Adoration Ministry 
Contact Lead: Stephanie Foran 519-282- 0035 | [email protected] 
 
 What is Adoration Ministry?  Many Catholics have not experienced the intimacy of a very real relationship with Jesus and the deep joy and great peace He grants to those who set out to “Seek His Face” and know Him as a living person in their lives. This is the opportunity offered by the Lord Himself in Adoration at St. James Church from Monday to Saturday every week.
 
 Adoration is simply spending time in the Presence of the One we know loves us. Being REAL with Him … in words or silence… He never fails to reward those who seek Him.
 All are invited, and most find that signing up for a particular time helps to keep us faithful to our commitment.
 
 What more wonderful way to witness to our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament than by faithful attendance at a weekly hour of Adoration? A prayerful, silent, yet quite a clear profession of faith.
 
 Never forget the words of Our Lord when He gave His Eucharistic discourse. “Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him, shall have eternal life. Him will I raise up on the last day” (John 6:40).

Altar Server Ministry
Who are we? The altar serving ministry at St. James is a special ministry in which a young person assists the priest and/or deacon at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. 

What we do Altar servers perform a few tasks throughout Mass or at other liturgical services, such as carrying the processional cross and candles. They also carry incense and the thurible when needed. They receive gifts during the offertory procession and assist the celebrant on the altar. A server rings the bells during the consecration, they also assist the celebrant in clearing the altar after communion.
Mostly, it is not the things they do but the example they set. Through their behaviour, reverence, attitude, and mannerisms, they show a greater love for God as a model for the congregation to follow.

Meetings and Attendance New servers will be invited to attend training sessions at which attendance is mandatory. Apart from the initial training, all servers will be called for quarterly meetings and other events organized for them by the parish. Altar servers are expected to meet in the church vestry at least 15 minutes before the Mass to which they are assigned. If a server is unable to attend a scheduled Mass, it is their duty to keep the parish informed.

Membership All children who have received their First Holy Communion are welcome to join the altar server’s ministry. 
To be an altar server is a commitment to God and your church. All servers must show the utmost dedication to this ministry.

Arts and Environment Committee

Who are we? The Arts and Environment Committee is responsible for the church's liturgical environment (décor). In their creativity, they collaborate with the pastor to enhance the worship space throughout the liturgical year.  

What we do The committee creates displays in the sanctuary and around the church to mark special feasts and liturgical seasons. The team hangs draperies in the appropriate colour for each liturgical season behind the altar. They create and display banners to mark Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. They look after the church's plants and beautiful flower arrangements and purchase these for Christmas, Easter, and as needed.

Meetings and membership Meetings are mostly informal to discuss tasks and organize work sessions for the main liturgical celebrations. Formal meetings are called when needed. Anyone interested in joining the committee or helping with the Christmas and/or Easter setup is welcome.

Bereavement Ministry 
Who are we? The bereavement ministry at St. James Parish acknowledges the death of a parishioner on behalf of the parish.
What we do Members in this ministry follow up with written information about the support offered and solace grief support to the bereaved.
They send a card to the surviving family member, acknowledging the first anniversary. 
They host and invite families to an annual memorial mass remembering their loved ones, usually in November.
Meetings They meet as required. Meetings are generally organized to plan the Memorial Mass.
Membership All interested in joining this ministry must take the bereavement training offered by the diocese pastoral care center.

St. James Boutique
Who are we? The St. James Boutique is located at the church's main entrance in the Narthex.
There are a variety of religious sacramental articles on display, i.e., rosaries, beautiful statues, wall decor, and other religious keepsakes.

What we do These items at the boutique are hand-picked gifts donated to the booth. The upkeep is done with care and attention to the quality and quantity of stock and its display.
Parishioners are welcome to choose items from the display shelves. All offerings can be placed in the wooden, white box near the display stands. During weekend Masses, the hospitality desk coordinators can assist with any monetary offerings that require their assistance.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Who are we? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a ministry for children starting at age 3. Inspired by the principles of Montessori education, it is based on the Bible and liturgy of the church. This is an opportunity for children to fall in love with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in a child-friendly space called an atrium. 

What we do In small groups facilitated by trained adult catechists, once a week, children experience guided activity to aid meditation on Scripture and the mysteries of the Christian faith. The St. James atrium is situated in the St. Kateri room right next to the parish hall.

