Volunteer Opportunities

St. James of the Valley - My Gift of Time and Talent for the Needs of the Parish

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Liturgical Ministry Needs:

Communion to the Sick—Organizer, Ann Link, 761-4557

Volunteers to take Communion at various times to shut-ins and to those in nursing homes. Time commitment can be as little as one hour per week.

Eucharistic Adoration — Organizer: Cathy Basu, 315-1301.

Volunteers to be in attendance in church for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 7-8 PM Tuesday or 12-3 PM on Friday. Training needed only for those who are willing to open or close adoration.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist—Shirley Bosch, 761-7097

Assist by distributing Communion at Masses and greet parishioners before Mass begins. Ministers serve about once every 4 weeks. New ministers are especially needed for the 4:30 Saturday Mass. To be eligible you must be a Confirmed Catholic, physically able, have a good understanding of the meaning of the Eucharist and attend one short training session.

Music - George Becker, Jr., Music Minister, 821-9054, ext. 114 or 761-7247.

Singers for the Resurrection Choir: The funeral choir is a group of parishioners who are generally available during the day to sing at funerals. Members are notified of a funeral by phone chain and those who are able to attend come to provide musical and parish support to the bereaved family. No scheduled weekly practice.

Singers and Instrumentalists for 9:00 AM Sunday Mass (and other special occasions). Practices are Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

Singers and Instrumentalists to help form an informal choir for Saturday 4:30 Mass. No separate practice is needed, short rehearsals are held just prior to Mass.

Outreach Ministry Needs:

Habitat for Humanity - Mark Elsaesser, 821-7983, for our next (as yet unscheduled) project:

Unskilled or skilled volunteers in: construction, from rough carpentry to drywall to painting, cabinet installation, roofing, and grounds clean-up and landscaping

Outreach to partner families

Preparation of meals for workers

Health and Wellness:

Blood Pressure Screening - Nurses, doctors and other health professionals needed to take blood pressures the first weekend of every month after Mass. Also needed are people to help with set up and work the sign in table. Contact: Dianne Robinson at 563-4825.

Friendly Visitors - Visit the homebound in the parish twice per month. No experience necessary - Just a caring attitude and interest in helping those that may be lonely and isolated. Contact: Gladys Stolz at 771-2183.

Health and Wellness Committee — participate in planning and implementing health and wellness activities for the parish. Focus is on health in body, mind and spirit. No experience necessary - just an interest in whole person health. Meeting on the second Wednesday of every month. Contact: Jeanne Palcic, 489-2151

St. James on the Job - Christa Criddle, coordinator, 821-5451. The purpose of St James on the Job is to come together as a parish family and complete "done in a day" type jobs for both the parish and the community at large, then celebrate together with food, fellowship and faith.

Help plan/coordinate a portion of the event (including planning type of event, locations, food for event, etc.)

Publicity for events

Saint Vincent De Paul Society - Paul Blom, President, 761-3384. Members provide material assistance to those in need, visit them, and bring to them the parish's concern for their well-being. Members meet twice monthly to share their work and to support each other.

Loading the truck at our twice-yearly clothing drive (2 hours on a specific weekend)

Visiting clients to evaluate their needs

Becoming members

Social Action Commission - Ren Austing, chairperson, 761-6469; Meeting are held at a mutually agreeable time

Those who are touched by suffering or injustices in our local and/or worldwide community and would like to help support, create, and organize programs to inform, to challenge, and to provide service opportunities for the parish.

Writers or designers of articles and flyers about social action programs and action opportunities.

Hospitality providers between the Mass programs.

Sister Community Project — Ren Austing, co-chairperson, 761-6469

Travelers to help connect the parish with Jardines de Colon in El Salvador

Correspondents with Salvadoran youth who are on scholarship from the project.

Volunteers for hospitality and fund raising events.

Members for the committee including Treasurer.

Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing Center (420 West Wyoming Avenue, Lockland):

Interviewers to assess and evaluate client needs, eligibility, and determine actions needed to assist them. Individual must be people oriented, patient, empathetic, and have good listening skills. Social service, human resources and/or customer service experience is helpful but not necessary. Needed for Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

Receptionist to greet the client, file, answer phones, and enter data. Individual should be outgoing, with a friendly personality. People skills are a key asset, as is computer literacy. Any day from 10 am to 2 pm.

Sort clothing donations and assist clients choose clothes for self and family. Can either be a people oriented or "back room" job: Weds., Thurs., and Friday from 10 am to 2 pm. Load, unload, and sort donated food. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Needed for Wednesday and Thursday for 3-4 hours, between 9 am and 2 pm