Parish Ministries
Simply click on a ministry name for more information.
Altar Servers
Where/When: At the Saturday 5:00 p.m. Mass and all Sunday Masses, except the 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass.
Contact: Parish Rectory at 941-4141
Altar servers actively participate and assist the priest in the celebration of the Mass. Girls and boys 5th grade and up are welcomed to join us. Training sessions are provided for all new servers after the application form is completed and returned to the rectory.
Blood Drive (K of C)
Where/When: March, June and November of each year in the Parish Center.
Contact: John Dahl at 474-1937 (Evenings) or 473-6000 Ext. 35 (Days) or jedahl44@aol.com
Mother Theresa Council Knights of Columbus volunteer time at each blood drive. The Knights contact potential donors for appointments and help at the drive as escorts for donors, canteen volunteers and receptionists.
During each drive we strive to help the maximum amount of patients in having our parishioners donate close to one hundreds pints per drive. Each donation helps up to five patients. It is truly an extraordinary and selfless act to donate; don't miss out on the next opportunity.
Catholic Campus Ministry
Where/When: Whenever Stony Brook University is in session in the SUNY Student Union, 2nd floor, in the Interfaith Center. Mass on Campus is on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. in the Student Union when undergraduate classes are in session.
Contact: St. Margaret Ann Landry at 632-6562
Campus Ministry provides an active Catholic presence on the University Campus. Participants organize liturgies, plan retreat days, and are involved in social action. One project each year is support for Oxfam, an international organization that works to provide hunger relief to areas where people are in danger of starvation. Participants also visit the Veterans Home, meet regularly for fellowship and discussion, and are available for service projects for the University.
Catholic Ministries Appeal
Where/When: Held in March in the Parish Center; call contact for date and time.
Contact: Thomas Belleau at 689-9371 or Catbelleau@aol.com
The Bishop's Annual Appeal receives pledges to meet the diocesan established goal. There are many beneficiaries in the Diocese who receive assistance from the appeal. These funds are allocated to such agencies as Catholic Charities, Catholic hospitals of the diocese, and Catholic education in the diocese.
Twenty percent of the parish quota is returned to the parish. This is predicated on the parish meeting its quota in completed pledges (paid in full) rather than on the pledged amount. If a parish exceeds its quota, 80% of the amount over the quota paid to the Diocese is returned to the Parish.
Cooperative Playgroup
Where/When: In the Church basement.
- 3-year-olds on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
- 4-year-olds on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
- Mommy and Me, Wednesday 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Contact: Michelle Cavallo at 473-6563
The Cooperative Playgroup at St. James is an independent cooperative preschool that emphasizes peer socialization and readiness for Kindergarten. It offers a caring environment governed by Christian ideals for children of all faiths. Each class is under the direction of a permanently state-certified teacher. Parents are required to serve as class assistants on assigned dates, which usually involves three to four times each semester. Our fees are reasonable and our program has been serving St. James Church since 1978.
CYO (Basketball)
Where/When: Girls' season, September through January, and Boys' season, October through March, in the Parish Center and at other Parishes.
Contact: Richard Gumersell at 689-5826 or rich@gumcash.com
The Catholic Youth Organization is youth program serving students in the 4th grade through high school. Athletes play competitive games against other Parish teams on Long Island. Players learn basketball skills, team concepts, self-esteem, and sportsmanship. It is a way to connect spirituality and sports.
Extraordinary Ministers
Where/When: They serve at every weekend mass, except the 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass.
Contact: Kathy Brown at 751-7179 or flightkjb@aol.com
Each minister must complete a formal training session in order to qualify as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharistic. Generally, ministers serve at the same Mass, from one to three times per month as needed.
Extraordinary ministers should be personal and person-centered; need to like people and have a welcoming attitude toward them; must be at ease with people and be able to care about them; should be able to look them in the eye with comfort and touch them without embarrassment. With these qualities the minister can bring people, even strangers, together and make them feel part of the assembly. A number of Extraordinary Ministers also serve the parish community by bringing the Eucharist to those confined at home due to illness or advanced age.
Facility Committee
Where/When: As needed.
Contact: Bridget McCormick at 941-4141
The Facility Committee meets periodically to discuss the use of all Parish facilities by parish ministries and requests for use by outside groups. The committee also determines the appropriateness of charges for the use of the facilities.
