Liturgical Ministry Involvement
ALTAR SERVERS - Men or women, boys or girls, in the 4th grade or older are asked to assist at the weekend Masses as servers.
ALTAR SERVER TRAINING - These persons assist with the training of our altar servers. David Berkenpas is the coordinator for this training program.
LECTORS - These individuals proclaim the readings at Masses.
USHERS - Ushers are scheduled for a month of service at a time at the Mass you prefer. You are asked to help seat people, take up the collection and be helpful to the parishioners.
CHILDREN USHERS FOR THE 10 A.M. MASS - These youth are responsible for handing out the pamphlet to the children after Mass.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF EUCHARIST - The persons who help to distribute the body and blood of Christ at weekend Masses or take the Eucharist to our home-bound in private homes, nursing homes and the hospital. You must be Confirmed and commissioned before serving in this capacity (three year commitment).
CANTORS - Individuals are needed to lead the communal songs and Psalms for Mass.
GIFT BEARERS -Individuals and families present the bread and wine to Father during the weekend liturgies.
GREETERS - The greeters extend hospitality to the parish family as they enter the church for worship. The procedure is to station your family at the entry to greet the parish family, approximately twenty minutes before the Mass begins.
ADULT CHOIR - The choir usually sings at the 10:00 Sunday Masses. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings. Contact person is Tim Pick at 546-7176.
YOUTH CHOIR - For boys and girls – practice is usually on Sunday morns after the 10:00 Mass. Sing on special occasions. Contact person is Dorothy Arens at 546-7479.
MUSICIANS - If you wish to play the organ, guitar or any instrument that would enhance our liturgies, please contact Tim Pick @546-7176 or Dorothy Arens at 546-7479.
RCIA - This program is a journey for those wanting to learn more about the Catholic faith. Volunteers would assist by supporting those joining the Church and by sharing their faith. Classes usually begin in September or October and finish on Easter Vigil.
MARRIAGE SPONSOR COUPLES - These couples meet with engaged couples, assigned by the pastor, using a prepared format as a guide for the preparation for marriage. A training session is required.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - Classes about the Catholic faith for children held on Wednesday evenings from September through April. We need teachers, aides, office helpers. If interested contact Sister Jeanette at 546-5223.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD - This program helps children understand the readings of the Sunday, as they are in children’s language. Leaders and helpers are needed to take the children downstairs during the homily of the Mass. If you can help, contact Karen Anderson at 546-6092.
SUMMERTIME FUN WITH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - This is a “Fun with Faith” opportunity. We will be using the Totus Tuus program this year. Plenty of help is needed. Open to all with a sense of adventure in building up the faith in our young people. Phone Sister Jeanette at 546-5223.
ROSARY LEADERS - These volunteers lead the rosary before the week-day Masses and/or before the week-end Masses.
SATURDAY 7 A.M. MEN’S GROUP - A group of men meet every Saturday morning at St. James Church for prayer and discussion. Contact Dave Vaske at 546-4046.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - On the First Friday of every month the Blessed Sacrament is exposed after the 9:00 a.m. Mass until 6:00 p.m. at St. James. We have assignments for prayer time so there is someone present at all times to pray. Contact person is Mary Ann Ruether at 546-6779.
PRAYER LINE - This is a group of people who agree to receive prayer requests and pass them on by telephone. You must be willing to PRAY first of all then take and receive phone calls.
ALTAR SOCIETY - The Altar Society is a group a volunteers that organize and coordinate a multitude of ministries and fundraisers for our parish. They pray together as well as build community through their activities. They meet several times throughout the year and host various events such as the Smorgasbord, the Christmas dinner and the graduation banquet.
SMORGASBORD VOLUNTEER - Every parish member is needed to support this huge annual fundraiser/dinner for St. James.
FUNERAL LUNCHEON SERVER - One of the greatest ways that we can serve Christ is by caring for those who mourn. Please consider helping out with funeral luncheons in order to perform this grace filled work of mercy.
BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE - This group of volunteers goes to visit the family of our bereaved parish members to ‘listen’ and help in any way possible. The contact person is Norma Schuster @ 546-6078.
WELCOME COMMITTEE - This group sends our new families information concerning our parish and asks them to submit a picture to be displayed in our front entry. We also have some special events to welcome our newcomers. Contact Vi Schroeder at 546-6254.
GIVING TREE - This project occurs during Advent. We get our families’ needs from Christian Needs Center and the gift items wanted. You would need some training. You may contact Dr. Jeremy & Kellie Bollin at 546-5322.
Greater Le Mars Community Involvement
CHRISTIAN NEEDS CENTER - Volunteers are need to staff the Center.
FOOD COLLECTION - The 1st Sunday of the month is our ‘food collection’ day for the poor of our area. Our chairperson, Ken Kolker picks up the food items and deliver to Christian Needs Ctr. Phone the parish office if you could help – 546-5201.
MEALS-ON-WHEELS - A community program that delivers meals to shut-ins. Each parish needs chairpersons to schedule the volunteers. At present Ken Kolker is our chair. Phone the office at 546-5201.
SERVICEMEN’S PROJECT - We are asked to bring items to the church entry for mailing to our service people. Every 3rd Sunday of the month is designated for this collection. Money is also accepted for the cost of mailing. Our chairperson is Phyllis Monroe.
Catholic Organization Involvement
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - A service organization for Catholic men. They have monthly meetings, social events and have many special projects. Contact Steve Wick, Grand Knight at 546-5388.
CHRISTIAN MOTHERS SOCIETY - A ladies’ group that has an annual meeting and special spiritual benefits. Contact Waunita Hoss at 546-4264.
CATHOLICS DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA - A service organization for Catholic women. They meet monthly and have many special events. Contact person is Cathy Rollins at 546-6438.
COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN - Every Catholic woman that is active and registered in a parish is a member of this nationwide Catholic Council. Deanery meetings are held each year in the spring and fall.
Contact persons for the Northwest Deanery (
1. PARISH COUNCIL/STEWARDSHIP - to be announced.
2. FINANCE COUNCIL - Fr. Matt Hewitt - Chairman, Dennis Bixenman - parish director, Charlie Neuroth - parish director, Bonita Davison, and Jim Klein.
3. BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE - Mike Clarey, Chairman, Fr. Matt Hewitt, Bill Anthony, Tim Pick, Ken Plueger, Tom Reuter and Jim Sitzmann, Jr.
4. LITURGY and ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE - Tim Pick - Chairman, Fr. Matt Hewitt, Dorothy Arens, Karen Anderson, Nancy Augustine, Janet Baack, Marlene Fitzpatrick, Marilyn Helmers, Nikki Johnson, and Mary Ann List.
PLANTING, WATERING, and WEEDING - Millie Langel has taken on this project and welcomes help.
MOWING - The mowing and trimming of the Church grounds and arboretum has been cared for by Mike Clarey, Casey Clarey, and Dick Kellen for over 15 years as volunteers! Help is welcome and needed.
SNOW REMOVAL - Jerome and Brett Dreckman have cleared snow from the parking lot for many years. There has been a group of individuals that have volunteered to shovel snow from the sidewalks. Help with this task would be greatly appreciated.
GEHLEN SCRIP SALES VOLUNTEER - We need someone to sell scrip after Mass from time to time in order to help make tuition more affordable at Gehlen Catholic.
DAA CHAIRS - We usually have two people serve as chairpersons for this Diocesan drive for funds. The duties include posting the donations. Meg Tentinger and Denise Parry are currently serving.
VOLUNTEER CALLERS - Be willing to make phone calls for one month’s list of greeters and gift bearers.
MONEY COUNTERS - Counters are needed to count and report the weekend collection every Monday morning. There are several teams that are rotated monthly.