Membership and levels offered All children wishing to participate must be registered in advance. 
We are currently offering Level 1 (3 – 6 years old) and Level 2 (6 – 9) years old from September to June. 

Catholic Women’s League

Who we are Our Mission statement:  The Catholic Women’s League of Canada calls its members to grow in faith, and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service.

It is our spirituality that sets us apart from any other women’s organization.  We pray daily for each other, for our church, for peace and for an end to poverty, violence, abortion and euthanasia.  Each year we bring resolutions to the National CWL convention which expresses our concerns and goals for a better world.  Members of our national executive meet with the respective ministers of the Federal Government and present these resolutions.
Want to know more about the League? Go to the National’s website at www.cwl.ca and check the information available.
We support Catholic education with an annual scholarship to a graduate female student from Holy Trinity Academy.  
Many of our members are involved in various areas of the church and community organizations, such as, Pastoral Care, St. Vincent de Paul, food bank, funeral lunches, and various liturgy ministries.
Meetings Our meetings are held at St. James Church on the 2^nd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the St. Rafael Room.  We do not meet during the months of June, July, August and December.


Children’s Choir
Who are we? The St. James Children’s choir is open to all children from the parish. The Children’s choir sings at the Children’s Masses on the second Sunday of every month (except in the summer).
What we do “The one who sings prays twice,” this beautiful quote attributed to St. Augustine, encourages children to pray in song, creating a lasting impression on their beautiful souls. It gives them the opportunity to serve their church and minister to others through music. They build an identity in Christ as they also develop their musical skills. Being part of the children’s choir allows children to foster and deepen friendships with other children and the community in a safe and fun environment and share their gifts and talents with others.

Children’s Liturgy 

What is Children’s Liturgy? Children’s Liturgy is the ‘Liturgy of the Word for Children.’ Here Children participate in the Sunday readings and the Gospel at a level they can understand and enjoy. This is enriched with interactive discussion, prayers, and songs. Our parish aims to make the children’s experience of church meaningful while helping them grow in faith and develop as full and active members of the parish community.

Why Children’s Liturgy? The first half of the Mass is the Liturgy of the Word, where we listen to readings from Scripture, followed by a homily by the priest or deacon. However, we all recognize that both of these are generally aimed toward the majority of the congregation, which is essentially adults. This proves to be of little interest to a young child who may become bored and feel disconnected from the celebration of the Mass. Children’s Liturgy is part of the Mass and they are not removed from the celebration, but our hope is that catering to them specifically enhances their Liturgical experience.

When does it take place? Children’s Liturgy at St. James is held every Sunday during the school year at the 9:00 am, and 11:00 am Masses. Children will be asked to come forward after the opening prayer of the Mass, and then they process together with their Catechists to the room where the Liturgy takes place. They rejoin the general congregation at offertory.

Who can attend Children’s Liturgy? Children’s Liturgy is open to all children of primary school age. Younger siblings are welcome to be brought in if accompanied by a parent.

Who runs the Children’s Liturgy? Volunteers who are well formed in their faith and are passionate about passing it on to future generations run the children’s Liturgy. They use various resources, and each session is based on that Sunday’s readings.

We are always looking for people to help as either session leaders or helpers.

St. Michael’s Christian Fellowship

Who are we? We are a group of St. Michael’s parishioners interested in witnessing the gospel in the wider community.

What we do Our last project, an outdoor Way of the Cross, invited all Christians in our area to participate.
We send a representative to the High Country Ministerial Association, which includes all foothills pastors.
Before Covid, we led an interfaith prayer service at Oilfields Hospital and the High Country Lodge. We are currently thinking about hosting discussions at the Turner Valley library to highlight the Christian perspective on national issues.
Meetings We meet once a month in Turner Valley for discussion, planning, and breakfast.

Coffee Sunday
Coffee Sunday is a weekly gathering of parishioners and guests following the 9:00 am, and 11:00 am Masses in the parish hall for coffee, tea, juice, and baked goodies. Come, join us for food, fun and fellowship!

What we do The team meets most Sundays, (depending on availability/holidays) to set up, serve and clean up after. 

Membership We are currently looking to form various groups to be put on rotation.


