The Commission identifies the needs and care for the parish physical facilities in order to preserve the parish’s rich history now and for future generations.

Ministries that serve under the Administration Commission are:

Buildings and Grounds - deals with the upkeep and appearance of all the church properties. All needs and repairs are brought to the attention of the business administrator.

Contact: Kathy LaVerghetta
Phone: 732-634-0500 x101
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Cemetery Care - together with volunteers from the parish, members of this ministry come together at least once each year to beautify the cemetery grounds.

Contact: Maria Russo
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-634-0500 x104
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Communication/Information Technology - a specialized ministry assisting with the use of social media and currency as information and processes change.

The Commission touches the soul of Catholics by bringing the light of Christ to the parish and the surrounding community. The goal is to encourage participation and a sense of belonging within the St. James Community by providing opportunities for social gathering, cultural and educational pursuits, spiritual development and community services

Ministries that serve under the Evangelization and Spiritual Life Commission are:

Altar Rosary Society - includes women of the parish, eighteen years or older, who assist with preparation of the altar by furnishing linens, vestments, and Eucharist hosts as well as laundering linens and taking care of the dry cleaning necessary to maintain vestments and altar linens. 

Contact: Rose Walter
Leave a message with the Parish Office: 732-634-0500 x100
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Altar Rosary Book Club - meets on a monthly basis to discuss and appreciate the value of the information derived from religious books assigned.

Contact: Tara Walter
Leave a message with the Parish Office: 732-634-0500 x100
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Catholic Daughters - members engage in creative and spiritual programs under their motto, "Unity and Charity." Members use their talents in meaningful ways that positively influence the welfare of the Church.

Contact: Andrea Smylka

Leave a message with the Parish Office: 732-634-0500 x100

Knights of Columbus - Catholic based fraternal organization engaged in charity activities both locally and beyond, life insurance for members, and faith-based institutional investing.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-634-9783
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Interfaith Clergy Council - Ordained church ministers, priests, and allied partners who provide interfaith services for Woodbridge Township throughout the year.

May Crowning - a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that takes place during the month of May to honor the Virgin Mary as "Queen of May."

Parish Mission - usually occurring during Lent, the mission is led by various missionary priests to engage parishioners in perpetual regrowth.
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Retreats - spiritual offerings to refresh and revitalize and provide the opportunity for more prayer and contemplation. The retreat helps one get in touch with the inner self and deepens one's relationship with God.

Sonshine Summer - provides children with a positive learning experience in a loving, Christ-centered environment. It uses a curriculum that addresses the spiritual, academic, social, and physical needs of children.

Contact: Dorothy Zmigrodski
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-634-3026 x350
Click Here For Volunteer Form

This Commission oversees for parishioners all religious education of all parishioners and creates a parish environment where ongoing learning is a way of life.

Ministries that serve under the Foundation and Education Commission are:

Faith Formation for Children - provides instruction for children who wish to become Catholic or who have not received all their sacraments. Parishioners in this ministry provide spiritual instruction at the necessary level for the development of the child.

RCIA - provides instruction in the Catholic faith for adults who wish to become members of the church which culminates in the reception of the RCIA candidates to the Catholic Church.

Contact: Deacon Roel Mercado

Religious Education - provides education on Catholic teachings to students who attend non-Catholic elementary or high school. Classes are held weekly to prepare students for the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. 

Contact: Dorothy Zmigrodski
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-634-3026  x350
Click Here For Volunteer Form

This Commission is entrusted with preparing the assembly to enter fully into the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. It promotes and enables the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful according to their proper roles.

Ministries that serve under the Liturgy and Worship Commission are:

Altar Servers - Open to boys and girls in public or parochial school enrolled in grades four through twelve. Altar servers assist the priest at Sunday and Weekday masses as well as Wedding and funeral liturgies.

Contact: Joe Lucia
Phone: Parish Office -- 732-634-0500 x100

Baptismal Preparation - provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of the sacrament of Baptism for parents and Godparents (if interested) and ultimately welcomes children into the Catholic faith.

Contact: Cathy Bergquist
Phone: 732-634-0500 x100
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Eucharistic Adoration - forty adorers pray and meditate before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the monstrance each Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by benediction. Each minister devotes one hour per month and bring before the Lord personal intentions as well as intentions of parishioners.

Contact: Mitzi Hozjan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-634-8317
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Eucharistic Ministers- ministers assist in the distribution of the Eucharist and precious blood at all masses and bring the Eucharist to the homebound as needed.

Click Here For Volunteer Form

Greeters and Ushers - ministers represent the assembly by offering hospitality to those who attend mass as well as assist in the orderly flow of the celebration.

