Ministry Directory

Altar Servers

Students in 5th through 12th grade assist the priest (and God) at the altar during weekly Masses and weddings.

Contact:
Deacon Hahn

Ambassador Welcome

Welcome new parishioners to our parish community.

Contact:
Mike Bilski
224.345.7200
[email protected]

Bereavement

Assists families of a deceased parishioner with planning the funeral Mass.

Contact:
​​Flo Trunk
224.345.7206
[email protected]

Caregivers Ministry

Provide a time for caregivers of loved ones to care for themselves through prayer, quiet, and discussion.

Contact:
Sue French
847.259.5282

Earth Shepherds

Care for and steward God’s creation through sustainable living and initiatives to care for the environment.

Contact:
Bonnie Cimo
[email protected]

Ministers of Care

Bring the Holy Eucharist to parishioners who are unable to leave their homes. Volunteers must complete a mandatory training session and follow Archdiocesan guidelines.

Contact:
Charles Perron
[email protected]

Eucharistic Adoration

Join us in Eucharistic adoration at specific times and locations.

Contact:
Jane Fiore
Tom Garson
Regina Kastner
[email protected]

Eucharistic Ministers

Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist distribute the Eucharist to the faithful.

Contact:
Gary Hammelmann
847.392.1330
[email protected]

Finance Committee

The Parish Finance Committee is a mandated body which has an advisory and consultative role on behalf of the pastor.

Contact:
[email protected]

First Saturday Rosary and Devotion to Our Lady

The First Saturday Rosary and Devotion to Our Lady remains seated in the Church to recite the rosary and prayers of devotion immediately after the 7:30am mass.

Contact:
Catherine Hopkinson
[email protected]

Funeral Adult Servers

This ministry of service to the St. James community is participation in a final act of love and respect for the deceased through involvement in their final Eucharistic liturgy before burial.

Contact:
Tom Adam
847.394.4731
[email protected]

Garden Club

Care for the green environments, flowerbeds, and landscaping around the St. James Parish Center.

Contact:
Joan Tatje
[email protected]

Greeting Ministry

Welcome each person into our parish community and make them feel welcome and at home.

Contact:
​​Christine Avello
[email protected]

Grief Support

Grief Support Ministry is about overcoming your grief and for those struggling with a loss and having a hard time coping.

Contact:

[email protected]

Knights of Columbus

The Holy Rosary Council (#4483) of Arlington Heights serves the parishes of St. James, St. Edna’s, Our Lady of the Wayside, and St. Colette’s.

Contact:
Sean Walsh
(224)830-5253
[email protected]

Lectors

Lectors take an active role in the liturgy and proclaim the Word of God during first and second readings.

Contact:
Katie Sowa
847.977.6749
[email protected]

Liturgical Environment

This team highlights the glory of God by decorating the Church for Sundays, feast days, liturgical seasons, sacramental celebrations, prayer gatherings, and special occasions.

Contact:
Kathy Borresen
[email protected]

Liturgy Preparation

This ministry prepares the liturgical life of the parish as the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triduum, Easter Season and Ordinary Time) unfolds.

Contact:
Maxine Nugent
[email protected]

Susan Chappell
224.345.7221
[email protected]

Loaves and Fishes

Provide lunches for homeless men and women in Chicago’s uptown neighborhood.

Contact:
Kevin & Geralyn Walsh
847.361.1480
[email protected]

Marriage Ministries

The St. James Marriage Ministries seeks to engage married couples in our community.

Contact:
224.345.7200
[email protected]

Mass Coordinators

Mass Coordinators at St. James serve at weekend Masses and special seasonal Masses by ensuring an organized and respectful celebration of the Mass—the center of our Catholic spiritual life.

Contact:
Bonnie Minaglia
847.372.0960
[email protected]

Men of St. James

The Men of St James provides opportunities for Christian fellowship and growth to help each other in the journey to be disciples of Christ and make disciples of Christ.

Contact:
Joe Smith
224.828.3125
[email protected]

Mental Health Ministry

We strive to provide support, education and awareness to our parish communities on issues related to mental health.

Contact:
Jan Staley

Tracy Sherva
[email protected]

Kathy O’Neill
[email protected]

Moms Plus

Moms Plus at St. James provides an atmosphere where moms can connect with other moms in our parish who also are on the blessed (and sometimes hectic) journey of raising children.

Contact:
Tamara Hoffman & Megan Sweidan
224.345.7200
[email protected]

Music Ministry

Our Music Ministry is a strong community of singers whose devotion shines through in our sung liturgy.

Contact:
Tamaron Conseur
224.345.7204
[email protected]

Open Doors Ministry

Open Doors provides faith formation for individuals and families with special needs.

Contact:
Kathryn Coughlin
[email protected]

Over 50 Social Club

​​The St. James Over 50 Social Club provides social outings, game days, cards, speakers, parties, current events/news and spirituality to any parishioner over the age of 50.