Collection Counters
Who are we? Parishioners at St. James generously contribute their financial resources to the operations and mission of our parish family. Behind the scenes are detail-oriented people who carefully count and organize the weekly collections for the parish.
What we do The Collection Counter team comprises two groups of men and women who meet and diligently account for all our collections. Each member of the team brings with them their gifts of financial literacy, experience, and service.

Apart from weekend Mass collections, the collection counters count all other income generated through the sale of sacramentals and special events. They verify all envelopes and make deposits to the bank.
Meetings Each Monday between 10:00 am, and 12:00 pm, a group of dedicated volunteers gather to count and deposit the offerings collected at all weekend Masses.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Who are we? The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) assists the priest in distributing Holy Communion to the faithful.

What we do Extraordinary Ministers should demonstrate by their reverence for the Holy Eucharist that they truly believe that the consecrated Host is the Body and Blood of Jesus. One should not accept this ministry out of obligation unless they are willing to carry it out with deep faith and a sense of God’s presence. 
The ministry entails reverential silence, grace-filled movement, and care for the Sacred Species. 
EMHCs bless non-communicants wishing to receive a blessing when approaching the consecrated Host. 

Membership Any confirmed Catholic adult of good moral standing (this includes a valid sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church) wishing to serve as an EMHC is welcome to sign up for this ministry. If you are unsure if you qualify or have further questions, kindly consult the Pastor. All Extraordinary Ministers should not be conscious of any grave sin and should have fasted for one hour before Mass. All are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.

Training Training will be provided, and attendance at this is mandatory to serve as an EMCC.

Finance Council
Who are we? The Finance Council at St. James comprises a group of parishioners who come together to review the financial information of the parish and, in conjunction with the Pastor, determine the parish's financial direction. 

What we do The finance council reviews the annual budget and monthly financial information of the parish. They set up meetings to discuss the operations and capital costs of the parish and provide updates on the parish's financial situation.
A member of the council signs cheques, reviews financial statements, and approves the annual budget. If changes in operations or excess expenses are required, the council is consulted to determine its financial viability.

Meetings The finance council at St. James Parish meets once each quarter and calls for special meetings when required.


Funeral Lunch Ministry
Who are we? The Catholic Women’s League (CWL) at St. James organize the funeral lunch ministry for families, following the funeral service of their loved one.

What we do The team can provide a funeral lunch service when requested. CWL members and parish volunteers help to set up the hall, prepare the lunch, serve guests and clean up after the service. They offer coffee, tea, punch, sandwich trays, fruit and vegetable trays, and trays of dainties.

Volunteer Opportunities/ Roles Volunteers can assist with shopping for supplies, making phone calls for volunteers, or participating in funeral preparations.
There are three shifts that volunteers can choose from to serve:

Evening Prep - set up beverage tables, prepare trays of dainties, and make sandwich fillings.

Day of funeral prep - make sandwiches and prepare fruit and vegetable trays.

Serve and clean up - replenish food trays, collect dishes, final clean-up of dishes and the kitchen.

High Country Ministerial Association 
Who are we? The High Country Ministerial Association is an interdenominational association of Pastors of the various Christian churches. 
The representative of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Black Diamond is a member of the High Country Ministerial Association and part of the interdenominational ministry fostering Christian fellowship to everyone in the High Country region of Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Millarville, and Longview.

What we do The association fosters fellowship, support, and a unique bonding of fellow Christian spiritual community leaders. Through this, a brotherhood of pastors is created to help each other through their individual challenges of bringing Christ to the world. 
The Chair of the Association invites its members to meet on a monthly basis to discuss concerns brought forward by each minister of the respective Christian denomination seeking advice and sharing good practices to resolve issues. 
Through this process, we share the current events and church prayer practices within the communities and dialogue over common Christian issues prevalent to those we serve. 

Knights of Columbus
Who are we? The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with millions of members. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people. 

What we do Since 1882, the organization has embodied the selflessness of man as it has helped overcome the problems of the world. Poverty. Ignorance. Apathy. Things which imperil not only a single individual, but the whole of humanity.
We are men of faith, comprising over 2.2 million Knights of Columbus Councils at home and overseas. Guild not only by our belief in God and the Catholic Church, but by our belief in each other, and in ourselves.

Meetings:
St. James Parish, Okotoks
Meet on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. In-person and virtually. 
No meetings July and August.