Contact: Pete Miarmi

Lectors - ministers proclaim the Liturgy of the Word of God as all masses with faith, meaning, and skill that enlivens the message of God in the assembly.

Contact: Deacon Roel Mercado

Liturgical Ministry - this ministry allows those who serve the opportunity to respond to the word of God with its visual expressions for every season.

Contact: Parish Office 
Phone: 732-634-0500 x100
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Marriage Preparation - facilitates arrangements and requirements prior to the wedding day.

Contact: Cathy Bergquist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732.634.0500 ext. 100 

Music Ministry - enhances the liturgical celebrations during the church year. There are three choirs: Adult Chori meets for rehearsal on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Gospel Choir, a small group of spiritual and upbeat ministers who praise the Lord in song once each month at 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass; Couples for Christ; Youth Choir

Contact: Robert Lapore
Phone: 732-634-0500 x108
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Sacristans - assist the presider of the mass in the preparation and maintenance of the liturgical space before, during, and after mass.

This Commission is entrusted with planning and coordinating events that provide opportunities for all parishioners to come together by offering time and talent to build events that support the communal social and recreational needs of the diverse parish. The Commission will plan and host a number of activities during the year that are open to all members of the parish and other interested parties.

Ministries that serve under the Parish Community Life Commission are:

Church Historian - collect and compile artifacts and memorabilia to record and preserve the history of The Catholic Community of St. James for future generations.

Contact: Mitzi Hozjan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-634-8317
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Coffee and.... - a social gathering held after mass where parishioners can share light refreshments and meet fellow communicants.

Parish Celebrations - provide receptions for the parish to welcome or bid farewell to arriving or departing clergy and/or to acknowledge milestone anniversaries within the parish. Socials held seasonally throughout the year to foster community.

Parish Pilgrimages - organize group bus outings to various religious sites where parishioners can experience Catholic history and comradery.

Outdoor Mass - scheduling of communal celebrations of the Eucharist at an outdoor venue or park.

This Commission responds to the social, economical, inter-religious, and service missions of the parish.

Ministries that serve under the Social Concerns Commission are:

Bereavement - reaches out to those who have lost loved ones. Eight-week sessions cover the stages of grief, prayer, sharing, and reflection to help heal those grieving bring new hopes and inner peace. Grievers meet in a safe place with peer facilitators leading the way.

Contact: Maria Russo
Phone: 732-634-0500 x104

Blood Drive - donors give blood to help save someone's life. One blood drive is held each year around Valentine's Day to help provide life-saving blood to those in need.

Contact: Mitzi Hozjan
Email: [email protected]
Phone:732-634-8317
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Christmas in July - cards with requests for food to fill the shelves of the food pantry are placed on trees throughout the church during the month of July. Donated food is brought to the food pantry for distribution to those in need.
Contact: Maria Russo
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-636-6343
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Food Pantry - distributes food to those who have difficulty purchasing enough food to avoid hunger. The St. James Food Pantry acts as a food storage and distribution depot for Woodbridge Township and surrounding areas with food obtained through donations.

Contact: Maria Russo
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 732-636-4310
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Homebound - trained volunteers visit the sick and shut-ins and bring communion to the homebound who cannot regularly attend mass.

Contact: Parish Office
Phone: 732.634.0500
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Lazarus Ministry - assists those mourning the loss of a loved one by providing a personal and caring presence during this painful time. As "companions of grief on the journey", ministers serve as witnesses of God's love and concern of the entire faith community.

Contact: Maria Russo
Phone: 732-634-0500 x104
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Sharing Our Blessings - For Christmas, we purchase approximately 300 gift cards for 140 families in need living in Woodbridge Township. The families are able to shop for their children and families and experience the joy of selecting gifts, wrapping presents, and putting them under the tree for Christmas morning. Parishioners donate the funds used to purchase the gift cards.

Contact: Linda Donnelly
Phone: 732-634-3026 x351
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Shawl Ministry - while praying, crochets and/or knits shawls to provide unconditional love and comfort to the recipients to wrap, enfold, cover, mother, give solace, hug, shelter, and beautify those who receive them.

Contact: Betty Kozub
Click Here For Volunteer Form

Thanksgiving Food Baskets - collects food at Thanksgiving and distributes baskets to those who would otherwise not have the food to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with a traditional turkey dinner. Food donations are accepted for the baskets as well as money to purchase turkeys and other needed items.

Contact: Linda Donnelly
Phone: 732-634-3026 x351
Click Here For Volunteer Form