Contact:
Gerry Stec
847.398.2097
[email protected]

PADS

Help provide hospitality, food, and overnight emergency shelter for men and women experiencing homelessness.

Contact:
Jeanne
224.345.7200 ext. 8513
[email protected]

Men's Basketball

St. James Sunday night Men’s Basketball League runs October-March with drafted teams, a 10-game season and playoffs. Limited registration for players in early September – see bulletins for more information.

Contact:
Bill Borst
[email protected]

Pastoral Council

The St. James Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), guided by the Holy Spirit, serves as a representative body of the St James parish community.

Contact:
Paulette Schmidt and Christine Avell
224.345.7200
[email protected]

Peace & Justice

The St. James Peace and Justice Committee, rooted in the Gospels and inspired by the Holy Spirit, is a guiding voice for peace and justice.

Contact:
Matt & Sarah Tipperreiter
[email protected]

Ministry of Praise

The Ministry of Praise is a spiritual ministry in which the members offer their prayers to God for special intentions to help others in their need.

Contact:
Marilyn Neuman
224.345.7200
[email protected]

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This ministry at St. James creates a wide variety of shawls for anyone in need of prayers or blessings.

Contact:
Lia Douglas / Mary Lou Gleason
[email protected]

Religious Education

The mission of the program is to ignite in our children a spark that will lead them to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Contact:
Bethany Larson
Coordinator of Religious Education
224.345.7152
[email protected]

Respect Life

The mission of the Respect Life Ministry of St. James is to transform society into a Culture of Life where every human being is valued and protected from the moment of conception until natural death.

Contact:
Mike & Marybeth Schoenwald
847.392.5506
[email protected].

Retired Men’s Group

All retired men, directly or indirectly affiliated with St. James Parish are welcome to join for sociability, support, service and spirituality.

Contact:
Tom Adam
847-394-4731
[email protected]

Rose for Life

The Rose for Life Ministry places a single red rose near the altar of the church and the parish center at all weekend liturgies, symbolizing the Church’s respect for life in all of its stages and the hope that one day soon abortion will be a thing of the past. Each weekend, the rose is donated by a family in the parish in honor of a special loved one.

Contact:
Alice Blomquist
847.259.7380
[email protected]

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) is a process—people on a journey of faith. It is through the R.C.I.A. process that adults come into the Church.

Contact:
Fr. Ed Pelrine
224.345.7222
[email protected]

Sacristans

Sacristans ensure that the linens, vestments and sacred vessels are clean, prepared and made available for Mass. Additionally, they ensure that the supply of wine and hosts are ready prior to the liturgy.

Contact:
Gary Hammelmann
847.392.1330
[email protected]

Scouting

We offer Boy Scouts, Cubs Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

Boy Scouts
Kevin Sheehan
224.345.7200

Cub Scouts
Todd Koclanis
[email protected]

Girl Scouts
Kathryn Boudart
630.740.7289
[email protected]

St. Vincent De Paul

The St. James Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an emergency source for short-term financial and material help for parishioners and others living within the parish boundaries.

Contact:
Bonita Minaglia
224.345.7200 ext. 8517
[email protected]

Elizabeth Ministry

Care for women in childbearing years who are pregnant, considering adoption, dealing with infertility, or have experienced a miscarriage or the loss of a baby.

Contact:
Melissa Bertram or Sandra Chaplin
224.345.7200
[email protected]

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones is a domestic violence ministry raising awareness, promoting understanding and preventing relational abuse by educating communities and providing referrals to victims and survivors of emotional, financial, physical and sexual abuse.

Contact:
[email protected]

Resources

Ushers

The St. James Usher Ministry serves at the celebration of the Mass so everyone may feel the hospitality of our community while we ensure the convenience, comfort, safety and well-being of the congregation.

Contact:
Tom Fitzgerald
847.987.1320
[email protected]

Tim Allaire
847.791.0373
[email protected]

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School(VBS) Is a week-long summer camp in June for children ages 4 through 5th grades.

Contact:
Bethany Larson and Kathryn Coughlin
224.345.7213
[email protected]

Wedding Coordinator

The wedding coordinators assist the priests & deacons by running the wedding rehearsals and weddings as per the plan laid out by the celebrant and couple.

Contact:
​​Flo Trunk
224.345.7206
[email protected]

Wheels to Worship

Transport St. James parishioners who can’t drive themselves to Mass.

Contact:
​​224.345.7200
[email protected]

Women of St. James

The Women of St. James is a community of Catholic women who are committed to growing and sharing our faith through sisterhood and service.

Contact:
Jessica Braun
[email protected]

Women’s Golf League

A group of women who enjoy each other’s company, the outdoors, and the game of golf.

Contact:
Judy Hopper
[email protected]

Youth Ministry

The St. James Youth Ministry seeks to engage the youth of our community.

Contact:
​​Christina Hudson
Director of Youth Ministry
224.345.7214
[email protected]