The Parish Life Cluster exists to encourage community building among parish members and to foster a sense of belonging "each to one another." As such, the Parish Life Cluster is involved in all programs and activities which seek to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and love within the parish community. By keeping the parish vision before a wide array of groups and organizations, the commission helps us to become more informed about our ongoing mission on the Near South Side of Chicago.

Some of the ways that the Parish Life Cluster functions is by promoting communication between organizations, coordinating selected events and activities, and by identifying and making provisions to fill the social and communal needs of parishioners. All parish community, fellowship and recreational activities, Hospitality, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Social Activities come under the purview of the Parish Life Cluster.

The Parish Life Cluster also has the responsibility of identifying and developing programs and activities which address the social and communal needs of parishioners. The Parish Life Cluster is especially concerned with the growth, financial stability and service programming of several interest groups. These groups form the Parish Life Cluster. Membership in this cluster include the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Peter Claver, IIT Campus Ministry, the Knights of Peter Claver, Young Adults and the Hospitality Committee.

Hospitality Committee
The Hospitality Committee provides refreshments to the congregation after Sunday Masses/worship and on special occasions. They also welcome members of our sharing parishes in to our midst.

IIT Campus Ministry
The Archdiocese of Chicago - through St. James Parish - Provides a vital Catholic presence to students, faculty and staff at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Campus Ministry at IIT brings the Catholic tradition into dialogue with the academic community, empowers students to integrate and appropriate their faith as adults and provides opportunities for worship, bible study, socializing and community service.

Ladies & Knights of Peter Claver
(St. James Court & Council #129) The Ladies & Knights of Peter Claver are national Christian service organizations - for women and men respectively - whose purpse is to render service to God, the Church and its people.

The Ladies Auxiliary contributes financial support to the church, provides scholarships for youth, supports worthwhile causes, models the principles of Christian womanhood and promotes friendship, unity and Christian charity. Membershipis open to practicing Catholoc women who desire to become a part of the auxiliary and its activites.

The Knights of Peter Claver promote civic improvement, award youth scholarships, encourage apostolic and Catholic action, and provide social and intellectual fellowship for its members. The council is open to all practicing Catholic men who desire to become a part of the organization.