St. Michael’s Church, Black Diamond
Meet every 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the parish hall.
No meetings July and August.

How to join Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. Application blanks are available from any member of the Knights of Columbus.


Lector Ministry

Who are we? A lector makes God present in the community by His Word and welcomes the congregation into God’s presence. They lead the community to pray and inform them about important information in the parish.

What we do The lector is well prepared and proclaims the two readings of the Liturgy of the Word and occasionally the responsorial psalm in the absence of a choir singing it. They also read the commentary, prayers of the faithful, and announcements for the parish. The lector is part of the entrance and recessional procession and will join the priest, altar servers, and other ministers at the start and end of Mass. The lector carries the Book of the Gospels in the absence of a deacon.

Membership Any confirmed Catholic adult of good moral standing (this includes a valid sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church) wishing to serve as a lector is welcome to sign up for this ministry. For any clarification, please speak with the pastor. 

New members will receive training, be assigned Masses, and placed on rotation in the liturgy schedule.

Listening Prayer Ministry
Who are we? The listening prayer ministry at St. James parish is a service where all parishioners are welcome to request accompaniment in prayer by a team who will joyfully receive them. It is a safe place where one can share personal issues, thanksgiving, and consolations. This ministry hopes to allow the individual to listen to the voice of God at work in their lives. 

What we do The listening prayer ministry strives to listen attentively to a person and accompany them by providing prayer support for issues they may be dealing with. 

Membership Deacon Armand Lafond and his wife Madeleine Lafond currently head the listening and prayer ministry. Anyone wishing to join must undergo training to join the team.

Prayer times: Sessions can be scheduled by appointment only. Individual prayer sessions of 15 to 30 minutes can be scheduled by contacting the parish office. 

Liturgical Schedule Coordinator
Who are we? The liturgical schedule coordinator at St. Michael’s church oversees the serving schedule for Masses each week, ensuring adequate volunteers are in place for the different ministries and a smooth flowing of events at Mass.

What we do: The coordinator prepares the schedule for lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and altar servers for all weekend Masses.

Meetings: There are no scheduled meetings at present; ministers will be notified if this changes.


Liturgy Committee
Who are we? The Liturgy Committee is a standing committee of the parish dedicated to the promotion of active participation in worship. Its purpose is to assist the pastor in preparing and providing for the spiritual development of the members of the parish through liturgical celebrations and significant prayer experiences. The committee is active and helpful in recruiting and training liturgical ministers, preparing parish liturgies and prayers, setting parish policy, and educating the parish on issues of the liturgy. Therefore, the Liturgy Committee assists the pastor and pastoral staff in forming and maintaining a vision of liturgy, which is truly the center of the life of the parish. 

Who are the members? The Pastor, the Music Director (chairperson), Secretary (note-taker), coordinators of all the various ministry groups, and other appointed members. 

Meetings The Liturgy Committee typically meets four times per year: September, November (before Advent), February (before Lent/Easter), and June.
Mass Coordinator

Who are we? The mass coordinator greets you upon your arrival at St. James Parish. They are usually found at the hospitality desk in the Narthex.

What we do The mass coordinator confirms that all liturgical ministry and other serving positions are filled at weekend Masses. They ensure that an adequate number of altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers are present at any given Mass and invite substitutes as needed. They welcome scheduled ministers as they arrive, ensuring they are signed in, and invite all ministers to meet in the vestry before Mass begins.

Christian Meditation Ministry

Who are we: The Christian Meditation Ministry follows the Meditation tradition founded upon by Benedictine Monk Fr. John Main ( OSB) 1926-1982, which since 1991 has been named The World Community of Christian Meditation ( WCCM) www.wccm.org 
www.wccm-canada.ca 
The practice is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. It shares the fruits of this practice widely and inclusively, serving the unity of all and building understanding between faiths and cultures. This daily personal discipline, a practice of silence, stillness, and simplicity available to each of us, is not a substitute for all the other forms of prayer but is the center FOR them. Like the hub of a wheel centers the spokes and makes possible the wheel’s motion and stability, such is the practice of meditation. 
We also call this practice « the prayer of the Heart,» where we create SPACE in our day to LISTEN to what Jesus wants of us. 
“SPEAK LORD; your servant is LISTENING” 1 Samuel 3: 7-11

What we do: Our sessions are 60 mins each week. We start with an opening prayer, followed by a 5-10 min talk on the practice and other valuable fruits of the practice by our contemplative leaders such as Fr. John Main or the current Director of WCCM, Fr. Laurence Freeman, etc., after which, the group leader will walk you through the steps of how to get our body, mind, and spirit to enter into 20 minutes of complete silence, after which we end with a closing prayer and have the next 20 mins to discuss/ dialogue with each other about the topic chosen for the session, and then we close with fellowship with each other. 

