Pastoral Ministries
Homebound Ministry
Sometimes parishioners are not able to join us at church to celebrate the Eucharist due to illness or infirmity. We need Communion ministers who are able to visit parishioners at home or in the nursing homes to bring the Eucharist to those who cannot join us at Mass. This can include First Friday Communion. Contact: Patty Reisinger
Prayer Chain
Volunteers will pray the prayer requests called into the parish office. The requests are sent out via email to the volunteers. Direction for participating in this ministry will be given at the time of sign up. Contact: Church Office
Submit a Prayer Chain Request
Transportation to Mass
Volunteers will support fellow parishioners by giving rides to and from Mass on weekends, Holy Days, or other times when arranged in advance. Contact: Church Office
Support ministries
Adult Faith Enrichment
St. James has various study and prayer groups available. These groups meet at different times and locations. Some of the groups available include English Adult Study Groups, Spanish Adult Study Groups, English Adult Prayer Groups, and Spanish Adult Prayer Groups. If you are looking for a way to build your own personal faith, contact the office or Mary Bowman to find a group that fits your needs. Contact: 308-234-5536, [email protected]
Small Group Faith Sharing
These small groups meet for 6-8 weeks in the fall and then again in the spring to do books studies, often aligned with Advent and Lent. These are designed to enrich the faith of our parishioners by building small groups of men and women in order to share their faith. These groups meet once a week on their own or on Monday nights in the Parish Hall. The Monday night event includes meals and childcare. Contact: Deacon Mark Bowman, 308-234-5536, [email protected].
Hispanic Group
Meets every Friday at 7 PM and Sunday at 4:30 PM for prayer, study and community building.
The Watchmen
An interactive men’s program focused on the development of Catholic men in the modern world. It combines the materials for building a modern Catholic man of any age with food and fellowship. This group is composed of men from the community of Kearney and surrounding areas. The group provides two different times to meet, eat, and share: Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Contact: Steve Niedbalski, [email protected] or Dave Bonk, [email protected]
Widows Group
Widows of the parish and local areas gather for social events and activities on a monthly basis. All widows are welcome to participate. Contact: Mary Stearly
Grand Generation Lunch
The Grand Generation group meets on the second Wednesday of the month for lunch in the Social Hall. Please bring a covered dish to share, as a main dish is provided. It is a fun social setting that includes a program and a meal. A healthcare provider will be in attendance to check blood pressures ahead of the meeting. Contact: Judy Drown, or Paula Hull
Women’s Study Group
Meets once a week at church Social Hall. Meetings are Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30AM.
Parish Service Ministries and Teams
Respect Life Committee
Volunteers work for the promotion of respect life issues from conception to natural death. Contact: Mary Bowman, 308-234-5536, [email protected]
Community Life - Outreach
Volunteers work to support our community of Kearney through various outreach activities such as the Sharing Trees, Safe Center Dinners,Meals on Wheels, etc. Contact: Sharon Hoffman or [email protected]
Grief Ministry Committee
Volunteers provide prayer and support for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Contact Sheila Carnahan [email protected]
Social Events Committee
Volunteers work to provide hospitality for parish events. Contact: Liz West, 308-234-5536, [email protected]
Oktoberfest Coordinating Committee
Volunteers plan and coordinate all activities for our annual parish community event. Contact: Carson Watt
Baptismal Garments
Volunteers create and sew the baptismal garments for infants and adults. Contact: Deb Eickhoff
Laundering of Church Linens
This ministry cares for the altar linens, and cloths. Participation in this ministry requires a training session. Contact: Church Office
Funeral Meals
In this ministry, volunteers are called to donate food for a funeral or, if available, called to serve a funeral dinner. Contact: Lori Marshall 308-234-5536 or [email protected]
Serve Funeral Vigil Receptions
Volunteers are available to serve refreshments following a funeral vigil service. Contact: St. James office, Kim, 308-234-5536
Health/Wellness Ministry
This ministry focuses on encouraging wellness and health of individuals in our parish. Contact: Judy Drown 308-234-5536
Photography
Individuals who like to take photos are encouraged to sign up as event photographers for the different activities going on in our parish. Contact: Church Office, 308-234-5536, [email protected]
Building & Grounds
This group of volunteers works on keeping our parish campus beautiful and safe for our parishioners. Members meet to offer directives as well as talents to maintain and improve the physical condition, safety and operation of the parish facilities and infrastructure. This includes cleanup of the grounds along with trimming of the landscaping. Members help to keep the landscape healthy. Some physical labor is needed. Experience in plant care is helpful but not necessary. Contact: Kathy Glatter 308-234-5536
Jubilee Center and Habitat for Humanity
St. James Parish supports numerous helping agencies in Kearney and has committed to those who are poor and underserved. Thirty years ago, St. James made three promises to Habitat for Humanity: 1. To pray for Habitat, 2. To provide financial assistance, 3. To send laborers. Later in time, a similar commitment was also made to the Jubilee Center.
Office Volunteer
Volunteers will be called upon to assist the parish secretary and staff with regular and special projects throughout the year, such as preparing mailings, stuffing bulletins with inserts, answering the phones, etc. Contact: Church Office, 308-234-5536, [email protected]
Marriage Prep Team
Marriage preparation is the responsibility of the community. Married couples are trained on how to lead engaged couples using the materials from Evermore In Love. Participation in this ministry requires special training provided by the parish. Contact: Mary Bowman, 308-234-5536, [email protected]
Please check the bulletin for study groups and times.
Call the Parish Office at 308-234-5536 for contact information regarding Adult Faith Groups.