Altar Laundress
This “behind the scenes” ministry is perfect for those who wish to help maintain the dignity of our worship by washing and ironing of the linens (purificators and altar cloths) used for daily and weekend masses, holy days of obligations and other liturgical services. In addition, washing tablecloths and other kitchen linens used at various functions such as Lenten Fish Fries, funerals, etc. are performed by these ministers. Volunteers work from home on a regular schedule that accommodates their personal and work lives. This is a perfect ministry for those who cannot attend regular meetings but wish to offer their service for the benefit of the Liturgy.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Gina Kieft | 231.215.6575 | Email Gina Here
St. James Coordinator: Linda Harvey | 231.893.0180 | Email Linda Here
St. John the Baptist Coordiator: Cheryl Rabe | 231.301.4386 | Email Cheryl Here
Altar Seamstress
If you have a talent for sewing and would like to use your talents to repair or replace altar cloths, altar server albs, stoles, or help with costumes on occasion for children’s programs, please consider this ministry.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Gina Kieft | 231.215.6575 | Email Gina Here
St. James Coordinator: Louise Brouns | 231.894.8734 | Email Louise Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Cheryl Rabe | 231.301.4386 | Email Cheryl Here
Altar Society
Responsible for many tasks around the OLA parish; from Mass Coordinator, to gatherings, to bake sales and fundraising. Without this ministry, the church would not run smoothly.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Pat Kooi | 231.894.8353 | Email Pat Here
Building & Grounds
This committee oversees the care of parish facilities. If you enjoy working with your hands and the feeling of a job well done, this committee can use your help. Nearly all the work on St. James grounds, including mowing, planting, and landscaping, is done by volunteers. Estimated time commitment varies based on the job.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Jerry Ginn | 231.894.4630 | Email Jerry Here
St. James Coordinator: Carmen Huttenga | 231.893.3085 | Email Carmen Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinators: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here and Mark Kutches | 231.742.3470 | Email Mark Here
Bulletin Stuffers
Coordinator: Jodi Blanton | 231.343.4417 | Email Jodi Here
Cemetery
The Finance Council reviews the operation of the cemetery and makes recommendations to the Sexton and Priest.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinators: Carmen Huttenga | 231.893.3085 | Email Carmen Here, Mark Kelly | 231.861.5988 | Email Mark Here and
Jerry Ginn – 231.894.4630 | ginnmargie@gmail.com
St. James Coordinator: Carmen Huttenga | 231.893.3085 | Email Carmen Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinators: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here and Mark Kutches | 231.742.3470 | Email Mark Here
Collection Counters
This group serves our parish by sorting, validating, counting, reporting and depositing the Sunday Mass offerings and other diocesan collections to ensure proper financial accountability and tax information for the St. James parishes. Estimated time commitment is approximately 12 hours per year.
Coordinator: Carmen Huttenga | 231.893.3085 | Email Carmen Here
Documentation Ministry
Camera / Video Buffs, this ministry was initiated to gather, develop and historically preserve functions and events of Saint James Parish. This is a very active and growing ministry, and we are always interested in recruiting new help. If you have time and interest in these areas, we would love to have you join us.
St. James Coordinator: Lynette Fillips | 231.894.4334 | Email Lynette Here
To view the Document Ministry Contact List, if you have the permission to access it, click here.