Membership and meetings These sessions are FREE, but donations/ free-will offerings towards WCCM are most welcome. Membership is open to all ages for the in-person, which are on Thursday mornings at 7:45 am and Thursday evenings at 7:45 pm at St. James Church in the St. André Bessette room. 

NEW THIS FALL We have a special 7-week Young Adult ( 18- 35yrs) online session called “Coffee Hours”  starting September 13th to October 25th at 6:30 pm. See our church bulletin for details. 
Registration is required for both in-person as well as the Young Adult session. 


Ministry Coordinators Committee 
What is the Ministry Coordinators Committee (MCC)? The Ministry Coordinators Committee or MCC is responsible for coordinating and supporting the activities of the parish ministries that operate in or for the benefit of the parish. It comprises all the parish ministries in its membership. The MCC acts as an advisory body to the Pastor to assist him with specific tasks in establishing goals for the parish and supports him in his role as shepherd. The pastor, as the representative of the bishop, has ultimate decision-making powers in all parish matters.
What we do The MCC's purpose is to enhance the coordination of activities, projects, and operations of all parish ministries. This includes avoiding scheduling conflicts, enhancing the results and impact of each parish ministry's activities, projects, or operations, and sharing information among all parish ministries.
Members volunteer support and resources from existing ministries for other parish activities, projects, and operations. They work for a spiritual renewal of all parish community members by a concern for and attention to the quality of the liturgical services and education programs offered. They discern the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish community and organize and plan the structures required to fulfill these needs.    
Who are the members? The MCC consists of the following members:
The pastor, the chairperson of the liturgy committee, a member of the finance council, a member of the parish pastoral council and leaders of other ministries and organizations. 
The pastor is the president of the MCC and the senior executive officer of the parish. The existing MCC members elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson at each September meeting.
Music Ministry
Who are we? The music ministry at St. James and St. Michael’s parish aims to serve the congregation in worshipping God during the celebration of Mass, with the gifts He has endowed us in abundance. We believe that our liturgical and other services are elevated with music. To that end, we commit our time, resources, and energy to make the best music we can with our talented volunteers. 

What we do The music minister (cantor, choir member, instrumentalist, or accompanist) leads and supports the music of the liturgy – the sung liturgical texts as well as the hymns, songs, and other musical pieces that support and enhance the liturgy. Musicians help uplift the congregation to true worship of God through the liturgy of the Mass. The Ministers musically pray the liturgy and help the assembly enter more deeply into the liturgical prayer. 

Membership For those playing an instrument, proficiency is a must. The qualifications for membership in the group are a pleasant voice and a cooperative attitude. Singers must be able to stay in tune and be able to listen to and blend with those around them. In this way, we can all sing with one voice.

Meetings Choirs are only as strong as the commitment of its members. Attendance at all rehearsals and all scheduled Masses is mandatory. Each choir rehearses at different times. 

Pastoral Care Ministry
Who are we? The St. James Pastoral Care Team brings Holy Communion to shut-ins, those who are ill, and those unable to attend Mass. 

Communion to the sick is a ministry of spiritual formation as well as one of healing and nurture.

What we do The length of each visit is conducive to the state of health and well-being of the person being visited.

Communion Services are conducted in the parishioners’ homes as requested, at the local Seniors’ Residences weekly or bi-monthly, and at the Hospice as requested. Each service follows the format mandated by the bishop’s office.

Meetings:  Meetings are held as needed; this is mainly due to COVID restrictions which will hopefully be quarterly going forward. Pastoral Care Ministry Team members must be commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and have completed the Diocesan Pastoral Care Training Program.
 
Pastoral Care Ministry
Who are we? The Pastoral Care Ministry at St. Michael’s parish in Black Diamond visits patients at the Oilfields Hospital, residents of the Long Term Care ‘The Rising Sun’, and those who are housebound for a short or prolonged period. 

