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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:32 |
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The volunteers in this ministry will help provide information (via information sessions, retreats, meetings, pulpit talks, display tables and materials) on the teaching of the Catholic Church regarding various life issues including; abortion, contraception, euthanasia, human sexuality/teen chastity, and natural family planning/fertility awareness. They will assist in establishing regular times for parish-wide prayer for a broader acceptance of the culture of life and end to abortion. The committee sponsors the St. Gerard Column in the Parish bulletin, assembles and distributes small gifts to new mothers and fathers. They set up and sponsor open talks for parishioners and offer representatives to help and support local pro-life ministries. The first Saturday of each month at 9:00 am, we pray the Rosary at the Charlotte Abortion Mill on 700 E. Hebron St., in Charlotte. This gift of time is about 2 hours per month depending on the number of volunteers participating.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:35 |
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(a) Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network
CVAN provides safety, shelter, and support for battered women and their children. Volunteer opportunities include child care, court advocacy, fundraising, office work, resale store, transportation and house/yard maintenance (training available for volunteers) Their needs are anything you use at home (e.g. paper products, cleaning supplies, personal care, linens, etc.)
(b) Night Shelter
The Night Shelter provides safe lodging, hot meals, case management and life skills training to homeless men, women, and children. Volunteer opportunities each evening include check in and supervision of guests, or provide guests with a meal prepared at home. Guests provide clean-up and a suggested menu is provided. Opportunities occur for 7 nights in one week each quarter. Look in the Bulletin for notices and in the vestibule of the church for the sign-up board.
(c) Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity serves Christ through nurturing families and building affordable homes to create community. Volunteer opportunities are available year round and include answering phones, administrative support, home construction (during the week and Saturdays, skilled and unskilled), clerks and stockers for Home Store Resale Shop, Christmas wrap in mall (fundraiser), bird house build (fundraiser), and prayer support for our mission and volunteers. In-kind gifts, donation of housing materials and gently used appliances/furniture/etc. for the resale store and financial support are always welcome.
(d) Community Free Clinic
CFC provides health and pharmacy services by professional and other volunteer staff to those in need. Volunteer opportunities include: greeting patients and patient administrative services, fundraising, pharmacy support (will train), doctors, nurses, lab techs, pharmacists, and Spanish interpreters (day & evening). Needs are office supplies, clinic supplies, medications or diabetic supplies, food, drinks, or supplies for volunteers, lawn service, and financial support. Each year they sponsor a fundraising luncheon in the spring.
(e) Cooperative Christian Ministry Pantry
CCM Pantry provides emergency assistance to people in crisis and to empower them to make positive life changes. Volunteer opportunities include office administration, greeting clients & answering phones, staffing food pantries, warehouse helpers, drivers, interviewers, and meal service in the soup kitchen. Needs are financial support, non-perishable foods, personal care products, paper products, detergent, etc. Pantry needs are listed in the church bulletin weekly. You can leave your donations in the vestibule of the church, if you are unable to deliver them to the CCM Pantry on Country Club Drive personally. CCM hours are typically 9:00 am to 4:00 pm M,T,Th,F and 9:00 am to noon on Wednesday.
(f) Life Pregnancy Center
LPC ministers spiritually, materially and emotionally to the needs of women and their families in Cabarrus/Rowan counties who are facing crisis pregnancy situations. Volunteer opportunities include in-house peer counselors (training available), answer hot lines, child care, office work and prayer. Needs are financial support, new and slightly used maternity and baby items and office supplies.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:38 |
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This support group is for people who are taking care of a loved one, or a relative, or maybe even a dependant person they know . It is stressful for all. Often, the caregivers need information and someone they can talk with to get answers and comfort. This ministry offers love, compassion, and understanding in a confidential and relaxed setting. Periodically guest speakers will address relevant issues at the request of the group. This ministry meets the third Monday of each month.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:41 |
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The Crop Walk is an international fundraiser for the poor and needy. In Cabarrus County and Kannapolis the event is organized by the Cooperative Christian Ministry. Twenty five percent of the proceeds help the needy in our local area. The remaining funds are used internationally. Individuals, groups and church communities obtain pledges and walk together on a pre-designated route on a Sunday afternoon in October. The route alternates each year between Concord and Kannapolis. The walker chooses the distance of their route 1 or 5 miles. Children (with supervision) and adults of all ages can participate. Meeting people from other churches who believe in the same cause is a great perk too.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:42 |
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Angel Brigade (May)
Relay for Life is a unique, fun way to raise money for the American Cancer Society while celebrating cancer survivors and increasing cancer awareness in Cabarrus County. Relay for Life is the signature activity of the American Cancer Society and is held in every state in the nation as well as worldwide. Teams come from businesses, industries, churches, schools, neighborhoods, and other organizations. The St. James team is named the Angel Brigade. The Cabarrus County event takes place in May, although fundraising efforts for the team can take place year round. Teams camp around the Cabarrus Arena track and participate in a variety of activities and fundraisers while taking turns walking around the track. This is a non-competitive, team-building event and you can attend as many of the 20 plus hours as you wish. All ages are welcome to join the team. Children under the age of 18 would need to have a parent present.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:44 |
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OCC is an annual project of Samaritan’s Purse. It is the world’s largest Christmas project. “Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love.” This program provides an opportunity for our Faith Formation children and people of all ages to be involved in simple, hands-on missions’ project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas-Jesus Christ. For the past years with great support from the Knight of Columbus, St. James faith formation and RCIA for Youth has used OCC as one of their service projects. For St. James parish, packing gift-filled shoe boxes is a hands-on mission project and a great way to bring people together. In our classrooms, Operation Christmas Child provides an opportunity to study other cultures and current events while responding to suffering with the love of Jesus Christ. This ministry is open to all parishioners and our community to share your Time, Talent, and Treasure with children all over the world.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:45 |
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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mat 28:19-20-NAB. Our response to His call is reflected in work with other organizations providing free medical and health services to needy regions internationally. Our parish members volunteer as doctors, nurses, translators, and health educators, etc. to Dominican Republic, Ghana, and Guatemala, etc. Medical and Health mission trip to the Dominican Republic conducted by Intercultural Nursing, Inc. provides healthcare and health prevention programs in poor rural areas in the western part of the Dominican Republic near the Haitian border. Clinics are setup in local schools or churches in the Las Matas and Elias Pina Campos. Volunteers visit Mother Teresa Missionaries of Charity to assist with public health issues, nutrition and bringing love to children at the center. Those who cannot go can support others financially, morally and with their prayers.
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Friday, 20 November 2009 22:47 |
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Each year near Thanksgiving as the Christmas season is about to start, St. James sets up a Christmas tree in the vestibule of the church. The tree is full of multicolored paper ornaments bearing the wish lists of many needy persons in Cabarrus County. St. James works with many organizations such as the night shelter, CVAN, Crisis Pregnancy Center, and the Cooperative Christian Ministry Pantry to bring Christmas to those that otherwise would have nothing. Volunteers are needed to prepare paper ornaments, sort gifts, and transport the gifts to each of the organizations before the holiday.
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Commissions & Ministries