Finance Council
The Finance Council consults with the pastor on meeting the financial and material needs of the parish. It assists with ensuring we have the necessary resources to carry out our Mission. Members advise the pastor on finance matters and administration of parish property, assist in preparing the parish budget, parish annual report, a review of the parish financial, personnel and administrative operations. The council also develops long-range plans for operational and capital needs. Members are appointed by the pastor.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: James Perigard Jr. | 231.683.9792 | Email James Here
St. James Coordinator: Bob Hague | 815.354.7622 | Email Bob Here
St. John The Baptist Coordinator: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here
Funeral Ministry
Funeral Coordinator – assists community members in making funeral plans at the church. They assist the families in choosing readings, prayers, & music for the funeral. The also take on the responsibility of notifying others in the church of the funeral date, time, and location.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinators: Jerry Ginn | 231.894.4630 | Email Jerry Here and James Perigard Jr. | 231.683.9792 | Email James Here
St. James Coordinator: Carol Moultine | 517.667.0290 | Email parish office here
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here
Funeral Luncheons – The Funeral Luncheon Committee provides for and arranges the luncheons following the funerals. Volunteers are called upon to provide various food dishes including casseroles, salads and desserts; or setting up, serving, and cleaning up after luncheons. Leftover food is packed and given to the family of the deceased and/or our homebound or shut-in members. if you enjoy cooking and or have time to help, this ministry provides comfort for family members and friends.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinators: Fran Zarimba | 231.894.0133 and Elnora Machovsky | 231.894.0359 |
St. James Coordinator: Jeanne Huch | 231.766.2433 | Email Jeanne Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here
Handmaid of the Lord
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Theresa Briggs | 231.557.1556 | Email Teresa Here
Library
Consideration continues to be given to promoting the library, book donations, general housekeeping and other areas. Helping hands are always welcome.
St. James Coordinator: Jeanine Hommel | 810.923.4355 | Email Jeanine Here
Liturgy Committee
The Liturgy Committee is devoted to nourishing and providing direction for the liturgical aspects of parish life. Our mission is to insure that St. James parishioners are provided the opportunities to deepen their faith through a variety of prayer experiences and liturgical celebrations.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Theresa Briggs | 231.557.1556 | Email Teresa Here
St. James Coordinator: Deacon Greg Anderson | 231.730.2418 | Email Deacon Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here
Long Term Facilities Planning Committee
This ministry was chartered by the Finance and Pastoral Councils to develop a master plan to address the facility needs for St. James Parish for the next 20 years including such thing as: community gatherings, faith formation, and the rectory and campus grounds. Studying the needs for the futures is an ongoing process.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator:
St. James Coordinator: Paula Martin | Email Paula Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinators: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here and Mark Kutches | 231.742.3470 | Email Mark Here
New Member Welcoming
The mission of this ministry is to welcome new members into our parish community and encourage them to become active members of St. James. This committee periodically hosts new member receptions in order to provide an opportunity to meet fellow newcomers, staff, and other parishioners and provide information about our parish and its ministries. New committee members are always welcome and encouraged to join.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator:
St. James Coordinator: Mary Ann Canale | 757.310.7620 | Email Mary Ann Here
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here
Pastoral Council
What is the mission and vision of the parish? What is God calling us to do? How can we better serve our community as the Body of Christ? Members of the Pastoral Council work in a consultative capacity with the pastor to answer these questions. In a spirit of prayer, this group discerns the spiritual needs of the parish and reviews the ministerial efforts of the parish. Members are selected through a process of prayer, study, and a call by the Holy Spirit.
Our Lady of the Assumption Chairperson: Lin Schihl | 231.292.2317 | Email Lin Here
St. James Chairiperson: Elected
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Carol Mills | 231.730.8733| Email Carol Here
Right to Life
This ministry promotes the culture of life through prayer and action as well as personal example. This is accomplished through various activities including the Right to Life billboard, Lifesaver sales and web advertisements. October is Right to Life month. Please pray for a greater respect for the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death, and contact our coordinators if you would like to help with this ministry.
Our Lady of the Assumption Coordinator: Teresa Robillard | 231.893.2220 | Email Teresa Here
St. James Coordinator: Teresa Robillard
St. John the Baptist Coordinator: Teresa Robillard
Safe Environment – Protecting Our Children
Coordinator: Minette Perigard | 231.893.3085 | Email Minette Here
SCRIP Program
SCRIP is a term that means “substitute money.” When you purchase SCRIP, you are purchasing negotiable gift certificates and prepaid cards that are used just like cash. SCRIP can be used to purchase everyday expenses such as: food, clothing, gas, restaurant and other essentials. Because SCRIP is purchased in advance, the participating retailers offer a discount of 2% to 30% which is revenue for our parish. Volunteers are needed to sell SCRIP before and after Masses.
St. James Coordinator: Wendy Sipka | 231.893.0767 | Email Wendy Here