What we do Members bring them Holy Communion to those unable to get to church if they so desire, and extend this to those who are uncomfortable attending Mass in person.
Members make regular phone visits to parishioners unable to entertain visitors under the current pandemic circumstances.
Meetings The group meets every three months to renew their spirituality and dedication through prayer and to keep members up to date on any changes or developments within the ministry.
Parish Property Administration Committee (PPAC)
Who are we? The Parish Property Administration Committee (PPAC) comprises of a group of experienced volunteers who help to look after the maintenance of ALL physical assets of both St. James and St. Michael’s churches. The ministry’s focus is on maintenance and does NOT include Operation or Custodial activities.

What we do? The current group comprises 10-12 members with diverse practical skills applicable to the maintenance activities around the church building that are expected to be encountered.
The group maintains a master list of issues, jobs, and outstanding items called the “Risk Register.” Each of these issues/jobs is risk-ranked to prioritize the issue/job and allow reasonable decision-making for urgency, to manage the said issue relative to others.
Before any spending, the PPAC scopes each job, gets appropriate quotes for material and any contract labour required, and seeks approval for estimated spending from the finance council. The PPAC executes “High Priority” maintenance jobs with the help of volunteers to do the work when feasible, and the proper skills are readily available. In addition, the PPAC will identify additional issues and opportunities through regular inspections of the parish assets. These inspections are completed at least annually for each asset. 

Sound and Media Ministry
Who are we? The Sound and Media Ministry aims to produce the best possible atmosphere for worship through sound reinforcement and media presentation. Ultimately, to glorify God through providing excellent audio/visual services.

What we do Sound Duties and Responsibilities: In collaboration with the Pastor and the Director of Music, make the music, projected word, and spoken Word the best they can be for all weekend liturgies. The sound ministry oversees the soundboard and mixers for all microphones, speakers, and other audio functions and to ensure that sound (spoken and sung) is transmitted throughout the church so all parishioners can hear and understand all parts of the service.

Membership 
All members must be:

• High school age or older, 
• Comfortable operating electronic equipment, 
• Be able to anticipate the parts of the Mass to adjust respective microphones.

What we do Media The media ministry runs the PowerPoint slides for each Mass and other media presentations provided by the Pastor and provide a distraction-free service as it relates to media presentation.

Membership:
All members must be:

• Grade 6/7 (confirmed) or older 
• Comfortable operating electronic equipment and computers. 

TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED

Spiritual Committee
Who are we? The Spiritual committee at St. Michael’s church provides events/services that enhance the growth of parishioners’ spiritual life.
What we do? Yearly Activities:
February/March Lent: Stations of the Cross followed by Lenten soup and a bun
Assisting Father with Palm Sunday services
Easter Sunday and Christmas - the ringing of the bells
Divine Mercy Sunday - special service following Mass
May - Crowning of Our Blessed Mother service following Mass
October - Month of the Rosary - circulating the portable ‘Mary Altar’ from household to household for families to pray the Rosary together
November - Visit the cemetery to pray for the Holy Souls
November/December - Advent - light up the Creche, with the Knights of Columbus
Praying for and recognizing students who are receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
Movie Night - showing of a Christian movie once a month. 
Meetings The committee meets each month from September to June.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Who are we? St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide, not-for-profit Catholic organization dedicated to helping those in need. Our chapter assists individuals and families in our area who need a hand when overwhelmed.
We welcome anyone who would like to join this very worthwhile service ministry. Volunteers are always needed. Training and support are provided. 

What we do There are two volunteer opportunities: telephone or call out volunteers. SVDP also thanks everyone who financially contributes to our ministry of serving the poor in our community. Donations can be made through your monthly envelopes or at the church office.

Meetings:
St. James Parish: We meet in church on the third Monday of the month at 7:30 pm from Sept to June.
St. Michael’s Church: We meet on the third Thursday of the month.

Usher Ministry
Who are we? The Usher ministry at St. James parish aims to make parishioners feel welcome and enable a smooth flow of events during Mass. 

What we do Ushers greet parishioners as they enter the church, help with directions and wherever they find a need. They regularly perform a head count for diocesan records, collect weekly donations during Mass, and direct parishioners for Communion distribution. They wear an “Usher” name tag from which you will recognize them.

