Years of experience at being a Catholic is a valuable part of St. James thanks to the Prime Times ministry.

The Prime Timers were formed to offer a social community to people nearing or already enjoying their retirement years. St. James recognizes that being part of a caring community is a critical factor in the aging process and supports the Prime Timers in all of their activities.

The Prime Timers are celebrating their 10th year at St. James. They meet once-a-month for a luncheon, but members also go with friends met through the ministry to movies, dinner and other social activities.

The luncheons have become more than just an opportunity to socialize. The ministry has delivered programs that vary from discussion on wills and estates to visits from sheriff’s deputies discussing security to entertainment provided by professionals.

Each luncheon is intended to be informative, education, entertaining or all three. Typically, the meals are prepared by Prime Time members, who have experience and skill in the kitchen.

Because St. James church and facilities are undergoing renovations, the luncheons currently are held the second Tuesday of the month at the Beardall Senior Center at 800 Delaney Avenue.

The group intends to move the luncheons back to St. James once renovations are complete.

The Prime Timers ministry is involved in some church-related activities – gathering religious items for distribution to children in Religious Education; supplying canned goods to the St. Vincent de Paul for distribution to those in need; serving coffee and donuts after Sunday masses – but the primary focus is being a social outlet for seniors.

There are no age restrictions, though most members are comfortably in the 50-year-plus category. Dues are $10 a year to help with the costs of staging events.

For more information on Prime Timers, contact Mary Alice at 407-423-4433. For those who prefer to speak Spanish, call Esther at 407-898-3667.

A caring community was identified as a critical factor in providing an enabling environment for healthy aging. Seniors participated in a broad spectrum of activities in their communities, including church and religious activities

Warm, cheerful, friendly atmosphere.

St. James’ Senior’s Clubs – Tried to revitalize it. Did a questionnaire to parishioners over 55 the result was pirmte timers and renamed and refucesd.

The goal is a ministry to the seniors it’s more a social thing. The input that came back was people wo retired feel like they get the bile study an they wanted an outlet to meet people and socialize. We ‘re not a service roganizqation per se. We do collect pop tops for ronal mddonald, religious items for relitgious ed and food for SVDP, but 10 month a year have monthly luncheione a program that is finformatiinve educational or entertaining.

Had program ons Wills and Estates. … orange County Sherffieff to talk about safety and next mnth UCF Global Perspective. … Dan witike from the Oktoberfest group. Did a luau with professionals from niversal with singers and dancers.

Take Day trips tying in with other groups. Beardall Seniors Center.

We don’t really enforce 55 plus. Have a cople that was . We need some younger members to do some of the stuff. … .. Luncheons are second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. at Beardall Senior Center. … Hope to move back to Cathedral . .. It’s more convenient because of kitchen. … We actually have a kitchen team that prepares the food. … The people look forward to it. They feel like it’s a family. Welcome members from other churches and denominations. …