Altar Society (Arts and Environment): Use your artistic talents to decorate the church. To volunteer, or for information, call the Rectory, 762-4256.

Bereavement Support: This ministry helps parishioners deal with the loss of loved ones. To volunteer, or for information, call Marilyn (763-7904).

Bible Study: Make the Bible a part of your daily life. To participate in small groups, or for additional information, call Deacon Jim Carr (762-1797) or e-mail him at: JLCarr@pacbell.net.

[the text of the Holy Bible (Douay version) is available online - http://www.drbo.org/ ]

[the text of the Holy Bible (New American version) is available online - http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/]

Birthright: Birthright provides caring, non-judgmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. Using our own resources and those of the community, Birthright provides positive and loving alternatives to abortion. Birthright provides many services, including friendship and emotional support, free pregnancy tests, legal, medical, and financial assistance, assistance with housing, referral to social agencies, and maternity and baby clothes. Birthright treats each woman as an individual who deserves kindness and respect, as well as personal attention to her unique situation. And all Birthright services are free, absolutely confidential, and available to any woman regardless of age, race, creed, economic or marital status. For information or assistance, contact Birthright (763-9888) or Janet (763-8937).

Catholic Ladies Aid Society: For information call Alba (762-6932).

Children's Liturgy: Every Sunday, during the 10:30 a.m. Mass, we have the Co-op Nursery. Children 6 months up to 4 years of age are welcome. We have lots of fun, singing songs, playing games and learning about God's love. Each Sunday, we have an age appropriate lesson which includes a song, crafts, play time and snack time. If you are interested in having your child participate or if you are a teen and would like to earn service hours, or an adult who would like to help out every now and then, please call Angela (769-1751).

Choir (Adult): Our pastor says: "I am very grateful to the talented people who share their gift of music and song to enhance our Masses. Music is a vital part of our liturgy, and it's a very special ministry. If you have been blessed with a good voice, please join one of the choirs. It's a wonderful way to praise the Lord."

Mary Jo Teplitz directs the Sunday 9:00 a.m. choir, Patty Shribbs and Beth Villanyi direct the 11:00 a.m. choir, Roberta Guerra directs the choir at the Saturday evening Mass and alternates with the 11:00 choir. Nancy Brown directs the choir at the Sunday evening Mass. To volunteer, or for information, call Beth (778-9370), Roberta (763-4773), or Nancy (763-8122).

Choir (Children): The St. James children's choir is coordinated by Roberta Guerra. For information, please call her (763-4773).

Cursillo: Cursillo (pronounced cur-SEE-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "short course"; it might be best described as a seminar. Cursillo, in this context, means "a short course in Christianity". It begins with a weekend, starting on a Thursday evening and continuing until Sunday evening. The weekend consists of daily celebration of the Mass, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, talks, meditations, and good old-fashioned Christian fellowship.  The goal of the weekend is to empower the attendee to become a Christian leader in each of his or her environments. Notice that Cursillo begins with a weekend. At the end of the weekend, the attendee begins his or her Fourth Day. This Fourth Day consists of the rest of one's life. After encountering Jesus Christ in such a special way on the Cursillo weekend, the attendee returns home with the challenge of remaining focused on Him in all facets of life. For information, contact Boyd Hazlett at 762-6290 or e-mail him at: BoydHazl@comcast.net.

Eucharistic Ministers: (click here for schedule) St. James has a wonderful group of people who serve as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Greeters. This ministry is a great way to share your faith with other members of the parish. To join this group or to obtain additional information, please call Anne Marie Riedel (769-7807), or e-mail her at: anne.marie.riedel@autodesk.com.

St. James Eucharistic Ministers have a great outreach to the sick at Petaluma Valley Hospital. Communion is brought to Catholic patients. The ministers go to Mass and then directly to the hospital where they spend some time with patients talking, saying prayers, and sharing communion. At present, all the days of the week are covered. Fr. Culligan goes there on Mondays. The rest are done by parishioners. Eucharistic Ministers serving our Sunday Masses go once a month, and Eucharistic Ministers serving our Saturday and weekday Masses go once a week. Volunteers are welcome and will be placed on a waiting list.

Greeters: (click here for schedule) Join the group that welcomes you to Mass. For information or to help, call Anne Marie Riedel (769-7807).

Homeless Shelter Program: Each year, St. James hosts three homeless families as they stay at St. Vincent's Convent. Volunteers help with dinners, transportation to and from the COTS Family Center, and as companions during the evening or night. It is really an enriching experience to get to know the families and to know that you have helped in their journey to find a home. In all, 18-20 congregations in the Petaluma/ Pengrove area take turns housing the families as an extension of the COTS Family Center. The families will have stayed their limit of two months at COTS and are given an extra 6 weeks of shelter in the churches. For information or to help, call Deacon Ken Manz (778-8614) or email: kmanz@sbcglobal.net.

Additionally, during the winter months, St. James provides Sunday meals for single adults at a temporary community shelter. Edd and Noreen (763-1874), coordinate this program and need three people each Sunday to each cook a meal that serves 15 persons. If you can help at all, please call Edd and Noreen or email: ERingle@yahoo.com.

