope to have weekly Exposition every Thursday. In other words, Prayer day would always include Exposition of Jesus in the monstrance. The ultimate goal is then Perpetual Adoration. What Is Perpetual Adoration? Perpetual Adoration is a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a parish unite in taking hours of adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed), both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. In other words, if we had Perpetual Adoration at St. James, someone would be praying in front of Jesus in the monstrance at all times. In St. Louis, 207 parishes have either Perpetual Adoration or a regular schedule of Eucharistic Adoration. One parish with Perpetual Adoration in New Mexico has seen a 60 percent jump in weekly collections. Why Participate In Eucharistic Adoration? Many who participate in Eucharistic Adoration often arrive at church weary and burdened by a hectic day, but end up leaving refreshed and filled with the peace that only comes from Our Lord. For mothers it can become the favorite hour of the month. They love the peace and quiet. St. John Vianney saw with his very own eyes Jesus cup the face of each person who visited Him in the Blessed Sacrament and give each one a tender kiss of gratitude. A recent survey indicated that only a third of American Catholics said they believe in the Real Presence. Yet, there have been many proofs of the transubstantiation given to us by God. This is truly Jesus and we need to turn back to Him. An hour of Adoration (Holy Hour) is an expression of faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Pope John Paul II writes: ”The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic adoration.” The pope has also said ”the best, the most effective, and the surest way of bringing lasting peace on earth is through the great power of Eucharistic adoration.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will save the world. She wrote, “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth.” And “If people spent one hour per week in Eucharistic Adoration, abortion would be ended.” While the Polish nun, Blessed Faustina Kowalska, was praying before the Blessed Sacrament, our Lord revealed Himself to her. There were pink and white rays of Divine Light emanating from His Sacred Heart, radiating through the entire chapel. Whenever someone came into the chapel for a visit, these Divine Rays would go forth from Jesus and encircle the whole world. Jesus explained that each person coming before Him in the Blessed Sacrament represents all humanity and that every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth experiences a new effect of His love and mercy for every Holy Hour made. This is done by just one person.

Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are Eucharistic Ministers who serve in 2 ways

• Mass – Eucharist ministers are required to attend a training prior to acting as a minister for the parish community. These training sessions are 3 to 4 hours long and scheduled every four to five months. To Serve, Contact -  Nancy Streeter   816-781-1277    
• Shut-in and Sick – Volunteers in this ministry take Holy Communion to those who can’t go to Mass on a weekly basis. To request a visit by a priest or volunteer, contact the parish office at 816-781-4343. To Serve,  Contact - Jeanne Verssue  816-294-0236

Mission Statement Eucharistic Ministers prayerfully serve the people of St. James by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Eucharistic celebrations and for those who are unable to attend Mass. About Eucharistic Minister Ministry The moment of communion is one that should be seized by both the minister and the communicant. This moment is unique because it is both personal and much bigger than the two people.  Those called to this ministry have, or soon acquire the grace in movement and reverence in touch. Reverence in touch is especially important for Eucharistic Ministers since their whole work involves taking in hand the vessels of the Body of Christ and of the Blood of Christ in order to share them with everyone. Volunteer Ministry Assist the presider in distributing Eucharist at Mass. The minister looks each person in the eye and says, without rushing, “The Body of Christ,” “The Blood of Christ.” Each person has time to respond, “Amen.” The minister, again without hurrying, then places the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue and gives over the Blood of Christ.

• Be willing to serve with a flexibility to meet the needs of the Parish
• Be willing to find your own replacement if you are unable to serve when scheduled.
• Offer to minister on Holy Days and as needed.
• Be willing to serve at the weekend Masses.
• Be a fully initiated Catholic, having celebrated the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist.

To be a Eucharistic Minister is to know deeply that we are the Body and Blood of Christ. To be with the praying community is to learn how to be in this world with reverence, with a love of God that is evidenced in how we speak to others, how we move in the holiness of matter and of time.

These are families or groups of people who came from the assembly to bring forth the gifts of bread, wine, and money to the altar during the liturgy.Contact Mary George -  816-781-0387 

Hospitality ministers welcome both old and new parishioners at the church doors before Mass.

 

The Sacristans assist with preparations for each Sunday liturgy at St. James. Sacristans take care of the numerous details that need attention before Mass and help everything to run smoothly during Mass.Contact - Nancy Streeter  816-781-1277  

The ushers’ ministry is one of welcoming and hospitality. At each Mass, ushers assist by seating people, helping with the offertory collection and directing communicants at the communion.

Contact – Mike Flanigan 816-781-4343 x207