Membership and Training New members will receive an introductory training session. 

Sacramental Preparation

Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Rites of Christian Initiation

Who are we? The Parish Community is responsible for preparing and initiating new members into the Catholic Church. This is primarily accomplished by our prayer and authentic living of the Gospel: by loving God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and our neighbour as ourselves. By the example in word and deed of each parishioner, a new member learns what it means to live as a Catholic Christian. 

What we do Parishioners take on various roles to directly assist those who wish to receive sacraments. These include:

Baptism for children under the age of 7 through our Baptism Preparation sessions and assisting on the day of the baptism. These sessions prepare parents for the commitment they are making in having their child baptized. On the day of the baptism, we set up for the baptism, welcome the family to mass, and assist the priest after mass.
First Reconciliation and First Communion for children in grade 2 and up. The group sessions prepare the children to receive these sacraments for the first time. Assistance is required to lead the sessions, set up the space, and welcome families when they arrive.
Confirmation for students in grade 6 and up. The group sessions prepare the students to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Assistance is required to lead the sessions, set up the space, and welcome families as they arrive.
Rites of Christian Initiation. These sessions prepare adults (RCIA), teenagers (RCIT), and children (RCIC) to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Reconciliation, Communion, Confirmation) during the Easter Vigil. Assistance is required to lead the sessions and journey with our candidates and catechumens – sometimes as sponsors.
Marriage Preparation for couples preparing for marriage in the Church. Assistance is required to lead the weekend sessions. Sponsor couples are also needed as we pair each engaged couple with a married couple to complete the preparation and expand on their learnings from the weekend session.

Meetings Meeting days and times vary for the different Sacramental Preparation groups throughout the year. Please consult the parish website for the latest schedule.

Weekday Lector Ministry
Who are we? A lector makes God present in the community by His Word and welcomes the congregation into God’s presence. They lead the community to pray and inform them about important information in the parish.

What we do The Weekday lector normally goes up to the ambo to proclaim the reading of the day, and the Psalm. On special liturgical celebrations there may be two readings and the prayers of the faithful, the weekday lector also reads the communion antiphon from their pew. After the priest has cleaned the Sacramental vessels, the lector goes up to the lectern reading the prayer for vocations and any announcements. 

Membership Any confirmed Catholic adult of good moral standing (this includes a valid sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church) wishing to serve as a lector is welcome to sign up for this ministry. For any clarification, please speak with the Pastor. 

Sacristans
Who are we and what we do: We are the sacristans, and we look after the preparation of the altar and all the supplies needed for celebrating Mass. 
Meetings:  We meet about 3 times a year to prepare for the year, Christmas and Easter. 

Prayer Ministry
Who are we? The prayer ministry at St. James allows parishioners to request intercessory prayers.

What we do Prayer requests are received from parishioners and others by email, phone, or in written format. These prayer intentions are treated in a highly confidential manner; they are securely passed on through a prayer chain list via email.

Youth Ministry
Who are we? Challenge Girls and Conquest Boys are youth programs that form adolescents as Christian leaders to transform culture. 
What we do
These programs are held at St. James each week. This is done through a unique method: virtue-based curriculum, teen led, gender specific, team based, service driven, and through responding to the needs of the adolescent. 
Programs are for grades 3 to 8, with leadership opportunities for grades 9-12. We meet Wednesday nights starting late September/early October.
Coffee Sunday
Who are we? Coffee Sunday is a weekly gathering of parishioners and guests following the 9:00 am, and 11:00 am Masses in the parish hall for coffee, tea, juice, and baked goodies. Come, join us for food, fun and fellowship!

What we do The team meets most Sundays, (depending on availability/holidays) to set up, serve and clean up after. 

Membership We are currently looking to form various groups to be put on rotation.

Chauffeur Ministry
Who are we? The chauffeur ministry strives to facilitate ease of transport for those unable to drive to and from St. Michael’s Church in Black Diamond.

What we do Members pick up seniors at the High Country Lodge, or those located in the immediate area of Turner Valley and Black Diamond who require transportation to bring them to Mass and drive them back home.

Custodian
Who is the Custodian? The custodian at St. James parish regularly locks and unlocks the main doors of the parish, especially during Masses and other special events. 
The custodian additionally provides assistance around the parish as needed.