Italian Catholic Federation: The Italian Catholic Federation is a family oriented, non-profit fraternal organization dedicated to promoting activities that build family spirit, and bring men and women of all ages together. By joining a local branch, ICF members share their culture, heritage and religious beliefs. Together we accomplish more than one can alone. We are proud of our assistance to parishes, pastors and local communities. The ICF is an example of the laity's participation in the apostolic mission of the Catholic Church. The ICF offers prayers and monetary donations for the continuation of vocations and contributes to the education of young men training for the priesthood. Our motto: "The ICF Working for the Lord." We award scholarships to Catholic elementary and high school students and grants to assist the developmentally disabled. Our Mario Cugia Scholarship promotes Italian studies. We are a major supporter of the Cooley's Anemia research and treatment program at Oakland Children's Hospital, and we sponsor an Organ Donor Awareness program. We welcome and extend our hearts to you. Enjoy with us Italian cuisine, pedro and bocce tournaments, potlucks, travel excursions, and other events which allow us to worship and socialize together as well as raise funds to support a range of worthwhile programs. We look forward to seeing you at our next ICF activity or meeting. Branch meetings are held every 4th Monday of the month at St. James Church. For more information call Rosanna at 763-8182 or Reno at 762-1065, or visit the ICF Web site www.icf.org.

Knights of Columbus: Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today. For information click here, or call Pat Barnes (773-0713), or go to the main Knights of Columbus Web site, www.koc.org.

Lectors: (click here for schedule). If you would like to share your faith with the parish by being a lector at Mass, please call Anne Marie Riedel (769-7807).

Marriage Preparation Classes: Help your marriage get off to a good start. Join a Marriage Preparation class, which are held throughout the year. For information call Sue (765-9699). Couples must discuss marriage plans with a priest at least 6 months prior to the intended wedding date. For Marriage Preparation class dates, contact Al and Joan Cattalini (763-2946), or by e-mail ac@cattalini.com.

Ministry to the Sick and Elderly: This ministry helps the sick and the elderly, who often have difficulty in attending Mass and have other challenges in their daily lives. For information or to help, call Mary Ann (776-4842).

Prayer Group (Chain): The chain began in 1995. It was started so that people in the church community would have a way to pray for one another in times of need. It is a real comfort to know that people are praying for you when things are difficult. We believe that prayer really helps, and that some members of the church are called to the ministry of intercessory prayer. Being in the prayer chain reminds us to pray and keeps us in touch with the needs of our fellow parishioners. There are different ways of incorporating intercessions into your daily prayer. For example, some of us bring the petitions to daily Mass or include them with the Divine Office. Others remember prayer requests during morning and evening prayers, or when commuting to and from work or school. We can always use more members. People who need prayer (or who just want information about the Prayer Chain) can call one of these contact persons: Peggy (763-3332), Yolanda (762-9155), Ken or Kris (778-8614) or e-mail: kmanz@sbcglobal.net.

[For information on one of Catholicism's special prayers, the Rosary, visit http://www.immaculateheartofmary.net/welcome/welcome.html]

Parish School of Religion (click for further information)

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: This ministry prepares non-Catholics and non-confirmed Catholics for full communion with the church. It is also a program in which non-Catholics can learn about the Catholic faith, whether they wish to become Catholics or merely learn about Catholicism. For information call the Rectory (762-4256)..

Rite of Christian Initiation of Children: This ministry prepares grade school-age children for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. For information call Gloria at the PSR office (762-9063).

Respect Life: Help preserve the sanctity of life for all, particularly, the unborn and the elderly and those seriously ill. For information call Janet (763-8937).

St. James Women's Group: A relatively new organization for women of the parish, their friends and neighbors. Our aim is to be a catalyst for women to forge new friendships and come together in common purpose. That purpose can be as simple as attending the general meetings where we enjoy guest speakers on a wide variety of topics, followed by refreshments and conversation time. There are also special activities to take part in, such as Walking Groups, Book Clubs, Bridge and other games, and a Luncheon Group. Tours to local places of interest are scheduled also during the year. Special charitable projects and service to the parish are also part of our organization's purpose.  Many of our members are participants in other parish ministries. The Women's Group meets on the first Monday of each month (exceptions are noted in Sunday Bulletin), September thru June. Meetings and special events are held in either Room 9 of the Parish Center or in the Church Hall. The Sunday Bulletin posts dates, times and place. For more information call Jan Balshaw, 763 2846.

St. James Quilting/Prayer Circle. Our mission is to make small prayer quilts for parishioners to help them cope with their illnesses. We need people to cut, pin, sew and above all pray for those who will be comforted by this loving gift. Info, call Nancy, (763-8122).

Saint Vincent de Paul Society: This ministry helps the poor in our community. For information or to help, call Deacon John Norris (769-9251).

Scripture Class: Put the Holy Scriptures to work in your life. For information call Fr. Culligan (762-4256)

Sunday Co-op Nursery: [see the Children's Liturgy, above]

Ushers: For information or to volunteer, call Ed Kilgore (763-8576).

Vacation Bible School: Please see the information on our Parish School of Religion page. For additional information, contact Roberta Guerra (763-4773) or visit their web site, www.sonic.net/~tomasito.

Young Ladies Institute: For information call Alba (762-6932).

Young Mens Institute: For information call Deacon Ken Begin (762-2367).

Youth Ministry: Please see the information on our Parish School of Religion page. For additional information, contact Nancy (763-8122).