Fr. Reehil Cancer Related Group
Where/When: Every Monday in the Parish Center, Room 103, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Contact: John Sheppard at 689-9626 or Bertha Deruvo at 751-7010
This is an informal group of people who have been afflicted with cancer or know someone who has been affected by cancer. We also have members who suffer from depression and/or anxiety. Father Phil started this group and we have kept it going in his memory.
Knights of Columbus
Where/When: Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Center at 8:00 p.m. The meeting on the second Wednesday is a business meeting and open only to Knights. Our meeting on the fourth Wednesday is our social meeting and is open for any practicing Catholic men 18 or older to attend.
Contact: Sal Pantorno at 473-7979 or sjpantorno510@yahoo.com
Mission: As ambassadors of Christ we are committed to serve our God, our Pope, our Church, our Bishops, our Priests and our brothers and sisters with the love of Jesus Christ.
Vision: Is to unite all our ministries in the parish so together we all can better serve the Christian Community.
Philosophy: Only service with the love of Christ can we start to repay the debt we owe to our Savior and Our God.
St. James' Knights of Columbus (Mother Theresa Council) run programs that have provided Teddy Bears to children at Christmas, the Rachel Stone in our cemetery, the parish Blood Drive, as well as fundraisers to support the parish.
Liturgy Committee
Where/When: Second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in room 103 of the Parish Center.
Contact: Fr. Bob at 941-4141
The task of the members of the Liturgy Committee is to study the official documents of the Church regarding the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy and the Sacraments and to work with the pastor and other members of the staff to implement them in our parish. This might mean studying the various documents, particularly those of Vatican II regarding liturgy. It would include conferring with the pastor and the other priests on the staff as well as others to carefully plan the liturgy. It would involve great detail in planning and in coordinating with the ministers involved, e.g., presider, reader, Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharistic, ushers and music ministers.
Living with Loss Gathering
Where/When: Various Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. in the Parish Center; call contact for further information.
Contact: Jeanne Feingold at 650-3024 or Kathy Rogers at 941-0302
Living with Loss is a gathering for people of all ages who have experienced a loss of a loved one. We offer a supportive, warm and informative time for sharing and networking.
Ministry of Consolation
Where/When: Second Saturday of the month in the Parish Center at 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Carol Simco at 941-4141 (Moderator: Fr. Bob)
The Ministry of Consolation of St. James consists of people who are concerned with the families who have lost a loved one. Two ministers of Compassion will meet with the family with the Priest. They will offer their sympathy to the members of the family. They will help family members with the readings, music of the Mass, and at the funeral Mass with the funeral rites. They will also get the details of the life of the deceased, to be given to the priest. They will be present in the funeral parlor and in the church for the funeral Mass and offer all assistance to the family and the Priest.
This ministry is of great help to the families of deceased. Their appreciation is often expressed in words such as "My family and I want to thank you for getting us through a very hard time. It went so beautifully because of your help."
One minister expressed her feelings: "I have received from the families of the deceased much more than I have given. I have come to believe that death is a mystery we cannot fully understand, but through our faith we receive the grace to finally accept the painfully tragic loss of a love one."
Music Ministry
Where/When: In the church; call contact for day and time.
Contact: The Music Director, Jim Sheridan, at 941-4141 or see the music ministers after Mass.
Throughout the centuries the church has fostered the art of music in its liturgical prayer. This is no less true today, when the reform of the Roman liturgy and the recovery of the principle of full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations have signaled the need for creative efforts in musical composition involving assemblies, cantors, choirs, instrumentalists and organs to lead the musical prayer of the church.
At St. James Church the groups include the Choir, Cantors, Children's' Choir, Instrumentalists and Youth Choir. Most of the groups do not require that applicants read notation, although such knowledge would be helpful. All of the groups minister and rehearse in the church.
Nocturnal Adoration Society
Where/When: First Friday of each month from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the church.
Contact: Parish Rectory at 941-4141
An opportunity to be with the Lord in the Divine presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Through psalms, prayers, silent meditation, benediction and the Divine Praises. The feeling of grace pouring out during this hour is a spiritual highlight for all who are able to participate in this service. The society meets for communal prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month. Being a member of the Society gives you the opportunity to adore the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to pray for your parish community.
Our Daily Bread
Where/When: Every Sunday afternoon in the church basement.
Contact: Joyce Bonitch at 941-2731
Our Daily Bread is a Sunday dinner program serving those in need. Volunteers who work in teams on a monthly basis serve over one hundred children and adults. The areas of service covered by these volunteers are food planning, cooking, serving and cleanup, transportation, nursery, clothing and pantry. This group is hosted on parish property but the Board Members and many volunteers come from various organizations, Temples, and Churches of many denominations.
Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School
Where/When: 114-116 Myrtle Ave, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Contact: Dorothy Onysko, Principal at 473-1211 or Donysko@ourladyofwisdom.com
Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School began in 1938 as Infant Jesus Catholic School. Four parishes support the school: Infant Jesus, St. James, St. Gerard Majella, and St. Louis de Montfort. In 1992 the school regionalized and became known as Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School. It now serves approximately 300 students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School has a state of the art Science Lab where classes convene to conduct experiments: an Information center for information research and retrieval (the two facilities lend support and aid for the children meeting the Math, Science, and Technology Standards); a hot lunch program; computer - networked classrooms connected to the World Wide Web; and access to the Infant Jesus Parish Center which can be used as an auditorium/gym.
Parish Finance Committee
Where/When: Call for details.
Contact: Parish Rectory at 941-4141
The purpose of the Finance Committee is to serve the Pastor and members of the parish by advising and supporting the Pastor in parish financial matters. The committee is made up of the Pastor, the two parish trustees, the parish business manager, and several parishioners that have expertise in accounting and finance.
A typical meeting begins with a review of the financial performance for the latest month, presented by the parish business manager. The actual figures are compared to the budget, variances are reviewed and analyzed, and forecasts are modified accordingly. In addition to the typical meeting, we also meet to develop budgets; review extraordinary events and project their financial impact; and review particular areas of concern and suggest plans of action.
Parish Outreach
Where/When: Call contact for details.
Contact: Kathy Vaeth at 941-4141
In Hebrew, the words justice and compassion are interchangeable. New Testament readings clearly emphasize the compassion modeled by Jesus in his interactions with so many diverse people. In spite of the time or the circumstances all people received his compassionate awareness. If they were open to what he offered they received the gifts they needed. Compassion is essential for anyone in Outreach ministry. We too have diverse types knocking at our door. Compassion is not a nine to five ministry!
Our Outreach Office serves anyone who is in need of food and clothing. We also assist those who are within our parish boundaries seeking financial help, advocates, parish resources, and connections with other service organizations in the community. The Outreach Office works to empower those in need of a helping hand.
Pastoral Council
Where/When: Monthly; call contact.
Contact: Cris O'Keefe at 751-2819
The Pastoral Council, together "with the pastor and those who also share in the pastoral care of the parish, give help in fostering pastoral activity" (Canon 536). The Council is a consultative and advisory body. Its primary concerns are evaluating parish needs and forming long- and short-range parish goals in light of the parish mission and vision. Priorities are formed by gathering necessary information through dialogue with parish members.
Peace & Justice Committee
Where/When: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.
Contact: Bill Hughes at xfrito1@optonline.net
Serves all seniors with educational guest speakers from the healthcare, legal, and political communities, etc. Various entertainment functions are planned such as: golf (putting), horse racing, card games, Chinese auctions, bingo, etc. Luncheons for various holidays are also planned with music and dancing.
Prayer Group
Where/When: First and third Wednesdays of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center.
Contact: Kathy Jimenez at mrskj@optonline.net (Moderator: Fr. Bob)
St. James Prayer Group gives an opportunity for parishioners to come together to pray in their own way for themselves, for their families, the Parish and the Church. It is Scripture based and helps to prepare for the Liturgy of the following Sunday. All are welcome to join the Prayer.
Pre-Cana
Where/When: Runs three times a year, January, April, and September. Call for details.
Contact: Parish Rectory at 941-4141
The ministry of Pre-Cana serves the engaged couples within our Parish to prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. Through a relaxed, informal program engaged couples participate in various activities, interact and share with the other couples and privately reflect on what it means to live and experience a Christian marriage.
The Pre-Cana facilitators and a priest will present a series of discussions and exercises on various topics. The goal of these discussions and exercises is to empower and enrich the engaged couples to seriously think about the Sacrament they are about to enter and the commitment of love they will share for the rest of their lives.
Catholic couples interested in receiving information about becoming a Pre-Cana facilitator should contact the rectory.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Where/When: Call contact for details.
Contact: Cris O'Keefe at 751-2819
Before Vatican II, adults wishing to join our church usually were instructed privately to receive the sacraments and quietly slipped into the fold. This is no longer the case. In a desire to go back to early Christian practices, Rome has restored and mandated the ancient practices of initiation, which includes stages of prayer, and study and reflection, which are marked by liturgical celebrations and witnessed by the faith community. Basic to the success of the program is the prayer and support of the facilitators and mentors who accompany the inquirers on their faith journey. The faith journey is not merely a matter of learning about the faith, not merely instruction, but also a true conversion process. It involves the whole life of the candidate and the whole life of the Church.
