Ministries

Altar Server

Boys and girls from grade 3 and above who assist the priest at the liturgy. If you are interested, please contact Ray Morin ---  RMorin1035@cox.net

Baptism Preparation

Preparing parents for the formation of their child’s faith. Please contact the Parish Office by calling 401-766-1558 ext. 101.

Catholic Scouting

Boy Scouts
Troop 1, Manville
Mr. George Defond
gdefond@aol.com
401-765-1110
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

Cub Scouts
Pack 1, Manville
Mrs. Ariane Lepore
arianelepore@yahoo.com
(401) 744-4471
Being a Cub Scout means you are a member of a worldwide youth movement that stands for certain values and beliefs. Cub Scouting is more than something to do. It's all about the boy you are and the person you will become.
Did you know that you can earn more than 65 awards as a Cub Scout? Whether it’s a rank advancement, Sports or Academics belt loop and pin, or one of the many other individual awards, there is plenty for you to set your sights on.

Girl Scouts
Mrs. Kristin Scribner
kris.scribner@cox.net
401-728-8362
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience provides girls in kindergarten through twelfth grade with a wide variety of leadership opportunities. The program encourages increased skill-building and responsibility, and also promotes the development of strong leadership and decision-making skills. All program activities are grade-appropriate.
Areas of focus include:

• Leadership and Self-Esteem
• Community Outreach and Education
• Environmental Awareness
• Financial Literacy
• Health and Wellness
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
• The Arts
• Travel

No matter what age, girls learn the value and the fun of sharing experiences in an all-girl environment, with caring, trained adults to serve as mentors and models. All activities are designed with girls in mind to spark their interests, address their concerns, build their skills, and explore the world around them.

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion have a special role in parish life. They are commissioned by the pastor to serve the parish family. They assist at weekend Masses and Holy Days by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ. Some bring the Eucharist to shut-ins and nursing homes on a weekly or monthly basis. Mrs. Rose Khoury is the scheduling coordinator and may be reached by calling 401-525-0534. St. James Church provides weekly Holy Communion service to the residents of The Holiday Retirement Home.  On the First and Third Wednesday of every month, there is a Mass and communion services at 2:00PM celebrated by Rev. Thomas J. Ferland.

Food Pantry

Parishioners are asked to donate nonperishable food items. Collection bins are located at church entrances. If you, or someone you know, is in need of food assistance, please call the Parish Office -  401-766-1558 ext. 101. Be assured that your call is strictly confidential.

Lector

As Liturgical Ministers, lectors share their talents by presenting the Word of God at weekend Masses, Holy Days and special liturgies. Lectors serve on a rotating schedule and are provided with written materials to help them prepare for the readings. Contact Mr. Raymond Morin at RMorin1035@cox.net  or by calling 401-766-7512.

Music Ministry

Mr. Philip Desrosiers is the Director of Music Ministry at St. James Parish. He may be reached at brphil50@aol.com or by calling 401-765-7650. Phil is available for Weddings as well as Funeral Liturgies.
The Parish Choir,is under the direction of Miss Fern Dery. Fern has been involved in the area of Music Ministry as a choir director for over fifty years. Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings, 6:45pm in the Fr. Brouillette Center. For more information, Fern may be reached at fern.stjames@verizon.net.
The Cantor, or Song Leader, is Mrs. Denise Renaud. She has been active in this ministry for over fifty years. The primary purpose of the Cantor is to make the assembly's prayer possible through song.  The cantor also has the responsibility for any songs or hymns that require solo passages, leading the assembly in a recurring refrain to be sung and inviting the assembly to join voices in hymns used throughout the Mass.  If you are interested in becoming a cantor, please contact Phil Desrosiers at 401-765-7650. 

Offertory Counters

A group that counts the funds collected at Mass each week. Each group volunteers about once a month. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Basic knitting or crocheting experience and a love and concern for the sick or homebound are all you need to participate in this ministry. Shawls are given to ill or homebound persons as a show of love from their fellow parishioners, to not only keep them warm but to offer solace and comfort as well. While making the shawls, the knitter is asked to continually pray for the person who will receive the shawl. Looking for a pattern? Just use your favorite scarf pattern and make it longer and wider. If you know of someone who would appreciate a shawl, please call the Parish Office.

Praying Hands

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”   (Matthew 18:20)
Thank you for sharing in the ministry that we call “The Praying Hands.” This ministry, at its inception, had nearly 100 members. We now number less than 50 – yet we are still strong! We can become a great source of spiritual graces for our parish community. Established by the late Rev. Albert H. Brindamour, there are two major intentions to keep in mind: (1) the conversion of sinners of our parish and (2) an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and lay apostolate. There are no meetings and there are no dues, but membership does have its privileges!! As a member of this ministry, you will not be praying alone. We ask those who ‘sign-up’ to offer one uninterrupted hour of prayer per month on the date that corresponds to the date of their birth. You may incorporate the Mass as your form of prayer, the recitation of the Rosary, Scripture reading or devotional prayers. You may pray at home, in church or in any place that you might find most conducive to prayer. Four times a year, in January, April, July and October, we will supply you with a booklet “Living Faith” which provides daily reflections based on a Scripture passage from the daily Mass. This booklet helps us to pray and meditate in spirit with the seasons of the Church Year. Your packet will also include five intentions per month to be used when you pray the five decades of the rosary. Please call the Parish Office to join.

Faith Formation

Our Faith Formation program helps children grow in their Catholic Faith, as they learn about the significance of believing, trusting and loving God. Support and involvement of the family is a critical part of this ministry. Additionally, persons who would like to share their faith as teachers are welcome. Please contact our Faith Formation Coordinator, Mr. Paul Adam at  stjamesfaithformation@yahoo.com or call 401-766-1558 ext. 109. For more information please go to Religious Education. 

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation is offered to any Adult who is interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith and who would like to become fully initiated in the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. It is also for those who, although baptized Catholic, may not have been confirmed or received first Eucharist. For additional information, please contact Rev. Thomas J. Ferland at 401-766-1558.

Rosary Group

Parishioners who meet monthly on the First Saturday of each month to pray the rosary. All are welcome to join. For more information, please contact the Parish Office.

Senior Altar Servers

Men and women who assist at weekday evening Mass or Funeral masses to enhance the worship of our faith community.  Mr. David Ross, Sr. and Mr. Raymond Morin serve at Funeral Liturgies.  

Stations of the Cross

Held Friday afternoons at 3:00 PM during Lent in the Church.

Usher

Volunteers who assist people to their seat if necessary. They also take up the collection.

Youth Ministry

Adult coordinators work with the youth members of our parish to plan, coordinate and carry out community service projects and activities. Mrs. Pam Butler and Mr. Paul Adam are the Youth Ministry Coordinators. They may be reached at 401-766-1558 ext. 110.