Adults interested in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults are invited to a group process exploring Catholic dogma, tradition and scriptural reflection.
Readers
Where/When: At Mass on Saturdays and Sundays in the church.
Contact: Eric Waxman at 689-9759 or eric_g_waxman@verizon.net
The reader proclaims God's word to the Assembly. The task of doing this well is quite challenging. It requires careful preparation. The task requires some native abilities such as an adequate vocal instrument. Poise and maturity, a degree of confidence and sensitivity to one's audience are important factors. A period of training is required of those who wish to be Readers.
Religious Education
Where/When: Call contact for details.
Contact: Louise DiCarlo at 751-7287
True catechesis leads people to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and moves them to continuing conversion. In the religious education program we accomplish this by trying to bring the gospel to life through weekly instruction, large group offerings and family involvement. Our first year is a parent/child program with regular parent meetings held throughout the year. We also offer a unique family-based program for families who have been unable to go through the formal religious education program.
Religious Studies
Where/When: Second Tuesday of the month in the Parish Center.
Contact: Sr. Margaret McPeak at 751-8233
This group looks at issues that are interesting / challenging to today's Catholics. Through videos, newspaper and magazine articles, and discussion, the many facets of the issue are explored. Our conclusions vary; but whatever the results, and they may be many and varied, all are respected.
Respect Life Committee
Where/When: First Thursday of each month from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in room 104 of the Parish Center.
Contact: Jerry Higgins at 751-8217 or Jerryh7@verizon.net, or George and Clare Frost at 751-7894
This committee works to strengthen and encourage life-affirming attitudes in the parish and community through prayer, peaceful protest, education, legislative action, and support for women experiencing unexpected pregnancies. As members of this committee, we give public witness to the sanctity of life and foster awareness of threats against the lives of the innocent unborn, dependent disabled, and the elderly.
Rosary Altar Society
Where/When: First Tuesday of the month (except in January, July and August) in room 101/102 of the Parish Center.
Contact: Parish Rectory at 941-4141
The purpose of the Rosary Altar Society is to pay homage to Mary, primarily through communal recitation of the rosary and service to the parish. In addition to prayer and reflection, meetings often include informative speakers and always conclude with refreshments and conversation. The season begins with a welcoming tea in September and is followed by monthly activities that include a spiritual retreat and a festive Christmas luncheon. Rosarians maintain a long-standing tradition of caring for the church altar and preparing the purificators used during the Eucharistic celebration. Members of the society meet following the noon Mass on the first Friday of the month for a group recitation of the rosary. New members are encouraged and are welcome to join at any point during the year.
Rosary Makers of St. James
Where/When: Tuesdays in room 105 of the Parish Center.
Contact: Cathy Fitzgerald at 473-3893
As the name suggests we make Rosaries! We are a member guild of the national and international Organization of ÒOur Lady's Rosary MakersÓ located in Louisville, Kentucky. They have been helping members serve the Blessed Mother by making Rosary supplies available at affordable prices, supplying a regular news letter to co-ordinate the efforts of the members, and the distribution of the Rosaries we make. New members are cordially welcomed and will be taught Òhow-to!Ó Come anytime to join or just to see what we do.
Locally, we supply the Chaplains of the hospitals nearby, as well as several ministries of the Parish, and send the balance of our work to the Propagation of the Faith to be given to Religious returning to the missions. We are all proud to be The Rosary Makers of St. James.
Ruth's Table
Where/When: Meets once per month on select Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 m.m., in room 101/102 of the Parish Center (does not meet in July and August; call contact for dates).
Contact: Cris O'Keefe at 751-2819 or Pat Paddock at 689-0125
Ruth's Table was created in March 2002 for women of the parish. Together, we strive to give voice to our spirituality through study and discussion of differing topics. Some topics that we have covered are: The Book of Ruth, Vatican II, Priestly Ministry, Christian Meditation, The Papacy, Images of God, St. Catherine of Siena, Church History, and many more.
If you're looking to grow in your faith, and have been seeking a greater sense of belonging, please come join the spiritual women of Ruth's Table. We welcome new members to join us in our monthly, ever-changing and on-going dialogue.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Where/When: Once a month, usually on the fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Center.
Contact: Kathy Vaeth at 941-4141
The society of Saint Vincent de Paul, founded by Frederic Ozanam, is the largest lay Catholic organization in the world. As members of St. Vincent de Paul, we try to support people in a personal way, as friends. Historically, the primary and principal work of the society was personal visitation and relief of the needs of the poor.
We meet with clients in a secure and safe environment while we assess and respond to what is needed in a situation. Our goal is to offer the help and support that St. Vincent de Paul and his followers aimed to give. The St. Vincent de Paul poor boxes and other contributions help us provide the assistance that is most capable of meeting various needs.
Senior Citizens Club
Where/When: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.
Contact: Bill Hughes at xfrito1@optonline.net
Serves all seniors with educational guest speakers from the healthcare, legal, and political communities, etc. Various entertainment functions are planned such as: golf (putting), horse racing, card games, Chinese auctions, bingo, etc. Luncheons for various holidays are also planned with music and dancing.
Shalom Interfaith Project
Where/When: Call contact for details.
Contact: Kathy Vaeth at 941-4141
In addition to our Parish Outreach, St. James has joined with the following congregations: Christ Church Episcopal, First Presbyterian Church of Port Jefferson, Little Portion Friary, Society of St. Francis (Episcopal), Mt. Sinai Congregational United Church of Christ, North Shore Jewish Center, St. Pails Lutheran Church (ELCA), Setauket Presbyterian Church, Setauket United Methodist Church, Temple Isaiah, and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stony Brook. Working together since 1995 this group has responded to people with serious needs. Funds are contributed by the various congregations and a social worker on staff to screen applicants and offer them support to find solutions to their needs.
Ushers
Where/When: At Mass on Saturdays and Sundays in the church.
Contact: John Dahl at 474-1937 or jedahl44@aol.com
The Mnistry of Ushers is a very ancient ministry. Whenever Christians gather in significant numbers there is need to welcome them to the liturgical celebration and to attend to their comfort and help them to have an environment conducive to understanding and participation in the liturgy. Ushers accomplish these goals by their welcoming demeanor, by helping people to be seated, by contributing to a quiet and reverent atmosphere during the liturgy. They also help in accepting alms from the assembly and help with the Presentation processions. They are helpful to any person in distress and also check the pews and other areas to see that the church is left in good order.
Wedding Coordinator Ministry
Where/When: Call for details.
Contact: Parish Rectory at 941-4141
The Wedding Coordinators are volunteers from our parish family under the direction of a priest. They rehearse the wedding procedure with the members of the wedding party, the readers and the parents of the bride and groom, and they assist at the wedding ceremony. At the rehearsal, they meet and welcome all the wedding participants. The order of processing down the aisle and the readings are rehearsed to make all comfortable, all questions are answered. An opening and closing prayer reflect the solemnity of the marriage ritual.
Wedding coordinators work in teams of two (occasionally three people for training purposes). A meeting with the coordinators is held by the supervising priest at the opening and closing of the season.
Welcoming Committee
Where/When: Third Thursday of the month in the Parish Center.
Contact: Mildred Mastrion at 689-5378
At our meetings we plan for our coffee Sundays that are held the first Sunday of each month after all the masses in the Parish Center, except July and August. In September we host a pancake breakfast on Welcome Back Sunday. We send welcoming letters to new parishioners. On coffee Sunday we serve coffee, tea, doughnuts and juice. We have greeters at all the church entrances at all Masses.
Youth Ministry
Where/When: Various days and times of the week at the Parish Center, the church, and at off-site locations.
Contact: Religious Education at 751-7287
The St. James Youth Ministry is a multifaceted approach to continued faith formation for the confirmed youth of our parish. The ministry is inclusive of grades seven through twelve. The avenues that we travel throughout our journey to enrich our youth are varied, but always with a Catholic focus. Commitment to the service of others is an important aspect of the ministry on a continual basis. There are also many social opportunities throughout the year for the youth to share fellowship with each other, so they may be comfortable and confident in whom they are. Other components of the ministry include the Liturgical roles such as music, readers and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
Youth Ministry - Liturgical
Where/When: Sundays at 5:00 p.m. for the 6:00 p.m. Mass at the church.
Contact: Janet McCauley at 751-3086
Mission: To give the adult teenagers in the parish an opportunity to serve, participate and understand the liturgy of our Catholic Church.
Vision: The teenagers in this program will recognize the need for the mass to become the center of their life and realize the necessity to take the mass to the world that sadly needs it.
Philosophy: To prepare the young adults to be active participants in our church now and forever.